Synopsis

Lady Edith Black harbors a secret past as a master criminal in this tale of love, crime, and adventure, with a jaw-dropping twist that will leave you stunned.

Rescued from the slums of Victorian London, Edie finds herself ensnared in a web of crime orchestrated by Mrs. Hill, the mastermind behind an infamous gang of lady thieves. While perfecting her skills at deception, Edie falls deeply in love with Benji, a criminal who saved her from a troubled past and is working to build a better future.

Led by Mrs. Hill, Edie embarks on a daring heist of the steamship Ferret. Soon, she finds herself navigating crime and adventure in far-flung locations from France and South Africa to Brazil and Australia.

When a massive diamond heist occurs in Cape Town, Benji is implicated as the thief. He is pursued by Lloyd’s of London investigators, corporate interests, rival gangs, and Mrs. Hill. As secrets unravel and alliances shift, Edie must save Benji’s life and her own by seeking the true perpetrators.Inspired by actual events, Stolen Brilliance is a historical mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page. Join Edie Black on a journey of deceit, danger, and love as she fights to carve out her place in a world where nothing is as it seems.

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Excerpt

Edie faced Mrs. Hill with a steely calm. She had rehearsed this scenario in her mind. Her future depended on displaying steadfast strength and courage.

“You are high-end shoplifters,” Edie declared bluntly. “You raid stores for substantial hauls and have never been caught. I’ve heard that some of your members had been identified but not captured. I heard of Maggie Hughes, who ran out of one store with a tray of thirty-four diamond rings visible, and when approached, she scared off the police detective with a hatpin aimed at his eye. I’ve carried a hatpin for protection since I was a little girl. Your women are all trained, stylish, and sophisticated. I’m told their clothes are modified to create hidden pockets and spaces. They approach the large stores and upper-class shops around London in small groups. They hide loot in coats, cummerbunds, muffs, skirts, bloomers, and hats. It is rumored their activities net thousands of pounds, and every lady is well compensated.”

“I think I need to sit down.” Mrs. Hill sighed. She poured herself some tea, put it down, stood back up, went to a sideboard, and poured a brandy.

Edie felt gratified that she had made an impression.

Sitting down, Mrs. Hill said, “Maggie’s method is not how we prefer to do business. Maintaining anonymity is all-important, and while most of our women work for us for life, Maggie had to leave.

I’m shocked by your knowledge of us; even the Metropolitan Police cannot deduce our members or my involvement. Their leader attends my dinner parties here without a clue, yet here you are in my sitting room with more knowledge of my operations than the entire legal establishment.”

“The illegal establishment knows a lot more,” Edie explained.

“I don’t know you, and you have private information on my activities; this concerns me.”

In a powerful voice, Edie held her gaze and said, “You can trust me.”

“My ‘gang,’ as you put it, has a long history, and we’re quite successful, as you know, but we are cautious. We have a stringent set of rules that we enforce, and there are no exceptions. That’s why Maggie had to leave.”

“I understand,” Edie said. She softened her voice. “I have hopes that you’ll accept me. I will prove my worth.”

“I would like you to stay here at my home. I’ll have you checked, and I’ll consult my partners. Do you have an arrest record?”

“I do not, I’m cautious too,” Edie answered.

“You show grit, and I like that. You’re attractive and young; you might be useful in diverting guards and clerks while the women work. If you check out, we’ll discuss how to proceed.”

Edie moved into a spare servant’s room off the kitchen until Mrs. Hill was ready to see her again. Mrs. Hill escorted her there personally, telling Molly to take care of her.

“Don’t talk to my employees about anything you know about me. I will not tolerate it,” Mrs. Hill said sternly.

About the Author

Michael G. Colburn has studied and written about the creative process for several decades. He started several businesses and one manufacturing company based on creation and invention. He has authored over twenty patents. His books include the bestselling Invent, Innovate & Prosper, and How Julia Found Happiness and Financial Success. He now devotes his time to writing The Lady Black Crime fiction series. He lives with his wife in Vermont. When he is not writing, they like to travel and take long-distance walking trips, exploring paths and cultures worldwide.

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