''The Diamond Brothers'' is a series of humorous children's detective books by Anthony Horowitz, recounting the adventures of the world's worst private detective, Tim Diamond, and his much more intelligent younger brother, Nick Diamond.
The series currently comprises four full-length
novel
A novel is a relatively long work of narrative fiction, typically written in prose and published as a book. The present English word for a long work of prose fiction derives from the for "new", "news", or "short story of something new", itsel ...
s, four
novella
A novella is a narrative prose fiction whose length is shorter than most novels, but longer than most short stories. The English word ''novella'' derives from the Italian ''novella'' meaning a short story related to true (or apparently so) facts ...
s and one short story. A fifth full-length novel entitled ''The Radius of the Lost Shark'' is being planned. These books are aimed at a younger readership than Horowitz's young adult novels, such as the '' Alex Rider'' series and '' The Power of Five'' series. While also having a teenage protagonist and featuring guns,
fight
Combat ( French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent conflict meant to physically harm or kill the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed ( not using weapons). Combat is sometimes resorted to as a method of self-defense, or ...
s, international criminals, and numerous character deaths, ''The Diamond Brothers'' series has a more humorous slant through the use of puns, pop culture references and absurd situations.
The entire series was re-issued in 2007 with new cover art designed by illustrator Martin Chatterton, and again in 2015 illustrated by
Tony Ross
Anthony Lee Ross (born 10 August 1938) is a British author and illustrator of children's picture books. In Britain, he is best known for writing and illustrating his Little Princess books and for illustrating the Horrid Henry series by Frances ...
.
Structure and genre
A notable part of the series is that, although the first three books were written and published in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and the short stories and the fourth novel have since continued into the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s, Nick and Tim always remain roughly the same age (14 and 28 respectively), existing along a floating timeline, while London and life around them have changed with the times. For instance, the newer stories feature
Oyster Cards
The Oyster card is a payment method for public transport in London (and certain areas around it) in England, United Kingdom. A standard Oyster card is a blue credit-card-sized stored-value contactless smart card. It is promoted by Transport ...
and
computer
A computer is a machine that can be programmed to Execution (computing), carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as C ...
s and mobile technology, whereas the older stories feature parts of London that have since disappeared, cultural habits that have long since been outlawed, such as smoking inside offices, and older technology. This gives the series a very anachronistic feel, which further bolsters its absurdist nature. A unique example of this anachronistic nature can be seen in the American publications, because when the series was released in the North American market, the currency was inexplicably changed even though stories and the locations remained the same, therefore having Nick and Tim pay for everything in dollars instead of pounds despite them living in London.
Novels
''
The Falcon's Malteser
''The Diamond Brothers'' is a series of humorous children's detective books by Anthony Horowitz, recounting the adventures of the world's worst private detective, Tim Diamond, and his much more intelligent younger brother, Nick Diamond.
The s ...
'' (1986)
In '' The Diamond Brothers in… The Falcon's Malteser'' (1986), Tim Diamond (whose real name is Herbert Simple) is hired to protect a mysterious box of Maltesers by a vertically-challenged man called Johnny Naples. The next day, Johnny Naples is found dead, Tim is somehow framed for the crime, his much smarter and younger brother Nick gets the box of Maltesers, and every crook in town is out to get them. The title and plot of the novel are in part a spoof of '' The Maltese Falcon''.
''
Public Enemy Number Two
''Public Enemy Number Two'' is a novel written by Anthony Horowitz, the second in ''The Diamond Brothers'' series. It was first published in 1987.The Diamond Brothers in… Public Enemy Number Two'' (1987), Nick Diamond is once again thrust into danger by being framed for a jewel heist he didn’t commit, so that he’ll be forced to go undercover as a jewel thief to find out the true identity of an unknown master criminal known only as "the Fence". To do that, he needs to befriend a very unstable teenage crook called Johnny Powers. Meanwhile, Tim has been hired to find a
Ming vase
Chinese ceramics show a continuous development since pre-dynastic times and are one of the most significant forms of Chinese art and ceramics globally. The first pottery was made during the Palaeolithic era. Chinese ceramics range from construc ...
called the Purple Peacock that has been stolen from the British Museum, whilst also having to help Nick and Johnny break out of prison. The title is a both a reference and a spoof on the term public enemy number one.
''
South By South East
''The Diamond Brothers'' is a series of humorous children's detective books by Anthony Horowitz, recounting the adventures of the world's worst private detective, Tim Diamond, and his much more intelligent younger brother, Nick Diamond.
The s ...
