Diamond Roulette

Lloyd & Ladbrook #1

by Benjamin Kuttner

This is an alternate cover edition for B016EMSXM4

Treasure hunters, mafia, assassins all wrapped in a mystery.

Washed up mixed-martial-artist, Jonathan Lloyd, is after a career change. His lecturer, Simon Ladbrook, is an ex-treasure hunter trying to escape his past.

Ladbrook introduces Lloyd to the D&E, a dangerous stock exchange for treasure hunters loaded with ex-special forces, assassins, criminals, top sportsmen, and whoever else is willing to put it all on the line.

When the Orlov diamond is stolen from the Kremlin, Ladbrook takes Lloyd into secret tunnels beneath Moscow. For Lloyd, what should have been a straightforward introduction to the world of treasure hunting becomes a deadly game with treachery at every turn.

Join Lloyd and Ladbrook in their first fast-paced action adventure, thriller. A place where quick thinking is as important as fighting skills, and second chances in life come at a price.

Genres: Amazon

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2015

About the author

Benjamin (or Ben) lives in a little town an hour from Auckland, New Zealand with his wife and two daughters. As a child he lived feral in the canopy of Jurassic era trees with spectacular bird life. Well not quite, but he did spend a good deal of time climbing trees in the native forest on his parents’ property (where his daughters are now busy constructing a tree house). Sometimes in tandem with climbing, from a young age, Ben also developed a love of reading voraciously such wonderful writers as: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Ursula K. LeGuin, Margaret Mahy (who kindly wrote back to his fan mail), Roald Dahl, and many others.
Ben also has a deep affinity with science fiction, his grandfather was a chemical engineer and also a World War Two veteran and installed in Ben a fascination with science and history. When Ben was four years old, his father (who is also a fan of all the above) took him to watch the three original Star Wars films in back to back screenings over a day. At the end of Return of the Jedi, his dad asked whether his little son was tired and Ben burst into tears, asking, “Is that all there is?”
So this adoration of science fiction, being an outdoor kid, and history coalesced into the Dave’s Timely Adventures series, which now is bedtime reading (in its various draft forms) to Ben’s daughters who are two of his most active fans, critics, and muses.

Reviews

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kremlin, Moscow, Russia. Viktor Detenchenka (soldier, President's Regiment) corpse was fished out of the Moskva River.
London, England. Jonathan Lloyd (University law Student, Rugby, Mixed martial arts, cage fighting, treasure hunter) went to see Simon Ladbrook (43, Senior Lecturer, Etymology, Philosophy & Kremlinology, treasure hunter).

Simon made him & offer he could not refuse.
Simon would introduce Jonathan to the The Discovery & Exploration Club (stock exchange) which deals in/with wealthy treasure hunters.
The 2 attended a meeting.
Warmstrong Benjamin (A/A, D&E Exchange) informed the group that the Orlov diamond had vanished from the Kremlin Diamond Fund.
$26 million for the recovery of the gem.
Aboard the Boeing E-3 Sentry the treasure hunters were off to Moscow, Russia.

The 2 were escorted by Yuliya Yusupova (f, bodyguard, translator) to meet with Major-General Gregori Evanovitch (President's Regiment, aka Battle Car).
Maria Detenchenka (Viktor's wife) caught up with Jonathan & Simon.
Konstantin Cheligin (oligarch, Russian Mafia soldier) was going to take the 2 to meet his boss Gavreel Shryabin (Russian Mafia boss).

Jonathan, Simon & Yuliya are being hosted by Viktor Ditchenka (husband) & Maria Ditchenka (wife).
A clue had been left in the curator’s dead body Spasskiya (Savior)?
Jonathan, Simon & Yuliya meet up & encounter Gavreel, Volodya (underboss, gangster) & Nikita Kulagin (ex-secret service, treasure hunter).

It’s beginning to look like who is playing who?
The deadly cat & mouse game begins.
Their journey will take them to towns: Krasnodar, Cherkessk, Karachayesk, & Dombay.

Will the The Orlov Diamond ever be located?

I have always loved James Bond movies. The newest 2015 & another soon to be released in 2 more weeks is even more blood/guts & gory, + romance of course.

