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The Lucifer Cut
A heart-pounding thrill ride through the dangerous world the modern gem trade, by the acclaimed author of Diamond.
When a New York diamond dealer and his wife are found dead in what appears to be a chilling assassination, and a mysterious gem—known as the Lucifer Cut—goes missing, US Treasury agent Alex Turner and his unscrupulous lover, the Russian diamond thief Slav Lily, are thrust into a deadly web of global intrigue. Without knowing if they can even trust one another, the two find themselves on the trail of a secret that could destroy not just the world diamond trade, but the entire world order.
In a fiction first, diamond expert Matthew Hart tears the curtain from the secretive world of lab-grown diamonds, where master “chefs” create astonishing gems from the chaotic, 8,000-degree maelstroms inside terrifying reactors. These beguiling fakes may masquerade as real, fooling not just consumers but criminals alike. But as Alex and Lily soon learn, one of these diamond sorcerers has learned to do much more, manipulating the very atomic structure of a stone. When news of this leaks out, it ignites a murderous race from New York to London and finally to Cape Town, as a Chinese tycoon plots to seize the secret that would give her country global military supremacy.
With knife-sharp dialogue and lacerating irony, Alex and Lily navigate an ever-shifting criminal underworld, personal betrayals, and the sudden storms of desire as they rush to unravel the enigma of the Lucifer Cut and the treacheries of the human heart.
When a New York diamond dealer and his wife are found dead in what appears to be a chilling assassination, and a mysterious gem—known as the Lucifer Cut—goes missing, US Treasury agent Alex Turner and his unscrupulous lover, the Russian diamond thief Slav Lily, are thrust into a deadly web of global intrigue. Without knowing if they can even trust one another, the two find themselves on the trail of a secret that could destroy not just the world diamond trade, but the entire world order.
In a fiction first, diamond expert Matthew Hart tears the curtain from the secretive world of lab-grown diamonds, where master “chefs” create astonishing gems from the chaotic, 8,000-degree maelstroms inside terrifying reactors. These beguiling fakes may masquerade as real, fooling not just consumers but criminals alike. But as Alex and Lily soon learn, one of these diamond sorcerers has learned to do much more, manipulating the very atomic structure of a stone. When news of this leaks out, it ignites a murderous race from New York to London and finally to Cape Town, as a Chinese tycoon plots to seize the secret that would give her country global military supremacy.
With knife-sharp dialogue and lacerating irony, Alex and Lily navigate an ever-shifting criminal underworld, personal betrayals, and the sudden storms of desire as they rush to unravel the enigma of the Lucifer Cut and the treacheries of the human heart.
- GenresMystery
288 pages, Hardcover
Published June 11, 2024
3 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Hart
10 books28 followersMatthew Hart has reported on gold and diamonds for Vanity Fair, The Atlantic Monthly, The Wall Street Journal, the London Times, and many other newspapers and magazines. He was a contributing editor of the New York trade journal Rapaport Diamond Report. His award-winning book Diamond: the History of a Cold-Blooded Love Affair was translated into six languages and made into a four-hour dramatic miniseries starring Sir Derek Jacobi and Judy Davis. His latest book Gold: the Race for the World’s Most Seductive Metal was adapted into a National Geographic TV special. He has traveled from the Arctic to Angola in pursuit of diamond stories. He once found a puff adder in his room, but not since moving to New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 10, 2024
As a fellow writer of diamond industry mysteries, I am filled with admiration for what Matthew Hart accomplishes in The Lucifer Cut.
The diamond world is a fascinating place, and Hart takes you on a whirlwind tour of many of its main hotspots, from the deserts of Namibia to the elegant salons of Manhattan to the bustling streets of Antwerp. They’re all rendered quite vividly, along with generous helpings of trade lore and legends. And it’s all done with writing that's elegant and consistently polished (to use a diamond term)—and livened with many great quips.
