Flying Witch, v. 7 by Chihiro Ishizuka

Flying Witch, v. 7 by Chihiro Ishizuka - 184 pages

This volume continues the adventure of witch-in-trianing Makoto and her family and friends.  We catch up with Inukai, the Harbinger, and Akira.  A great addition to the series.

Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair

Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair - 277 pages
A Vintage Magic Mystery #3

Maddie has another murder to solve.  Unfortunately, this time it is the death of her close friend and Broadway star Dominique DeLong.  She was killed and millions of dollars of diamonds were stolen.  Now Maddie must figure out her killed her friend and find the diamonds before someone comes after her.

Another great entry in the series.

Remember When by Nora Roberts / J.D. Robb

Remember When by Nora Roberts / J.D. Robb - 512 pages

This book is written by Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb (Robert's pen name for futuristic mysteries).  The first part by Roberts is about a diamond heist, the thief's daughter, and the investigator hired to find the diamonds.  Romance ensures.  The second part by Robb takes place fifty years later and involves the diamonds that were not recovered and the person trying to find them.  I read this book when it first came out and remember thinking that I didn't care for it.  I didn't like the part by J.D. Robb.  I decided to listen to it on audio and this time I found that I liked it a lot more.  It might be because I was reading the J.D. Robb books the past month.  I was used to the way the books flowed.

It's In His Kiss by Julia Quinn

It's In His Kiss by Julia Quinn - 272 pages

Gareth St. Clair has been estranged from his father most of his life, but it took a nasty turn when his father confessed that his mother cheated and he wasn't really his father.  Gareth broke off all communication with him when his father tried to force him to marry a local woman who was mentally a small child.  Ten years later, he is still reeling from his father's confession when he is given an old family diary in Italian.  Hyacinth Bridgerton offers to translate it for him.  And thus begins a romance . . .
I enjoyed this book.  The characters were interesting as was the mysteries revealed in the diary.  My main problem is that I heard Cher singing "It's in his kiss" in my head the entire time I was reading.

Blood Diamonds, by Greg Campbell

Blood Diamonds: Tracing the Deadly Path of the World's Most Precious Stones, by Greg Campbell, 280 pages

This book discusses the history of diamond mining in Africa, the brutal toll it has taken on the people of Sierra Leone, and how these "blood" diamonds may have been used by al-Qaeda to fund 9/11.  The violence described is pretty gory and unpleasant, and there is not really an uplifting ending.

Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair

Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair - 277 pages
A Vintage Magic Mystery - book 3

Maddie is shocked and saddened to find out one of her closest friends, actress Dominique DeLong, has died during one of her performances.  Not only did she die mysteriously, but more than a million dollars in diamonds disappeared that she was wearing at the time.  Once again, Maddie must use her fashion sense and her pyschometry gift to solve the murder of her friend.
I enjoyed this book - especially the interplay between Maddie and police detective Werner.  A great mystery series.