NLP I’m glad I had a graduate class on that stuff.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written historical fiction action/adventure book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were a few grammar/typo errors, but no repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of very unique/colorful characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Action/Adventure movie, animated cartoon, or mini TV series. Wasn’t as exciting as I thought it was going to be. That said I will still rate it at 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Smashwrods; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Leslye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diamond Roulette (Lloyd & Ladbrook #1)
by Benjamin Kuttner (Goodreads Author)

I really enjoyed reading this book - I liked the character build for the two main characters Ladbrook an addicted ex treasure hunter that wants back into the hunt (for the thrill and the money) and Lloyd the extreme fighter that did not know what he really wanted to do with his life after being injured while fighting ( the money helped him decide). They played well together.

The way that the hunt was set up like the stock exchange lent a new tilt to what would have been just a random bunch of people hashing it out for the the spoils. The Diamond!! The technology that they were able to use was impressive, the violence was just enough to keep you excited, the weaponry was explosive and the dialogue kept you involved with the story.

It was a page turner and i couldn't wait to see what would happen next!

[Natalie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d say inspired by both Indiana Jones and James Bond. Ladbrook a lecturer with a list of dead partners and an ache to treasure hunt again. Lloyd lost in what he wants to do in life after an injury ruins his fighting career. Teaming up for a trial mission the duo head to Russia to track down a stolen diamond. Contains violence, death, a lot of running around and a riddle to crack. I liked how they made the hunting business more regulated and all the details were through an app. Could've done with a comedy/ light hearted element.

[Rachel Brune · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review. Now that I've finished, I'm going to have to mark it a low three-star. There are a few reasons for this, but I'll start with the good, because there were parts I absolutely enjoyed.

First, the author has a great concept. Teams of adventurers compete on a stock market to retrieve missing treasures. These include works of art, items of national historical significance, and anything that one person would kill another to possess--and in this story, that happens a lot. This particular treasure hunt takes young Jonathon Lloyd, new to the game, with his mentor, Ladfoot, on a journey through the winter wilderness and high-art museums of Russia.

The author certainly knows his Russian history (even if Ladfoot sometimes gets a little tour-guide-y in the middle of an action sequence, when he SHOULD be shooting back at the bad guys. As a student of Russian history and culture, I enjoyed visiting all these places vicariously.

Also, I love a good adventure yarn, and there was plenty of that from cover to cover. The action doesn't let off for one moment, whether our heroes are in danger of being washed away in a secret tunnel under the Kremlin, or locked in a cage with a bear, which you know had to happen at one point in an adventure story set in Russia.

So far, so good. However, there were a few things that spoiled my enjoyment of the book.

First, Lloyd's introduction to the world of adventure hunting is just a little too pat. Ladfoot is working as a professor (okay, I can buy it), but Lloyd goes in for a student-teacher conference and all of a sudden they're in a secret meeting behind closed doors with billionaires and stuff. I sort of bought it ... but not really.

The fight scenes in the book vary between awesome, awesome but unrealistic (don't punch someone in the head with your bare hands, it will hurt), and would-be-awesome-if-they-didn't-describe-every-single-move. On the other hand, your fight scene mileage may vary as well, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

The character of Yuliya was probably my biggest hurdle. Although she is treated like a third member of the team (albeit temporary), she never grew beyond a stereotype or caricature for me. I had a hard time seeing her as a person outside of Lloyd's high school hormones point of view, and so after a while, I just got bored reading her.

Last, the lack of proofreading. There were numerous instances of randomly italicized phrases, as well as inconsistent italicization when it came to words in foreign languages. There were a number of errors as well when it came to word choice, i.e. "been" instead of "being." (These occurred in the narration and English speakers' dialogue, so wasn't a function of a Russian character speaking broken English.)

Taken altogether, the aspects described above diminished my enjoyment of the book. However, these aspects may not bother everyone, and there is plenty to enjoy in the book if they don't.

[Carlos Mock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orlov Diamond by Benjamin Kuttner

The Discovery and Exploration Club is traded in the London Stock Exchange. They specialize in treasure hunts. Different teams are formed to bet on who can retrieve a treasure and bets are made. Millions of dollars are gambled by the world's richest billionaires.

Simon Ladbrook had retired from this life, but as he's lecturing in New Zealand, he recruits Jonathan Lloyd to form a team in the newest Exploration Club treasure hunt; The retrieval of the Orlov diamond. Both men follow clues into secret tunnels deep beneath the Kremlin. The hunt leads them on a deadly game of cat and mouse through the wilds of the Caucasus Mountains and down the canals of St Petersburg. The plot thickens as they discover there has been insider trading on their quest, thus all options are open: including competing against the exploration Club itself.

