Book #4 (and final installment) in the Diamond District Murder Mystery Series
A Shocking Murder.
A Glittering Lie.
Meet the New Mystery That Cuts to the Core of the Jewelry Industry’s Most Explosive Debate.
In an industry where sparkle often masks shadow, what happens when innovation becomes a threat, and someone is willing to kill to silence it? With the release of “Making a Killing in Diamonds”, journalist and longtime JCK and JCKonline News Director, Rob Bates, returns with the fourth installment in his critically acclaimed Diamond District Mystery series. Set in Manhattan’s 47th Street, the epicenter of the global gem trade, the novel unearths a murder that sends shockwaves through the world of diamonds, illuminating the high-stakes conflicts, ethical complexities, and generational tensions facing the jewelry industry today.
Bates, one of the world’s foremost experts on the diamond business, brings more than three decades of editorial authority, investigative reporting, and insider knowledge to every page. With his characteristic wit and incisive voice, he unspools a tightly plotted murder mystery grounded in the real, often hidden dynamics of the gem and jewelry world. In “Making a Killing in Diamonds”, that hidden world is suddenly pulled into public view with the disappearance of a brilliant scientist and subsequent murder of a lab-grown CEO. How far will the industry go when it’s under attack?
At the heart of the story is Mimi Rosen, the sharp, sardonic journalist-turned-amateur-sleuth who has become the heart of the series. Now working for her father’s diamond business, Mimi finds herself once again drawn into a mystery that straddles two worlds…the old-school diamond dealers of 47th Street, bound by family, tradition, and silent codes of loyalty, and the gleaming new frontier of lab-grown gems, where startups backed by venture capitalists promise disruption, transparency, and sustainability. As Mimi investigates the murder, she confronts uncomfortable truths about the industry’s resistance to change, how it’s become more difficult to define what is “real,” and the blurred ethical lines that define what we value in luxury. With each clue she uncovers, Bates peels back another layer of the diamond business, exposing not only the power plays and PR spins but the emotional legacy of an industry steeped in myth, meaning, and moral contradiction.
For Bates, this series is more than fiction. It is a mirror held up to one of the most fascinating and misunderstood sectors of the global economy. As News Director of JCK, one of the industry’s most respected publications, Bates has covered every major development in the jewelry world over the last thirty years. He has reported extensively on blood diamonds, sanctions and other industry legal issues, and the technological revolution brought about by lab-created stones. His reporting has shaped industry conversations, influenced policy discussions, and sparked debates among miners, manufacturers, retailers, and ethical sourcing advocates. In addition to his work as a journalist, Bates co-hosts The Jewelry District podcast, which features leading voices from across the global trade. His work has been recognized with more than a dozen editorial awards and has been cited in the many of the world’s leading luxury and business outlets. Through it all, he has maintained a rare balance of credibility, skepticism, and storytelling finesse, qualities that have earned him the trust of the industry and the devotion of readers.
With “Making a Killing in Diamonds”, Bates brings his full weight as an industry observer, cultural critic, and storyteller to bear. The novel explores themes that are urgently relevant not only to the jewelry trade but to the luxury sector at large: What happens when disruption collides with heritage? When innovation threatens not just profit but identity? When “ethical” becomes a marketing buzzword instead of a moral commitment? And when technology allows us to replicate beauty, do we lose, or redefine, what makes something precious?
“Lab grown diamonds have been the biggest story in the industry for the past few years, and I knew I had to tackle it head-on in the novels.” The new installment allows Bates to dive deep into the ethical and emotional dimensions of what we consider to be “real”, a question he connects with broader cultural anxieties about authenticity in the age of artificial intelligence. “I first started working on this book around the time ChatGPT premiered. Everyone was really freaked out,” Bates says. “At first, I was just going to focus on the diamond industry, but the debate over artificial intelligence caused me to reflect on larger questions about disruption, technology, and how we define the term ‘real.’”
