Diamonds are For Cocktails
| File:Diamonds are For Cocktails (2022) Book, First Edition, Front Cover.png | |
| Author | ZARAH, also Zarah Maillard |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | |
| Published | E&R Publishers, New York |
Publication date | October 27, 2022 |
| Media type | Print (hardcopy, paperback), ebook, audiobook |
| Pages | 218 |
| ISBN | 9781945674396 Search this book on  . |
Diamonds are For Cocktails is the first-in-series and the debut novel by American writer and entertainer Zarah published on October 27, 2022 by E&R Publishers.[1][2]
The murder mystery novel is centered on the glamorous life of an all-powerful yet troubled Monégasque diamond heiress Camille Rogers, adopted as a baby, and her childlike unbreakable bonding with her longtime companion James Hughes.[3] But when inexplicable murders plague the town of the French Riviera, the FBI simultaneously launches an international manhunt for the serial killer only deepening the mystery that extends to genres of suspense, thriller, and crime.[4]
Plot[edit]
Camille Jeanne-Marie Rogers is the adopted daughter of the blue-blooded barren diamond magnate Claire Rogers, who stood to inherit a multi-billion-euro jewelry empire. She grew up in a royal luxury in the Principality of Monaco, a popular playground for the billionaires, the day her adoption papers were legalized by her mother Claire, where she remained an enigma in the public eye.
Her life story embodies the classic narrative of an ultra-wealthy heiress and socialite who was swept away by a rich woman, but eventually searches for the true meaning of life. Since her adoption, Claire carefully grooms her young daughter for the inevitable — that she will one day take over the business when she comes of age — and marries her young lover Jacques Phillip Martin so to complete her idyllic family. Claire owns and runs the company L’Allure, a world-renowned high-end jewelry line among many of her ventures, manufactured in Eze Village, France, headquartered in Monaco with a marketing division in Paris. However, Camille’s early life begins to show signs of trouble though she secretly keeps it to herself. The privileged life where she once feels incredibly blessed with, has now eroded to a mere illusion in her mind. She endures painful memories throughout her adulthood, perpetually haunting her for life.
To escape her troubles, Camille seeks refuge from her best childhood friend and de facto brother James Hughes, the son of a faithful family helper and Camille’s occasional surrogate mother, Mrs. Hughes. James was raised in the same household, and was not at all a stranger to her troubles. The two form an unlikely friendship, and develop a strong bonding that would last a lifetime. Eventually, the stern matriarch Claire dies, and Camille is sent off to a boarding school in Switzerland, and loses connection with James.
Years later, Camille and James reunite. They start the next chapter of their lives together at the newly revamped family chateau in Monte Carlo where they both grew up. James’ unrelenting commitment and devotion to Camille gradually gets her life back on track. Her confidence solidifies to the highest level, emerging to an all-powerful heiress. Now the envy of the highest aristocracy and the world, Camille becomes the media darling of the press around the world, whom they all knew ever since she was a child. Her acerbic wit and charming public persona quickly gain a set of equally powerful allies. She receives a warm welcome from the royalty including her friend Prince Albert II, movie stars, political leaders and dignitaries alike, particularly noting for her magnanimity with children’s charities worldwide.
All the while, a calculating and dangerous serial killer lures random young victims in Monte Carlo, placing them to an untraceable location designed to look like in the Dark Ages, where they are unable to escape. Fear continues to grow among the locals as American tourists Amanda and Taylor Collins’ story is splashed across town in local newspapers and television screens, fearing for their safety. The strange disappearance of the mother and daughter after visiting Nice and Monaco in the South of France leads to more questions than answers that makes international headlines, prompting a high-profile investigation from the FBI.
In a completely separate crime scene, a young victim turns up dead across the globe in the community of Beverly Hills. Detective Evan Carter, a local hero praised by his colleagues but disliked by the media that he publicly disdains, is a tough investigator who spearheads the fresh homicide case. One day, he gets a call from the determined FBI, Special Agent Joe Carlton hoping to exchange information on what appears to be an unrelated case he is currently working on back in Washington, D.C.
Carlton, considered to be one of the best in the field, takes a keen interest in the Monte Carlo case although he has trouble of his own, including one brewing at home with his embittered wife and teen daughter, whom he loves immensely. Forced by his superior to take some time off work one day, he reluctantly reevaluates his life and gets serious about bringing in the type of change his long-suffering family desires for all the right reasons.
