The Diamond Keeper

A thrilling tale of the elusive Hope Diamond's journey across Europe during the French Revolution, with gorgeous, absorbing writing from Jeannie Mobley!

Eighteen-year-old Claudie Durand's future is planned. She'll take over the family inn, watch her much prettier younger sister, Mathilde, married off to the butcher's son, and live out her days alone, without the hope of finding a love of her own. Her mother ran off to the cloister when she was young, and her gruff, abusive father has deemed her unmarriageable, a nuisance, and only good for hard labor.

But outside their small village in Brittany, a revolution is brewing. When the Army of the Republic seizes their town, and Claudie finds herself at the center of the conspiracy, she and Mathilde must flee their sheltered life and take up a cause that, up till now, had always seemed like a distant conflict. As the sisters carry out a dangerous mission for the resistance: delivering a precious item to the mysterious Rooster of Rennes--Claudie's conscience is torn between the longing to return to her predictable, lonely existence and the desire to carve out a new future, reaching for the life--and love--she never dared dream of but knew deep down she truly deserved.

Bravery exemplified

A country I don't know. A time in history that is foreign as well. I learned much and found that even in unusual times, people really aren't much different. The narrator was excellent. It was easy to understand and follow what was happening in the local lands as well as the traveling that was required.

Great choice

One reason I selected this book was for the reader: Ms Hewitt always delivers an honest, expressive reading of any book. This tale is largely set in France and CH’s various accents lend authenticity, color, and texture to the telling.
The story is full of well-developed characters and historic accuracy, and keeps one’s interest throughout.
Highly recommended.