Diamond and the French Blue, my third book in the Diamond-Dennison Mystery Series, is the 2024 StoryTrade Book Award Winner in the category of “Mystery – Cozy/Amateur Sleuth.” This national competition is open to all small press and independent publishers.
A Diamond-Dennison Short Story
These short stories, which are not mysteries, are intended to provide insight into the personal relationship between Hope Diamond and Matt Dennison. This first story takes place after Hope and Matt meet during a murder investigation on the Navajo Nation.
SPOILER ALERT! You may wish to read Diamond in the Desert before reading this short story.
#1 “DECISIONS”
by Karen Gilleland ©
“Hi Jake, I’m here in Washington. Are you free for dinner?” Hope Diamond had flown in from Los Angeles. She was taking a chance. Jake Sanders was an assistant to the director of the FBI, and his calendar was crammed.
“Hey, Babe, what a nice surprise.”
“It was a last-minute decision. If it doesn’t work for you, I’ll head to New York and do some shopping.”
“No, stay where you are. I’ll pick you up for dinner at eight.”
Hope hung up, and her shoulders tightened. She and Jake had been in a long-distance relationship. Without warning, her world had tilted. She’d fallen in love with a man she had known for only one week. Visiting Jake was her way of saying good-by and making sure it was the right decision.
Her cell phone rang. She had sidestepped telling Matt Dennison her plans. She pushed the answer button.
“Hey, Diamond. I was starting to worry. Guess you’ve been tied up with clients.”
“Hi Matt, how are you? Any news on your transfer to Los Angeles?”
“Okay, lady, what’s going on?” She grimaced. His mindreading ability was uncanny.
“I’m in Washington.”
A long pause.
“Diamond, you’re full of surprises. Minds me of the time I got kicked by a mule.”
“Matt, I had to come. Breaking up with Jake over the phone didn’t feel right. I want to see him and know that I’m making the right choice.”
The silence lasted a full minute.
“Call me if you make the right choice.” The phone clicked.
Continue readingCarefully carrying two bouquets of flowers, Matt stepped onto the stairs leading up to the white stucco home with the red tile roof. Off to his right and up the hill stood the famous “Hollywood” sign. If he’d had his slingshot, he could hit it easy. Jitters, the likes of which he hadn’t felt since high school, shook his usual swagger, and he tripped. Both bouquets flew out of his hands. Whoa, cowboy! He scooped up the flowers and straightened out the crumpled cellophane. With a deep breath, he pressed the bell.
A handsome man answered the door, every inch the Chief of Police, from his thick white hair down to his polished black shoes. No smile, no greeting.
Matt coughed. “Hello, I’m Matthew Dennison.”
READ FULL STORYMy new Diamond-Dennison mystery is about to launch!
Greetings! My new book, Diamond and the French Blue, has officially launched in eBook, paperback, and hardback versions. The eBook version is on sale for 99 cents until March 20.
About the Book
For the first time ever, the Smithsonian’s iconic Hope Diamond embarks on an historic journey to Los Angeles for a noble cause. When the priceless gem disappears during a celebrity fundraising gala, Security Expert Hope Diamond and FBI Special Agent Matt Dennison must navigate the glamorous, yet treacherous, world of gem collecting, where every facet of the case holds a new clue, and murder lurks around unexpected corners.
So far, the advance reviews have been glowing. Online Book Club rated it 5 out of 5 stars, and Midwest Book Review “highly recommends” it for mystery readers, libraries, and book clubs. You can see the entire review by clicking “READ MORE.”
“The foundations of Diamond in the French Blue lie in its predecessors, Diamond in the Desert and Diamond on the High Seas. Readers of all three mysteries will find the action and intrigue builds upon past events while creating an outstanding interplay of personal and professional challenges that lead each investigator to grow and learn, both separately and apart.
“That’s why Diamond and the French Blue is highly recommended for libraries seeking a strong series addition, readers who have enjoyed the previous exploits of Hope and Matt, and book clubs seeking a delicious combination of mystery and personal revelations that offer many thought-provoking points for discussion amid the action and investigative intrigue.”
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Diamond Dennison Mysteries 