Blue Diamonds by Spencer Dane has been awarded First Place in the 2008 Royal Palm Awards, Thriller (Published) category from the Florida Writers Association.
BLUE DIAMONDS A Zach Taylor Adventure, Book 1 by Spencer Dane
Stopping a holdup at a convenience store, rescuing hostages from a bank robbery, saving a dog from a burning building, and bringing in a fugitive from justice are all in a day’s work for Federal Agent Zach Taylor -- until a chance encounter with his former girlfriend, Erin McShane, a television journalist hot on the trail of a popular Congressman with ties to organized crime, stirs up feelings he thought were long gone.
Meanwhile, a bag of rare blue diamonds stolen from Greek Jews during the Holocaust holds the key to bringing down a modern day Miami crime lord selling high-tech weapons to terrorists. Zach goes undercover when a key Government witness is murdered and his partner seriously wounded, teaming up with his former prisoner, Matt Crawford, and a mysterious, beautiful diamond dealer known only as “Malone.” Using the blue diamonds as bait, Zach must penetrate the Don’s inner circle, gather evidence, and re-establish the Government’s case.
Complicating matters is Valeria Santiago, the Don’s free-spirited daughter, who has her eyes set on Matt; Raul Carlona, an ambitious mobster with his own agenda; Toni Manzano, a professional hit woman out to settle an old score; and Erin, whose search for a scoop crosses paths with Zach’s at the worst possible moment.
WHITE GOLD, Volume 2, now available in paperback!
One year after the case of Blue Diamonds, the first book in the Zach Taylor Adventure series, Zach is back in this rush against time thriller.
Excerpt
A strong cool breeze blew through Parker Forest, sending
a chill down the back of Sonny Domingo’s neck. He took a deep
breath, nervously fingered the triggers of his guns, kicked
down the cabin’s front door, and burst in.
Immediately, Zach Taylor tossed a magazine at the door, revealing his hand on the automatic pistol he had hidden underneath it. As he dove for the floor, he squeezed off a
round in the direction of the doorway, shattering the frame. Simultaneously, his free hand took down the lantern,
plunging the cabin into darkness.
Stunned by door fragments, Domingo fired blindly, missing twice. Zach pointed his gun at the flashes,
squeezing the trigger three times. The power of the slugs slamming squarely into Domingo’s chest blew him back
against the front door. As his legs gave way his body slowly
slid down the wall. It painted a trail of blood behind him.
Professional Reviews
Anne K. Edwards, Mystery Fiction, January 11, 2007
Follow the track of a dozen blue diamonds that seem to carry a curse as they wreak havoc in the lives of those into whose hands they fall. How many will pay with their lives to possess them? Where will they end up?
Federal Agent Zach Taylor and his partner, Sabrina Calabrese, are drawn into the drama surrounding the stones in the pursuit of criminals. More than once they put their lives on the line and danger seems to confront them at every turn. Is there a mole in their department who is feeding information to the mob that is partly responsible for this?
Zach finds his cases further complicated by the reappearance of an ex lover in his life. As a newscaster, she could add to his danger when they turn up at the same hotel and he is under cover. Will she?
This is a story that will please the suspense fan who enjoys sharing the danger with the good guys as they move from case to case. A fun read. Enjoy. I did.
Ann-Marie Chalmers, Front Street Reviews, September 10, 2007
Federal Agent Zach Taylor is a force to be reckoned with. There is nothing that can happen in one day that can faze him. From stopping a hold-up at a store, rescuing hostages from a bank robbery, saving a dog from a burning building, and bringing in a fugitive, Zach is one dedicated man of the law.
However things are about to change for Zach after a chance encounter with his ex-girlfriend, Erin McShane, brings out some feelings he thought he had managed to get out of his system. Erin, is a television journalist who is always hot on the trail of a big story. This time she is after a popular Congressman who seems to have ties to organized crime. So it is a sure thing that Zach and Erin are about to see more of each other.
The story is based around 12 rare blue diamonds stolen from Greek Jews during the Holocaust. They are the key in bringing down a modern day Miami crime lord who supplies terrorists with weapons. Zach has to go undercover and infiltrate the Don’s circle to gather evidence that will bring the mobster down. He teams up Matt Crawford, a former prisoner and a mysterious, beautiful diamond dealer known only as “Malone” to get the job done.