If you are interested in diamonds, read this. If you are interested in international intrigue, also read this. (By the way, I’ve met Matthew, and he’s a nice guy. But judging by this book, he knows a scary amount about weapons.) Not only will you learn a lot, you’ll find a rip-roaring adventure that’s hell of a lot of fun.
The diamond world is a fascinating place, and Hart takes you on a whirlwind tour of many of its main hotspots, from the deserts of Namibia to the elegant salons of Manhattan to the bustling streets of Antwerp. They’re all rendered quite vividly, along with generous helpings of trade lore and legends. And it’s all done with writing that's elegant and consistently polished (to use a diamond term)—and livened with many great quips.
If you are interested in diamonds, read this. If you are interested in international intrigue, also read this. (By the way, I’ve met Matthew, and he’s a nice guy. But judging by this book, he knows a scary amount about weapons.) Not only will you learn a lot, you’ll find a rip-roaring adventure that’s hell of a lot of fun.
June 11, 2024
I would rate this book 3 1/2 stars out of five.
What would the diamond markets become if someone or some country could make lab grown diamond so perfect they could pass it off as the real just like a natural stone and it would pass all the test? The story starts off fast when a diamond dealer and his wife are murdered when the dealer is in possession of a diamond that is such a rare cut that only one or two exist. The story follows the investigation of who murdered the couple and where did the diamond disappear to, and whom or what country is manufacturing these perfect diamonds and what is their intent? All being investigated by Alex Turner and his cast of characters from the Treasury Department. This a fast-paced story that in my opinion was a little better than average. Give a read and see what you think.
What would the diamond markets become if someone or some country could make lab grown diamond so perfect they could pass it off as the real just like a natural stone and it would pass all the test? The story starts off fast when a diamond dealer and his wife are murdered when the dealer is in possession of a diamond that is such a rare cut that only one or two exist. The story follows the investigation of who murdered the couple and where did the diamond disappear to, and whom or what country is manufacturing these perfect diamonds and what is their intent? All being investigated by Alex Turner and his cast of characters from the Treasury Department. This a fast-paced story that in my opinion was a little better than average. Give a read and see what you think.
December 6, 2024
Another delightful read about Treasury agent Alex Turner and billionaire jewel thief partner, Slav Lily, in the cut throat world of the jewel trade. Someone in China has found a way to lab-grow near impeccable diamonds that could pass for the genuine article, and of course flood the world with it whilst making off like a bandit. That is, until Alex and Lily gets caught up in the mix, and then evil plans gets bollocksed up. Of course where there is large amounts of money involved and plans being bollocksed up, there is bound to falling bodies and splattering of large amounts of bloods. Regardless of what type of diamonds are involved , many will emerge with a red coating. It is going to be a crazy ride. Can't wait for the next Alex\Lily book. There is another in the works, right Mr. Hart? Right?
July 10, 2024
I found it a bit slow and technical at times. I learned a lot about diamond world and the thriller work even it's not my cup of tea
3.5 upped to 4
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
3.5 upped to 4
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 23, 2024
First rate thriller, well-written with lots of action.
Characters and settings are somewhat cliched, as if they are being drawn for an upcoming movie, but the protagonist is interesting and cynical enough to be accepted.
I enjoyed it.
Characters and settings are somewhat cliched, as if they are being drawn for an upcoming movie, but the protagonist is interesting and cynical enough to be accepted.
I enjoyed it.
October 31, 2024
"The Lucifer Cut" was a fun read with plenty of action, and I’d give it 3 out of 5 stars. The story felt like it was made for the big screen—lots of fast scenes and twists, but sometimes it was more flash than depth. Still, if you’re looking for something entertaining, it's worth a read.
July 10, 2024
I enjoy these books - interesting locations and you get to find out a lot about diamonds.
December 7, 2024
Confusing and boring. Please stop writing paragraphs with street names and which way the characters turned. Got better at the end but still practically unreadable. So boring.
January 18, 2025
A bit too convoluted. Covert operations and artificial diamonds. Fast read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews