The awesomeness that is Stephen Parrish is hosting a contest in honor of the release of his debut novel, The Tavernier Stones. But this is not just any contest – it’s a Treasure Hunt! The first one to figure out all the clues and make it to the finish line wins a real one carat diamond. Not too shabby at all!
The Tavernier Stones is available for order now – I’m betting that the novel is a treasure in itself. I haven’t read it yet (off to order my copy and hope the postman isn't bogged down with tax returns), but I’ve been a fan of Stephen’s for a long time now, and if the book’s half as brilliant as he is, it’s sure to be fabulous. You’ll need a copy in order to work out the clues and, you know, because you just have to read it.
Here’s what Stephen’s website has to say about the novel:
“When the well-preserved body of 17th century mapmaker, Johannes Cellarius, floats to the surface of a bog in northern Germany, and a 57 carat ruby rolls out of his fist, treasure hunters from around the globe race to find the Lost Tavernier Stones of popular European folklore.
According to legend, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was robbed of a priceless hoard while returning from his final voyage to the Orient in 1689. The hoard reputedly includes some of the world’s most notorious missing jewels. Among them the 280 carat Great Mogul Diamond and the 242 carat Great Table Diamond, the largest diamonds ever unearthed whose whereabouts are unknown.
John Graf is an Amish-born cartographer who has never ventured out of Pennsylvania, let alone embarked on an international treasure hunt. David Freeman is a gemologist who has done his share of prospecting, but little of it within the boundaries of the law. Between them, they have all the expertise necessary to solve the mystery. They also have enough differences to derail even the best of partnerships. And ahead are more obstacles: fortune seekers equally qualified and every bit as determined.
The race spans two continents. The finish line is in Idar-Oberstein, the gemstone capital of Germany. There, in chambers beneath an old church, where unspeakable events took place in centuries past, winners and losers alike find answers to age-old questions about the Lost Tavernier Stones.”
Run now, and order your copy, or head on over to The Tavernier Stones Site and check out the about page, to see what other fine stores will be carrying this very cool novel.
So, what do you say, guys? Anyone up for a treasure hunt?