'' (1991)
In '' The Diamond Brothers in… South By South East'' (1991), Nick and Tim Diamond are once again forced into a mystery, this time going to Amsterdam to discover the identity of the mysterious assassin Charon. The brothers have many hair-raising adventures, including one in which they are chased by a small plane in a scene reminiscent of Hitchcock's classic film '' North by Northwest,'' of which the book’s title is a reference to and the book’s plot spoofs. Horowitz claimed he wrote the 1991 television
miniseries
A miniseries or mini-series is a television series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. "Limited series" is another more recent US term which is sometimes used interchangeably. , the popularity of miniseries format h ...
credited as being based on this novel first, rather than the other way round, which would make this entry the only novelisation of a ''Diamond Brothers'' story in the entire series.
''
The French Confection
''The Diamond Brothers'' is a series of humorous children's detective books by Anthony Horowitz, recounting the adventures of the world's worst private detective, Tim Diamond, and his much more intelligent younger brother, Nick Diamond.
The s ...
'' (2002)
In '' The Diamond Brothers in… The French Confection'' (2002), the Diamond Brothers win a trip to Paris thanks to a French strawberry yoghurt, but accidentally get caught up in a drug smuggling ring and end up being forced to team up with the '' Sûreté'' to take them down. The title is a play-on-words on the film '' The French Connection.''
''
I Know What You Did Last Wednesday
''The Diamond Brothers'' is a series of humorous children's detective books by Anthony Horowitz, recounting the adventures of the world's worst private detective, Tim Diamond, and his much more intelligent younger brother, Nick Diamond.
The s ...
'' (2002)
In '' The Diamond Brothers in… I Know What You Did Last Wednesday'' (2002), seven friends, along with the Diamond Brothers, are invited to a remote island for a school reunion. But then the host is found dead, and other people start dying in bizarre ways with no way off the island. The plot itself is a spoof of the
Agatha Christie
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, (; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictiona ...
I Know What You Did Last Summer
''I Know What You Did Last Summer'' is a 1997 American slasher film directed by Jim Gillespie, written by Kevin Williamson, and starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe and Freddie Prinze Jr. It is loosely based on ...
''.
''
The Blurred Man
''The Diamond Brothers'' is a series of humorous children's detective books by Anthony Horowitz, recounting the adventures of the world's worst private detective, Tim Diamond, and his much more intelligent younger brother, Nick Diamond.
The s ...
'' (2002)
In '' The Diamond Brothers in… The Blurred Man'' (2002), the Diamond Brothers investigate the sudden and mysterious death of a charitable philanthropist who suffers chronic allergies that prevent him from meeting almost anyone in person. The book’s title and plot is a spoof of the film '' The Third Man''.
death threat
A death threat is a threat, often made anonymously, by one person or a group of people to kill another person or group of people. These threats are often designed to intimidate victims in order to manipulate their behaviour, in which case a deat ...
s, her concerned husband decides to hire Tim Diamond (along with Nick) to protect her. The title is a spoof of the Christmas children's story '' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!'' written by Dr. Seuss. Adapted and enlarged from a radio play of the same name Horowitz wrote several years previously.
''Where Seagulls Dare'' (2022)
In ''The Diamond Brothers in… Where Seagulls Dare'' (2022), set three months after the events of ''The Blurred Man'', a glamorous woman hires the Diamond Brothers to find her missing father, but they are quickly caught up in a case involving bike-riding hitmen, superhackers and a sinister
far-right
Far-right politics, also referred to as the extreme right or right-wing extremism, are political beliefs and actions further to the right of the left–right political spectrum than the standard political right, particularly in terms of being ...
organisation called the White Crusaders. This is the first full-length Diamond Brothers novel since the release of ''South by South East'' back in 1991. Horowitz published the first seven chapters unedited on his website (which have since been removed) throughout 2020 during the first COVID-19 lockdown in the UK, with the full, edited novel finally published in May 2022. While Horowitz initially wrote on a blogpost on his website that profits from the novel will go towards supporting the National Health Service, profits will instead go to a NGO called Suffolk Home-Start, of which he is a patron of. The title is a spoof of the film ''
Where Eagles Dare
''Where Eagles Dare'' is a 1968 war film directed by Brian G. Hutton and starring Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood and Mary Ure. It follows a joint British-American Special Operations Executive team of paratroopers raiding a castle (shot on lo ...
''.
Short stories
* ''The Double Eagle Has Landed'' (2011): A short story in which the Diamond Brothers are hired to protect a valuable gold coin. It was published in ''Guys Read: Thriller,'' edited by Jon Scieszka. The title is a spoof of the film '' The Eagle Has Landed''.
