Diamond Doris

The True Story of the World's Most Notorious Jewel Thief

De: Doris Payne

Narrado por: Robin Miles

In the ebullient spirit of Ocean’s 8, The Heist, and Thelma & Louise, a sensational and entertaining memoir of the world’s most notorious jewel thief—a woman who defied society’s prejudices and norms to carve her own path, stealing from elite jewelers to live her dreams.

Growing up during the Depression in the segregated coal town of Slab Fork, West Virginia, Doris Payne was told her dreams were unattainable for poor black girls like her. Surrounded by people who sought to limit her potential, Doris vowed to turn the tables after the owner of a jewelry store threw her out when a white customer arrived. Neither racism nor poverty would hold her back; she would get what she wanted and help her mother escape an abusive relationship.

Using her southern charm, quick wit, and fascination with magic as her tools, Payne began shoplifting small pieces of jewelry from local stores. Over the course of six decades, her talents grew with each heist. Becoming an expert world-class jewel thief, she daringly pulled off numerous diamond robberies and her Jewish boyfriend fenced the stolen gems to Hollywood celebrities.

Doris’s criminal exploits went unsolved well into the 1970s—partly because the stores did not want to admit that they were duped by a black woman. Eventually realizing Doris was using him, her boyfriend turned her in. She was arrested after stealing a diamond ring in Monte Carlo that was valued at more than half a million dollars. But even prison couldn’t contain this larger-than-life personality who cleverly used nuns as well as various ruses to help her break out. With her arrest in 2013 in San Diego, Doris’s fame skyrocketed when media coverage of her astonishing escapades exploded.

Today, at eighty-seven, Doris, as bold and vibrant as ever, lives in Atlanta, and is celebrated for her glamorous legacy. She sums up her adventurous career best: “It beat being a teacher or a maid.” A rip-roaringly fun and exciting story as captivating and audacious as Catch Me if You Can and Can You Ever Forgive Me?—Diamond Doris is the portrait of a captivating anti-hero who refused to be defined by the prejudices and mores of a hypocritical society.

one amazing jewel thief

felt she was too dame old to be stealing and spending time in prison a poor example of a parent.

excellent read

I enjoyed the thrill of the story. I will listen again and definitely share with others.

The Notorious Diamond Doris

I absolutely loved this story. Doris led an exciting, dangerous, wild life. Talk about doing what you want, when you want it! The voice of Robin Miles was also great. She managed to speak the parts of all of the characters convincingly. Few can effectively do that.

Even as a Grandma?

All I can say is, "Wow." This gave me an insight into thieving high-end diamond jewelry, and I am still taking it in. I started to write more, but can't find the words as I am still taking it in.

Very Entertaining

Fascinating story on so many significant levels: race, gender, class, trauma, and the “American Dream”… whatever that means.