Nick Diamond has it all - good looks, wealth, status and a dark secret. His is a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat as it moves seamlessly between his posh life in Chelsea and the slums of Glasgow, With intrigue, suspense, passion and murder, Diamond Geezer has all the makings of a Hollywood movie.

I am not exactly sure what a writer about ruthless and wealthy gangsters should be like. I am pretty sure I was not expecting someone whose regular job is working with patients for the NHS. Gillian Godden takes care of people during the day, then writes about killing people at night. (I doubt there is much overlap in the characters between the two jobs.) Regardless of the disconnect in my own mind, Godden’s gangsters are brutal and ruthless, yet also have complexity and occasionally surprising humanity.

Nick Diamond is a successful Chelsea lawyer who specializes in defending criminals. He is also the most violent gangster in Glasgow. He is able to keep those roles separate because almost no one in Scotland knows who he is. There, he is “The Undertaker,” a faceless monster who works through others to keep total control of drugs and prostitution in his territory.

Steve is one of the very few people to cross The Undertaker and survive. A former low-level addict and dealer, he refused an order to kill a child who was dealing in the neighborhood for someone else. On orders from above, Steve was set up to get arrested for armed robbery and served three years in prison. Released and back home, he is determined to go straight…and somehow get revenge on the man who ruined his life.

Godden’s narrative jumps seamlessly from Steve to Nick to other characters in the book: especially Maggie, a retiree who unknowingly works for The Undertaker; Fin, the childhood friend of Steve’s who set him up to get arrested; and Natasha, a young mother and neighbor of Maggie’s. The tension builds relentlessly through the book as Steve discovers that The Undertaker’s reach is much longer than he realized, as Nick’s two worlds begin to collide inexorably, as enemies of both men begin circling, and as all of the characters come together for a reckoning during a time of celebration.

Nick is an awful human being. That being said, he is also someone who fiercely loves his grandmother and someone who is very protective of (some) women, albeit quite willing to compel others into prostitution. Steve finds that going straight while under the thumb of The Undertaker is basically impossible, both a sign of his own helplessness and a show of the strength of The Undertaker’s power over him and his family. These two men, one seemingly in total control and the other apparently lacking in agency, reflect both ends of the criminal spectrum. For some, crime doesn’t pay. For others, the rewards sparkle like diamonds.

I still don’t think Gillian Godden meets my expectations for what a gangland writer should be. That is completely irrelevant, though, because her writing speaks for itself. Diamond Geezer is tough and violent and full of interesting characters. I quite liked it.

This was the first book I’ve read by Gillian Godden and I really enjoyed it. Nick Diamond is a very wealthy lawyer who lives a privileged life in London. His nan lives in a deprived estate in Glasgow but her friends and community are there and she loves it and won’t leave. The estate is controlled by a gang leader known only as The Undertaker. He gives the orders and no-one dares disobey. I found the book exciting and pacey, often violent but that was crucial to the plot. The description of life on the estate and how people ended up in debt to the gang was gritty and realistic. There were some great characters. Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Really enjoyable read with a good plot and fantastic characters. I particularly liked Nanna and her friend Maggie - they are a great little double act!

Handsome and rich Nick Diamond is a man who expects respect from anybody
Only he goes to the slum estates of Glasgow
It was a secret and if anything gets out it will be a downfall
I had an ARC

Gillian Godden for me has always written a good ‘gangland’ book and this has continued with ‘Diamond Geezer’
Set in Glasgow on an estate where the law and rules are set by him the DG has full control, rules from afar and his real identity is hidden,he is known as someone completely different to everyone and all runs swimmingly until it doesn’t…..with disastrous consequences
There’s a whole host of new characters to get to know and love/hate including Beryl the Nan and Fin who thinks he is gods gift to all and sundry
Now I have to mention this, as it was a grrrrrrr moment but then once I got over it was excitement about the next book, the book ends on a cliffhanger, a humdinger of one, exciting, cleverly done and well written but a cliffhanger none the less, a tricky thing for many readers, as say now am over it I cant wait for the next book
A great start to a series though, really enjoyed the new settings and characters and family, friends and associates

9/10
5 Stars

Diamond Geezer By Gillian Godden.

Another superb read by a very talented author. I have read and loved ever single book by this author. This is another fantastic page turner. A truly addictive read as once I started and got in to this book, i wanted to finish it. Yet as I got near the end I was dreading finishing it. Certainly gives you a book hangover.

Superb story line with threads that eventually all piece together, making you realise how cleverly woven this story is. This book has everything you want from a gritty gangland crime thriller. You will not be dissapointed when reading this book.

Once again this author has done an amazing job with her latest gangland crime thriller. This one was so addictive that I read it in one sitting, it then took me several hours to digest the finale! Definitely did not see that coming!

