What do you think?
Rate this book
The Relic Hunters #4
The Hostage Diamond
A priceless diamond with an ancient history. A lethal chase. An impossible resolution. ..When a gang of rogue CIA agents steal a long-lost, ancient diamond with extraordinary ties to history, the relic hunters are drafted in to hunt them down. Forced to work with a new, threatening CIA hitman - named Kenny Pang - they start the dangerous and arduous process of tracking both the agents and the diamond.
From Luxembourg to the French Alps and through Paris they follow elusive, hard-won clues, coming up against carefully placed obstacles along the way. It becomes clear that someone with high capabilities has helped cover the agents' tracks, someone who calls themselves The Teacher.
With time running out until the diamond is lost forever to an anonymous collector, the original, violent owner running her own recovery mission, and Pang's secret agenda emerging, the relic hunters come to terms with a stunning realisation - that the rogue group are what they aspire to be - free of the CIA - even as they are forced to close in for the final, deadly takedown.
From Luxembourg to the French Alps and through Paris they follow elusive, hard-won clues, coming up against carefully placed obstacles along the way. It becomes clear that someone with high capabilities has helped cover the agents' tracks, someone who calls themselves The Teacher.
With time running out until the diamond is lost forever to an anonymous collector, the original, violent owner running her own recovery mission, and Pang's secret agenda emerging, the relic hunters come to terms with a stunning realisation - that the rogue group are what they aspire to be - free of the CIA - even as they are forced to close in for the final, deadly takedown.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2020
About the author
David Leadbeater
98 books1,114 followersInternational bestselling author of twenty one thrillers, thirteen in the Matt Drake Action/Adventure series, also The Disavowed and Alicia Myles series'. All available for the Amazon Kindle.
Website - www.davidleadbeater.com
Reader of multiple genres. Husband. Father of two beautiful girls, aged 5 and 7. Joss Whedon fan.
Website - www.davidleadbeater.com
Reader of multiple genres. Husband. Father of two beautiful girls, aged 5 and 7. Joss Whedon fan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 31, 2026
Read this book and it's 4th in the series, thief's that do no harm robberies. But this one trying to get back a item stolen by another group. Good story.
April 19, 2021
A diamond with a murky history taken from a privileged female who takes the mission of revenge VERY personally! A CIA team who have flipped to work for the criminal mastermind they were sent to find after being sidelined by their bosses.
So who can catch a set of CIA-trained crooks? Well, how about a troupe of master criminals under the thumb of the same agency! Bodie and the gang are back with a bang. They've been given the mission to take down the rogue team but everything smells a bit...off.
The gang are on the hunt in Europe but will they complete their mission or will they once more decide their own mission parameters?
Loving this series - switch your brain to movie mode and just let the action and storyline take you! Bodie and the gang are a fab mix of characters. Pang is a bit of an enigma - I'm still not sure which side he's on LOL. Can't wait to see what mischieg they get into next - but I really want to see Bodie meeting up with her former group of friends - I NEED to know who they are and what they're up to!!!!
So who can catch a set of CIA-trained crooks? Well, how about a troupe of master criminals under the thumb of the same agency! Bodie and the gang are back with a bang. They've been given the mission to take down the rogue team but everything smells a bit...off.
The gang are on the hunt in Europe but will they complete their mission or will they once more decide their own mission parameters?
Loving this series - switch your brain to movie mode and just let the action and storyline take you! Bodie and the gang are a fab mix of characters. Pang is a bit of an enigma - I'm still not sure which side he's on LOL. Can't wait to see what mischieg they get into next - but I really want to see Bodie meeting up with her former group of friends - I NEED to know who they are and what they're up to!!!!
June 5, 2020
What price Freedom?
Things to know upfront: There is violence and adult language. This is the fourth book of an ongoing series. I recommend reading from the beginning (if you haven't already) as each book builds on the previous one.
Bodie and his team are summoned once again by the CIA for their special skill sets. This time they have to find a mythical diamond and the team that took it from the current holder of the gem. The relic hunters learn that this team wants the same thing as they do: freedom. Will it come at too high a price?
Mr. Leadbeater does a wonderful job of character-building. The new characters that cross path with the relic hunters have several layers of depth - including a glimpse into why some of them are seeking freedom.
