Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds

David A. Adler

30 pages 1-hour read

David A. Adler

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1980

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Cam is a fifth-grader with a photographic memory who earns her nickname from her ability to take mental pictures of her surroundings. She triggers this memory by saying "click" to store details in her mind. Highly intelligent and curious, she uses her skills to actively observe the world. Her intense focus on mysteries occasionally causes her to overlook basic safety precautions.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Eric Shelton

Temporary Caregiver for Baby Howie

Suspect Investigated by The Runner

Suspects Investigated by The Young Couple

Interviewer of The Witnesses

Investigator Alongside Police Officer

Eric is Cam's best friend and the eldest of four children. He is a responsible boy who is highly experienced at taking care of babies, feeding and carrying his younger brother everywhere. His practical mindset and cautious nature complement Cam's bold approach to problem-solving.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Cam Jansen

Older Brother of Baby Howie

Son of Eric's Mom

Suspect Investigated by The Runner

Suspects Investigated by The Young Couple

A tall man with a curled mustache who causes a major commotion at the shopping mall. He exhibits intimidating behavior and draws the immediate attention of both the police and Cam during the confusion at the jewelry store.

Key Relationships

Suspected by Cam Jansen

Suspected by Eric Shelton

Alleged Robber of Mr. Parker

Pursued by Police Officer

A tall man and woman who quickly leave the scene of the store alarm. Their hurried departure and lack of standard baby supplies attract the suspicion of the watchful children.

Key Relationships

Suspected by Cam Jansen

Suspected by Eric Shelton

Supporting Characters

Two elderly women who are present inside Parker's Jewelry Store during the robbery. Though frightened by the ordeal, they earnestly try to help the authorities by providing crucial details about the suspect.

Key Relationships

Interviewed by Cam Jansen

Customer of Mr. Parker

Eric's infant brother. He accompanies the older children everywhere and requires regular feeding and care, which adds a layer of practical responsibility to their impromptu investigation.

Key Relationships

Younger Brother of Eric Shelton

Son of Eric's Mom

Watched by Cam Jansen

The owner of Parker's Jewelry Store at the local mall. He is the victim of the sudden diamond robbery that sets the story in motion.

Key Relationships

Alleged Victim of The Runner

Shopkeeper to The Witnesses

Eric and Howie's mother. She relies on her responsible eldest son to watch the baby while she runs errands in the shopping center.

Key Relationships

Mother of Eric Shelton

Mother of Baby Howie

A member of the local police force called to investigate the commotion. He works to gather information from the confused crowd and struggles to sort out the conflicting eyewitness accounts.

Key Relationships

Investigator Alongside Cam Jansen

Pursuer of The Runner