Cartier’s Hope

A reporter seeks to uncover the secrets of the Hope Diamond in the vivid latest from Rose (Tiffany Blues). In 1910 New York, heiress Vera Garland works as a reporter using the pen name of Vee Swann so that she can dredge up secrets of New York’s high society for her gossip column, “Silk, Satin and Scandals.” When Vera finds a letter addressed to her recently deceased father, she discovers that he and his male lover were being blackmailed by the owner and editor of another paper, Thelonious Oxley, who threatened to disclose their affair if her father’s lover would not pay for ads in Oxley’s publication. Vera believes that he will again resort to blackmail. After visiting Cartier’s store and learning about how the Hope Diamond has a history of bringing bad luck to those who touched it, Vera devises a scheme: she will agree to write a story for Oxley about how jeweler Pierre Cartier has used fictitious legends to increase the value of the diamond, and then write an exposé on Oxley’s expected blackmail of Cartier to suppress her story. At Cartier’s, Vera also meets and is charmed by Jacob Asher, a Russian jeweler. As Vera falls under Jacob’s spell, she starts to feel guilty about using him to get information for her story. Vera must determine whether her quest to avenge her father is worth destroying her budding relationship with Jacob. The narrative cleverly explores highlights of early 20-century history and heaps on plenty of intrigue. Rose irresistibly combines elements of mystery, romance, and historical events in this memorable novel. Agent: Dan Conaway, Writers House. (Jan.)