Things to know upfront: There is violence and adult language. This is the fourth book of an ongoing series. I recommend reading from the beginning (if you haven't already) as each book builds on the previous one.
Bodie and his team are summoned once again by the CIA for their special skill sets. This time they have to find a mythical diamond and the team that took it from the current holder of the gem. The relic hunters learn that this team wants the same thing as they do: freedom. Will it come at too high a price?
Mr. Leadbeater does a wonderful job of character-building. The new characters that cross path with the relic hunters have several layers of depth - including a glimpse into why some of them are seeking freedom.
September 5, 2021
When a disillusioned CIA team goes rogue and steals an enigmatic diamond for a master thief, Brodie and his team are sent in to get it back. But the affluent and conceited victim has her own ideas about how to handle the theft and they’re not legal.
Doesn’t look very good for the team’s desire to get out from under the CIA’s thumb. The characters are very mixed up. Coming, going, dying, switching sides. Can’t even begin to guess how the team dynamics end up in the next book. There’s a lot of death: some not very cool.
Footnote: 1) I love the names (and the cars) that the CIA team chose as aliases.
Fave scenes: the camera in St. Germaine’s tomb, Lucien’s comment to Brodie over the car phone, Brodie chasing Mangusta and the staircase collapse.
Doesn’t look very good for the team’s desire to get out from under the CIA’s thumb. The characters are very mixed up. Coming, going, dying, switching sides. Can’t even begin to guess how the team dynamics end up in the next book. There’s a lot of death: some not very cool.
Footnote: 1) I love the names (and the cars) that the CIA team chose as aliases.
Fave scenes: the camera in St. Germaine’s tomb, Lucien’s comment to Brodie over the car phone, Brodie chasing Mangusta and the staircase collapse.
December 6, 2024
The Relic Hunter stories seem to improve with each new book.
The Gala, or Hostage, Diamond is a famous jewel, supposedly with links to Saint Germain. Our group of Relic Hunters are sent to locate it, but they experience problems. There's a 'rogue' CIA team hunting the diamond, and there's an avid collector who wants it returned. Bodie and his team also have to put up with a new team member, who does everything by the book. Pang, the newbie, also has to kill Bodie and his team.
There are three groups of people hunting for the diamond, and the all meet at the not so secret hiding place. This is the final gun battle of many during the treasure hunt and it almost ends badly.
The Gala, or Hostage, Diamond is a famous jewel, supposedly with links to Saint Germain. Our group of Relic Hunters are sent to locate it, but they experience problems. There's a 'rogue' CIA team hunting the diamond, and there's an avid collector who wants it returned. Bodie and his team also have to put up with a new team member, who does everything by the book. Pang, the newbie, also has to kill Bodie and his team.
There are three groups of people hunting for the diamond, and the all meet at the not so secret hiding place. This is the final gun battle of many during the treasure hunt and it almost ends badly.
December 18, 2023
Book 4 of The Relic Hunters Series was a bit different because the gang's main goal via the CIA was to find the rogue CIA agents that decided to turn to a life of crime instead of returning to their thankless jobs. Pang is introduced as the group's new handler, Heidi is still a part of the team but the CIA doesn't seem to trust her fully anymore. Pang is a jerk and only thinks about completing his job, no questions asked. Overall this has been my least favorite in the series so far, probably because it was less about the search for the relic and was more about the CIA wanting revenge and the relic hunters trying to save the ex-agents. Overall it was still entertaining and kept me engaged.
June 27, 2020
Brilliant read.
Yet again the author brings together different characters and another fantastic storyline that captivates the reader and makes you feel that they are just trying to survive in the world that they are forced to live in.
Always looking over their shoulders to see who is pulling the strings that keeps them from getting on with their lives,instead of being able too lead the lives they want.
Yet again the author brings together different characters and another fantastic storyline that captivates the reader and makes you feel that they are just trying to survive in the world that they are forced to live in.
Always looking over their shoulders to see who is pulling the strings that keeps them from getting on with their lives,instead of being able too lead the lives they want.