Upon his visit to Monaco along with his daughter, he accidentally comes across some vital information connected to his high-profile case. Of his own freewill, Carlton conducts a private investigation unbeknownst to his daughter, leaving her all by herself at the hotel. There, he discovers what is about to solve the mystery that would change his life forever. The continuing saga of the vanishing victims deeply mystifies the law enforcement communities worldwide reverberating from the FBI in Washington D.C., MI6 in London, the Municipal Police in France, reaching all the way to the shores of the Cote d'Azur of the Monaco Police Department in Monte Carlo.
Characters[edit]
Main[edit]
- Camille Jeanne-Marie Rogers: A diamond heiress adopted by a jewelry tycoon. She struggles to put her life back together despite her well-earned powerful status. For years, Camille keeps her past hidden away and turns to a recluse. She credits her closest and only confidant James for providing the safe haven she desperately needs throughout her long and arduous journey.
- James Thomas Hughes: Camille’s best friend. They grew up together, and he remains the only source of stability for her. He is a talented artist and strives to make it on his own. He is protective of Camille particularly of her past although he has other interests in life. He also hopes to reunite with his estranged sister Lily someday.
- Claire Marie Rogers: A diamond magnate and Camille’s adoptive mother, who likes to collects things in life. Essentially, she is an unhappy person but compensates loneliness with her money, power, and influence. She later discovers the Roman Catholicism and makes a life-altering decision for the rest of her life.
- Special Agent Joe Carlton: A razor-sharp FBI special investigator who is on the verge of retiring. He is the recipient of many awards in the law enforcement field, and has a young daughter he adores. He spent years putting criminals behind bars from the FBI-most-wanted list. He is determine to catch the notorious serial killer at all cost though teeters on the edge of his own struggles.
Supporting[edit]
- Detective Evan Carter: A Beverly Hills Police Department crime investigator who is investigating another crime in his local community. He is befriended by Special Agent Joe Carlton in exchange for information where they share their dedication to law enforcement.
- Jacques Phillip Martin: Camille’s stepfather though technically her father. He is the only father figure she ever knew and has done a good job on raising her according to his wife Claire. Once an aspiring actor, he now settles a nice life with the diamond matriarch and becomes a family man.
- Mrs. Hughes: James’ mother and Camille’s fulltime nanny. She loves Camille as if she was her own daughter and becomes her voice of reason behind the scenes. She is the head servant for the Rogers family for many years.
- Mr. Thompson: The family’s devoted head butler. He serves as the main director of the Rogers Chateau that includes managing all staff members under him as well as their personal chauffer whenever necessary.
- Lieutenant Drake Monroe: Detective Evan Carter’s partner, who assists in many of his homicide cases where they both are trying to solve, but he is completely capable on his own.
- Taylor and Amanda Collins: A mother and daughter who both travel from Los Angeles to the French Rivera, unleashing their wanderlust. Daughter Taylor is an ambitious and spoiled young teen trying to break in the entertainment business while her mother Amanda, a naïve single mother.
- Lily and Chris: A young couple in love. Lily is James’ sister. She and James have not seen each other for many years. Her latest boyfriend Chris from London, a young and carefree soul, goes along for the ride in search of their reunion.
- Brad Taylor: A fun-loving and adventurous exchanged student from Germany who is eager to learn and a movie fanatic. He decides to spend his summer break in Monaco.
- Prince Albert II: The Prince of Monaco and one of Camille’s powerful allies and close friend. He and Camille have known each other since childhood. The two would often meet in high-profile charity events, raising funds for children’s causes around the world.
- Princess Grace Kelly: Camille’s godmother and Claire’s close friend. She has fond memories of her and her husband Prince Rainer III growing up, often meeting at the Prince's Palace of Monaco.
- Paul Bocuse: Camille’s godfather and a friend of the family. He has the highest regard for Camille, and has introduced her to the world of gastronomic cooking when he gave her lessons as a child.
References[edit]
- ↑ "From Diversity to Diamonds: TV personality and Music Artist Zarah Makes Headway in Billionaire's Playground, French Rivera in New Book Diamonds are For Cocktails". Digital Journal. 29 September 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
- ↑ "Prince Albert of Monaco is a 'warm and welcoming' royal whose focus is on charity, not tabloid scrutiny: pal". Fox News. 19 December 2021. Retrieved Nov 15, 2022.
- ↑ "E&R Publishers New York announce release of Diamonds are For Cocktails-a murder mystery novel by Zarah". Digital Journal. 9 November 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ↑ "A bright future". New York Post. 15 August 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
External links[edit]
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