Customer Reviews

The Devil She Knows

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Diane has written some wonderful books most of which I have read. I started with River Devil which was a smaller book meaning cheaper and I was hooked. Since then I have read all the Devil book and couldn't wait to read this. the cover made me think of a real cowboy...didn't notice that part of the book. The very beginning goes thorugh a part of the west where there are possibly indians ready to attack but that was about it for the portrayal of the cover. The story got really old by about the middle of the book and too many unusal names to keep up with who is who. I read romance books for entertainment not a history lesson on the Otteman Empire. Some is expected and enjoyable but this got to be so much I had to skim the last 10 chapters. In my opinion there were a lot of other ways this book could have gone. Also, a main theme of the book is the main characters choice...I'm trying to be careful to not give too much away... between the release of her (3) former servants where they will be thrown out on the street or the destruction of an entire community. How was there a choice between the thousands of lives that would have been lost as opposed to 3 people being jobless...OK, and maybe homeless...that is only until our main character comes home and gives them all positions...she is after all quite wealthy. Seemed a little dense to me. I did love the characters of Gareth and Portia but their story was lame in my opinion. If you are interested in knowing more about Constantinople this is the perfect book to read.

In 1880 her father puts unbelievable pressure on Portia Townsend to marry into the British aristocracy. Although she loves her Uncle William Donovan's friend Gareth Lowell whom she met two years earlier in San Francisco following her mom's death, he apparently does not return her regard. She weds the earl, St. Arles.

Five years of marital abuse ends when St. Arles divorces her based on a false charge of infidelity that a joyful Portia does not challenge. She travels to Constantinople where St. Arles demands she abet him in his efforts to overthrow the Ottoman Empire Sultan if she wants her freedom. Failing her the last time they met, Gareth rescues Portia and insists they marry until he can insure her safety; then they will obtain an annulment. As Portia and Gareth try to prevent St. Arles' revolutionary scheme from happening, she realizes her beloved loves her, but for some reason carries guilt that makes him believe he is undeserving of her.

The latest nineteenth century Devilish romance (see Southern Devil, Irish Devil, and Northern Devil) is an exciting around the world in several years thriller. The story line is action-packed as Gareth meets his match in feisty Portia. Although St. Arles is so over the top as a villain caricature that even his servants recognize him as such, fans of Diane Whiteside's Devil historicals will want to travel with the lead couple on their adventures.

Harriet Klausner

Wow, I'm not sure what to make of this book. I have read The Irish Devil, The Southern Devil and The River Devil, so I thought I had this author pegged. Not so sure anymore, the writing style is almost unrecognizable. The amount of purple prose used was a surprise, TDSK read like the earlier books of Rosemary Rogers and Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. Which is not necessarily a bad thing unless Diane Whiteside can deliver a compelling story to rival Rogers and Woodiwiss in their heyday. IMO this book did not deliver, I have enjoyed DW other books more.

I was totally ecstatic when I discovered TDSK was set on several continents, the book starts in Arizona and swiftly moves to New York, Hanoi, London, Rhode Island and Cairo before settling down in Constantinople. That pretty much sums up what I liked about the book. Portia has been in love with Gareth since she was 12 and he was 20. Gareth is a family friend and a employee with her family's shipping business, he treats Portia like a little sister. After years of having her love for Gareth ignored she settles for a society wedding to an English Earl that has a taste for extreme rough sex similar to snuff sex without the death. Wisely the author only gives a brief glimpse into the dark side of Portia's marriage. Although Portia escapes her tortured marriage in a stunning way she is still drawn into her x-husband's scheme to overthrow the Sultan. It takes Gareth who is dealing with his own personal demons to save Portia. Characters from other books of DW make an appearance in this one which was nice.

I kept waiting for this book to take flight but it was stuck in an holding pattern. At times Portia was TSTL and Gareth had an intriguing history that should have been explored more. The Plot to overthrow the Sultan was weak and the cast of other characters did nothing to enhance the story. Except for the conversation between Portia's father with her Uncle and grandfather. I have enjoyed DW other books but was disappointed with TDSK. I can only imagine how this book would have read if Rogers or Woodiwiss had been the author.

I LOVE this series. But the heartache over a lot of years, where the reader is a part of the grief and bad decisions -- I would rather do a flashback with a developing story than have to wade though all the angst. Love the interweaving of different characters, especially other ones from this series - like catching up with old friends. Loved Portia and Gareth -- just needed them to get together a whole lot sooner.