He notes, “Yes, a diamond created by a machine may be as ‘real’ as a song written by one, but at least for now, we look at them differently. But will we always? And should we? These are important questions that I wanted to explore in the book. With each new technological advance, these themes become more and more relevant.”
The novel also offers a powerful, nuanced portrayal of women in an industry historically dominated by men. Mimi Rosen is not only a compelling detective but a fully realized character navigating professional expectations, family obligations, and her own ethical compass. “Mimi is braver than I am,” Bates says. “She’s named after my late mother, and while she’s not based on her directly, I think writing her helps keep my mom’s memory alive.” Through her lens, Bates explores generational shifts in the way younger consumers approach value, identity, and purpose. These shifts, reflected in the real-life rise of self-purchasing women, consumers demanding sustainability, and renewed interest in transparency, form the emotional backbone of the series.
“Making a Killing in Diamonds” is both a standalone mystery and a continuation of Mimi’s evolution from reluctant participant to a woman who refuses to look away from the truth. For readers familiar with her journey in “A Murder is Forever”, “Murder is Not a Girl’s Best Friend”, and “Slay It With a Diamond”, this latest installment deepens her character and expands the world she inhabits, one where luxury, loyalty, and lethal ambition intertwine. Compelling, timely, and filled with industry insight that only an insider can deliver, “Making a Killing in Diamonds” is a must-read for mystery lovers, diamond aficionados, and anyone fascinated by the secrets behind the sparkle.
“Making a Killing in Diamonds” is now available on Amazon, available on Kindle and paperback formats here, and internationally.
For inquiries, contact Rob Bates at itsrobbatesauthor@gmail.com, visit www.robbatesauthor.com.
For media requests, contact Pietra Communications at 212-913-9761 or email info@pietrapr.com.
The Interview
For readers who may be new to your work, can you share a bit about your background and how your experience in the diamond and jewelry industry influenced your journey as a novelist?
I have covered the diamond industry as a journalist for over 30 years, and during that time, I’ve witnessed tremendous changes, as well as the proverbial good, bad, and ugly (and sometimes very pretty, as diamonds can be beautiful).
I thought the diamond industry would be perfect for a novel because it contains so many stories—it’s weathered its share of crimes and scandals and big changes and ups and downs. It’s also a fascinating business, because it is so idiosyncratic, with its own rules and norms. For instance, when you utter the word “Mazal” the deal is considered final. No contracts. No lawyers. It could be a million-dollar stone. It’s sold with the word “mazal.”
The industry also intersects with several other sectors, including politics, Hollywood, advertising, and high-tech. There’s often tension when a traditional trade interacts with a more modern industry.
The diamond and jewelry business is also known for its big personalities, and the people in it tend to be friendly and warm (with some exceptions). It tends to attract family businesses, and people generally stay in it and never leave. As a result, there’s people in the industry I’ve known since I was in my twenties, when I had bad skin and more hair. I hope that my books capture the comeradarie, humor, and hustle that characterize the business.
What first inspired you to write a murder mystery series set in the diamond district? Did the idea come from a particular moment or story you encountered in your reporting?
I have always had a creative outlet in addition to my full-time job. So I was in a sketch group for a while, then I did stand-up for a bit. Now that I’m a dad, I don’t have tons of time to go out to clubs, so I figured I’d do something involving writing.
There used to be a mystery writer who worked for my magazine, Jonathan Harrington. He wrote a novella set in the diamond industry, and I helped him with it, and it has a character named after me. So that put the idea in my mind. When I started writing the first one, I found that I enjoyed it, and kept at it.
An editor suggested I make the character a woman, since women are the core readership for mysteries. At first, I hated the idea, then I realized that would make the project a lot more interesting. The main character, Mimi, is a fun and interesting person, with a sarcastic sense of humor. She’s also far braver than I am. (I’m not the murder-solving type.) Plus, she’s named after my late mother, so perhaps these books are keeping her memory alive in some way, even though she wasn’t like her namesake.
