This was the last book written by Bryce Courtenay prior to his passing. It was supposed to be the first of a series with this main character. Unfortunately, he learnt about his prognosis and that he would not survive long enough to write the second instalment. As a result, there is a summary chapter at the end of this book of what was to follow in the series so that some closure could be had to the story.
Born and raised in a poor, working-class family in Toronto, Jack Spayd is the son of an unhappy marriage. When he is given a harmonica as a young boy, he discovers a talent for music that will change his life forever. After being taken under the wing of 'Miss Frostbite', the owner of a local jazz club, Jack becomes a gifted musician, playing piano and harmonica. After the death of his mother, he travels to Las Vegas and finds work in the clubs there, but is increasingly drawn to gambling. He earns a reputation as a good player, which brings him to the attention of the mafia. Jack wants to join the professional circuit, and to do that he needs serious money behind him. It's this need that sees him travel to the Belgian Congo, where he's heard it's possible to earn big money working in the most dangerous parts of the local copper mines. He gradually falls in love with Africa - and then with a beautiful Ethiopian woman. They move to London, where they bring up a daughter who becomes a supermodel. In a dramatic twist, the story returns to Africa - and to a fortune in diamonds. Jack of Diamonds is the story of a young, talented man, fighting to achieve his ambitions, and having to use his considerable talents to find his way in a perilous world.

Release #78 for 2020 ...

Caught today.

Sadly this is Bryce Courtenay’s very last book as he passed away very soon after finishing it. This is another great story from Courtenay delivered in the swashbuckling tradition which is synonymous with this author. No doubt he will be missed.