Saddam's Diamonds by Reg Ivory

When Jack Novak is called back to active duty in Iraq by his ex-commander, General Thomas T. Temper, he doesn't know what to expect. Temper was and is malicious, vindictive and dangerous. And why force Novak, an Atlanta private detective, back into uniform? The apparent reason is to find and rescue an old friend who has been captured and brain-washed by ISIS. But General Temper quickly dispels that notion when he drops a brilliant diamond into Novak's whiskey glass and demands that he forget about his old crony and find the diamonds no matter what it takes. This sends Novak on a treacherous mission across Iraq and into Iran where he is beaten, tortured and left for dead. Rescued by his friend Frank Skinner, Novak is taken to one of Saddam Hussein's stunning palaces where the two men find the hoard of diamonds hidden by the former dictator. Now they are both hunted down by the Iranians, the Americans and ISIS. But how do they get the diamonds safely back to the states? Even if they do, General Temper has sworn to find Novak and get the diamonds. And what about Novak's mysterious former lover, the exotic Iraqi woman Serena? Is she in on the plot to get the diamonds and kill Novak? The action never stops in this well-documented thriller about Saddam's diamonds.