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Eric Ward #4
The Diamond Murder
Looking for a classic murder mystery from an acclaimed crime writer?
Discover Eric Ward, policeman turned lawyer. This beautifully told story, from a time before smart phones and DNA testing, will have you gripped from start to finish.
“Rich in characterisation with a complex plot.” Publishers Weekly
Please note this book was first published as “Once Dying, Twice Dead”.
A thriving law practice and a happy marriage are almost enough to convince solicitor Eric Ward he has overcome his painful past and started a new life.
All it takes is the wrong client for it all to unravel.
An investigative journalist beaten to a pulp.
A crooked Newcastle businessman living the high life in France.
A woman from a half-forgotten past.
Former police officer-turned-solicitor Eric Ward represents Eddie Stevens, an investigative reporter on the trail of a hot story. Badly beaten by a local roughneck, Stevens discovers he is on a bigger trail when finds a dead body of an unknown man.
Ward’s investigation leads him to Lansley, a shady Newcastle entrepreneur with criminal ties living in Marseilles. Then a woman from Ward's own half-forgotten past turns up, looking to him to be her saviour. A gruesome revelation in the first case just might be the solution to the second.
Ward quickly discovers excavating the past can be a dangerous business.
Perfect for fans of Peter James, Ruth Rendell, P.D. James and Peter Robinson.
THE DETECTIVE
Eric Ward is forced to retire from the police when he discovers he suffers from glaucoma but qualifies as a solicitor (lawyer) and sets up his practice on the Quayside in Newcastle, where he deals with the seamier side of the law. When he marries a wealthy young woman she attempts to persuade him to settle in Northumberland and work with wealthier clients but he stubbornly refuses to give up his criminal practice in Newcastle. Although she draws him into the world of high finance he still insists on continuing at the Quayside — which causes tensions within his marriage, and lead to fatal consequences.
This fast-paced mystery will have you enthralled from the start. Set in England in the early 1980s, this is the third book to feature Eric Ward. More coming soon.
DISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE MYSTERY WRITER
Perfect for fans of Peter James, Ruth Rendell, P.D. James and Peter Robinson.
Roy Lewis is one of the most critically acclaimed crime writers of his generation.
“Roy Lewis is a writer who believes in keeping his readers on their toes with plenty of twists and surprises. He writes well, too with an admirable sense of character and place.” Daily Telegraph
“Good on atmosphere.” Newcastle Journal
“A wrenching and compassionately handled tragedy that transcends the conventional mystery form.” Chicago Sun-Times
“Tightly written, well-paced and relentlessly accurate.” Oxford Times
ERIC WARD BOOKS
Book 1: THE SEDLEIGH HALL MURDER
Book 2: THE FARMING MURDER
Book 3: THE QUAYSIDE MURDER
Book 4: THE DIAMOND MURDER
INSPECTOR CROW BO
Discover Eric Ward, policeman turned lawyer. This beautifully told story, from a time before smart phones and DNA testing, will have you gripped from start to finish.
“Rich in characterisation with a complex plot.” Publishers Weekly
Please note this book was first published as “Once Dying, Twice Dead”.
A thriving law practice and a happy marriage are almost enough to convince solicitor Eric Ward he has overcome his painful past and started a new life.
All it takes is the wrong client for it all to unravel.
An investigative journalist beaten to a pulp.
A crooked Newcastle businessman living the high life in France.
A woman from a half-forgotten past.
Former police officer-turned-solicitor Eric Ward represents Eddie Stevens, an investigative reporter on the trail of a hot story. Badly beaten by a local roughneck, Stevens discovers he is on a bigger trail when finds a dead body of an unknown man.
Ward’s investigation leads him to Lansley, a shady Newcastle entrepreneur with criminal ties living in Marseilles. Then a woman from Ward's own half-forgotten past turns up, looking to him to be her saviour. A gruesome revelation in the first case just might be the solution to the second.
Ward quickly discovers excavating the past can be a dangerous business.
Perfect for fans of Peter James, Ruth Rendell, P.D. James and Peter Robinson.
THE DETECTIVE
Eric Ward is forced to retire from the police when he discovers he suffers from glaucoma but qualifies as a solicitor (lawyer) and sets up his practice on the Quayside in Newcastle, where he deals with the seamier side of the law. When he marries a wealthy young woman she attempts to persuade him to settle in Northumberland and work with wealthier clients but he stubbornly refuses to give up his criminal practice in Newcastle. Although she draws him into the world of high finance he still insists on continuing at the Quayside — which causes tensions within his marriage, and lead to fatal consequences.
