Author: Annie Seaton
ISBN: 9781743535707
RRP: $29.99
Diamond Sky marks the third and final book in the Porter Sister series and it was an engaging and exciting suspenseful read that fit beautifully with the other two books. Yes, this is the third book in a series but it stands solidly on its own.
The Porter Sisters series is really three stand alone books that are linked by the fact that the heroines are sisters. The stories are all quite different but they are also very similar. Mining and the traditional owners of the land play large roles in the series.
This book has been on my radar since reading the first book, not to mention the second, and it has been on my shelf quite a while too. I signed on to be part of the blog tour for the release last month, I pencilled in the date and had plenty of time… until I looked at the date yesterday and almost had a heart attack. I was left with yesterday to finish what I was reading and then today to read and review the book. I then managed to read it in one day with a baby and a toilet training toddler in the house, after being concerned I would be reviewing before I finished the book.
Dru Porter is the baby of the Porter family, and the one who found their father when he died, and it has left it’s mark on her; how could it not. She has been quite distant from her family for years but the distance seems to be growing even further.
The Matsu diamond mine in the Kimberley is hot, remote and the perfect place to hide. Dru Porter is in her first year as an environmental engineer helping to rehabilitate the land no longer used by the mine. Dru is a bit of an enigma; she stands out, whether she wants to or not. She is in a largely male dominated field, she is quite tall for a woman and she has long blonde hair. She is in the Kimberley to hide, to keep to herself and not let anyone get too close but she stands out and the fact that she wants to keep to herself doesn’t do her any favours. Working a mine site is quite a closed community so it seems to be a bit of a small town mentality really and that makes the loners a target.
Diamond Sky is a veritable smorgasbord of genres with a little bit of everything to appeal to a wide range of readers. Intrigue, crime, suspense, romance and a remote rural location with vivid characters and an arid landscape that will take your breath away, it certainly stole mine.
The inner workings of a diamond mine are completely foreign to me but Seaton has certainly done her homework to draw what comes across as an accurate depiction. It’s a little bit funny that I hadn’t read any diamond mining books but in the space of a month this is my third and the Matsu diamond mine is completely different from the other two… then again technology has come a long way since the historical depictions I read recently. I have no way of knowing what really happens in a diamond mine but it certainly seemed like Seaton had done some intensive research to paint an accurate picture of the process and the security.
Dru has been burned by life and she’s carrying some pretty hefty baggage. The walls she has built around herself for self preservation are impressive and she doesn’t let anyone in. Ever since uni she has been carrying a reputation as an ice queen and she’s more than happy to wear the crown, especially if it keeps people at a distance.
Her time at the mine is filled with work, sleep and swimming. She eats in the mess hall with the rest of the workers but tries to keep herself apart, except for the weekly poker game with some of the men. The man she shares the greatest bond with is Rocky, an indigenous staff member who has been with the mine since it’s inception. He reminds her of the man who helped on the family farm.
There is trouble at the mine and the owner wants it sorted; quickly, quietly and discreetly – preferably before news gets out. He hires in an investigator to trace the problems and the suspense begins. Connor Kirk has taken on the job but it isn’t what he’s used to, and he’s a man immediately suspicious of a strong female because he too has been burned.
Seaton deftly weaves the background of baggage for both Connor and Dru as she tells the story of the mine and its relationship with the traditional owners. There is quite a lot going on yet it all felt important to the story, there was no superfluous tangents that didn’t seem to have any relevance. There were interesting diversions and a lot of things that added to the intrigue and allowed the reader to form theories and try to work out what was going on but I’m not sure I ever even got close. It was certainly a tangled web she wove and I loved it.
Diamond Sky took me to a place I have never been, and probably won’t ever get to, and painted a majestic picture that celebrated the original inhabitants of the area and highlighted the important work that goes into rehabilitating mining sites.
A captivating read that brings the Porter Sisters series to a close, and leaves me hoping there might be another family member floating that will bring us back into their world.
