Not My Diamonds

this was a great mystery, I enjoyed the use of the holocaust and getting to know the family. I look forward to more from this author as this was beautifully done.

Thank you NetGalley and Ruth Zanger Barron for letting me read and review this book. Not My Diamonds is an intriguing book filled with WWII, Money Laundering, Child Abduction and finding out who your family really is. The plot twists and turns never stopped coming. I personally would have enjoyed it as a series to get to know the characters better but it was still a good read as one book.

This is a story that takes us back to World War II down to present times. Helena leaves home in Germany to get out before the Jews are taken away. Her family doesn't come with her. They convert their money to diamonds and leave with a priest. The end of the war the priest gives the diamonds to a soldier to bring to the US to find Helena and give to her. But Jack comes home and forgets about the diamonds until he is about to die many years later.
Maddie Ellis is the granddaughter of this soldier. She doesn't know about what happened. Her dad is abusive so when she is a teen she leaves and changes her name. Now Celeste Butler she goes out into the world to take other people's money. Eventually she changes her life and takes her name back. Her father is dead and she has inherited the estate he has left..
The story takes us through how all of the people in the book have a connection that takes time to find but well worth the read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the book. The book primarily focuses on the holocaust, a family heirloom. Not My Diamonds is an intriguing book filled with WWII, Money Laundering, Child Abduction and finding out who your family really is. This book is a gamble of plot twists. The book was a good effort, bringing the stories of other characters in this book will be interesting to read. The book will keep you on your toes.

Not My Diamonds is an interwoven tale of two families going back to WWII, however not all of the players are scrupulous. In a delightful tale of survival, love, and truth we are faced with the complicated question of 'what makes a person a good person? a bad person?' Can previous deceitful and hurtful actions be absolved?
What is considered reasonable justification for horrible actions? Is it okay to commit fraud because you were abused as a child? If you donate money to charity that you stole, do the ends justify the means?

Ruth Zanger Barron does draw some parallels between the women in this story - women who ended up on their own and had to make a life for themselves. To see what each of them did, over the span of 3 generations, is a strong central theme.

I really enjoyed this story, and it was a relatively quick read. I know that when there are this many moving parts (the Ellis Family, the Berger Family, Esme etc) that is is hard to provide full backstories for in-depth character development, but still - some of this did feel superficial and perfunctory and sadly didn't create an emotional connection to the story, or at least it left me wanting more.

Overall, interconnected, intriguing story.

Author #Ruth Zanger Brown has a new novel # 'Not My Diamonds' out this month. A combination of historical fiction, crime and thriller. My review on Instagram is on my blog #Maddie_approves_book_reviews.
Thank you,
# Netgalley, # Ruth Zanger Barron and #BooksGoSocial for the advanced copy

A well written mystery. Good plot and character dynamics. Mystery fans will love this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. It had it all- historical references, suspense, action, intrigue and a strong sense of foreboding which kept me on the edge of my seat. There are two main story lines which are interestingly interwoven through the story- the Holocaust and money laundering. It was well written with complex, well defined characters. It held my interest from start to finish. I highly recommend it.

Fascinating and credible, this story is so well told that I was not sure if it was based in fact. Plenty of detail for history buffs, as well as string characterisation and a fast moving plot. The book will make you think about your values and what you will do in order to survive against the odds.