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The Sapphire Sea: A Gemstone Thriller (The Gemstone Thrillers) | 
 enlarge | Author: John B. Robinson
Publisher: McBooks Press
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy Used: $2.77
You Save: $13.18 (83%)
New (23) Used (15) from $2.77
Rating:  27 reviews
Sales Rank: 1358047
Media: Paperback
Pages: 240
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.6
ISBN: 1590131495
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9781590131497
ASIN: 1590131495
Publication Date: May 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BUY 2 BOOKS AND RECEIVE A 3RD FOR FREE. BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, GUARANTEED TO BE IN STOCK, CREASED BINDING, SOME EDGE AND SHELF WEAR TO COVER, CANNOT SHIP TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.
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Product Description
Teeming with perilous, exotic locales and widespread examples of social injustice, this bold adventure follows one man's plight to seek his fortune while commenting on the widespread social and economic effects of the African gem trade. Plagued by a bitter divorce and an overbearing father, gem-expert Lonny Cushman flees to the lawless sapphire fields of Madagascar. Homesick and lonely, he dreams of the perfect stone that will fuel an independent career as a gem dealer back in New York and allow him to see his seven-year-old daughter. Finally unearthing the greatest sapphire discovered in the last hundred years, he finds that the power brokers of Diego Suarez want the stone for themselves, and now Lonny must call on all his ingenuity and cunning to escape with his life. Richly detailed and riddled with seedy complexities, this thrilling narrative offers readers a rare glimpse into the culture, the people, and the underbelly of Madagascar.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 22 more reviews...
 If You Can Only Afford One Book on Madagascar November 29, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is the one to buy. Robinson's plot is original and riveting: Lonny Cushman, the outcast son of a jewel-dealing family, stumbles across the world's largest sapphire in the wild highlands of northern Madagascar and determines to smuggle it out of the country. But it is Robinson's knowledge of Madagascar and the gem trade that really sets The Sapphire Sea apart from other thrillers. During Lonny's race towards the sea, Robinson brings the country and the gem trade alive through firsthand details of pagan tribesmen, the corrupt Madagascar political system and international jewel trading. Through it all Robinson never takes his eye off the environmental and human rights disasters unfolding in Madagascar. This is obviously a book written by someone who knows, cares about and has lived his subject matter. If you're looking for an authentic thriller set in an uncharted geography, then you should read The Sapphire Sea. This is the best book set in Africa written in years.
 Madagascar comes Alive!!! December 2, 2003
Jackie Pearson (Brooklyn, NY United States)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I've never been to Africa, let alone Madagascar, but after reading the Sapphire Sea, I feel like I've been. John Robinson obviously is writing from first hand knowledge and does what all great writers do -- tansports me to another place. From his depiction of the corrupt poltical system in Madagascar to his understanding of the gem business, I was amazed by the depth of detail in Mr. Rodinson's book. And learning about these new worlds through such interesting and exciting lead character as Loney, made the Sapphire Sea a truly enjoyable read.
An Auspicious First Novel! January 6, 2004
Christian M. Ehrbar (Greater Boston)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Mr. Robinson has hit the ground running hard with an intriguing principal character who is riding with the throttle wide open for all 250+ pages. Its the sort of book that draws you in almost immediately and keeps you turning the pages with dedication. In the end the story left me satisfied, ready for a break and very curious to discover where Lonny's next adventure will take him. The characters are all well-crafted and set with gifted prose in the lurid scene of Madagascar's political intrigue and corruption and social disorder and chaos.Most telling of this author's readiness for primetime is his ability to develop a character so nuanced that you feel as if you are reading about a person you have known for years. Throughout the well-timed and tightly woven mayhem and adventure, the elements driving the author's not-yet-ready-for-redemption main character, Lonny, are greater than his mere survival. He has the yearning of a great hero who is driven by desires that are common to us all: resolution of his issues with a parent, reconnection with an estranged daughter and contrition for the errors of his ways. The author brings this character to the edge several times in the story and keeps the reader vacillating, never quite sure what unlikely fate best suits Lonny. All in all a real treat that will appeal to adventure lovers, readers who enjoy political intrigue, travel readers and just anybody who likes a good book with many of the hasllmarks of a great writer. I definitely plan to keep a sharp lookout for the next offering Mr. Robinson crafts for us. There may good stuff to look forward to in the theater as well because it won't be long before someone translates this vibrant tale to the big screen. This book reminded me of the following other fine titles: The Quiet American, A Burnt-Out Case, Travels with My Aunt, Fletch, Carioca Fletch, The Firm, The Crossing, Blood Meridian
A Fast Paced, Exciting Adventure November 25, 2003
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a book that I could not put down! Lonny Cushman is an intruiging character who finds the world's largest, most perfect sapphire, a gem that many people feel will provide the answer to their dreams and the solution to their problems. As soon as he has found the stone, Cushman has to escape from the island with the gem and his life, which is no easy task! Robinson weaves an exciting story with themes of faith, hope, money, and relationships with family and friends. He also provides much insight into the historical and cultural issues of Madagascar, a facinating place that is "not so much third world as other world..." I highly recommend this novel!
A Scintillating Adventure Story November 25, 2003
davene fahy (Camden, Maine)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Reminiscent of H. Rider Haggard and Graham Greene, The Sapphire Sea takes off like a rocket on page one and keeps on flying to the very last word. Gem trader Lonny Cushman finds himself with the world's most valuable sapphire in his hands, and soon half of Madagascar knows it-and will do anything to wrest the stone away from him . Resourceful, multi-lingual Lonny dodges dozens of pitfalls in a desperate attempt to escape from the island alive with the gem still in his possession. Author Robinson makes the exotic locale pulsate with danger, sex and treachery. A great read that would make a great movie!
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