However things are never easy. The first problem is Valeria Santiago, the Don’s daughter, who has a thing for Matt. Then we have Raul Carlona, an ambitious mobster who wants to do things his own way. Also add to the mix Toni Manzano, a professional hit woman out for revenge. Oh and last but not lease don’t forget Zach’s ex, Erin the journalist who will do anything for a scoop.
This story has some Tom Clancy feeling to it. However it is a lot fluffier and not as deep or long as the famous author’s books. With enough thrill and suspense to keep the reader going till the last page, there is a definite style to this one that a lot of people will enjoy. The characters are slightly over the top as well as the storyline but the witty writing makes up for it. With phrases like “Just for once I’d like Backup to be here during a shooting.” And “No French Fries? What kind of French restaurant is this?” there are some giggles to be had.
Yet another book based on terrorism is not exactly filling a gap in the market. However this one does have a recipe that could prove successful. With lots of action, twists and turns and a splash of romance this book has danger and suspense all the way through. Although on the other hand are there enough readers out there who want to read about this kind of theme when we are already confronted with it everyday through the mass media.
If you need a rush of excitement then Spencer Dane’s first novel ‘Blue Diamonds’ is worth a try.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Magazine, August 2008
From Orlando author Spencer Dane comes this fast-paced crime novel, written in pungent, pulp-fiction prose. His hero, intrepid Federal agent Zach Taylor, pursues a case that centers on a bag of priceless blue diamonsd that were stolen from Greek Jews during the Holocaust.
"THIS IS A KEEPER ! I've read this twice, it's that good. For
a first novel, Dane has nailed it. It's fast- paced, but involves
so many different scenes and people (all of which grab
your interest), that one is mesmerized by how they all fit
together. There's more than one hero as well (letting you
pick your own favorite), and yet that doesn't take from the
story at all. All in all I'd have to give this four stars at
least." —Carroll M. Jones, author of Murder on Margin
"A GOOD READ. Blue Diamonds starts with a bang then
the excitement accelerates in this story of larger-than-life
law enforcement agents investigating organized crime and
its connection to terrorist activity." —Nancy Madison, author of
Whispers, Clues to Love, and Never Love a Stranger.
Reviewed by Greg Cason
1/31/2007
Author Spencer Dane doesn’t waste any time getting the plot rolling in Blue Diamonds. A few pages in and there’s already a body count. Zachary Taylor, the protagonist, is a complicated hero who would rather spend a quiet evening listening to classical music than participate in a shoot out. Naturally, this fast-paced story doesn’t allow Zach his wish. Blue Diamonds follows the trail of a dozen rare diamonds stolen from Greek Jews during the Holocaust. The diamonds weave their way around Zach, a powerful mafia don, a corrupt Congressman, a beautiful and mysterious diamond broker, and Zach’s former girlfriend—an investigative reporter who will do almost anything to get her story, maybe even endanger Zach! It’s a great story with plenty of action, intrigue and unexpected plot twists.
You can tell Dane did his homework on this book. When Zach calls on his military or police training, you can bet that it’s 100% correct. Dane gives you accurate information about weapons and tactics without bogging the story down with unnecessary details.
The characters are well drawn and avoid the clichés so common in this genre. Zach, while being a highly-trained and very lethal man, is deeply religious and truly doesn’t like to kill. At one point in the book, he notices that a dead hit man he shot is Catholic and he calls in a priest to perform last rites. The book is tightly plotted. Besides Zach and his partner Sabrina, it’s hard to tell the complete agendas of the other major characters. And just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the plot throws you another curve ball.
In summary, the book is well written. It’s a fun read with lots of good characters and an engaging plot. It was hard not to finish it in one sitting. I’ve heard that Blue Diamonds is the first in a trilogy of books about Zachary Taylor. I’m impatiently looking forward to the next two!
The Reed’s faith, a mystery to some, will be tested like never before. Will it hold? Mark’s love for his wife and their intimate romance is shattered by Brandy, a barmaid.
