This excellent dual timeline story set in India, 1947 just before independence and in the UK, 2023 starts when a briefcase is found by one of the main characters while on a climbing holiday in the Alps. When a diamond brooch is found in the case along with various papers hinting at a possible curse linked to the brooch, what follows is a mystery to try and find out fact from fiction. Another really enjoyable read from this author.

The Lost Diamond by Kathleen McGurl is a compelling dual-timeline book that blends historical intrigue with modern-day mystery. Set against the backdrop of India in 1947, the story introduces Celia Fforbes-Whyte, a young girl who has vivid memories of her mother and the family’s prized diamond, the Chamakta Sitara. The diamond, long a symbol of the family’s wealth and status, comes under scrutiny as growing tensions surrounding Indian independence raise uncomfortable questions about its origins.

As danger looms on the eve of independence, Celia’s father makes the drastic decision to hide the diamond, setting off a chain of events that creates a curse that will haunt the family for years to come.

Fast forward to 2024, where Lisa Statton, heartbroken and in search of solace, retreats to the Alps. While exploring the glacier, she uncovers a sparkling gem and an unopened letter—discoveries that thrust her into a mystery tied to Celia’s past, one that has remained hidden for decades.

McGurl deftly intertwines the two timelines, building suspense as Lisa works to uncover the secrets of the past. The story’s mystery unfolds with surprising twists, and the way the events of 1947 and their consequences echo through the present is handled with great skill. Both threads of the narrative are equally engaging, with each offering its own set of challenges and revelations. The book offers a richly layered reading experience, full of emotional depth, historical intrigue, and a fascinating mystery that ties the past to the present in an unforgettable way.

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What can I say I loved thisbook it just grip me i love the writting style your pulled into the plot just a beautiful story lots of research would have been done i recommend to you all

A lovely book, even if a bit predictable, but one I would wholeheartedly recommend. It is set in India in 1947 which is a part of history I don’t know a huge amount about and found it very enjoyable learning about some of the intricacies of the end of colonial rule.

In 2023 Lisa Stratton just over a break up with her boyfriend takes comfort in the Alps as she goes hiking with her friend up Mont Blanc. While there she discovers a metal briefcase that has been buried in the ice and snow. Upon opening she finds papers that indicate it has been lying there since 1947. However, there is more to what she finds...a beautiful broach holding a very large diamond. In her endeavor to find out what lies inside the metal case, she learns there was a plane crash in 1947 which explains the buried case. With her interest challenged she is on the hunt to find out about the broach and about the mystery behind it.

In 1947 Wilfred Fforbes-Whyte decides he must leave India as Independence is near and there have been riots in Agra and it isn't safe for him and his daughter; they must go back to England.. There is more to the diamond than just a pretty stone, there is a "supposed" curse about it. I found the story interesting, especially the pages about India and the story it told. Highly recommended. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I did like this. It was a quick read for me and I appreciated the two interconnected storylines. I think the cultural and historical aspects were interesting but this was a much lighter read than say The Henna Artist series.

The story switches between Agra, India in 1947, months away from its independance and London, U.K. in 2023. Although both stories are connected, I found their tone quite different. The India part is captivating historical fiction, a retelling of the chaos and organizing process that took place just before the Brits left, written in great detail with quite a few characters and set in a beautiful tropical landscape. The pace is pleasant yet the urgency is clear.
Then there's London in present day, with only two main characters, here to solve the mystery of an event that happened in 1947. I did not connect with either one of them. They were all over the place, split between work, friends and their investigation. The result is predictable, but a nice read overall.

Thank you Netgalley and HQ Digital for the ARC.

Loved this!
Both Lisa (modern day) and Celia (1947) are strong female leads, particularly Celia, who refused to be pushed around by traditional male views and both timelines have an excellent story with the diamond running through both. My only dislike was the intensity of the superstition displayed by Ben...a little too over the top for me!

This was such a beautiful book. The main character was so well written and it was very well researched and written!

India 1947: India is on the eve of Independence from Britain. Fifteen-year-old Celia and her father, British but both born in India, are at odds with each other. It has been eight years since Celia's mother Alice died and her father has never recovered from her loss. Celia doesn't remember much about her mother but she does remember the cherished family heirloom diamond, the Chamakta Sitara, glistening at her throat. Celia's father works for the Civil Service in India and he cannot see his job or life in the country he has known all his life continuing after Independence. His wish is to return to England with his daughter and the prized family heirloom broach. Celia, however, has only one wish, to remain in India with her childhood friend and she questions if the heirloom ever really belonged to the family anyway.

London 2024: Heartbroken after a breakup with her boyfriend, Lisa Statton takes a trip to the Alps with her friend and on the edge of a glacier, she discovers a briefcase containing a sparkling gem and an unopened letter. After reading the contents of the briefcase and the letter, Lisa is determined to find the owner and this leads her into a mystery more devastating that she could have imagined.

I have always loved stories by Kathleen McGurl and this one is a delightful read. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy before the release date.