The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling

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Releases October 1, 2014

No one performs on the circus trapeze like 16-year-old Rémy Brunel. But Rémy also leads another life, prowling through the backstreets of Victorian London as a jewel thief. When she is forced to steal one of the world’s most valuable diamonds, she uncovers a world of treachery and fiendish plots.

Meanwhile, young detective Thaddeus Rec is determined to find the jewel and clear his name. Will Thaddeus manage to rescue the jewel? Or is it really Rémy that he needs to save?

This is what The Diamond Thief has to offer: an idealistic young man intent on upholding his principles, an evil plot to disrupt and most importantly, a smart young heroine who’s not afraid to put her neck on the line. All set against an alluring circus backdrop in London in the 1800’s.

I had a fun time reading this. Rémy is instantly likable for her grace, confidence and generous heart. Thaddeus’ discipline and strong sense of right and wrong make him equally impressive. You wouldn’t think these two would hit it off. Well they don’t, at least not initially since they’re on opposite sides of the law.  When it turns out that they have both been duped and that the precious jewel still needs to be recovered, they have to work together out of desperation. It’s an awkward undertaking as neither of them trusts the other and recovering the jewel serves a different purpose for each.

When they come across a plot that could be catastrophic if allowed to happen, they acknowledge that there is something bigger than their issues to fight for. This is where the story gets especially exciting.

As I said earlier, this is a fun story littered with some interesting and lovable characters.  What makes it a winner for me is Rémy. She’s fearless and focused.  Her thieving ways aside, her affection and loyalty to the people she loves are admirable as are her certainty and belief in her abilities. She’s no silly waif waiting to be rescued. She is just the kind of person Thaddeus needs to help him expand his strict black and white view of life.  And he helps Rémy see that her distrust of the law isn’t always valid. The two of them have a subtle chemistry that becomes even sweeter as they become roiled in the dangerous position they find themselves in.

I enjoyed The Diamond Thief very much and recommend it of you're looking for something fun and quick and perhaps a taste of a different period in time.

~ Bel