Diamond Sky is book #28 for the Australian Women Writer’s Challenge 2017.
Annie Seaton can be found on her Website and Facebook.
Diamond Sky is published by Pan Macmillan and is available through Angus & Robertson Bookworld, Booktopia and where all good books are sold.
Thanks to Pan Macmillan 15 of our Beauty and Lace Club Members will be reading Diamond Sky so please be aware there may be spoilers in the comments.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Hachette Australia for the opportunity to read and review Annie Seaton’s Diamond Sky.
This is the third book in a series about the Porter sisters, with each book concentrating on one of the three, and although I had not read either of the first two books I did not find that affected my reading of this book.
The book opens with Connor Kirk, ex AFP (Australian Federal Police) and now private investigator, sitting in the office of John Robinson CEO of Matsu Diamonds first discussing the theft of diamonds from the mine and then agreeing to take the case on. In this discussion we also get a very interesting explanation of the crystalline structure of diamonds and what creates naturally coloured diamonds.
The story then moves to the Matsu mine and Drusilla (Dru) Porter the youngest of the three Porter girls. We quickly find out that prior to working at Matsu she worked in Dubai and that “something” happened there which causes her great distress and fear. Dru works at the mine as an environmental engineer, working with the local aboriginal people to rehabilitate the area so that when the mining is finished the area is returned as close to as it was before the mining commenced as possible.
Dru is known by the nickname the Ice Queen, she is tall for a woman with long blonde hair and keeps mainly to herself, although she is a skilled poker player and regularly relieves the men at the mine that she works with of their money at games.
Connor arrives at the mine in the guise of a Safety Officer, brought in to investigate a spate of accidents and breakdowns but in reality a cover for him to investigate how the diamonds are being stolen from the mine, and who is responsible.
From the outset there is a tension between Connor and Dru which over time will lead to frightening consequences.
I found this a very easy book to read, although at times I found there were holes in the story line large enough to drive a truck through. There was a good mix of characters and situations, an interesting sideline on Aboriginal land rights and Native Title and plenty of tension between Connor and Dru. Although I had not completely worked out the who and how of the diamond thefts I had part solved it (long before Connor!)..
This story has enough to keep most interested, intrigue, romance, crime and suspense, all set in the remote red Kimberleys.
I would give it 3.5 stars.
Diamond Sky by Annie Seaton.
WOW! I was sucked on from the very first page.
Diamond Sky is the third and final instalment of the Porter sister trilogy, I haven’t read the previous two books (I’ll be adding them to my ‘to read’ list though) but had no problem following this book.
The story is set in the Kimberley’s at the Matsu diamond mine where it’s been discovered a worker or workers have been smuggling diamonds out and selling them after diamonds without a unique laser identification that all the Matsu diamonds are etched with were discovered in Antwerp.
Dru Porter has been working at Matsu for nine months as an environmental engineer, having previously worked in Dubai, a fact in which she doesn’t want anyone to know.
The stolen diamonds were sold to a Dubai business man, making Dru the number one suspect.
Enter Conner Kirk a security specialist employed to discreetly find out who is behind the diamond thefts.
Upon meeting Dru and Conner take an instant disliking to each other.
Dru is a reclusive person, preferring her own company she puts on a brave face and a false air of confidence, earning her the nickname of the ‘Ice Queen’ when inside she is a nervous wreck always looking over her shoulder and trusting no one a legacy left from events in her past.
Conner only sees the confident face that Dru shows to the world and having been shafted in the past by a beautiful women he knows they are capable of anything.
The story followes Conner and Dru as Conner investigates the workings of the mine and how the thefts could be occurring all whilst he keeps a close eye on Dru, it follows them to Dubai and Antwerp, where both there pasts are slowly revealed and we discover the events that made them the way they are.
The intrigue intensifies as the story goes on as does Dru and Conners chemistry, who is behind the diamond theifts and will they be caught before someone is hurt?
