The Daughter-In-Law: A Novel of Suspense [Paperback]

Diana Diamond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 2004

Marrying a millionaire was never on Nicole Pierce's agenda...or was it? From the moment she locked eyes with the impeccably pedigreed Jonathan Donner, she was captivated by the man-and by his money. Or so his formidable family chose to believe...

From the wrong side of the tracks, Nicole had come a long way. All she wanted was to forget the disgrace of poverty; to bask in her newfound wealth. But her in-laws had other ideas for the newlywed bride. Too soon, the shameful truth about her past was back to haunt her...

Somebody was determined to rid the blue-blooded family of their newest member. Somebody was prying into her secrets, shadowing her every step. Somebody was determined to rob Nicole of the fortune that wasn't her birthright, of the man who claimed to love her-and of her very life itself...

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Diana Diamond's gripping thriller takes sibling rivalry to a whole new level."
--Marie Claire on The Good Sister

"Imaginative, satisfying...grips the reader and doesn't let go."
--Mary Jane Clark, author of Nobody Knows

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (May 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312987714
• ISBN-13: 978-0312987718
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,180,709 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".