August 5, 2022
dynamite
Great, fast paced book. Drove me crazy trying to keep the names of all the different CIA teams, Interpol agents and legions of bad guys and gals straight but if you want fast action this is your poison. You can read it in a day. So fast that there are numerous gaps in the action like the author just decide to cut to the chase and skip the necessary steps that gives the reader a glimpse of deeper psychological motives and the like
Great, fast paced book. Drove me crazy trying to keep the names of all the different CIA teams, Interpol agents and legions of bad guys and gals straight but if you want fast action this is your poison. You can read it in a day. So fast that there are numerous gaps in the action like the author just decide to cut to the chase and skip the necessary steps that gives the reader a glimpse of deeper psychological motives and the like
April 9, 2021
ON but not for me
I'm a reader not a writer but this just didn't work for me. I have read literally thousands of books having been an avid reader since a child. The plots weren't bad but other writers hold my attention beginning to end. This came across as too simple a story and I lost interest. Sorry David. Disappointed.
I'm a reader not a writer but this just didn't work for me. I have read literally thousands of books having been an avid reader since a child. The plots weren't bad but other writers hold my attention beginning to end. This came across as too simple a story and I lost interest. Sorry David. Disappointed.
August 7, 2021
A hard hitting fast paced action story that continues the 4th in the series
Like the earlier books this has non stop action as the team crosses multiple countries in pursuit of a renegade CIA team and a stolen diamond. There is a new CIA player introduced who plays the bad guy. Lots of twists and turns and surprises with an unexpected ending
Like the earlier books this has non stop action as the team crosses multiple countries in pursuit of a renegade CIA team and a stolen diamond. There is a new CIA player introduced who plays the bad guy. Lots of twists and turns and surprises with an unexpected ending
August 15, 2022
Thrill upon thrill run hide or fight
Their quest to find the hostage diamond, but it's a lot more than that rouge CIA team a and mad woman that wants them all dead. Broady and his team are not killers, Pang is the killer. The race is on and you don't want to miss the action. A must read adventure recommend.
Their quest to find the hostage diamond, but it's a lot more than that rouge CIA team a and mad woman that wants them all dead. Broady and his team are not killers, Pang is the killer. The race is on and you don't want to miss the action. A must read adventure recommend.
July 24, 2020
what a disappointment! I've come to enjoy Leadbeater books, especially Drake, but this book is a big let down. confusing storyline, poor characters, and generally not as fun a read as I'd come to expect. Maybe better luck with another title.
August 30, 2020
Hi Ho The Wicked Witch is Dead David Leadbeater’s book The Hostage Diamond (The Relic Hunters Book 4) was quite exciting though convoluted. But it left many questions unanswered and many loose ends still dangling. It felt like there should have been a couple more chapters.
September 26, 2020
A good addition to the series
These books are fun, engaging, fast reads. Not mindless, but quite easy for a sitting or two. I will continue with the series, which is a nice endorsement, if nothing else.
These books are fun, engaging, fast reads. Not mindless, but quite easy for a sitting or two. I will continue with the series, which is a nice endorsement, if nothing else.
May 26, 2021
More of the same
Another very good read, as have been the first three books in this series. The continuing saga of the relic hunters moves up to the next level with this very well written novel.
Another very good read, as have been the first three books in this series. The continuing saga of the relic hunters moves up to the next level with this very well written novel.
July 21, 2022
Awesome Read
I love these types of books that are full of adventure and intrigue. The storyline keeps getting better with every new book in the series. You will need to take a deep breath and hold on to your hat. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
I love these types of books that are full of adventure and intrigue. The storyline keeps getting better with every new book in the series. You will need to take a deep breath and hold on to your hat. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
July 10, 2023
exciting and entertaining
The relic hunters are tasked with finding a stolen diamond and rogue CIA team. What they encounter are mercy, a crazy rich woman and history.
Can’t wait for more.
The relic hunters are tasked with finding a stolen diamond and rogue CIA team. What they encounter are mercy, a crazy rich woman and history.
Can’t wait for more.
August 2, 2024
Leftist author, waste of time.
Leadbeater uses his book to promote his Marxist views by criticizing Trump. Actions of the leftist democrat party has proven that liberalism is a mental disease.
