The Curse of the Opal

The novel immediately captures the reader in the irresistible and inescapable spell of the world's most spectacular gem, the Bollingard Queen. Who will be its next possessor? As it slips through the trembling hands, some are fortunate others unfortunate yet all are consumed in its magical charms.

This is an epic around the world adventure from its magical discovery in Australia to being lost, stolen and sold to those obsessed with its splendor. From aborigines in the Outback to the slippery hands of a common thief. The opal takes its pursuers into a kind of delightful delirium. Are they enriched beyond their wildest imaginations or doomed to tragedy? From the first lady of the Philippines, to the Shah of Iran, Vietnamese General, to the fated Titanic. These pursuers and possessors spinning out their lives on a kind of dreamscape merry-go-round always with this exquisite stone in the center. Be it always alive, always radiating a perpetual multi-colored spectrum of breathless joy and consuming disaster. Truly a jewel of destiny.

This is Richard's second amazing and spellbinding adventure novel. He is a former war correspondent during the Vietnam conflict, and has traveled extensively throughout Asia and South America. He currently resides in Honolulu, Hawaii