Cartier’s Hope by M.J.Rose

A delightful story about Vera Garland, a.k.a Vee Swann, an intrepid newspaper woman in New York City. Her life’s mission is to investigate and report on the societal wrongs of the early 1900s, just at the cusp of the Woman Suffrage Movement.

The infamous Hope Diamond is central to one of Vera’s stories as she sets out to uncover the evil doings of the blackmailer Thelonius Oxley. Going under over as writer Vee Swann, Vera sets a plan in motion which will rock her world, as well as expose Mr. Oxley.

Rose’s characters are likable, her story line is good, and her writing is strong. Hope is the pivotal theme to this tale, which plays well to the clever book title. All in all, this novel gets a solid 4 star review from me.

This fictional story, set against the backdrop of NYC’s Gilded Age, brings the glitter on the outside including Cartier’s jewelry store and his rich clientele. But there is a lot of corruption underneath, including mysterious diamond, causing much havoc, and mistreatment of less privileged and their injustices. Poor immigrants crammed into tenements contrast drastically with millionaires living in mansions on 5th Ave.

NYC, 1910: Vera Garland is the daughter of one of the wealthiest merchants in the city. And she is very ambitious. She chooses profession over marriage. As if married, it was expected of a woman to leave her position (if she had any) behind. And that was not what she wanted to do.

She takes a pseudonym of Vee Swann and works as an investigative journalist. Those positions are very limited for women. Women journalists are seen as accidents in the industry, only to be tolerated. Still considered second-class citizens, paid less and treated unfairly in regards to assignments and promotions. She and other brave women fight to change it.

Her assignment on illegal abortion puts her article on the first page, which is a double success for a woman. Her career takes a giant leap forward.

Now, a family situation gives her an idea for a new assignment, which would avenge her uncle’s and her beloved father’s deaths. It is an assignment involving Mr. Cartier’s overblown sales techniques. In the process of investigating Mr. Cartier, she develops feelings for his assistant Jacob Asher. But Mr. Asher turns out to be much more than just a jeweler.

The story beautifully comes to its end. The disagreements are better understood, what or rather who seemed perfect turns out to be with flaws, secrets revealed make more sense - all that happens, when you get to know someone better. And in some situations if you only let your heart be open. After the death of her father, Vera finds a letter from him, which is very heart-warming.

Well-developed protagonist, who defies conventions. She is focused on a career, rather than motherhood, and meeting man’s expectations of a wife. She speaks out. She argues. She could be too challenging for a man, who most likely would like to tame her. She is a free spirit and bohemian breaking conventions.

Enjoyed many aspects of historical background including: the short story of the French Blue (Hope diamond) and how it changed owners; short introduction of Cartier family; about a paste copy to make imitation gems; the contrast of those less fortunate and those very fortunate; and women’s movement for equality at work.

Typically, I don’t read mystery, as the mysterious tone is not necessarily an engaging read for me. Therefore, the five stars is a testament to very skillful and talented writing.

A spellbinding tale. Kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the last 150 pages furiously. This historical fiction novel is not just about the Hope diamond, but captures a rare look into life in America in the early 1900’s...,mostly of the multimillionaire class, but also of injustices done to women and those living in tenements. The author has a very unique writing style. I look forward to her next book, hoping it continues where this one left off.

Captivating read. Beautifully woven tale, rich with detail of not only Cartier and the Hope Diamond, but of historical events during that period. You won’t want to put the book down!


Side note: Can’t wait to see the gorgeous cover in hard copy.

I didn't like this book. The story was okay, but there are aspects of the story I wasn't really fond of. There were several references to homosexuality that wasn't necessary to the story, and there were parts that were pretty explicit about the main couple having sex, which also wasn't necessary, in my opinion. I almost didn't finish the story, but I did. I won't be reading it again.

“Cartier’s Hope” is set in NYC against the lush backdrop of the ultra wealthy, circa 1910 before women had the right to vote, when they were expected to be content to stay home as wives and mothers. Vera Garland is from one of NY’s upper crust families. As an unmarried 33 year old who is considered to be avant garde, even bohemian, she is constantly at odds with her mother who takes very seriously her role as a leading society matron. Vera was very close to her father and uncle who died within a week of each other and she is still mourning her loss.

Not content to live under society’s strictures, Vera has a separate identity as Vee Swann, an investigative reporter. As her alter-ego Vee champions the less fortunate, the abused, and the downtrodden and exposes society’s ills. She has gone undercover, putting her life at risk, to affect change by exposing corruption, substandard tenement housing, child labor, and other criminal practices.

