The Daughter-in-Law: A Novel of Suspense [Hardcover]

Diana Diamond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 2003

In the latest thriller from New York Times bestselling author of the Good Sister, trouble with the in-laws is taken to the extreme - with deadly results. From the steamy Caribbean tropics to the penthouses of New York City, dark secrets and bitter rivalry push a new bride and her mother-in-law to the very edge in this gripping novel of seduction and murder

The oldest son of the rich and powerful Donner family, Jonathan, prefers to remain a playboy, rather than take over the financial and social responsibilities of his family's business empire. But in a near fatal skydiving accident, Jonathan saves the life a radiant young woman, Nicole Pierce. Like no one else he has ever met, she is confident, independent and seemingly impressed by his fortune. Captivated by her beauty and intrigued by her mysterious past, Jonathan is determined to make Nicole his. After a whirlwind romance, the two lovers elope and begin a long honeymoon in the Caribbean.

Returning to the Donner family estate, Nicole is immediately embraced by the family. For John's younger sister and father, she is a breath of fresh air. But not everyone has fallen for her. Jonathan's dominant and powerful mother, Alexandra Donner, believes the newest member of the family is more interested in money than in her son.

Then, tragedy strikes and Jonathan is killed in a scuba diving accident, leaving Nicole to return to the family's compound, a young and tragic widow. But her mother-in-law thinks her son's death was no accident. Was he murdered? Could Nicole be behind the accident? Or, is Alexanrda jealous of her daughter-in-law? Alexendra sets out to prove Nicole's guilt and begins to uncover a web of lies and secrets. Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law come face to face in a gripping climax. The truth is far from clear as this gripping thriller twists and turns to its shocking conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Is it an accident or murder when thrill-seeker Jonathan Donner, heir to a billion-dollar empire, vanishes while deep-sea diving? At the top of the suspect list is Jonathan's new bride, Nicole Pierce, a stunning beauty with a questionable past. In this latest thriller by Diamond (The Good Sister; The Babysitter), the eligible playboy meets Wall Street stockbroker Nicole while skydiving, and a whirlwind affair follows. He brings her to his clan's impressive digs on Long Island where Billy Joel is hired to play the family's parties and frequent guests include Rudy Giuliani and a Donald Trump-like character. Dubious of how they met, Jonathan's mother, Alexandra, believes Nicole set out to snag a rich husband. She, however, is the only one who's suspicious: Jonathan's sister, Pam, quickly takes to Nicole, even asking her for career advice, and Jonathan's powerful and intimidating father, Jack, goes weak in the knees when faced with Nicole's bewitching charms. All Nicole wants is acceptance into the Donner clan, but can she convince the icy family matriarch of her worthiness? After Jonathan's mysterious death, the two battle it out. Diamond writes like an aspiring action screenwriter, paying less attention to her prose ("The conclusion was inconclusive") than to the obligatory sex scenes and melodramatic plotting. The dialogue, too, may be better suited to film ("`You can't always tiptoe through the tulips. Sometimes you have to wade in the filth'"), but fans of Diamond's previous work will find the book entertaining enough for a day at the beach.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Imaginative...satisfying...grips the reader and doesn't let go."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (August 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312310463
• ISBN-13: 978-0312310462
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,000,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "Life Styles of the Rich and Famous", May 18, 2004

By 

Paula (Manchester, NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Daughter-in-Law: A Novel of Suspense (Hardcover)

Since more than half the book describes the life styles of the rich and famous with homes in Newport, and in Manhattan, parties, jets, and trips most of us can only fantasize about, the book reminded me of that television show. After 200 pages, did you finally get a glimpse into any action with the attack on Nicole. Then it took another 100 pages before a murder. The book coasted along with more promises but when the book picks up, it picked up with at least to me a shocking ending.

Her characters are well developed, enough action to keep you reading.This was my first book by this author.I may try her again but you understand...So many books, so little time!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The suspense wasn't really there, but good story., October 14, 2003

By 

Syrielle (Suburbs, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Daughter-in-Law: A Novel of Suspense (Hardcover)

Judging by the title and cover of this book, you'd think you have a pretty good idea of what the book will be about. However, with these expectations in mind for great suspense and a murder story, the plot doesn't move along quickly enough to satisfy. The reader isn't given enough insight on any one character enough to root for them or really feel involved in the story.

The first half of the book nothing happens other than a detailed description of how the rich Donner family lives and their lifestyle. While this is interesting, it seems to go on for a long time. Small events lead to the climax near the end of the book, which still didn't get me on the edge of my seat or even more than casually interested.

This book seemed to have a lot of potential. A good idea of the money-seeking daughter-in-law, the missing husband, the smart mother-in-law and a possible murder. But it just didn't go anywhere from there. If you want a relaxed, subtle suspense story, then this could be for you. But if you are looking for more of a thriller-suspense-murder mystery, then you should probably keep looking.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book got my attention, March 20, 2006

By 

Suzy Q37 "Luv a Good Book" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Daughter-In-Law: A Novel of Suspense (Paperback)

I can honestly tell you I am not quite an avid reader but I do like books that draw my attention. Daughter In Law's Diana Diamond creates this book for great entertainment. A book you can read anywhere no matter where. I love how she milks the story line putting you on the edge of your seat making way for a great climate of the situation and then right back down to another preparation for something else. I would call this book the great "Roller Coaster Ride".