Below is a new 5-star review!
Lady Edith “Edie” Black visits London for a funeral service for a close friend. She walks to the slums. The area still reflects poverty, where residents struggle to survive. She stops in front of her early childhood home. Edie smiles as she recalls a special memory. It was the day Edie’s mother passed away. It was also the same day Edie was saved from poverty by Benji Diamond. Benji was well-known for teaching people skills they needed to live better lives. Benji taught Edie how to read and write; Edie’s life was now chronicled in several notebooks.
Edie’s life was turned upside down when Benji went missing. The “stalls” were destroyed; several women and young men were arrested for possessing stolen property. Benji’s lucrative delivery service was shut down. Edie knew Mrs. Hill was an investor in Benji’s business and the head of the Forty Elephants. Edie joins the gang, hoping to find Benji. Several years later, Edie went on a steamboat to represent Mrs. Hill. Before embarking on the trip, Benji arrives with a printing press. Edie is overjoyed to be reunited with him. It wasn’t long before Mrs. Hill gave Benji an order that separated the couple. During their brief stay in Cape Town, a diamond heist occurs. Benji, Lady Black, Mrs. Hill, and several others become suspects.
Stolen Brilliance is the first story of the Lady Black Mystery series. After the funeral service, Edie’s memories take over the narrative. Edie’s love for Benji motivates her to plan a future together. The unpredictable plot has several shocking twists. For example, Edie becomes angry with Benji for being a criminal. However, she is drawn into criminal activities as well. I noticed Benji was like “Robin Hood,” since he often spread the proceeds from his heists to the less fortunate. Henderson was a sinister character, which made me question why Mrs. Hill employed him. She was aware of Henderson stealing from her, and using a naive girl to watch him was suspicious.
Michael G. Colburn’s research for this historical mystery was outstanding. The Forty Elephants gang was a real gang of women in London. While Mrs. Hill, Benji, and Edie are fictional characters, the events that occur are from a true diamond heist. The historical facts made the story feel realistic. Edie’s transformation from street urchin to a proper lady gave a timeline that was easy to follow.
Stolen Brilliance does not need any changes. Therefore, I rate this novel five out of five stars. The character development, suspense, and mystery are captivating. The engaging dialogue felt natural, and the interactions between the characters added depth to the story.
Young adult fans of historical mystery stories with a strong female protagonist will enjoy Stolen Brilliance. The intriguing story will take readers from the gritty streets of London, England, to Melbourne, Australia, with multiple stops in between. Where are the diamonds? Who stole them?
~ Stephanie