Leadbeater uses his book to promote his Marxist views by criticizing Trump. Actions of the leftist democrat party has proven that liberalism is a mental disease.
May 31, 2025
CC1
The Relic Hunter series is just getting better with every story. Bodie and company need to get rid of Pang. One thing to be loyal another to be stupid. 10 🌟 plus!!! Thanks, Carl Clause I
The Relic Hunter series is just getting better with every story. Bodie and company need to get rid of Pang. One thing to be loyal another to be stupid. 10 🌟 plus!!! Thanks, Carl Clause I
June 6, 2020
The Relic Hunters
A very interesting group of characters. Lots of action and excitement. David Leadbeater never disappoints. Looking forward to his next books.
A very interesting group of characters. Lots of action and excitement. David Leadbeater never disappoints. Looking forward to his next books.
June 20, 2020
Horrible book
Could not finish after 3/4 the way thru. Skimmed the rest Lot of meaningless dialogue . No real thread to it. This authors other books are better skip this one
Could not finish after 3/4 the way thru. Skimmed the rest Lot of meaningless dialogue . No real thread to it. This authors other books are better skip this one
August 17, 2020
Good read
Enjoyed the relic Hunter series so munch will be waiting for more books to come David Leadbeater is such a enjoyable writer
Enjoyed the relic Hunter series so munch will be waiting for more books to come David Leadbeater is such a enjoyable writer
February 26, 2021
Quick read
The action and story are much like another action adventure writer. Won’t let you rest until the last page and all you want is more...
The action and story are much like another action adventure writer. Won’t let you rest until the last page and all you want is more...
June 27, 2022
Second time of reading this book. Enjoyed it as much as the first time if not more. It's amazing how much I felt I missed on the first read. Still a 5 star review from me
April 14, 2023
fast moving.
His books are easy read with excitement on each page. Good for commuters. Easy read for teens as well keeps u r attention high
His books are easy read with excitement on each page. Good for commuters. Easy read for teens as well keeps u r attention high
July 30, 2023
More like 4.5 stars!
June 24, 2025
Too Many People and Too Many Problems
I didn't enjoy this book. There were too many people, too many weird names, too much action to figure out what was happening and why.
I didn't enjoy this book. There were too many people, too many weird names, too much action to figure out what was happening and why.
March 16, 2026
hard to put down
From the first film the last the books keeps you cripped as your invested in the characters and there story a great read
From the first film the last the books keeps you cripped as your invested in the characters and there story a great read
August 1, 2020
The Hostage Diamond -a review by Rosemary Kenny
A fabulous crime-thriller that ticks all the boxes and then some - a mysterious treasure/relic, a team of Relic Hunters (in their 4th adventure in The Relic Hunters series), a team of rogue CIA Agents, a megalomaniac, psychotic villain, bent on recovering said item, while relishing the gruesome deaths of those who stole the treasure, a deadly traitor within, determined to bring both the artefact and the survivors of the cat-and-mouse fight to the death on the streets and in historic Parisian locations to justice, plus a wonderful author/creator in the magnificent David Leadbeater - what's not to like?
Your mission -should you accept it - is to get your copy of The Hostage Diamond by David Leadbeater as soon as the bookstores open.
Retreat to your secret reading location, then lock the door, while immersing yourself in a world of danger and espionage, in an outstanding opus that you won't want to be distracted from until you've reached the very last page and your mission's completed!
A fabulous crime-thriller that ticks all the boxes and then some - a mysterious treasure/relic, a team of Relic Hunters (in their 4th adventure in The Relic Hunters series), a team of rogue CIA Agents, a megalomaniac, psychotic villain, bent on recovering said item, while relishing the gruesome deaths of those who stole the treasure, a deadly traitor within, determined to bring both the artefact and the survivors of the cat-and-mouse fight to the death on the streets and in historic Parisian locations to justice, plus a wonderful author/creator in the magnificent David Leadbeater - what's not to like?
Your mission -should you accept it - is to get your copy of The Hostage Diamond by David Leadbeater as soon as the bookstores open.
Retreat to your secret reading location, then lock the door, while immersing yourself in a world of danger and espionage, in an outstanding opus that you won't want to be distracted from until you've reached the very last page and your mission's completed!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews