From Publishers Weekly
A perfect marriage of sensuality and suspense, this sparkling new offering from Roberts (Birthright, etc.) and her alter ego, Robb (Imitation in Death, etc.) takes readers on a two-part journey-first to the quaint burg of Angel's Gap, Md., and then to New York City, 56 years in the future. A multimillion-dollar diamond heist connects the two halves and fuels the first story, which focuses on the romance between sexy PI Max Gannon, who's working for the company that insured the diamonds, and smalltown antiques dealer Laine Tavish, daughter of a notorious thief. Laine has worked hard to overcome her heritage, but when her father's best friend is killed outside her shop, she becomes the target of a ruthless killer who thinks she has her father's share of the take. Because the story skips ahead in time, Max and Laine have little time to explore their affection for each other, but Roberts still manages to make their whirlwind romance both believable and charming. A nerve-shattering encounter between Laine and the villain shows Laine to be as capable and crafty as Lt. Eve Dallas, who's the driving force behind the novel's second half. Set in the year 2059, the continuation finds Eve on the trail of a murderer who's after the diamonds that were never recovered from the decades-old heist. Though the identity of the criminal is apparent midway through, Eve's charismatic personality and colorful crew-including her former thief husband, Roarke, and her partner, Peabody-keep the energy level high. A true master of her craft, Roberts has penned an exceptional tale that burns with all the brilliance and fire of a finely cut diamond.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
New York Times best-selling, RITA award-winning Nora Roberts teams up with her pseudonymous writing personality, J. D. Robb, in this sexy, suspenseful novel centered on a fortune in stolen diamonds. Roberts begins things in present-day Maryland, where Laine Tavish, owner of an antiques and collectibles store, finds her attempts to erase any connection to her con-man father, Jack O'Hara, threatened when one of her father's "business associates" shows up and is killed in an automobile accident. Her father's involvement in a diamond heist brings not only a cold-blooded murderer to Laine's door but also insurance investigator Max Gannon, who won't rest until he finds the missing jewels. Robb adds a new twist to the tale 50 years in the future when Laine's granddaughter, Samantha Gannon, writes a best-selling book about the diamonds. The murder of Samantha's house-sitter brings Lieutenant Eve Dallas on the scene in search of a killer who will do anything to possess the sparkling stones. Robert's latest is another addictive blend of scintillating prose and sharply etched characters that will dazzle and delight her devoted readers. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
Nora Robert writes terrific contemporary romantic suspense, and her alter ego, J. D. Robb, crafts futuristic mysteries that are powerful and compelling. Now this double-barreled bestseller combines her worlds in one captivating story of crime, punishment, love, and glittering stolen gems. The action starts in 2003, when antique dealer Laine Tavish's past catches up to her. She hasn't seen her con-man father in years and has been out of the loop so long she doesn't even recognize his old friend, Willy, when he comes to her shop -- until it's too late. Willy dies without telling her where he's hidden his share of a multimillion-dollar diamond heist. It's hard for Laine to trust anyone, especially after her home and shop are invaded and her life is threatened. But growing up with a con man has some advantages: She's a great judge of character, and she knows how to lie when the stakes are high. Now, for the sake of justice, Laine pulls off her greatest con, recovers most of the loot -- and finds the love of a lifetime, to boot. Unfortunately, that happy ending leaves unfinished business -- business that turns deadly in 2059, when someone goes after Laine's granddaughter, Samantha Gannon, looking for a missing share of the stolen diamonds. Samantha grew up on her grandparents' romantic story -- the P.I. and the unwitting recipient of stolen property who turned the tables on a vicious criminal. She recently made that story into a bestselling book, only to discover that someone is willing to kill to write a new ending. Now neither Samantha nor New York City homicide detective Eve Dallas will settle for less than justice. So Eve sets her wealthy ex-thief husband, Roarke, to tracking the missing gems and taps her newly fledged detective partner, Peabody, to help her close this case of cold-blooded murder for the sake of stolen ice. Sue Stone

FROM THE PUBLISHER

She's one author - with two number-one New York Times-bestselling careers. As Nora Roberts, her novels include Three Fates and Birthright. As J. D. Robb, she offers such novels as Portrait in Death. Now she unites her separate identities in a riveting two-part novel that combines edgy suspense and romantic passion - and journeys through past, present, and future.

