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Rough Cut
When a New York dealer in gemstones discovers a number of top quality synthetic diamonds in a batch he has bought, industry watchdog, the Federation of International Diamond Traders calls in Belizean, Carter Jefferson to trace their origin. Carter, a synthetic diamond specialist who recently quit working or the FIDT to concentrate on writing but who still works for them on an ad hoc basis, is reluctant to take the case until he finds a reference in the file which takes him back 25 years to the time he was a geology student at Oxford University. Old relationships are revived and family secrets emerge as an attractive English girl and a passionate young Frenchman are sucked into the web of deceit and death surrounding the illicit gems.
252 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 25, 2012
Writer Carter Jefferson comes out of retirement to take up an assignment for his old employers the Federal International Diamond Traders. His brief is to investigate how synthetic diamonds have managed to get into a consignment of the real thing. The trail he follows takes him to Europe where he seeks out Nicole, his former love from his university days, whom he has not seen for many years. Living in the north of England she now widowed with two grown up children. By the time he reaches her, she is mourning the death of her son who has been killed under mysterious circumstances. Added to this, it appears her father, involved in the diamond mining industry, is a chief suspect in Carter’s investigations as the synthetic diamonds appear to have originated from one of his mines. Carter heads for the South of France where Nicole’s father lives and there the main action takes place. Shootings, abductions and a blossoming love affair all play their part in this story.
This is not my normal choice of read, but I was totally hooked. Our author slowly cranks up the action and suspense. Things are not what they appear to be, friends turn out to be enemies and the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride until the very end. And Owen’s film making talents certainly shine through in this his debut novel. More please!
This is not my normal choice of read, but I was totally hooked. Our author slowly cranks up the action and suspense. Things are not what they appear to be, friends turn out to be enemies and the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride until the very end. And Owen’s film making talents certainly shine through in this his debut novel. More please!
May 5, 2012
Once I started Rough Cut I found it difficult to put down. Owen's style drew me in immediately and kept me hooked until the very end. His characters are believable and with the exception of the villains, are extremely likeable. But then, aren't you supposed to dislike the villains?
Carter Jefferson, the main character in the book, is a diamond expert and author. His expertise in the gems and previous work with the FDIT leads him back on a freelance basis into the case of synthetic diamonds getting into a shipment of real ones.
A trip to England for a book signing hooks him up with the former love of his life, Nicole. She's had her share of tragedies since her father forced her to break up with Carter when they studied at Oxford. Her husband was killed in an accident a few short years ago and now, between the time Carter has his signing in London and arrives in the village in Yorkshire, her son is murdered.
As Owen led me through the trail of murder suspects and where the synthetic diamonds were coming from, he kept me guessing who was behind the plot.
I love to curl up with a good crime read and this one definitely fit the bill.
Carter Jefferson, the main character in the book, is a diamond expert and author. His expertise in the gems and previous work with the FDIT leads him back on a freelance basis into the case of synthetic diamonds getting into a shipment of real ones.
A trip to England for a book signing hooks him up with the former love of his life, Nicole. She's had her share of tragedies since her father forced her to break up with Carter when they studied at Oxford. Her husband was killed in an accident a few short years ago and now, between the time Carter has his signing in London and arrives in the village in Yorkshire, her son is murdered.
As Owen led me through the trail of murder suspects and where the synthetic diamonds were coming from, he kept me guessing who was behind the plot.
I love to curl up with a good crime read and this one definitely fit the bill.
August 29, 2012
Rough Cut is a fast paced thriller/mystery set in the world of diamonds and the glitz and glam of the south of France.
I enjoyed following Carter Jefferson as he worked out who was behind all the going-ons and liked the fact that we got a small glimpse into his personal life too. This could equally be said of Jacques – a central character to the plot. He inadvertently found himself in the middle of the shady dealings and, as such, being caught up in a lot of the tense and thrilling action. At the same time he was battling to deal with personal problems and family secrets that emerged as a result of the criminal activities.
One or two of the scenes were a bit gritty but they were in keeping with the genre of the book. Other scenes I found myself willing the good guys on, anxious for the right outcome.
The plot is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing all the way. Sometimes I thought I had cracked the plot, only for something else to be thrown in, thwarting my attempts to work it all out. The surprises kept coming right until the end.
I enjoyed following Carter Jefferson as he worked out who was behind all the going-ons and liked the fact that we got a small glimpse into his personal life too. This could equally be said of Jacques – a central character to the plot. He inadvertently found himself in the middle of the shady dealings and, as such, being caught up in a lot of the tense and thrilling action. At the same time he was battling to deal with personal problems and family secrets that emerged as a result of the criminal activities.
One or two of the scenes were a bit gritty but they were in keeping with the genre of the book. Other scenes I found myself willing the good guys on, anxious for the right outcome.
The plot is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing all the way. Sometimes I thought I had cracked the plot, only for something else to be thrown in, thwarting my attempts to work it all out. The surprises kept coming right until the end.
September 22, 2012
This was an intriguing read full of twists and turns and felt rather like reading a James Bond film. Lots of underhand dealings, a spattering of romance and some deadly deeds! If you like a thrill with your fiction then this is one for you. I loved the French setting and Owen Carey Jones' writing style was easy to read and delivered like a well-penned film script.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews