Thirteen Diamonds

5 Responses to “Thirteen Diamonds”

1. SkiBum says:

   September 13, 2010 at 5:39 am

   This book wasn’t terrible; it was just very disappointing after the intriguing setting, unique sleuth, etc. The “detective” is an elderly retired mathematics professor from Duke University, and the plot includes several fascinating math puzzles (with solutions at the back of the book). Although the world’s worst mathematician (and unable to solve even the simplest math puzzle), I was fascinated by that. And, as a huge fan of Miss Marple who also likes Emma Lathen’s elderly John Thatcher, I was prepared to momentously delight in this elderly sleuth and setting — but I didn’t. Although neither expecting nor wanting stark realism in mysteries, and fully prepared to suspend disbelief (as a child, I loved fairy tales, Bewitched, and I Dream of Jeannie), even I establish the plot hopelessly and unbelievably convoluted. But if you’re not expecting another Agatha Christie or Emma Lathen, and want a light, simple read, you’ll probably delight in it momentously … the math puzzles, alone, make it a worthwhile, intriguing read. I’m probably grading it too harshly because of my passion for Christie and Lathen … Hopefully, this is the first book in a series, and its successors will have more believable solutions.
   Reader’s Rating: 3 / 5
2. Anonymous says:

   September 13, 2010 at 6:54 am

   At first, Lillian Morgan, a senior citizen living in the Silver Acres Retirement Community in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, doesn’t seem to be a likely prospect to become an amateur detective, even with Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple as a precedent. But, after Gerald Weiss, a fellow resident, dies during a meeting of the bridge club while holding a hand of thirteen diamonds, Lillian’s problem-solving talents start to become apparent. She is a retired mathematics professor from Duke University and because of her training she immediately realizes the enormous odds against being dealt a perfect bridge hand (greater than winning the lottery) and the even more enormous odds against getting that hand and then promptly dying. When an autopsy shows that Gerald died from a result to eating seafood, to which he was extremely allergic, Lillian becomes even more suspicious, especially since Gerald had been very careful about what he ate. Additional people reflect his death was accidental, although some of them may have ulterior motives. Lillian shows fantastic energy, bouncing from one clue to another, and speaks her mind because “when you’re my age you can say anything you like.” She enlists the reluctant support of others, including her sore-footed friend, Tess, and her gorgeous granddaughter, Sandra. Along the way she helps to fix her granddaughter up with a new boyfriend, Mark, which is helpful because he has skills that are useful in the detective business. Lillian finds that several people connected with Silver Acres are not as featureless or as excellent as they appear to be. On a trip to San Diego with Sandra and Mark, Lillian digs up skeletons from the past. She also meets Gerald’s pretty grandniece and hopes that April won’t be a threat to her granddaughter’s romance. Lillian sorts it all out in the end, although not before undergoing several traumatic experiences, including nearly getting herself killed. With four generations of characters, Thirteen Diamonds will appeal to readers of all ages, not just seniors.
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
3. Lorraine Talbot says:

   September 13, 2010 at 9:41 am

   Prior reviews have summarized the plot of this book so I’ll only add that it is a fine mystery. Lillian, the protagonist, is a sharp, feisty and likeable retiree. Except for the villian and the villian’s pawns, all the characters are attractive. Lillian’s Watson, Tess, of the terrible feet, is clever, practical and a right friend. There’s even a sub-plot of a romance between Lillian’s granddaughter and a bartender/student. We have plenty of suspects, lots of motives, and a scary ending. I neither play bridge nor know math, except as it pertains to dollars and cents, but that fact didn’t prevent me from finding this a very entertaining way to spend an evening.
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
4. Anonymous says:

   September 13, 2010 at 10:09 am

   I don’t have any distress sleeping, but I did keep the night light burning late finishing this unusual mystery. Alan Cook has fictitious an intriguing plot that keeps you turning the pages, not only to solve the crime (What IS the crime??)but also to figure out the puzzles he skillfully weaves into the tale. (His heroine is a retired math professor). The setting isn’t the international jet set scene, not is it the courtroom. Cook as a replacement for chooses a posh retirement community where the resident roster reads like a Who Was Who in America.(Do you admit yourself?) Your stereotypes will crash as Cook details with accuracy and humour the shennanigans among the current inhabitants of the digs as he leads us down the investigative path. Besides writing a book that is just a fantastic and simple read,Cook has achieved a wonderful characterization of the heroine not so much through description of her but through her dialogue and its tone. She is a pistol, and reminded me of Miss Marple as she goes about her dry witted and relentless pursuit of the scoundrel. You’ll like her, and cheer her on even as her more conservative counterparts try to place the brakes on her activites. Keep an eye on this budding novelist; he’s finding his voice!
   Reader’s Rating: 4 / 5
5. Lynda W. Clark says:

   September 13, 2010 at 10:25 am

   Cook has told a masterful murder mystery in the improbable setting of an helped living facility that will break any stereotypical viewpoints you may have about the people who reside in them. Very humorous in spots. Fantastic interplay between sleuth mother and exasperated son.
   Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5