Diamond Cut

by Thomas B. Cavanagh

To find a missing girl, Sandy must return to the insidious places she once worked tirelessly to escape

Sandy Corrigan used to be called Diamond. She used to live in an apartment with other girls like her, though she rarely slept there, instead spending her evenings in hotel rooms around Orlando with lonely, unfaithful men. That is, until the incident.

But despite the personal hell she endured, the nightmarish crisis saved her from a life spent in strangers' beds. Sandy now spends her evenings reading to her six-year-old son, Tyler, and her days working for her brother' s private investigation business.

Despite severing all ties to her former life, a girl from her past reappears and asks Sandy to investigate the disappearance of a young call girl. Unsure of whether or not the girl is alive, and wary of the past traumas the investigation could bring to the surface, Sandy takes the case. What she doesn' t expect to discover is a sordid web of corruption, sex, and murder, and she soon grows more entangled with each step she takes. Can she survive the horrors she thought she escaped years ago?

Perfect for fans of Sue Grafton and Lisa Gardner

Genres: Suspense, Mystery

Audible Audio

Published June 20, 2024

About the author

Thomas B. Cavanagh is an Amazon best-selling, award-winning author of Florida crime thrillers. His latest novel is “Diamond Cut,” the first in the Sandy Corrigan mystery series and winner of the Florida Book Award Bronze Medal for Popular Fiction. He is also the author of “Prodigal Son,” featuring Central Florida private detective Mike Garrity, as well as the first Mike Garrity novel, “Head Games,” which won the Florida Book Award Gold Medal for Popular Fiction and was a Best Novel finalist for a Shamus Award by the Private Eye Writers of America. He is also author of the stand-alone novel “Murderland,” winner of the Dark Oak Mystery Contest. In his career he has written award-winning children's television shows for Nickelodeon, the Walt Disney Company, and many others. He lives in Central Florida with his family and two quirky cats.

Reviews

[Nikki Lee (Nikkileethrillseeker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa!!! This surprised the hell out of me. I was instantly intrigued by the delicious cover ❤️. I am so glad I stumbled upon this little hidden gem 💎

— The plot Sandy is a retired escort now turned private eye (detective). She has been enjoying this nice and safe little life along with her six year old son, Tyler. One day she is contacted by someone she hasn’t seen or heard from in six years, another old ‘coworker’. She has been hired to investigate the disappearance of one of the new girls. Easy peasy right? Wrong! Soon, Sandy learns this was way bigger than she ever could have imagined. This isn’t just pimp stuff and missing hookers……. Lives are being trafficked.

I will be honest and admit that I was a little hesitant at the start. Once I got about 30% in……. I was all invested. Sandy is one of those characters that you’re rooting for but still continues to make stupid decisions just to be the hero. I could live with that. As she once lived that awful life, she wants to save anyone and everyone from that deep dark place. This has a little action, which I didn’t mind…. Considering the heavy weight of the story.

I am delighted to say this is a fantastic book. Loved every minute of it! I highly recommend this if you can bear the trigger warnings. It is 3:18am as I am writing this, so you know it must be good!

** Trigger warnings are sexual assault, prostitution, human trafficking, suicide, and I might be missing some. You have been warned** I’d like to thank NetGalley, Oceanview Publishing, and Thomas B. Cavanagh for a copy. All opinions are my own.
Expected release date July 2, 2024 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Please see the authors note at the end. Heartbreaking facts on human trafficking in the world we live in.

[Mandy K · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Corrupt cops, Russian pimps, and international sex trafficking” “oh my…”

This was an exciting fast paced read. Sandy, a previous escort, is pulled back into her old world and she is determined to help those still living that life, even if it means putting herself in dangerous situations.

At times it felt predictable, but I enjoyed the wonderfully written suspense so much that I didn’t mind. I’m usually a fan of multiple POVs to keep me interested in a story. This was all first person from Sandy’s POV and I had no trouble staying invested. I failed at my attempts of “just one more chapter” many times.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas B. Cavanagh, and Oceanview Publishing for this ARC opportunity.