Seaton has done a wonderful job of the description and detail in this story, you can picture the mine and the surrounds of the Kimberly’s, a lot of research has been done into many different things that make up Diamond Sky, how diamonds are made, the Indigenous history, how a mine works, but none of it is an information overload.
The intrigue not just about who is stealing the diamonds but also Dru and Conners past has you turning the pages to find out more.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Pan Macmillan for the chance to review Diamond Sky.
I learnt a lot from reading Diamond Sky by Annie Seaton. What I did not know until I finished reading it, is that it was the third book in a series but it in no way detracted from a good read and stand alone story.
Diamond Sky follows two very interesting characters and a bizarre set of circumstances that lead to the facts being misinterpreted and falsely accused which then leads onto a romance. But unlike most books, it wasn’t a lovey dovey feel good story. It included and brought to my attention the indigenous plight in a mine being dug in the outback and their ownership of land. It also showed the high levels of security in such a facility as a diamond mine, the colours that you can get from diamonds and the fact that people place greed above many things.
I loved the character of Dru, I really felt for her. I also loved the side kick Greg, I could just imagine him and his salty character living life alone isolated from society. Zayed could have made the life of Dru even more volatile and troublesome and so the story could have branched out into an entirely different way.
A very good read, different story line, great information and factual background, interesting characters with a touch of love interest. I believe I will be visiting my local library to catch up on the other two books by Annie Seaton
Annie Seaton’s Diamond Sky
Drusilla (Dru) Porter fled the job she loved in Dubai to take up a role as an Environmental Engineer in the remote Matsu diamond mine north of Australia in the Kimberly.
Working in isolation and mostly in a male predominate industry suits Dru as she tends to keep to herself however this doesn’t elude the misfortune that seems to follow her.
The mine employs Connor Kirk as a private investigator posing as the new Safety Officer. He is given a list of suspects and Dru’s distant icy façade comes under the radar. Dru and Connor are both weary of each other but will their developing friendship hinder or help solve the case?
I found the novel interesting, Seaton does well to describe the outback, cultural impacts and the mining industry. There is a bit of mystery and bit of romance it’s nicely balanced and well written.
I would happily recommend this book to others. I am also keen to read the other two novels in the Porter Sister series.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Pan Macmillan Australia for the opportunity to review this novel.
Diamond Sky describes the ruggered Kimberly in its beauty, the book jacket is eye catching and shows the red dirt and rocks against gorgeous blue water. Open the book and the beauty flows fowsrd with Annie Seaton’s words.
Matsu Diamond Mine in the Ord River Region of Western Australia’s Kimberly Region is a vast, lonley and harsh enviroment that produces first class quality violet diamonds.
Diamonds are somehow getting past the high level Security Ststems set up at the Mine.
Connor Kirk is brought in to investigate how this is happening. He is handed a list of 3 potential suspects for him to check.
One of the suspects is Dru Porter, the Environmental Rehabilitation Officer. She was working in a high paying job in Dubai and left there to take on the Matsu job with a large pay cut. Dru has asked for this information to be kept secret. She is hiding in the outback.
Another suspect is Rocky, a Traditional Owner .
We follow Connor trying to find the holes in the security system, trying to find out what Dru is hiding and who is the Diamond thief.
As Dru’s secret past life is exposed, Connor’s investigation gets closer to the culprits. Their dislike for each other brings them together.
Seaton has researched the mining industry thoroughly and her descriptions of the Kimberly is accurate. A highly enjoyable book that has rural romance, suspense, thriller and action all combined in a way that will intrigue the reader.
Thank you Beauty and Lace and Pan Macmillan for the oppertunity to read this stunning book.
Diamond Mine is the third book in a trilogy. I was unaware of that when reading the book. This book can totally stand alone and the author avoids the annoying habit of many others, who pad out their story with too many reference to the past stories.
