Patricia Loufbourrow's book are sometimes confusing and intermittent, but they nonetheless hold me spellbound. Once I start, no matter how I fight against parts of it I must continue until the final denouement. That was certainly the case with her first book Jacq of Spades, and this book is no exception. The structure of the society in the domed city in which she lives is restrictive in the extreme, and the fact that her heroine was born and raised in a brothel does not endear her to to the society in which she lives. The four Families which dominate the city seem like little more than mafia clans, and the more she reveals of the social structure the more I am appalled by it. Jacqueline Spadros, the heroine, is continually referred to as a "pot rag", a reference to her other-side-of-the-tracks upbringing, her mother a brothel keeper, and her father an outright scoundrel.
Almost everyone she loves comes to a bad end, and while I understand that she lives in a brutal society, I feel the author is really laying it on thick. In spite of this, or maybe even because of it, I remain fascinated by the tale, and can barely wait to discover what ghastly thing will befall her in the next chapter. That she has a husband she was forced to marry at twelve, doesn't love, and a lover she can't be with and does, only adds to the contortions of this awful tale.
The "Queen of Diamonds" in the novel's title is one of her only friends. But take that with a grain of salt. In this book friends turn into enemies in an instant, characters, even the best of them, are two-faced, and in this dystopian world, no one can count on anyone anytime..
All in all, I remain aghast at this sordid tale of friendship betrayed, spying, murder, and political machinations that often end in death. It is a story where it is impossible to tell who are friends and who are enemies and it is, frankly, so far removed from what I know of life, that it forces me to wonder what sort of life the author herself has had, and what sort of "friends" she has associated with. I tend to believe that authors write about what they have experienced, even in fiction, and if this book is a reflection of things Patricia has experienced, I certainly feel for her. If the book is purely a child of her imagination, I can only wonder what kind of fantasies she has.
Nevertheless, and much even to my displeasure, I give the book five stars for the riveting tale it is. I only hope I never have to really experience anything like it.
The Queen of Diamonds: The Red Dog Conspiracy, Part 2
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In Queen of Diamonds, Jacqui Spadros is asked to settle financial matters for the self-proclaimed “Queen of Diamonds”, a seller of gems with special healing powers to the people of Bridges. Strangely enough, it seems Jacqui’s new assignment might involve an enemy Jacqui had hoped was dead.I believe that I may actually like this installment better than the first one—which is saying a lot since I loved it! While Jacq of Spades set the tone for the setting of Bridges and introduced the major players of the Red Dog Conspiracy, Queen of Diamonds offers more insight into Jacqui’s past and desires as well as reveals possible motives and backgrounds for various other players around her. This volume presents an array of mysteries for the reader to solve. Are they all connected? I love that it leaves me guessing.There were, however, some connections made by Jacqui in the last quarter of the book that I did not find entirely clear. The pacing at the end is fast, mostly due to its suspenseful and time-sensitive nature. So, it is entirely possible I just missed them in all the action.I loved Queen of Diamonds, eagerly await Ace of Clubs, and have already starts the prequel The Alcatraz Coup because I can’t get enough of this world Patricia Loufbourrow has created. I definitely think Queen of Diamonds will appeal most to readers of classic mystery authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie.
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 4, 2017
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 1, 2016
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 17, 2017
I believe that I may actually like this installment better than the first one—which is saying a lot since I loved it! While Jacq of Spades set the tone for the setting of Bridges and introduced the major players of the Red Dog Conspiracy, Queen of Diamonds offers more insight into Jacqui’s past and desires as well as reveals possible motives and backgrounds for various other players around her. This volume presents an array of mysteries for the reader to solve. Are they all connected? I love that it leaves me guessing.
There were, however, some connections made by Jacqui in the last quarter of the book that I did not find entirely clear. The pacing at the end is fast, mostly due to its suspenseful and time-sensitive nature. So, it is entirely possible I just missed them in all the action.
I loved Queen of Diamonds, eagerly await Ace of Clubs, and have already starts the prequel The Alcatraz Coup because I can’t get enough of this world Patricia Loufbourrow has created. I definitely think Queen of Diamonds will appeal most to readers of classic mystery authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie.
Intriguing, Suspenseful Mystery
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 17, 2017
In Queen of Diamonds, Jacqui Spadros is asked to settle financial matters for the self-proclaimed “Queen of Diamonds”, a seller of gems with special healing powers to the people of Bridges. Strangely enough, it seems Jacqui’s new assignment might involve an enemy Jacqui had hoped was dead.Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 17, 2017
I believe that I may actually like this installment better than the first one—which is saying a lot since I loved it! While Jacq of Spades set the tone for the setting of Bridges and introduced the major players of the Red Dog Conspiracy, Queen of Diamonds offers more insight into Jacqui’s past and desires as well as reveals possible motives and backgrounds for various other players around her. This volume presents an array of mysteries for the reader to solve. Are they all connected? I love that it leaves me guessing.
There were, however, some connections made by Jacqui in the last quarter of the book that I did not find entirely clear. The pacing at the end is fast, mostly due to its suspenseful and time-sensitive nature. So, it is entirely possible I just missed them in all the action.
I loved Queen of Diamonds, eagerly await Ace of Clubs, and have already starts the prequel The Alcatraz Coup because I can’t get enough of this world Patricia Loufbourrow has created. I definitely think Queen of Diamonds will appeal most to readers of classic mystery authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
jgabrielehay
The story continues to intrigue
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 6, 2017
Diana Johnson
The Queen Of Diamonds, part 2 in the Red Dog Conspiracy, Further Establishes Patricia Loofbourrow in a Class of the Best!
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on December 8, 2016
