Born and raised in a poor, working-class family in Toronto, Jack Spayd is the son of an unhappy marriage. After being taken under the wing of Miss Frostbite, the owner of a local jazz club, Jack becomes a gifted musician, playing piano and harmonica. Fame and the allure of gambling takes him to Vegas, and prospects of fortune take him to the Belgian Congo, where he's heard it's possible to earn big money working in the most dangerous parts of the local copper mines.
Jack of Diamonds is the story of a young, talented man, fighting to achieve his ambitions, and having to use his considerable talents to find his way in a perilous world.
Download and start listening now!
"I love Bryce Courtenay as an author. This book was not one of my favorites, but then in the epilogue it sounded like he thought this was last book he would probably write. This made me like the story a little more for the sentimental aspect. It's still an interesting story and well written, just not my favorite of his." — Jill (4 out of 5 stars)
"I love Bryce Courtenay as an author. This book was not one of my favorites, but then in the epilogue it sounded like he thought this was last book he would probably write. This made me like the story a little more for the sentimental aspect. It's still an interesting story and well written, just not my favorite of his."
" It was everything I expected from Bryce Courtney a wonderful spellbinding story, once I started reading I couldn't put it down I was just drawn to it... "
" It's was a good book but I found it dragged a little.. "
" Best Bryce Courtenay book I've read so far, such a shame there will be no sequel. If you liked the power of one you will have to love this book. "
" As almost all of Courtenay's work, a great read! "
" Yay, finally finished, was a great read, really enjoyed it. But was a long read. "
" Didn't finish it - unheard of for me. Predictable and trite...........RIP Bryce. "
" Another very enjoyable read. I will missing his stories greatly but also the historic knowledge he has imparted, especially of Australia. Thanks for the entertainment Bryce, Goodbye mate. "
" Another great story, you always know a Bryce Courtenay book is going to be a good read. Such a shame that there won't be any more books to look forward to. "
" Loved it. Very sad to know that it's his last book. "
" Bc has returned to his roots and written the power of one again with a slightly different story and I love it! "
" A fitting farewell from Mr Courtenay, who I will fondly remember 'as a damn good storyteller'. "
" Great book, similar ending to one of his other books. Soo sad that he recently passed. I will never get to meet my favourite author. "
" Another and sadly the last of Bryce Courtney's books. Thanks Bryce. You will be missed. "
" I really enjoyed this book. I haven't enjoyed a Bryce Courteany one this much for quite a few years. It's not up there with Power of One, but it was a really great read. Going to miss Bryce Courtenay. "
" A good story but a little long-winded in parts. What a shame Bryce was not able to write the sequel - the epilogue brought tears to my eyes. "
" Really liked the book! It's somewhat sad as it really deserved a sequel but the author knew he was very close to the end of his life. Love all the books written by Bryce Courtenay! "
" It seems like The Power Of One story line revisited in a Canadian setting with music replacing boxing. "
" So sad to finish it knowing that there will be no more offerings from this wonderous author. He will be greatly missed! "
" Jack of Diamonds was a good story, but like so many of Bryce Courtenay's books it was a bit drawn out and repetitive. "
" One of the best books I have read in a long time! Obviously written just before the author passed & he wrote a touching prologue knowing that he would not live long enough to write the sequel. "
" Could not get into it. Did not finish reading. Slow start "
" I was on the edge of my seat reading this book and was devastated once I finished. The world is a little less bright with the wonderful author gone. "
" I really enjoyed this book, it is very like many of his others but was still a great story. "
" Bryce's final book was BRILLIANT, I was not disappointed. "
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.