Johnny Lance y Benedict Van der Byl han sido criados como hermanos pero entre ellos existe una profunda rivalidad. Benedict nunca podrá alcanzar el éxito y la brillantez de Johnny en la gran compañía de extracción de diamantes de su padre. El viejo Van der Byl redacta un testamento que los enfrenta en una lucha que sólo puede resolverse con la destrucción de uno de ellos.En medio de los dos rivales aparece Tracey, la hermana de Benedict, cuya adoración infantil por Johnny está madurando en un sentimiento distinto, y Ruby, la bella y ambiciosa mujer de Johnny. La acción de Los cazadores de diamantes transcurre entre ciudad del Cabo y Londres, entre las tormentas de arena en el inhóspito desierto de la costa occidental de Sudáfrica y las heladas aguas del Atlántico Sur.

What an excellent, well written story of the challenges, risks and relationships in the world of hunting diamonds. The story of the Van Der Byl Company is fascinating and at the same time riveting in suspense. I highly recommend this book. ( )

My first ever novel by Wilbur Smith, and I have to honest it was very enjoyable.

Johny Lance is the adopted son into a family run diamond finding business. Unfortunately things take a sinister turn after a childhood incident. Villified by all except his stepsister he continues to show loyalty to the company, even thinking he has gained acceptance when he is included in his stepfathers will. This turns out to be his stepfathers legacy that he be absolutely ruined.

His stepbrother, Benedict, makes it his lifes ambition to destroy Lance. This results in blackmail, smuggling and eventually even murder.

The only reason I give the book 4 instead of 5 was that I felt a bit too much of the plot was given away too early in the book.

Will def try this author again. ( )

It took 100 or so pages, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. I don't generally read older books for the same reason I don't watch older movies, but I found myself really feeling bad for Johnny as he'd just been crapped on his whole life. Granted, he chose to work with his step-dad after being treated as he was, but he was obviously searching for approval. I thought the twists near the climax were great! The way Tracy got herself on the Wild Goose as if Johnny had found out about the ruse was great. (She already knew about it but he didn't. Still, she was trying to get to him to tell her.) I'm going to start my second Smith book now, Wild Justice. Hope I'm just as pleased. ( )

New copy required