This newest installment explores the topic of lab-grown diamonds…a hot-button issue in the industry. What drew you to that theme, and how does it play into the mystery at the heart of the story?
Lab-grown diamonds have been the major story in the industry for the last few years; I don’t know how many conversations I’ve had about them—probably a million. I knew I had to cover them in the novels eventually.
I first started working on this book around the time ChatGPT premiered, and freaked everyone out. I initially just wanted to focus the book on the diamond industry, but the debate over artificial intelligence caused me to reflect on larger questions about disruption, technology, and how we define the term “real.”
Yes, a diamond created by a machine may be as “real” as a regular diamond, just as a song written by an AI bot is as “real” as a song created by a person. Yet we look at them differently. Will we always? And should we? These are important questions that I wanted to explore in the book. And with each new technological advance, these themes are becoming more and more relevant.
This book also gave me the ability to explore a new genre. It was heavily influenced by science fiction. The prior book, Slay It With a Diamond, was influenced by gothic novels.
Without giving too much away, can you tell us what this book focuses on thematically or narratively? What’s different about this book compared to the earlier ones in the series?
Thematically, the last book (Slay) dealt with the past, and how what happened long ago still influences our current day, whether we like it or not. And this new one deals with the future, and talks about how uncertain everything is, how we live in a time of constant turmoil. But it also makes the point that the world has always been crazy, and in many ways things have gotten better.
One constant throughout the books is watching a traditional industry adapt to fresh circumstances—which brings up the idea of how we as humans adapt to new things, since change is an inevitable part of life. Ideally, you want to keep the best of the past, while being open to new concepts and ideas. Things don’t always work out that way, but that would be nice.
Why do you think murder mysteries resonate so strongly with readers, especially when set in such specific worlds like the diamond trade?
Murder mysteries have a very specific formula that makes them enjoyable to both read and write. If I was just going to write a novel about the diamond industry, I’d be a little lost. But with a murder mystery, it’s much simpler. You know there’s going to be a murder, and you know the hero will solve it. I think readers like that familiarity as well.
Before I started the series, I knew I wanted to feature an amateur sleuth, that it shouldn’t feature a lot of violence (as I’m squeamish and kind of a wuss), and that it should be funny. Which, it turns out, is almost the exact definition of a cozy mystery. The only difference between my book and a traditional cozy is that my books are set in New York’s Diamond District, whereas the traditional cozy is set in a small, tight-knit town (or a bookstore, with a cat.) However, Forty-Seventh Street is definitely an insular community. So perhaps I’ve invented a new genre: the urban cozy.
Also murder mysteries tend to have punny titles, and as you can tell, I like punny titles.
How do contemporary industry issues, like ethics, sourcing, or new technologies, shape the conflicts in your novels? Are they meant to educate as well as entertain?
My novels deal with issues like ethics, sourcing, and new technologies. Those are issues the industry is continually grappling with.
I don’t know if my books are meant to educate, because that sounds kind of pretentious, but they deal with ideas and topics that I find interesting and care about, and I hope people come away from them thinking about those subjects. And I hope they learn new things about diamonds and the diamond industry; all the books have glossaries of industry terms in the back—as well as Yiddish terms, because there’s a lot of Yiddish.
There’s been a lot of books about diamonds, but I feel my series is one of the few that gives a true insider perspective.
What do you hope readers take away from this book( whether about the diamond industry, the characters, or the themes you explore)?
One theme is that as much as we may enjoy new technology, or innovations like lab-grown diamonds or AI, or cheap products that you buy online, these things put people out of work, and we have to be mindful of that, and what it means, and the kind of dislocation it can cause.
I was initially excited about the “responsible sourcing” movement, but, at least in the diamond industry, it’s become way too commercial- and marketing-oriented. I discuss that in the books as well. They also discuss how hard it is to be an “ethical” consumer. Even if you want to do the right thing, it’s not easy. There’s no real rulebook for this stuff. Ideally, we should live in a world where all companies are ethical and do the right thing, but we know that’s not the case.