In Part One, Nora Roberts introduces us to Laine Tavish, known to the folks in Angel's Gap, Maryland, as the proprietor of Remember When, an antique treasures and gift shop. They have no idea that she used to be Elaine O'Hara, daughter of the notorious con man Big Jack O'Hara ... or that she grew up moving from place to place, one step ahead of the law. But Laine's past has just caught up with her. Her long-lost uncle has visited her shop, leaving a cryptic warning before dying in the street, run down by a car. Soon afterward, Laine's home is ransacked. Now it's up to her, and an enigmatic stranger named Max Gannon, to find out who's chasing her, and why. The answer lies in a hidden fortune - a fortune that will change Laine's life.

In Part Two, J. D. Robb takes us to New York City in 2059, and puts Detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas on the case. The treasure that Laine and Max sought has never been fully recovered. And now someone else is pursuing the missing gems ... someone who's willing to kill for them. Sharp-witted and sexy, Eve is used to traveling in the shadowy corners outside the law, in a future where crime meets cutting-edge technology. She will attempt to track down the diamonds once and for all - and stop the danger and death that have surrounded them for decades.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

A perfect marriage of sensuality and suspense, this sparkling new offering from Roberts (Birthright, etc.) and her alter ego, Robb (Imitation in Death, etc.) takes readers on a two-part journey-first to the quaint burg of Angel's Gap, Md., and then to New York City, 56 years in the future. A multimillion-dollar diamond heist connects the two halves and fuels the first story, which focuses on the romance between sexy PI Max Gannon, who's working for the company that insured the diamonds, and smalltown antiques dealer Laine Tavish, daughter of a notorious thief. Laine has worked hard to overcome her heritage, but when her father's best friend is killed outside her shop, she becomes the target of a ruthless killer who thinks she has her father's share of the take. Because the story skips ahead in time, Max and Laine have little time to explore their affection for each other, but Roberts still manages to make their whirlwind romance both believable and charming. A nerve-shattering encounter between Laine and the villain shows Laine to be as capable and crafty as Lt. Eve Dallas, who's the driving force behind the novel's second half. Set in the year 2059, the continuation finds Eve on the trail of a murderer who's after the diamonds that were never recovered from the decades-old heist. Though the identity of the criminal is apparent midway through, Eve's charismatic personality and colorful crew-including her former thief husband, Roarke, and her partner, Peabody-keep the energy level high. A true master of her craft, Roberts has penned an exceptional tale that burns with all the brilliance and fire of a finely cut diamond. (Sept. 15) Forecast: Putnam is supporting this book with a $3-million marketing campaign, which will give it plenty of muscle to fight for the #1 spot with big September releases from Mitch Albom and John Grisham. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Roberts has outdone herself in this mystery duet of original characters in present time, and her futuristic cop heroine Eve Dallas delivering the coup de gr ce. Coupled with narrator Susan Ericksen's impressive flair for accents, the result is captivating and compelling. Laine Tavish thought her past was behind her until a family friend plops her squarely in the path of a multi-million dollar diamond heist. Max Gannon is the insurance investigator who thought he only wanted the diamonds back. Eve Dallas, on the other hand, speaks for the dead; called in as primary on a homicide, she doesn't take long to connect the victims to the 50-year-old robbery. Ericksen's vocal range highlights her talent; every character leaves a unique impression on the story. Max is a real Georgia peach, while Laine is all her own woman. Completely satisfying; it shouldn't be missed.-Jodi L. Israel, MLS, Jamaica Plain, MA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews