About this ebook
In the diamond fields of South Africa, a London boy makes a fortune
On a Dutch plantation in South Africa, two bored children are throwing rocks when their mother calls them inside and notices that one of her sons is holding a glittering, uncut diamond. These two children do not know it, but they have changed the course of a continent forever. When word reaches Europe that there are diamonds in South Africa just waiting to be plucked from the ground, men and women of all nations race south to make their fortune. Among them is young Barney Isaacs, a brawling Jewish boy who has dreams of becoming a gentleman—but who will be lucky to escape with his life.
When Barney joins his brother in the diamond fields of Kimberley, they find riches beyond their wildest dreams. But with wealth comes peril, and Barney soon finds that there are those who would kill for diamonds.
On a Dutch plantation in South Africa, two bored children are throwing rocks when their mother calls them inside and notices that one of her sons is holding a glittering, uncut diamond. These two children do not know it, but they have changed the course of a continent forever. When word reaches Europe that there are diamonds in South Africa just waiting to be plucked from the ground, men and women of all nations race south to make their fortune. Among them is young Barney Isaacs, a brawling Jewish boy who has dreams of becoming a gentleman—but who will be lucky to escape with his life.
When Barney joins his brother in the diamond fields of Kimberley, they find riches beyond their wildest dreams. But with wealth comes peril, and Barney soon finds that there are those who would kill for diamonds.
About the author
Robert L. Fish, the youngest of three children, was born on August 21, 1912, in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the local schools in Cleveland and went to Case University (now Case Western Reserve), from which he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. He married Mamie Kates, also from Cleveland, and together they have two daughters. Fish worked as a civil engineer, traveling and moving throughout the United States. In 1953 he was asked to set up a plastics factory in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He and his family moved to Brazil, where they remained for nine years. He played golf and bridge in the little spare time he had. One rainy weekend in the late 1950s, when the weather prohibited him from playing golf, he sat down and wrote a short story that he submitted to Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. When the story was accepted, Fish continued to write short stories. In 1962 he returned to the United States; he took one year to write full time and then returned to engineering and writing. His first novel, The Fugitive, won an Edgar Award for Best First Mystery. When his health prevented him from pursuing both careers, Fish retired from engineering and spent his time writing. His published works include more than forty books and countless short stories. Mute Witness was made into a movie starring Steve McQueen.
Fish died February 23, 1981, at his home in Connecticut. Each year at the annual Mystery Writers of America dinner, a memorial award is presented in his name for the best first short story. This is a fitting tribute, as Fish was always eager to assist young writers with their craft.
Fish died February 23, 1981, at his home in Connecticut. Each year at the annual Mystery Writers of America dinner, a memorial award is presented in his name for the best first short story. This is a fitting tribute, as Fish was always eager to assist young writers with their craft.
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