Publication date: July 2, 2024

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Oceanview Publishing and Thomas B. Cavanagh for granting me a digital copy of this book.

3,5⭐ - this fast paced book follows a former prostitute and single mom, PI Sandy. When her former colleague reaches out to find a missing girl, Sandy is reminded of her past life as a prostitute.

🚨This story handles murder and sex trafficking! The plot is full of action and twists, the characters were likeable. This was the first time reading a novel of Thomas B. Cavanagh, I will definitely check out more of his work.

[Sue Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounding up from 4.5⭐

Excellent action-filled P.I. novel with a twist. Today Sandy Corrigan is a P.I. for her brother with a small son who's the light of her life. Five years ago, she went by Diamond working as an escort, making her escape after a traumatic event. Now some of women from that life reached out asking for help in finding an underage Asian girl who never returned from a date. Doing this could imperil everything she has built since then, but there's no way she could say no. Fast paced with well drawn characters.

[Jamie Galayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a bit of a dark read involving prostitution and human trafficking. I will warn readers that it's not extremely detailed but still not for the faint of heart due to the subject matter. This is one of those books that NEEDS to be read because it is way more common than anyone really knows and it brings to light the issues that so many in the world like to ignore.

The protagonist in this was such a strong female character who has been through hell and back and is still fighting. She's highly likeable and compassionate to the point of danger. This is a real page-turner with humor, nerve-wracking suspense and tragedy. The writing was phenomenal and I'm surprised that I honestly have not heard of this author before this. The story was brilliant and the author clearly did his homework. While this was a real-life eye opener, the story still maintained to entertain and give the reader the action and twists and turns that we all love. I highly recommend this one. Four and a half stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for this ARC.

[Tiffany T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had me on the edge of my seat to the point where I had to stay up til 2am to finish. This was a thrill ride from start to finish and I'm so incredibly glad to have been able to read this. When will there be more?!

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The epic new PI series I didn't know I was craving!

Diamond Cut is the first book in author Thomas B. Cavanaugh’s female private eye mystery series, Gemstones, and it is an absolute dynamite way to begin. The main character is unique, and the plot is so absorbing and exciting I didn’t want to put the book down.

Sandra “Sandy” Corrigan is a private investigator working in her older brother’s PI firm, which is quite a change from her previous profession. Years earlier, she dropped out of high school, and when she lost her waitressing job and got severely behind on her rent and other bills, she followed a friend into the high-end ‘escort’ business going by the name of Diamond. She’s emotionally tough and street-smart in the ways of the ladies of the ladies of the evening. The story is told from Sandy’s first-person point of view, and I absolutely loved her ‘voice.’

The plot opens with Sandy working a case for another private investigator, Mike Garrity, who is the protagonist of the author’s earlier series. I love this crossover. Readers learn a little bit about the trauma that effectively got Sandy out of the sex trade and onto her new career. After a horrendous and high-profile date night gone wrong that distanced her from the business, her brother talked her into coming to work for him. She was understandably leery about taking on her new client. Collette Green was a former roommate during her stint as a call girl. One of Collette’s current roommates, a young Vietnamese girl, has been missing for a week, and she and the other women in the apartment fear foul play. They want Sandy to find her or find answers. Her new case takes logical steps to find the missing girl while trying to avoid mixing it up with Omar, her still displeased former pimp, and his muscle, R.J.

The author’s storytelling is compelling, and before I knew it, I was halfway through the book without ever taking a break. Unexpected plot twists had me gasping out loud at times. The story’s Orlando, Florida setting is vivid, moody, atmospheric, and light-years away from the Disney tourist mecca. This book was a fantastic reading adventure.

I recommend DIAMOND CUT to mystery readers who enjoy strong female protagonists, riveting storylines, and steamy-hot Florida settings.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gem of a story I has a hard time putting it down. This story is so captivating that time simply past by in a jiffy. In simple words I loved it from the opening page till the final one.

Sandy Corrigan used to be called Diamond when she was an escort spending time in hotel rooms catering to unfaithful men until she escaped and left her old life behind...so she thought. Till one day a girl from her past reappears and asks Sandy to investigate the disappearance of a young girl....Sandy finds herself back into a web of corruption, sex, evil pimps and murder.....and us as reader into one of those exciting drama.