Diamond Geezer is a story that has a rather large mystery to it. Set in Glasgow on a run-down estate where gangs rule and drugs are rife. There are gangs trying to encroach onto one particular area, it is controlled by The Undertaker. No one knows who he or she is, but they know that you don't mess with this person or you will end up dead.

The author has woven together with a few threads and gradually led me on a journey up and down the country, but with the main focus being on Glasgow and the residents on the estate. The synopsis did a brilliant job of setting the scene, but to be honest I didn't read it until I started writing this review. Yes, I have read several of this author's books and I will automatically read them.

I really liked how the author set up the characters in Glasgow, while they are all individuals and look out for themselves, there is a sense of community spirit and also of respect. The intriguing premise of who The Undertaker is, how his businesses are run and the day to day management is well laid out.

There is a sense of danger on this estate, but also of people looking out for each other. With rival gangs around, there is going to be trouble, yes there will be murder and there will be something unexpected.

This was a brilliant book and I think it is my favourite to date. The author wove a story of family, secrets, crime, suspicion and a huge amount of intrigue. This was such a great read and one that had me hooked and then the final couple of chapters... speechless... in a good way!

This is a dark gangland crime thriller with many surprises, some shocks and also a sense of community. Brilliant reading and one I would definitely recommend.

This is a really good read for lovers of gangster thrillers. It is well written, has a believable plot and is filled with interesting and varied characters. It started off slow but the pace soon picked up and it very quickly escalated to an action packed read with an unexpected twist at the end. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Thanks for allowing me to read this Arc.
Absolutely brilliant and the most unforgettable ever!!! My heart always beats faster in anticipation when I get a new Gillian Godden book and it doesn't stop until I have finished it!! I read this one in just two sittings. Pity I had to go to work!!!! I've read all of her books and I think this was my favorite!! Please Gillian hurry with the next one. Definitely worth more than five stars!!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Nick Diamond is a lawyer. He lives in Chelsea with his wife Patsy. They live an upper-class lifestyle. But there's more to Nick than meets the eye. Nick's Nanna lives in Glasgow on a rundown slum estate. Nick will do anything for hi Nana. but Nick has a dark and dangerous secret.

What a fabulous book this was even though it started off with a slow pace. The characters were realistic, scary and I wouldn't want to cross any of them. My favourite character was Nick's Nana, she was quite a funny lady. The estate is run by someone called the undertaker and nearly everyone on the estate either owes him money or works for him. I never saw the ending coming. What a twist that was. It was quite a shocker!! This is a fantastic book to read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #GillianGodden for my ARC of #DiamondGeezer in exchange for an honest review.

Lots of action and movement in this book. Great characters, even if they aren't all upstanding citizens.
Nick Diamond is a wealthy solicitor, with a socialite wife and mother. But, he has a whole other life in Glasgow, where he grew up. There Nick is known as the Undertaker, and he has his hands in everything from drugs, money laundering, to prostitution. All fear the Undertaker, although no one quite knows his identity. But when greed takes over logical thinking, life for Nick spins out of control.
I hope there is a follow up to this book as there are a few cliff hangers!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have loved reading this book about the people who live on an estate in Scotland that is ruled over by someone they call the Undertaker.Some of the residents really get to you and as you read it you try to work out who this undertaker is.This is a well written book and so different from the authors books I can't say much more as it would spoil the book for others but i will say the ending shocked me as i never expected it what a twist that was.EXCELLENT book 5*

This book was good. I like this author.
Would recommend it to people who are interested in this genre
It could of been alot better but kept me intrigued

i have read every book buy this author and we now have a new series.and the first book is just so so dam good one you start you wont be able to stop. the story is set in Scotland .the estate everyone looks out for each over they never involve the police. the whole estate is run buy the undertaker. Steve has finished his prison sentence. but a lot has changed for his wife and children and he is coming to terms with it all Nick Dimond is the lawyer for all the criminal's and he knows all there secrets him and his wife Patsy run money laundering through her salons Nick s grandmother is one funny lady such a brilliant story i so so recommend

Absolutely love Gillian godden books and this one doesn't let you down what a great read . Really hope there is a follow up to this book . Brilliant

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this ARC. Love this authors books. Found this a bit slow but persevere as it gets better

Having read all of Gillian Goddens books and loving every one of them, was excited to be able to review this new book.
Started off abit slow for me but it picked up strongly and all came together to make a great gangland thriller.
At the end I wanted more.Well written and another hit for a brilliant writer who delivers every time.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

Scots by birth but highly educated Nick Diamond becomes a solicitor and defends magor figures of the underworld crime .He uses his experience and information gained from these dealings to setup his gang and controls most of the crime action in his birth city Glasgow. A good story line lots of twists and turns and has final sting at the end.