The River of Diamonds

by Geoffrey Jenkins

The wind struck another hammer-blow. The whaler wheeled away stern-on, and then came up with a sickening thump forrard. 'One anchor cable gone!' Minnaar shouted above the roar of the wind. 'The other ... ' He never finished. The whaler sprang free as the second cable parted. She had been secured facing south-west and now she plunged back into the maelstrom. The water poured ankle deep on the bridge ... 'Killer deserts, grizzled prospectors, mass suicides, savage nomads ... and a vanishing U-boat patrol. I enjoyed it more than any other novel for ages' - Daily Telegraph.

Genres: Thriller

Audio Cassette

First published September 25, 1964

Reviews

[Trebor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diamonds off the coast of Africa, and all the intrigue, skullduggery, geology, history and fantasy to go with it. Mining for the most precious gems from the sea floor gives it an added blend of adventure. Copyright 1964, but never seeming dated or too far from current, this British novel has lots of funny Brit potois such as wind cheater for wind breaker and others. The adventure kept me guessing right to the last page exiting with a little twist. It is funny how sometimes I find the most entertaining books blindly going through a used book store now and then. A 25 cent paperback that was a great read is a gift in my opinion.

[Gareth Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although his style is unusual, Jenkins chooses fascinating settings and plots compelling tales. River of Diamonds is an adventure that pits men against the extremes of the Namib coastal desert and each other. Leavened with an eye to technology (of the 1960s when it was written) and human motivations, this book is a good introduction to the author. All in all, Jenkins makes the improbable almost plausible!

[Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an Indiana Jones style adventure with a man on the trail of diamonds off the coast of Namibia.
Of course we read this swashbuckling maritime yarn with modern eyes but have to give a nod to the fact it was written in the sixties.
An exciting story but sadly I found it petered out a little over time and the ending was tied up a little too quickly as if the author was losing his thread so it felt a little unfinished and rushed.
Still a good read though.

[Hans Brienesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sixty years since I first read this book and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it may have seemed too simple after all the complicated plots that seem to proliferate writing nowadays but it really had not lost much a all. The plot was simple and direct and moved at a good pace. Reliving my youth? Perhaps, but nevertheless I still really enjoyed this book.

[Петр · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thrilling adventure novel, set on the rugged coast of Namibia, has some similarities to his earlier novel, titled A Twist of Sand. Thoroughly enjoyed it and the way the author describes the coast and scenery is vibrant, he brings it alive. Written in 1964 and still a first class thriller.

[James Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping read from start to finish, Jenkins provides a fascinating and mysterious story that only gets better towards a clever climax I didn't see coming at the very end.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the 1960s and earlier , a decent action story was about 250 pages long and had a few well written characters and an interesting setting ;. Geoffrey Jenkins was marvellous

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book more for men.