Collections
* ''Three of Diamonds'' (2004): A compilation of ''The French Confection'', ''I Know What You Did Last Wednesday'' and ''The Blurred Man''. The three stories were first released in this edition, before subsequently being sold as separate books.
* ''Four of Diamonds'' (2008): Similar to ''Three of Diamonds'', but also includes ''The Greek Who Stole Christmas''.
Planned novel and future
The promotional blurbs of the early 2004 editions of the '' Alex Rider'' novel ''
Scorpia
''Alex Rider'' is a series of spy novels written by British author Anthony Horowitz. The novels revolve around a teenage spy named Alex Rider and is primarily aimed towards young adults. The series currently comprises thirteen novels, as w ...
'', and of an early edition of ''Three of Diamonds'' claimed that Horowitz was planning an Australian-based adventure for the Diamond Brothers, entitled ''The Radius of the Lost Shark'' (a play-on-words on the film title ''
Raiders of the Lost Ark
''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' is a 1981 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Lawrence Kasdan, based on a story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman. It stars Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronal ...
''). This title was also mentioned in a promotional blurb at the end of early 2005 edition of the Alex Rider novel '' Ark Angel'', and again in the introduction to the re-issued 2007 edition of ''Three of Diamonds.''
The title was also mentioned in-story at the end of ''The Greek Who Stole Christmas.'' Following the main plot events, Nick and Tim finally managed to earn enough money to be able to fly out to Australia to visit at their parents for the first time since they had emigrated there, which was sometime prior to the events of ''The Falcon’s Malteser.'' Nick then hints that he might one day write down what happened during their visit to Australia and that he might end up calling the book ''The Radius of the Lost Shark.'' This prompted fan speculation that the novel’s release might be imminent, but when Horowitz was asked in July 2012 on Twitter by a fan when this book might come out, he replied that he had not started on the book yet, and that he probably won’t get around to it for “…another 3 years”. In March 2015, Horowitz then stated in a newspaper interview that there would be at least another six books written by him before continuing the ''The Diamond Brothers'' series.
In December 2015, when responding to a fan query on Twitter regarding the plot of the book, Horowitz revealed that the story would be set during the Australian summer, and that it may involve the characters celebrating Christmas in July. In February 2017, when another fan asked Horowitz on Twitter about the status of ''The Radius of the Lost Shark,'' he replied that he still fully intends to write it, and that he is “… waiting for the four months I need to write it”. In April 2020, when the fourth full-length ''Diamond Brothers'' novel ''Where Seagulls Dare'' was announced, it was initially assumed that the novel would have some relation to the Australian-based adventure alluded to at the end of ''The Greek Who Stole Christmas'', but Horowitz quickly confirmed on Twitter that this was not so, and that ''The Radius of the Lost Shark'' has still yet to be written. In 2022, Horowitz reiterated that the book would be written "no time soon".
Adaptations
Film
A film adaptation based on the first novel ''The Falcon's Malteser'' was released in 1988 and it was entitled ''
Just Ask for Diamond
''Just Ask for Diamond'', alternatively titled ''Diamond's Edge'', is a 1988 British comedy crime film directed by Stephen Bayly and starring Colin Dale, Saeed Jaffrey and Dursley McLinden. It is based on ''The Falcon's Malteser'' (1986), the fi ...
''. It starred
Dursley McLinden
Dursley James McLinden (29 May 1965 – 7 August 1995) was a Manx actor whose career was mostly focused on the London stage in musicals such as '' The Phantom of the Opera'', '' Gigi'' (Lyric Theatre, 1985) and '' Follies''.
He appeared in the ...
and Colin Dale as Tim and Nick Diamond respectively. In the North American market, the film was instead released under the name ''Diamond's Edge,'' and was edited slightly to tone down some of the narration and violent antics of the UK release. The film has subsequently been released on VHS and DVD.
Miniseries
In 1991, ''The Diamond Brothers'', a six-part television series written and directed by Horowitz himself, was broadcast on
ITV
ITV or iTV may refer to:
ITV
*Independent Television (ITV), a British television network, consisting of:
** ITV (TV network), a free-to-air national commercial television network covering the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islan ...
.''The Diamond Brothers'' at IMDB /ref> The series is based on the book ''South by South East'', which Horowitz claimed he wrote after he had written the television series, effectively making ''South by South East'' a novelisation of the television series rather than the novel acting as the primary source of inspiration. Both McLinden and Dale reprised their respective film roles, which makes the television series act as a sequel to ''Just Ask for Diamond''. However, unlike the film adaptation, the series has never been released on any home media, and it was also never rebroadcast.