Skip to Main Content

About The Book

From M.J. Rose, New York Times bestselling author of Tiffany Blues, “a lush, romantic historical mystery” (Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale), comes a gorgeously wrought novel of ambition and betrayal set in the Gilded Age.

New York, 1910: A city of extravagant balls in Fifth Avenue mansions and poor immigrants crammed into crumbling Lower East Side tenements. A city where the suffrage movement is growing stronger every day, but most women reporters are still delegated to the fashion and lifestyle pages. But Vera Garland is set on making her mark in a man’s world of serious journalism.

Shortly after the world-famous Hope Diamond is acquired for a record sum, Vera begins investigating rumors about schemes by its new owner, jeweler Pierre Cartier, to manipulate its value. Vera is determined to find the truth behind the notorious diamond and its legendary curses—even better when the expose puts her in the same orbit as a magazine publisher whose blackmailing schemes led to the death of her beloved father.

Appealing to a young Russian jeweler for help, Vera is unprepared when she begins falling in love with him…and even more unprepared when she gets caught up in his deceptions and finds herself at risk of losing all she has worked so hard to achieve.

Set against the backdrop of New York’s glitter and grit, of ruthless men and the atrocities they commit in the pursuit of power, this enthralling historical novel explores our very human needs for love, retribution—and to pursue one’s destiny, regardless of the cost.

About The Author

Photograph by Mario Morgado
M. J. Rose

New York Times bestselling author M.J. Rose grew up in New York City exploring the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum and the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park. She is the author of more than a dozen novels, the founder of the first marketing company for authors, AuthorBuzz.com and cofounder of 1001DarkNights.com She lives in Connecticut. Visit her online at MJRose.com.

About The Reader

Tavia Gilbert

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (January 28, 2020)
  • Length: 320 pages
  • Runtime: 11 hours and 2 minutes
  • ISBN13: 9781508280224

Raves and Reviews

"Adding to her expansive library of narrations, Tavia Gilbert lends her vocal skills to author Rose's latest historical fiction. In 1920, Vera, one of New York City's elite 400, lives a double life as both a society woman and an investigative journalist. When the Hope Diamond is brought to America, Vera takes the opportunity to use it in avenging her father's death. Gilbert gives an understated yet authentic performance. Using her versatile talents, she aptly presents characters full of emotions, bringing them to life and making each believable. With clear, clipped articulations, Gilbert keeps the pace moving. An overall wonderful listen for those who like a little romance and mystery in their historical fiction."

– AudioFile Magazine

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: M. J. Rose

More books from this reader: Tavia Gilbert