When Pierre Cartier buys the infamous Hope Diamond and offers it for sale to his elite clientele, complete with all the stories and legends that surround it, including its “curse”, Vera is excited and intrigued, especially about the myths and mystique surrounding the 44 carat blue diamond. She sees it as a way to kickstart her career and help her in her plot for revenge against an unscrupulous magazine owner. But neither Vera nor Vee counted on meeting the charming Jacob Asher, nor was either prepared for how that meeting could change the course of her life.

Author M.J. Rose has offered up a lush and exotic slice of the elite life in the early 20th century juxtaposed with that of the gritty existence of those living in seedy, substandard tenement housing. Underlying it all is the strength and resilience of the human spirit, which is hope.. Hope is what keeps us all going from one day to the next and feeds our souls and our desire for something better.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity.

Publication Date: 28 Jan 2020
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
#Cartier’sHope #MJRose #SimonAndSchuster

I really, really wanted to like this book a little more than I did! What drew me in initially was the Gilded Age and the Hope Diamond, certainly one of the most infamous jewels that has an intriguing story attached to it. What I got was also a book that was just as much about family secrets and the affects they can have. The premise of the story was interesting, but it took me quite a bit of the story to connect with Vera. I certainly understood her actions and I did eventually get a feel for her as a character. What I felt was a bigger disconnect was while some of the historical details were extremely well done, there were some descriptions, wording and actions that seemed very 21st Century, not 1910. All in all though, a book that was very well written and overall enjoyable, it just didn't "wow" me.

Cartier’s Hope is a gem of a novel set in the early 20th century when women were fighting to be able to vote, to hold a job of their choosing, to have choices other than wife and mother. Vera has been raised with wealth, but as her alter ego Vee, she is a investigative reporter ferreting out injustice especially towards her fellow women. After her father’s death she discovers a secret that could destroy what is left of her family and a plan for revenge is born. Readers will be drawn into this story of the gilded rich, the forgotten and exploited poor, anti-semitism, the struggles of women to gain a voice and along the way learn some of the mythology surrounding gem stones, especially the Hope diamond which will be an important part of Vera’s revenge. This is a well written, well researched story that shines a light on an era that sadly isn’t covered much in history lessons anymore. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

A fun, and engaging, read about a diamond that has intrigued millions (myself included) through the ages. The cover is beautiful, the story draws you in, and I enjoyed every paragraph of this book. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to review this.

Family secrets have a way of being exposed and changing lives. Vera Garland lives a privileged life in New York society as the daughter of the owner of a department store, attending Society parties and living a life filled with fashion and jewels. But Vera has a secret life, one where she feels she can make a difference, that of a reporter. When Vera's father dies she discovers she is not the only one keeping a secret. Determined to set things right for her father's legacy she stumbles into the mystery surrounding the Hope diamond and Pierre's Cartier stories about the diamond. A story of secrets and mysteries and finding your own way in the world set againts the backdrop of New York society.

Cartier's Hope Review
In this latest masterpiece by author M. J. Rose, we are met by Vera Garland, a young lady of the upper crust in New York in the early 1900's, She's brash, bold, and impulsive, yet still kind, determined, and hopeful. She searches out the injustices of life, and fights diligently for those she considers to be harmed. Yet she still dreams of love. After a series of tragedies befall those closest to her, she sets out to avenge them in a rather unconventional way. Through the press. We also get to meet Jacob Astor, a Russian Jewish jeweler working for Cartier. Jacob is a quiet, secretive man, with more than a few secrets of his own. When Jacob and Vera finally meet, these two will discover that their interests may not be that different.. This story is absolutely incredible. I seriously had great difficulty putting it down for more than a minute or two. One thing stood out in stark relief to me: overall this story is about hope. Hope for the future, hope for those we love, and hope for those we try to help. Hope. It's about redemption, and the hope and desire that one can be redeemed. Overall, it's fascinating and engaging, and beyond wonderful.

This was this August her finest. She has a knack of balancing the history with a good plot to create a cracking good novel and you learn something in the process.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

Wow, Cartier’s Hope is my first novel I’ve read from M.J. Rose and I now 100% understand why readers love her! I enjoy historical fiction and I was blown away how M.J. Rose balanced authenticity for the early 1900’s and relevance to today’s day and age! I felt like I got an education as well- love that! The storyline was alluring which is why I found it hard to put my kindle down , but the extremely well developed characters is why I couldn’t stop thinking about this book! I went into this 5 star read expecting a mystery, so the fact that there’s fantastic romance as well was an awesome surprise! I cannot recommend Cartier’s Hope enough and can promise this will be a novel that I will be re-reading in the very near future!