Can someone pick up this book without having read the earlier ones in the series? Or do you recommend starting from the beginning for the full experience?
I would guess that it’s better to read them in order. However, they have all been written to work as standalones. So if you’re only interested in this book, you shouldn’t have an issue figuring out who the characters are, and their relationships and past history.
How much of what happens in your books is inspired by real people or events you’ve witnessed in the trade, and how do you balance fact and fiction?
In many cases, specific things I’ve heard people say will make it into the book. The stories sometimes have loose connections to actual events, but are heavily fictionalized. Most of the characters are composites of people I’ve met, and there’s usually a little bit of me in them.
Now that this book is about to launch, what’s next for you and the series? Any plans to continue exploring more of the jewelry world through fiction?
At the moment, I don’t expect to continue this series, but you never know. I may get inspired. Please, everyone, buy lots of copies and inspire me.
From a media and editorial standpoint, what beats or types of journalists do you think this book would be most interesting for and why? Are there specific themes, references, or industry insights in the book that would make it especially relevant for reporters covering culture, business, ethics, or lifestyle?
Business writers, fashion writers, tech writers—anyone interested in lab-grown diamonds and the diamond industry! And anyone who is interested in reading something fun. I hope to appeal to the “likers of fun” demographic.
Praise for the Diamond District Murder Mystery Series
A MURDER IS FOREVER
“[A] sprightly debut …. Bates, who has more than 25 years as a journalist covering the diamond business, easily slips in loads of fascinating information on diamonds and Jewish culture without losing sight of the mystery plot. Readers will look forward to Mimi’s further adventures.” – Publishers Weekly
“Engaging and suspenseful … The plot-driven narrative moves speedily along in concise short chapters that feature twists, turns, and surprises. … A Murder is Forever is an entertaining and captivating read. Mimi’s next adventure will be eagerly awaited by Bates’s newfound fans.” – The Jewish Book Council
“A captivating story that is heartfelt and full of personality … A Murder is Forever had a little bit of everything that makes a mystery novel so enthralling from the lovable characters, a setting to get lost in, a little bit of romance and sinister bad guys. This one will keep you on your toes and up late into the night turning pages. I know that I certainly hope to read more about Mimi and Max soon.” – Book Review Crew
MURDER IS NOT A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND
“Bates offers readers not only an engaging sleuth with an amusingly snarky sense of humor but also a cleverly constructed plot rich with fascinating tidbits about the diamond trade.” – Booklist
“Rob Bates has a great deal of knowledge about the diamond industry and has utilized every ounce of that specialist knowledge to create a web of intrigue that feels grounded in reality …. A tight, dynamic mystery steeped in real-world experience and led by a delightful protagonist.” – Readers’ Favorite
SLAY IT WITH A DIAMOND
“Rob Bates has consistently impressed readers with his unique blend of industry knowledge and storytelling. Slay It With a Diamond is a worthy addition to any reading list.” —Diamond District Monthly
About Rob Bates
Rob Bates is the award-winning News Director of JCK, a leading jewelry industry publication, and the critically acclaimed author of the Diamond District Mystery series. With over 30 years of experience covering the global gem and jewelry trade, Bates is widely recognized as one of the industry’s most trusted voices. His reporting has shaped conversations on conflict diamonds, sustainability, and technological disruption, earning him more than a dozen editorial honors, including the GEM Award for Media Excellence and the American Gem Society’s Triple Zero Award. As co-host of The Jewelry District podcast, he brings together leading thinkers from across the luxury and diamond worlds. Bates’s Diamond District murder mystery novels blend insider knowledge with page-turning suspense, offering readers a rare look into the power dynamics, ethical tensions, and facades of the jewelry world. He lives in New York City.
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