The book is narrated from the third person point of view. The characters become alive right away and the reader us treated to an incredible tour of post communist Russia. Mr. Kuttner has done his research and at every point we get a lecture of Russia's history, its architecture, and the past glories of the Russian Empire.

I loved the book, could not put it down. I read it in one sitting. I recommend it highly!

[Nigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book through the Goodreads site with the author asking for reviews in return for a free copy, always willing to try new authors i responded and read the book.
This is a very interesting well crafted book, with good characters, locations and historical information. In the info it says the book is a cross between James Bond and Indiana Jones both of whom i love reading and watching, I would personally say this was more Bond than Jones.
A famous diamond is stolen from the Kremlin, A university professor recruits one of his students into the world of treasure hunting know as the D&E where the hunts are funded by selling shares , an interesting idea. The hunt takes our protagonist's from Moscow to the Caucusus Moutains , the canals of St Petersburg and finally back to Moscow. A deadly game of cat and mouse develops and with the help of their beautiful interpreter Ladbrook and Lloyd are on the case. Well recommend and looking forward to the next.

[Lynn Hallbrooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I found this one on KBoards.

This is a Mystery/Thriller with International Intrigue.

Jonathan Lloyd is an older student at a New Zealand university. As a farmer's son, rugby player, and mixed martial artist, he is no stranger to physical endurance. However, studies come a little harder. He seeks some assistance from one of his lecturers, Simon Ladbrook, and instead of study tips, he receives an unexpected adventure.
.
I think of Ladbrook as an Indiana Jones type imparting knowledge to his younger apprentice, Lloyd. Including how to be a 'Man of Action', which I found a bit on the unique side for more modern day books. Mr. Kuttner also does a great job of interspersing just enough history that is relevant to the scene without being boring.

Warning: This book is for Mature Audiences due to Violence and Adult Situations (including sexual relationships).

[Aravind M (Honest reviews and promoter) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Benjamin is a genius author, starts the book as he is leading a reader on a roller coaster of an adventure and finally the end is not a Bang ! It could have been better (3 stars) due to that note.

I had such fun reading this on my eBook reader(this is my first one there) . I loved the way Yulia is characterized as a strong personality yet has a feminine side to her . Her fancy for Llyod and their bantering throughout the book is amusing to say the least.

i liked Laddbrook as a sensible, philosophical and clever manipulator of situations where he never goes off track not being an English gentleman and their manners . It's a lost art now. Kudos to Benjamin bringing out a witty tale and I love all stories with treasure hunt as a theme. This too was fun reading till the end.

[Jane Blanchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Orlov Diamond by Benjamin Kuttner, two treasure hunters from the Discovery and Exploration Club, Jonathan Lloyd and Simon Ladbrook, are hired to retrieve the Orlov diamond that was recently stolen from the Kremlin. Yuliya Yusupova, the bodyguard and translator for one of the oligarchy, is their interpreter. Together they follow clues, race others who are searching the diamond, and fight for their lives.

The story is entertaining and I enjoyed Yuliya’s character and the bantering between her and Lloyd. There are a few surprises that make the story exciting. This is a good, quick read.

Benjamin Kuttner created a great team for D&E, I look forward to reading about their next adventures.

[Todd Kinsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly compelling thriller

The Orlov Diamond is a historical thriller packed with action, intrigue and a little sex.

Benjamin Kuttner has written a thoroughly compelling novel about a treasure hunter turned history professor who has become bored with his work. Then one of his students reminds him of his younger self and the stage is set.

The book mostly takes place in Russia and Kuttner skillfully mixes in Russian history along with a little philosophy and literature.

This is a first rate "indie" novel that I'd highly recommend.

[Robin Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a FREE copy of this book (from my awesome group) in exchange for a an honest opinion.

This book was well written, but unfortunately, I found it a little too serious for my taste (knocking off one star). Maybe a little inclusion of humor would have helped me feel better.

It held true to its promise of Action/Adventure, as I found the detailed fight scenes easy to visualize - and enjoyable.

The typos knocked off another star for me, and since I had to stick with honesty, I rated three stars.

[Ted Tayler · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A modern story with a Victorian streak"

A well-written, well-researched adventure story packed with detail. If you enjoy books that feel as if they were set around the time of 'Around The World In Eighty Days' but are actually bang up to date, then this will be for you. I'm sure there's a genre out there that this book fits into? International Thriller Mystery will suffice I guess. Worth a read

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable

There was a lot of description of the Kremlin that I found very interesting. I have been to Moscow and have seen from the outside, could only wonder about inside. The description of the country, people and government were quite accurate.