Rooting for Sandy was easy for me. “Go girl you got this” This newly minted P.I. had such a checkered past and used it to her advantage to pursuit her goal and brought us deep into a world that is as corrupt and as dangerous one can imagine. The pacing is rapid till the very end and is written with a solid understanding of human trafficking and the sinister side few have ever seen. This multi-layers story involving a call girl who seeks justice for sex trade workers is one of the best I have read. The story is told from the main character’s perspective and oozes with suspense, it is brilliantly said. From the first page Sandy’s character shines.

“Diamond Cut” focusses on real-life tragedies: human trafficking and contemporary slavery.

Well said- and well done.

I received a copy of this book from the Oceanview Publishing for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

[Karin H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delving into the dark realms of prostitution and human trafficking, this book is not an easy read. It's candid about a haunting issue that is often overlooked in society, yet avoids being overly graphic. However, it's an essential read to raise awareness about a problem that's more widespread than we might think.

The lead character is a remarkable embodiment of resilience and strength. Having faced unimaginable adversities, her journey showcases courage that's both inspiring and touching. She's genuinely endearing, and her compassion, even when it leads her into peril, resonates deeply.

A potent mix of heartrending moments, suspense, wit, and unexpected twists, the narrative had me riveted. The caliber of the writing was truly impressive, making me wonder how I hadn't come across this author earlier. The plot is insightful and well-researched, balancing the gravity of the subject with an engaging storyline.

For those who appreciate intense, enlightening reads that don't skimp on action and suspense, this is a must-read. I'd give it a solid 4.5 stars.

A big thank you to Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for this advanced copy.

[Jeff Bartrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cavanagh has a crafted a suspense thriller that’s culturally relevant. The noir seeps through his prose like the Florida humidity it was written in. The moral dilemma mixed the emotional restraint paired together like an alligator in the Florida swamps. Excellent grounded procedural realism that drew me in from the first page to the last oatmeal cookie.

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the glitzy theme parks of Florida’s other Magic City are “working” women along the seedy section of Orange Blossom Trail. What you won’t see there are pricey call girls. This is the tale of one who escaped the downward spiral of “the life,” as sex-trade workers call it.

Sandy Corrigan works at her brother’s private investigation agency in Orlando, mostly as a process server but occasionally as a setup to film cheating spouses. She’s a natural for the latter. Six years ago, she was known as Diamond, living in an apartment with other gals. Their pimp was domineering Omar. A “trick” turned bad caused Sandy to turn her life around several months before her son, Tyler, was born, the only “good thing to have come from a very bad life.”

Someone from the past calls Sandy wanting to hire her to locate Naomi, a missing person trafficked from Vietnam. Sandy’s determination to locate her leads to a horrid metaphoric theme-park ride. The pre-novice investigator learns at which hotel Naomi last stayed. Unable to get information she needs from the night manager, she drops a name she had heard at the apartment: Yvonne. Gates open, and she finds out who the probable john was from the night Naomi disappeared.

That john has a name, but it’s not John, and he lives in suburban Chicago. Sandy takes her first flight, ruing that she’ll be away from her son for the night. The next morning, she visits her target’s workplace --- a cubicle with no occupant --- and sits at the desk. Sandy wings it when he enters the space scarcely large enough for two and gives the impression that she knows everything. Flabbergasted, he fills in Grand Canyon-sized gaps.

Back in Orlando, that metaphoric theme park takes Sandy on a wild ride: “international human trafficking, prostitution, racketeering, assault, police corruption.” The ride ends at a house occupied by the masterminds behind a nefarious organization. Escape seems impossible, but Sandy relies on cunning and forethought. “You, young lady, are a certified badass.”

Although DIAMOND CUT is a work of fiction, Thomas B. Cavanagh’s brilliant prose focuses on real-life tragedies: human trafficking and contemporary slavery.

Author’s note: The scourge of human trafficking infects all corners of the globe and every state in the U.S. According to the International Labour Organization, as of 2016, an estimated 40.3 million people were in modern slavery worldwide, including 4.8 million who were being sexually exploited. Women and girls represent 99 percent of victims in the commercial sex industry.

Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy

[J. F. "Thriller Ghost Writer" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Headline: A fictional view into unseen but real scourges of humanity.

Book Review: Diamond Cut by Thomas B. Cavanagh
Published by Oceanview Publishing, July 2, 2024

★★★★★ (4.5 Stars rounded up!)

Diamond Cut (2024)
Chapter One

// "I used to have sex for a living.
Now, on a strictly part-time basis, I get paid not to..."
- "Diamond" a/k/a Sandy Corrigan, private investigator //

Thus it begins, the tale of a former Central Florida escort.

-----

Orlando, Florida

It wasn't that long ago. Sandy Corrigan got out of her former life in dramatic fashion. A near-death experience.

She now holds a Florida Class "CC" Private Investigator Intern License and works under the aegis of her brother's PI agency. Along with Tyler, her precocious 6-year-old, and Laura, a friend who takes care of the toddler, she lives a relatively quiet existence in her new abode, a little 1940's craftsman bungalow in downtown Orlando.

A relatively quiet existence.

Until that day.

That day, when Sandy Corrigan, private detective, gets a phone call from a person looking for someone called "Diamond".

That day, when she reluctantly gets drawn back into the fringes of her past, to help search for a missing Asian teenager, a very young prostitute, at the desperate behest of former acquaintances.

Drawn back to an involvement with the lives of trafficked, extorted, coerced women, some still in their teens. Drawn back to the violence, sordid misery and inhumane realities of modern slavery.

Drawn back, even as she finds herself and loved ones perilously in the crosshairs of organized crime and their network of bent cops, pimps, snitches and ruthless hardened thugs and killers, many of whom are heard speaking with Slavic accents.

All a clear and present danger to the general public.

But personal, very personal to "Diamond".

And this time around, Sandy Corrigan is a different kind of woman....!

-----

Author Thomas B. Cavanagh, award-winning fiction writer, introduces his strong female protagonist and takes his readers on a griping wild ride into the dark side, a finessed fictional view into unseen but real scourges of humanity - human trafficking and sex exploitation, one almost synonymous with the other, even as the author masterfully delivers the narrative without resorting to blood and gore and gratuitous sex, quite a feat considering the issues on hand.

Cavanagh notes at the end of his evidently well-researched novel, which per se, reads like a mark of his own advocacy, that, out in the real world in this day and age, 40.3 million people are hopelessly trapped in modern slavery, including 4.8 million being sexually exploited. (Source: UN ILO 2016)

He then cites a number of organizations prominent on the front lines of the war against human trafficking including the National Human Trafficking Hotline, the Polaris Project and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery.

Simply, a must-read!

Review based on an advanced reading copy courtesy of Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley.

[Jacqueline Bertot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diamond Cut by Thomas B. Cavanagh. This is the first book by Mr. Cavanagh that I have read, and I can tell you I look forward to so many more. Diamond cut introduces you to Sandy Carrigan, working now as a (PI) Private Investigator for her brother Billy for the last 6 years. She had a rough start in life and has tried to escape the events that left her single and alone. She is asked to help a friend from the past find a missing woman. However, will this lead her back into the life she has fought so hard to escape.

Author Thomas B. Cavanagh leads an amazing adventure and suspenseful story of murder, deception, and revenge. Sandy Carrigan is drawn, and feels responsible, for the murder of missing working girl from her old stomping grounds. Asked to find out what happened and find out who did it, she is drawn towards a whirlwind of twists and turns. One would never see the secret corners of the working girl community. This story has a strong female lead that shows determination, grit, strength, and integrity to do all that it takes to make it right and bring those responsible to justice.

The descriptive way the author presents this story leaves you no choice but to get emotionally involved and feel what the characters do. I found myself holding my breath just to get through many parts of this book. If you enjoy murder and suspense in a good thriller you will love “Diamond Cut”. I highly recommend this book. This story has so many twists and turns it’s hard to find a place to stop for the night. 8 hours last night and I found myself finishing it. This book really needs to be a movie, it’s that good!