This is a mystery a thriller, a romance, an introduction to Australia’s Indigenous people’s relationship to the land, a travel book and I could not put it down.
The backdrop is Matsu Diamond Mine in the Ord river area of WA. The two main characters are Dru Porter and Connor Kirk. Both have mysteries in their past that they are trying to get away from.
Dru left her previous position in Dubai in clouded circumstances. While Connor was forced to resign from the AFP (Australian Federal Police). The writer skillfully links his departure to a real political and criminal event in recent Australian history.
Dru has come to Matsu to escape and hide from whatever happened in Dubai. She isolates herself as much as possible and buries herself in her work. She does become friends with Rocky, one of the traditional owners of the land where the mine is situated. This friendship allows the author (Seaton) to discuss land rights and the relationship of local people to their land and spiritual ancestors. Seaton has done excellent research as her description of the Kimberley and the Mine are excellent..
There have been unexplained thefts from the mine and Connor is contracted to solve this problem. Which he does with the assistance of his friend Greg. They were both dismissed from AFP over the same incident. Greg is suffering from PTSD, lives a hermits life and can find any information through the internet. Seaton skillfully draws us into the relationships between these 4.
I thought the discovery of the thieves and what happened to Dru was not well thought through. I did not think they would have attacked Dru as she was their link for getting the diamonds out and they would have wanted to continue this. It was as if Seaton suddenly realised she needed to finish the book and did not think through the events.
Despite this flaw I really enjoyed this book
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review it.
Diamond Sky by Annie Seaton
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and could not put it down once I started reading. Diamonds have been stolen from Matsu diamond mine in the Kimberleys, despite extensive security measures. Connor Kirk has been called in to investigate, operating under the screen of a safety officer so as not to arouse suspicion among the workers. One of the main suspects is Dru Porter who has been working at the mine for 9 months, and was previously working in Dubai where the stolen diamonds were discovered. Both Connor and Dru have had traumatic incidents in their past which have a strong bearing on their reactions to each other.
The story line kept me intrigued and I could not predict how it was going to end,. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to read this book
Diamond Sky took me a bit to get into and I had trouble warming to Dru and Connor in the beginning, however once i continued on they grew on me and I had no idea how and where the story would end up.
They’re both such stand-off’ish individuals I didn’t think it would end how it did. I really enjoyed the action packed parts and the ending was a good one.
Thank you for another great read Beauty & Lace + Pan Macmillan
I have just finished reading Diamond Sky by Annie Seaton, with many thanks to Beauty and Lace and Pan Macmillan.
I really enjoyed this book and it was a race to the end, as it was a tight finish and a guessing game all the way through.
The book was set at a diamond mine in the Kimberleys where Dru Porter had come to work and also to hide from her past. Meeting up with Connor Kirk who was also running from his past and trying to start again as an investigator at the mine turns out to be healing for them both.
I knew nothing about the mineing industry before reading this book and although the storyline was great, the information about how the industry operates and also the description of the landscape and also the involvement of the traditional owners of the land was very interesting. Thankyou Annie Seaton for a great read.
I have really enjoyed following the Porter Sisters series by Australian fiction author Annie Seaton. I loved the first novel in this trilogy, Kakadu Sunset and I so was pleased when Seaton released another, Daintree. Diamond Sky is the final chapter in an engrossing series, which can also be easily read as a novel in its own right, without the support of the previous two novels. I am happy to report that Diamond Sky was a fantastic read all round.
It has been a great opportunity to experience the writing of Annie Seaton for the third time. I have really enjoyed my time with her books, especially this loosely tied together series. It seems a shame we have to say goodbye to this series, but I am very hopeful that Seaton has some fantastic new stories for us to discover in the pipeline.
What impressed me about Diamond Sky, soon after I picked up this novel to read, was the level of background knowledge Seaton has applied to her latest novel. Seaton has obviously taken the time to thoroughly research her main topic. The final result of this dedication to her research has meant that the reader is presented with an interesting wealth of knowledge, pertaining to all aspects of diamond mining. This ranges from developing our understanding of the different types and colours of diamonds that exist, the inner mechanics of a diamond mine, the lengthy rehabilitation of a mine site and the security measures put in place at mine sites. Overall, it made for an informative and riveting read, about a topic I have little previous knowledge on. I came away feeling like a diamond connoisseur thanks to Annie Seaton!
Diamond Sky offers the reader a fantastic array of genres. In some respects this novel reads mostly like a romantic suspense novel, but it also touches on crime and overall, it is a solid Australian rural fiction offering. Seaton sensitively and informatively weaves a thread into this novel involving indigenous land rights. The use of the mine site character of Rocky, a local indigenous man, adds more to this aspect of the story. I found this topic very interesting personally, especially learning how mine sites do aim to work with the traditional owners of the land, to restore a mine site to its original condition. Dru, the main character in Diamond Sky has a fascinating job, working as an environmental based engineer, who is involved in this process of restoring mine sites to their former glory, ensuring the land remains as uncompromised as possible. Kudos to Seaton from bringing this aspect of mining our attention.
Now Dru, the lead in Diamond Sky, was an interesting character to sink your teeth into. On the outset she is very distant and I could very easily see why she was labelled the ‘ice queen’ by the workers at the male dominated mine site. Once you get past this barrier and Seaton reveals key aspects of Dru’s character, especially her past history in Dubai, she becomes much clearer. The aspects of the novel that delved into Dru’s experiences living and working in Dubai were the parts I enjoyed the most. This back story was a mixture of both heartbreaking and intriguing at the same time. I thought this aspect of the narrative was executed well by Seaton.
Dru is supported by hero of the story, Connor Kirk. In some respects these two leads are very similar personality wise. Both want to fly under the radar at the Matsu diamond mine and they also want to keep people at arm’s length. It seems for both Connor and Dru, the less they get involved with others, the better. Dru’s reasons for keeping a distance are more for emotional purposes, while Connor’s detachment is mainly for work purposes. It does make it hard to initially like these characters, until their tough exteriors are broken down and their pasts are revealed to the reader. Seaton ramps up the tension between these two leads extremely well. It was fun to observe this couple’s immediate dislike of one another, their reservations of each other and their eventual relationship. Along the way to this burgeoning relationship, Dru and Connor must contend with a few obstacles thrown their direction, especially in determining who is the real culprit of the diamond theft at the mine. This segment of the storyline allows for a range of secondary characters, both good and bad, to fill the pages of Diamond Sky.
I absolutely loved the setting of Diamond Sky. Currently the north of Western Australia, the Kimberley, where the bulk of the action of this novel is set, seems much more appealing than here in the cold capital of WA. The warm weather, along with the stunning scenery in the Kimberley, complete with rugged ranges and huge gorges, would be a wonderful place to visit. I would love to see an actual mine site in this region in operation and Diamond Sky offers the reader the closest way to do this – through reading this novel. Seaton treats the setting aspect of her novel with the insight and respect it deserves. Diamond Sky is not entirely set in the Kimberley, the narrative moves as the mystery and action aspect of the novel demands to be solved. We also get a glimpse of life in Dubai and Antwerp in these areas of the narrative, which I did enjoy.
Despite the fact that I am sad to see the end of this addictive series, I was really appreciative of the fact that Seaton gave the novel a fitting end. We get a small glimpse of the Porter sisters as a whole at the conclusion of the novel, complete with a lovely happy ending. The mystery and crime aspect of the novel is closed off well, but the process to get this end was far from predictable, which was great. Now Seaton’s Porter sisters series has come to an end, I look to the future and eagerly wait what Annie Seaton is ready to bestow on us story wise next!
*I wish to thank Beauty and Lace and the publisher, Pan MacMillan, for a copy of this novel for review purposes.