This fast-paced mystery will have you enthralled from the start. Set in England in the early 1980s, this is the third book to feature Eric Ward. More coming soon.
DISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE MYSTERY WRITER
Perfect for fans of Peter James, Ruth Rendell, P.D. James and Peter Robinson.
Roy Lewis is one of the most critically acclaimed crime writers of his generation.
“Roy Lewis is a writer who believes in keeping his readers on their toes with plenty of twists and surprises. He writes well, too with an admirable sense of character and place.” Daily Telegraph
“Good on atmosphere.” Newcastle Journal
“A wrenching and compassionately handled tragedy that transcends the conventional mystery form.” Chicago Sun-Times
“Tightly written, well-paced and relentlessly accurate.” Oxford Times
ERIC WARD BOOKS
Book 1: THE SEDLEIGH HALL MURDER
Book 2: THE FARMING MURDER
Book 3: THE QUAYSIDE MURDER
Book 4: THE DIAMOND MURDER
INSPECTOR CROW BO
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1984
757 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Roy Lewis
174 books74 followersJohn Royston Lewis, who published his fiction under the name Roy Lewis, was a prominent English crime writer who wrote more than 60 novels. He was also a teacher, and he taught Law for 10 years before being appointed as One of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Further & Higher Education. He lived in the north of England where many of his novels are set.
Lewis is also the author of several law texts, which he published under the name J.R. Lewis.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Lewis is also the author of several law texts, which he published under the name J.R. Lewis.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 10, 2022
The Diamond Murder is book four in the Eric Ward series by Roy Lewis. Law enforcement officer turned Lawyer Eric Ward caught a new case of the beaten of investigative journalist Eddie Stevens. Eric Ward's investigation led to criminal ties in Marseilles. While investigating Eddie's case, Eric Ward became involved with someone from his past. Will this affect his marriage or his life? The readers will continue to follow Eric Ward to find out the answers.
Diamond Murder is an excellent historical murder mystery set in Newcastle, England. I enjoy that Roy Lewis portrays his characters and the setting of his books with flaws, making the story more authentic and engaging for me. Diamond Murder was well written and researched by Roy Lewis. I love Roy Lewis's portrayal of his characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. I like Roy Lewis's description of the settings of Diamond Murder which allows me to imagine being part of the plot of this book.
The readers of Diamond Murder will learn about living in Newcastle in the 1980s. Also, the readers of Diamond Murder will know that sometimes it is better not to know the answers about your past.
I recommend this book.
Diamond Murder is an excellent historical murder mystery set in Newcastle, England. I enjoy that Roy Lewis portrays his characters and the setting of his books with flaws, making the story more authentic and engaging for me. Diamond Murder was well written and researched by Roy Lewis. I love Roy Lewis's portrayal of his characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. I like Roy Lewis's description of the settings of Diamond Murder which allows me to imagine being part of the plot of this book.
The readers of Diamond Murder will learn about living in Newcastle in the 1980s. Also, the readers of Diamond Murder will know that sometimes it is better not to know the answers about your past.
I recommend this book.
December 21, 2020
Four Stars
Not one of the best in the series but all in all a book that I did enjoy a lot. The pairing of Eric and Anne is what I enjoy the most. An unlikely pairing that seems to work well while overcoming so many hurdles that tests their marriage a lot. On one hand although Eric is loyal and committed to Anne he does push the boundaries to a large degree. This story was about the reappearance of his first wife, the case concerning his wife's estate which were entwined somehow regarding the crux of the book. This author has a great mind for keeping the reader involved in the story. Another great read. Well done.
Not one of the best in the series but all in all a book that I did enjoy a lot. The pairing of Eric and Anne is what I enjoy the most. An unlikely pairing that seems to work well while overcoming so many hurdles that tests their marriage a lot. On one hand although Eric is loyal and committed to Anne he does push the boundaries to a large degree. This story was about the reappearance of his first wife, the case concerning his wife's estate which were entwined somehow regarding the crux of the book. This author has a great mind for keeping the reader involved in the story. Another great read. Well done.
