THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW

Nicole marries Jonathan, wealthy scion of the Donner family. She may be a gold-digger--or she may not. After Jonathan dies in a scuba accident, Alexandra, his cold, imperious mother, believes Nicole is behind it. Jack, his reprobate father, can't keep his hands off his son's widow. Jealousy, secrets, despicable behavior, and double-dealing lowlifes are the norm in this melodrama of the privileged class. Norma Lana does what she can to make the characters interesting. Most notable is her work in the opening sequence, a sky dive with nearly fatal consequences. She wrings every drop of excitement from it, but the scene itself stretches credibility. Lana's job is difficult because the people who inhabit this novel are so unpleasant that it's hard to care what happens to any of them. S.J.H.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 04]