The King of Diamonds

by Rena Pederson
The King of Diamonds cover
Good Books rating 4.17
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Waterstones
Hardback • £22.00
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  • ID: 2788
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
bookmarks.reviews · Unknown · 2025-10-19
enjoyable 4.50

The King of Diamonds is praised for its engaging narrative and extensive research, offering a captivating blend of true crime and sociological insight into Dallas high society. The book's fluid writing style and compelling conclusions make it an enjoyable read.

The King of Diamonds stands out for its thorough research and lively writing, making it a compelling read that goes beyond a typical true crime story. It delves into the upper-crust society of Dallas, providing a rich sociological context. The book's narrative is engaging, and the author's extensive research is evident, offering compelling insights and conclusions. The fluid writing style keeps readers hooked, making it an enjoyable and thought-provoking exploration of a real-life whodunit.

Quick quotes

    As much a sociological study of upper-crust Dallas society as a true crime story, enlivened by [Pederson's] sprightly writing style ...

    Deeply researched and fluidly written ...

    [Pederson's] investigation is easy to follow as she takes readers down her research rabbit hole of this real-life whodunit and her conclusions.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-19
fascinating 3.50

The book delves into the fascinating world of 1960s Dallas, uncovering political scandals, mob activities, and the glamorous lifestyles of the rich and famous. While the jewel thief's identity remains elusive, the rich historical context and detailed research make the book compelling.

The King of Diamonds offers a captivating glimpse into the Swinging Sixties in Dallas, focusing on the high-profile jewel thefts that baffled authorities for over a decade. The thief, known as the King of Diamonds, was a master of stealth, often hiding in closets and rooftops while his wealthy targets were nearby. The book's strength lies not in the thief's identity, which remains a mystery, but in the vivid portrayal of the era's social and political landscape. The author's extensive research brings to life the glamour and intrigue of Dallas high society, including its connections to the mob, CIA, and Hollywood elite. The book is praised for its detailed insights into the period, making it a fascinating read for those interested in true crime and history. However, some readers found the relentless name-dropping and extensive backstories of minor characters exhausting, which somewhat detracted from the main narrative.

Quick quotes

    This was a great audiobook because I felt like I was listening to a podcast. Honestly, I lost interest in the jewel thief pretty early on. We don’t know who it is; we never learn who it is. And I really stopped caring. He was a boring thief. You know what was great? All the tales of 1960s Dallas. The political scandals and the mob and the CIA and underground casinos frequented by Hollywood elite. The glamorous lifestyle of Texas upper crust society set in an already-gaudy era. That was the story.

    This book was absolutely fascinating. The amount of research and investigating the author did was amazing. Incredible insight on the era of Dallas in the 50s and 60s! Very informative and very in depth. I couldn't put it down.

    I listened to the audiobook version. The last half of it, I increased the speed to 150% just to be done with it. Exhausting to listen to relentless name dropping. The story got lost so many times with the ‘back story’ of minor people and places.

limaohio.com · Unknown · 2024-04-19
exciting 4.50

The King of Diamonds is a thrilling tale of a notorious jewel thief, offering a mix of adventure and intrigue. The book's pacing and historical context make it a captivating read.

The King of Diamonds is a gripping narrative that delves into the life of a daring jewel thief, blending historical facts with a compelling story. The book's fast-paced action and detailed descriptions of the thief's exploits keep readers on the edge of their seats. The historical context adds depth, making it not just an adventure but also an educational journey. The author's ability to weave together fact and fiction creates a rich tapestry that is both entertaining and informative. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is engaging, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction and adventure stories.

Quick quotes

    The King of Diamonds is a thrilling tale of a notorious jewel thief, offering a mix of adventure and intrigue.

    The book's pacing and historical context make it a captivating read.

    The author's ability to weave together fact and fiction creates a rich tapestry that is both entertaining and informative.

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