The Red Diamond

by Lisa Moreno

Clarissa Stanford is distraught over her boyfriend's unsolved murder, but intuitively knows who killed him.  Fear and denial plunge her into despair and paranoia, but not before penning a confession letter to best friend Talya Solomon.  Clarissa's duplicity of not revealing the acquisition of a significant red diamond to her shady Russian boss has her fleeing for her life. After Talya learns the truth, the Russian-born gemologist invents a ruse involving Iwan Kowalski, an 87-year-old Polish industrialist whose diamond collection rivals the world's best. The cohorts arrange a private auction in Zürich using Kowalski's well-known, highly prized green diamond as bait to lure the killer into their lair. The Red Diamond takes you on a thrilling international chase from the shores of Malibu through the hills of Aspen, to the Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich, and finally to a Moscow penthouse office suite with state-of-the-art security.  On the way, Talya must outwit police, Russian mafia bodyguards, Interpol agents, and her overprotective father, an ex-Mossad agent.  Strength, guile, and ingenuity will not let her be thwarted.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2021

About the author

Lisa Moreno grew up in Southern California. A gemologist by profession, she has been a guest lecturer at many colleges as well as being a gemstone expert on cable television. Poetry being her doorway into writing, she was recognized quickly for her gift of words and published frequently. Lisa has enjoyed the spotlight on stage in Las Vegas as well as other venues with her stirring words. She has two poetry books to her credit, "The Human Condition, Poetic Insights," and "Dreams Imagination & Destiny, A Poetic Journey."
Captured by the strength of entendre, she made the quantum leap into writing mystery novels. "The Girls 'Til Death Do Us Part" is her first murder mystery. It delivers shocking twists and turns with an unexpected ending leaving readers in utter surprise. No disappointment here for diehard mystery readers. Her second novel, "Ungodly Intent just made its debut. This international thriller takes you on dangerous trails through South America in pursuit of the people behind a plot to take down The Roman Catholic Church. Camille Santiago, an investigative journalist, is quietly summoned by the Pope to uncover the truth. The winding road she embarks becomes a jigsaw puzzle of Biblical symbolism, murder and revenge. Can she uncover the truth before the Church becomes victimized by the megalomaniac behind the betrayal?

Reviews

[Tomas Anderkvist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Red Diamond". Lisa Moreno takes you through an intriguing journey to exotic locations and exciting action. You feel like you are present as it happens.
It's a very enjoyable reading following the characters in their development and the twists of the plot. Hopefully it will find it's path to be a movie.
I am anxiously awaiting the next thriller
Thank You