[Melissa Ammons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a gifted copy.
I’ve heard that the first sentence of a book is supposed to catch the reader’s attention. This one sure did, at least it did for me. This is the story of Sandy, formerly known in her previous life as Diamond. A life she escaped from six years ago.
I’ve found that I like strong female characters. Sandy definitely falls into that category, at least for me. She was in a really bad spot in her younger years and found her way out, not only because of a bad incident but because of her little boy. I also appreciated the fact that her brother never gave up on her no matter what bad choices she made in life.
A couple other characters who stood out to me were Father Frank and Ramona.
Of course, we have to have some bad dudes, because what story would be complete without them?
It was also quite interesting to me that this author was able to get into the mind of a female character. Sandy was scared at what she was finding out on this case she had undertaken, but she was also bullheaded enough to keep going until she had the answer, even if it meant putting everything she’d worked so hard to overcome in jeopardy. She was also able to maintain a sense of humor, which I found to be spot on. And the other women Sandy, Father Frank, and Ramona were trying to help? They add their own sense of internal strength to what happens on these pages. I have to wonder what Sandy will find herself mixed up in next.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diamond Cut
By Thomas B Cavanagh

Sandy thought she had left her past behind her. A past of lonely men, a different hotel room for every one, a deep, dark secret. This incident catapulted her out of the life she endured, it gave her the impetus to get out.

Now, Sandy lives with her 6 year old son and working as a PI for her brothers agency. That is until a familiar face appears before her, desperate for help. A face from her past.

Sandy is drawn into the search for a missing call girl, but the search is a pandora's box of corruption, murder and solicitation. Will she be mired in darkness and danger again or can she resolve her past and move toward a brighter future?

The subtle elegance of the cover immediately caught my attention (and I am not usually one who judges a book by it's cover.) however, reading the synopsis snagged my synapses and I was hoisted in to this dynamic novel of depravity, detectives and dangerous liaisons

Cavanagh has created a character in Sandy that you cannot help but root for. She is relatable, doesn't always get it right, or make the right decisions, but by eckers is she a feisty FMC to get behind!

There are trigger warnings aplenty, so check before you dive in, and prepare yourself for a highy suspenseful, gritty, powerful masterpiece

Thank you very much to Partners in Crime Tours and Thomas B Cavanagh for this incredible ARC. My Review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[Ojasvita Dahare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a ride.....
Let's talk about plot first.
The writer did a great job devising the outline of the plot as none of the events in the book seem like they are popping out of nowhere. It is fast paced, at least enough for me to not loose intrest in the book. I liked that after every few pages there was twist or an awesome logical revelation.
If we talk about the heroine, she was really a character that we can relate to. The decisions she made in the whole book related to what a normal person would make in those circumstances.
Sometimes she was stubborn though but that was also required, I guess to make the character seem more realistic. There were some decisions made by sandy that I am certainly not a fan of but the plot overpowered it. It didn't give you time to think the consequences of her decision so it was good.
The one thing that could have been improved was the ending because the villain was portrayed like someone who was very powerful and although the ending was realistic, I was expecting some big showdown at the end because of the expectations that the whole book gave me so I was a bit disappointed by the ending.
Nevertheless I was happy that sandy got her normal life back and took those girls out of that hell.
I am a sucker for happy endings 😁

[Eileen Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Private Investigator Sandy Corrigan knows all about life in Orlando, Florida. Sandy’s past makes her particularly adept at navigating the underworld that springs up around the tourism mecca. But she’s left that life behind, the life where she was known as Diamond and where she spent her nights in the hotel rooms of paying clients. She escaped it all after a brush with death that left her scarred but grateful to be alive. Now she works for her brother and is raising her young son, Tyler.
When a young girl goes missing, and an old friend asks for Sandy’s help, she finds herself back in the thick of her old life, and among some old enemies. Before she knows it, she is risking everything to find out what happened to the girl and to right some decisions she made years before that she regrets.
This book goes deep into the scourge of human trafficking and does so with sensitivity, avoiding the traps that often come along with similar subject matter. Sandy is a strong, resourceful heroine who I enjoyed rooting for. Thomas B. Cavanagh weaves a thrilling and believable tale in DIAMOND CUT. I couldn’t put it down!
Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for the opportunity to read this advanced review copy.

[Bridget Shanahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Sleuth Works the Unhappier Underside of America’s Favorite Tourist Town

There is a new private detective in town and that town is the Orlando metro area. If you are a fan of Kinsey Millhone (Grafton), Jane Rizzoli (Gerritson), Stephanie Plum (Evanovich), Holly Gibney (King) or Tess Monaghan (Lipton), you will welcome single mom and P.I. Sandy Corrigan to the sleuthing sorority.

Sandy is easy to root for. She is no superwoman, but with supportive friends and compassion born of her own damaged past, she pushes through her fears to fight human trafficking in suburbia. (The dark deeds are actually set in my old neighborhood of MetroWest/Dr. Phillips.)

The story is grim but not gratuitously violent or salacious, despite the subject matter. The pacing is quick and clever with enough breathing room for engaging characterization. This story is not so much a whodunit as it is an “oh my, God how is she going to get out of this?” with escalating risks played out in the familiar settings of parking lots, backyards and a particularly scary Taco Bell.

“Diamond Cut” promises to be the first in a sparkling series.

[Kelli Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author. And I am excited to continue reading this series! Diamond Cut is about a former call girl who violently found her way out of that life. And she made a new, good life for herself as a private investigator working for her brother. The description made this very intriguing. There are some incredibly heartbreaking moments in this book. I actually had tears in my eyes a few times. While we did not get an up close and personal view of a call girl, we did get more detail than I have read in other books. My heart broke for those women.
This book also made me very nervous. I was so tense and anxious for Sandy and what could happen next! She did not always make the best decisions, but she did do what she thought was right and in the best interest of others.
There were a few things I saw coming and some I did not. Towards the end, I actually gasped out loud. And just when I thought it was over, it kept going! Definitely did not see the ending coming. I am hoping to read more about Garrity in the future. I really liked his character! As well as Sandy’s. Overall, a great read.

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that opening sentence of the very first page as we are introduced to our MC, Diamond aka Sandy. Sandy is a working at her brother’s PI business and she has a 6 year old son named Tyler as well. Sandy used to be a pro worker in the sex industry and now she has gotten out of that industry. Sandy is the bait in PI investigations, but one investigation she has a PSTD episode from 6 years ago previously. Something very bad happened to Sandy.
The writing is very gripping and engaging for a thriller. I really liked the plot of this book, where the MC has improved her life and gotten to a better life overall and is doing well for herself and Tyler. I resonate with that premise but not the same circumstance as Sandy. The author did a great job writing this book for fans of thrillers. The ending is perfect for Sandy and everyone involved. I was very happy as a reader. It leaves me wanting to hear more about Diamond/Sandy and more of her cases in the future.

[Amanda’s_Good_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐭
𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐁 𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐡
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟎𝟕/𝟎𝟐/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

Diamond, AKA Sandy Corrigan, is a former working girl turned private investigator. One day, her past calls for a favor, and she can’t turn the case down. As she works the case, she becomes entangled in the life she tried so hard to leave behind and runs into people she wishes she could forget.
Diamond may have the worst or the best luck you could imagine in several chapters. The characters in this book are written perfectly.
I could not put this book down.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️S͎T͎A͎R͎S͎
#thomasbcavanagh #oceanviewpublishing #diamondcut
#thrillerreads #arcbooks #netgalleyreviewer #netgalley #epicreads #booksofig #bookhoarder #bookstack #readmorebooks #booknerdigans #shelfie #instabooks #bookreview #bookcommunity #booksofinstagram #booknerd #bookstagrammer #bookblogger #booklove

[Ganesh Subramanian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breathtaking crime thriller that exposes the deals with human trafficking especially the way immigrants, many of them underaged, are forced into the flesh trade. Sandra, a former sex worker, who has managed to escape the network and lead a normal life with her six-year-old son, is asked to help out in tracing a minor girl who has gone missing for more than a week. The entire story spans just four days of her life on how she uncovers a whole network and liberates the girls held captive. The pace is rapid and it is a book that you must complete in one sitting. The subject may deter some from reading it but this book is a must-read for everyone as it unravels the sordid network that profits from serving the basest instincts of humans. This is a book that everyone must read.
** ARC book received through Edelweiss **

[Mandy K · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Corrupt cops, Russian pimps, and international sex trafficking” “oh my…”

This was an exciting fast paced read. Sandy, a previous escort, is pulled back into her old world and she is determined to help those still living that life, even if it means putting herself in dangerous situations.

At times it felt predictable, but I enjoyed the wonderfully written suspense so much that I didn’t mind. I’m usually a fan of multiple POVs to keep me interested in a story. This was all first person from Sandy’s POV and I had no trouble staying invested. I failed at my attempts of “just one more chapter” many times.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas B. Cavanagh, and Oceanview Publishing for this ARC opportunity.

Publication date: July 2, 2024

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

American author, Thomas B. Cavanagh’s Diamond Cut (2024) features Sandy Corrigan, a Private Detective. Sandy with a six-year-old son, who she fiercely protects. When a former colleague contacts her to find a missing girl, Sandy is once again caught up in the sex industry and its dark underside. The story has murder and human trafficking, making it a difficult read at times, but nonetheless, is a story with heart and an authentic feel. With its resilient and strong protagonist, nicely tension-building narrative, humour and twists make this a three and a half stars read rating. With thanks to Oceanview Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

[Rebecca McNulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandy Corrigan, once called Diamond, is a former prostitute turned pseudo-P.I. who is investigating a case that brings her back into the life she left behind. As a narrator, Sandy is quippy and fun; she uses sarcasm to navigate the ways her past defines her present and how it redefined the future she is building for herself. Cavanagh’s writing straddles the line between humor and thriller to contrast a stark reality against the overarching veil of human decency. We’re rooting for Sandy from the first restaurant sting, and her story keeps intensifying, both through the plot and her own growth. So excited to see this released!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced thriller that had me flying through the pages. Sandy used to be a escort and she worked hard to escape that life because of her son Tyler. It isn't long before she is pulled back into that world when she is asked to find a missing escort. Sandy tries to help the girls realise that there is another life out there for them. Sandy is a likeable character even when I was screaming at her stupid decisions I still rooted for her. The plot has lots of different twists that have you believing one thing to discover it's something completely different. A pacy crime thriller with non-stop twists and heaps of heart pounding action.

[Shrez (Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW for: Human Trafficking, Suicide, Sexual Assault, Prostitution

Sandy, a retired escort turned detective, thought her past was behind her, until she has to revisit her past in order to find a missing girl.

At first, I thought this book was not going to be one I would enjoy, but once I got into the pace of it, I could not put it down!

The themes were a bit tough to get through however it's a book that tackles real life issues and shows it for what it truly is.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Patricia Gussin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandy Corrigan has escaped - but not without trauma - a life as a call girl. She now has a child and is becoming comfortable as a productive member of society. Until . . . a young girl imperiled by Sandy's old life begs her for help. The reader is plunged into the question: "What would I do?" Sandy's choses and the story explodes. Human trafficking may be an unsavory topic, but the empathy that "Diamond Cut evokes and the courage it displays is phenomenal. I was really impressed with this novel.

[Karla Kitalong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started reading Cavanagh's books, I simply devoured all four of them in quick succession. They are action-packed, full of dramatic chase scenes, warm family moments, and actual Orlando landmarks and attractions set against the seamy under-belly of a city I know pretty well. The first three are narrated by private investigator Mike Garrity, while the narrator of this one is a former prostitute turned badass private investigator. I liked Garrity in the first three books, so I was happy to see him appear in this fourth book from time to time. I hope Tom is working on a fifth installment.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced read on the sadly topical issue of human trafficking. The underlying plot elements (trafficking, corruption) might seem all too familiar but Sandy, escort turned PI, makes this fresh. She's a good character- a woman who has changed her life and is living quietly, working for her brother and raising her so but who is willing to step up to help other women. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. I'd like to see more with Sandy.