Customer Reviews

Stone 588 (Windsor Selections)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
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Phillip Springer is a small but successful diamond broker in New York, runing the family firm established by his father and uncle. When his daughter miraculously recovers from a mental condition that had consigned her to a series on instituitions, she credits her recovery to a flawed gemstone. When Philip's lover, Audrey, tends to her ageing guardian with the stone, more remarkable healing is evident. When the President is cured of a massive heart attack, Stone 588 becomes a magical assett. Soon after, the Springer firm is robbed of its jewels, including the lucky stone. Springer and Audrey enlist the assistance of a former disgruntled employee of one of the largest diamond houses in New York to plan and carry out their own robbery, made all the more important as Springer's son is found to be suffering from terminal cancer - something Philip and Audrey believe the magical stone could cure.

A very exciting thriller with lots of twists - I'm suprised it hasn't been made into a movie.

Although this book adheres to the Browne formula--smart, cool guy, smart, beautiful, rich girl and gemstone intrigues--Stone 588 has a knockout premise. In some ways it is the most intelligent of his books and utterly delightful. There are some continuity problems toward the end, but overall it leaves you happy and sorry there isn't more.

Mr. Browne knows his subject, and does and excellent job of bringing his readers into the murky, intriguing world of diamond dealing. The premise and plot are flawless, and though the character development is a bit two-dimensional, the book more than makes up for it's shortcomings by being a jolly good thriller.

This is an excellent book to take on vacation. The author begins each chapter and each thought within each chapter very vaguely and then focuses the narrative to pinpoint clarity. If you like diamonds, rich people, young lovers, murder or theft, then this is the book for you.

Janet Springer's father was a diamond merchant. He carried with him always an odd little stone that he called his "reminder stone". Janet is confined in a very ritzy sanatorium, suffering from a condition that will not respond to any of the recognized treatments. She is holding her father's "reminder stone" when, after a violent episode, she is restrained on her bed. When she becomes aware a few hours later, she realizes that something in her has dramatically changed. She is well. When she is released from the sanatorium and begins to tell people her story, she finds that many do not believe her but those who do would do anything -- including murder -- to make the stone their own.

I enjoyed this book the first time I read it, over 30 years ago, and I enjoyed it just as much when I reread it this year.

bought stone 588 for a friend and received it in good condition I then reordered the book for myself which I am still waiting to receive.