November 8, 2023
I so love the other series by Mr. Lewis with the main character of Arnold Landon that I'm surprised this series doesn't entice me the same way. I'm finding that while I like the character of Eric Ward, I'm not a fan of the setting and the other characters. I'm finding the plot line difficult to follow although there are pieces of each book that are interesting. Such as the information about badger hunting that is found in this book.
January 24, 2024
Unfortunately for him, Eric Ward attracts the attention of all the wrong people. The man, however, does not make things easier for himself and agrees to help a highly suspicious and anxiety-inducing person. "The Diamond Murder" offers less legal wrangling and more sly investigation and scheming, but the quality of the plot, pace, characterisation and atmosphere remain sky-high and Roy Lewis delivers another great story in this excellent series.
May 4, 2021
Another good ending
Finally a book without Ward’s eyes playing a reading role. The series isn’t as clean as the first but still not enough to turn from the series.
There is a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.
Finally a book without Ward’s eyes playing a reading role. The series isn’t as clean as the first but still not enough to turn from the series.
There is a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.
June 10, 2021
The best in the series so far for me. The plot felt assured, as did the storytelling and the background to Eric Ward's life clashing with his current existence made this a compelling read. A really good series.
June 12, 2021
Great read
Another helping of Eric Ward and his mystery solving. This is a very complicated plot with emotions running high throughout the book.
I liked the characters, who were believable, and pivotal to the plot.
Another helping of Eric Ward and his mystery solving. This is a very complicated plot with emotions running high throughout the book.
I liked the characters, who were believable, and pivotal to the plot.
January 18, 2021
Well, really wasn't expecting that twist and sting in the tail at the end! Another really good gritty story with a good plot and some baddies thrown in!!
March 1, 2022
Good story does drag out a bit at the end
March 3, 2022
An interesting read with enough twists and turns to keep the reader enthralled.
May 16, 2022
The story starts slow, gradually builds suspense, until a fast-paced ending. I enjoyed it. Eric Ward is a great protagonist.
January 30, 2023
My fifth book of the series and still enjoying it as much!!
March 30, 2025
Really found it difficult understand the business dealings; got it in the end but a very complicated scenario.
April 11, 2023
While out on a story reporter Eddie Stevens is attacked but when he comes to he notices a part of a body. But who's. Meanwhile Eric Ward is investigating two problems, one for his wife and the other for his ex-wife.
An entertaining modern mystery.
Originally published in 1984.
An entertaining modern mystery.
Originally published in 1984.
October 28, 2019
I love the Eric Ward series and this was the first book where the plot twisted so considerably, I couldn't see the end coming. The quality of Lewis's writing is such however, where this sort of suspense is not required for enjoyment; the characters the setting and the slow turning of events are always compelling. The Diamond Murder story had elements of genuine surprise and tension and all the ongoing drama of Eric Ward's life which I have come to appreciate. Having read the whole series, this is certainly the highlight so far, and added to this was the alleviation of some of Eric's previous medical difficulty which I also found personally relieving! - perhaps demonstrating how deeply Lewis has drawn me in to the life of his characters.
September 24, 2019
Good read
Although I found the beginning of this story a bit turbid, once I was into it I found It difficult to put down.
Not as exciting as Roy Lewis's last book, but it doesn't stop me from looking forward to his next novel.
Although I found the beginning of this story a bit turbid, once I was into it I found It difficult to put down.
Not as exciting as Roy Lewis's last book, but it doesn't stop me from looking forward to his next novel.
September 21, 2019
A shorter read.😎
Pack full of incidents and turns and twists.A good mixs of law and criminal activity.it is well worth it's five stars.☺☺
Pack full of incidents and turns and twists.A good mixs of law and criminal activity.it is well worth it's five stars.☺☺
October 13, 2019
Another great story
Where does he get the ideas for these stories from?. Another great story with plenty of action and lots of twists and turns. I hope that there are more to come.
Where does he get the ideas for these stories from?. Another great story with plenty of action and lots of twists and turns. I hope that there are more to come.
November 16, 2019
Intriguing story kept me reading
Good story quite complicated but very enjoyable found it difficult to put down , so ended up reading till the small hours.
Good story quite complicated but very enjoyable found it difficult to put down , so ended up reading till the small hours.
November 26, 2019
Book's Librarylibefy N q book's pleasure
Slightly boring did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would, was disappointed and would not recommend it
Slightly boring did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would, was disappointed and would not recommend it
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews