Staff Reviews

The Lives of Diamond Bessie was a fast-paced, historical suspense novel that is inspired by a true story. Set during the women's rights movement, the story follows Bessie as she is forced to live at a convent for fallen women after getting pregnant out of wedlock. After being treated horribly and having her baby taken away from her at birth, she escapes and has to make a living and a life for herself on her own. Few rights and opportunities were available to women during the 1860s so she finds herself having to resort to prostitution even though she swore she would never go down that path. The need to survive changed her mind. As a prostitute, Bessie gets expensive gifts from her clients, money to help support herself and her love for shopping and a few love interests along the way. During this time, Bessie finds the only way out of prostitution is to get married. She has her sights set on a bachelor with a wealthy family and a gambling problem and after many missed warning signs, she finds herself marrying him. A man who turns out not to love her, but rather, he loves her precious jewels. Though he betrays her in the worst way possible, she does not let it stop her as she continues to haunt his mind and life from above.
(Note on subject matter: includes domestic violence and prostitution)
—Abigail Lindemann, Snail Readers Circle