Betrayal

by Danielle Steel

Tallie Jones is a Hollywood legend. An ambitious and passionate film director, her award-winning productions achieve the rare combination of critical and commercial success. But she has little interest in the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, instead focusing intently on her work and family.

She has close, loving relationships with her daughter, her elderly father and Hunter Lloyd - her co-producer and partner of four years. Completing her trusted circle is Brigitte Parker - Tallie's best friend and devoted personal assistant. They've been friends since film school, and Brigitte's polished glamour and highly organized style provides a perfect balance to Tallie's casual appearance and down-to-earth approach to life.

However as Tallie is in the midst of directing her most ambitious film to date, small disturbances start to ripple through her faultlessly ordered world. An audit reveals worrying discrepancies in her financial records, which have always been maintained by her trusted accountant, Victor Carson. Receipts hint at activities of which she has no knowledge. Someone close to Tallie has been steadily helping themselves to enormous amounts of her money. Her once safe world of trusted associates is suddenly shaken to its very core - and Tallie is in shock, trying to figure out who has betrayed her among those she trusts and holds dear...

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Mystery, Drama, Contemporary

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 27, 2012

About the author

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is probably the lowest rating I've ever given to a Danielle Steel book, and I've read every book that she's ever written - I've been reading her books for over 30 years.

The story was engaging, the lead character was likable, but the entire premise was unrealistic. That anybody smart enough to be this successful would be so gullible and BLIND to what was going on was far-fetched. This isn't my main gripe with the book, though. My main gripe is that this 320-page story could have been told in 100 pages, if not for all the repetition. I used to believe that Danielle did this for emphasis - saying the exact same thing a different way two sentences later. Now, I'm wondering if she does it to fill pages, because this book had SO much repetition that it became painful. I'll give you an example (but not an actual one from the book):

"She was just extremely tired. made some dinner and flopped down on the sofa, feeling completely wrung-out. She turned on the television, but she was just exhausted."

We get the picture, Danielle, she was TIRED. The way I wrote that isn't even as glaring as what she does throughout this book, though. It really takes away from my enjoyment of the story, and I wish she'd keep it to a minimum, if she feels the need to repeat herself.

[Francesca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, it's been some decades since I last read a Danielle Steel book. I can't believe her older books are this bad or I never would have read another one. This book reads more like a description of a novel someone planned to write than an actual novel. A particular statement will be repeated three times in slightly different ways, only to be reiterated again in another couple of paragraphs. Characters come across flat and emotionless.

This woman sells a lot of books. I'm thinking if this is where the bar is set, I really need to sit down and write something.

[Meret Magdi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars(:
This is actually my first ever novel :D..
I was given this book by a friend who owned so many Danielle Steel books, I asked her to give me one to read, and she gave me this..
To be honest, I expected more..
Its a nice book, but I just didnt find anything special about it :(

[Joana’s World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um livro muito fácil de ler com uma escrita simples e com uma história de traição. Fala, especificamente, da traição do marido e da melhor amiga que eram as únicas pessoas de quem a personagem principal confiava e o modo como esta vai lidar com toda a situação. Para além de traição de nível romântico, há traição no facto de um deles roubar-lhe o dinheiro. Será o marido ou a melhor amiga?

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading Danielle Steel's books for years, although I haven't enjoyed them as much as I once did during the last few years. She seemed to have lost the fine art of writing an exciting book. Many of the plots were basically the same. Many of the characters were basically the same. In fact, I had decided she was just writing the novels using the same basic plot and characters. Then, this book comes along, and I realized she hadn't lost it. This is one her best, if not her best. Tallie Jones is a well known and respected Hollywoodite. Suddenly her world falls to pieces as she realizes those closest to her are not what they seem and are actually hurting her financially. How she copes with this is interesting. How it affects both her and her family as well as them is interesting also. The development of the story is well done, though I did not spend a lot of time wondering what would happen--I had a good idea about the ending. Still, there were a couple of twists and turns that I hadn't anticipated. I hope she continues to write books I liked as much as this one.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stopped reading Danielle Steel a long time ago because her books were too heartbreaking for me While I think this book attempts to do that, it was written from such an emotionally distant perspective and, as others said, so predictable that it would up not being a "Danielle Steel - GASP!" but a much more mundane version of what she used to write many years ago.

I was so very disappointed when, as I read of how perfect her assistant was (lifelong friends, trusted with everything both financial and love-wise) and thought, "Oh no, this couldn't POSSIBLY be the plot!".. but yes that was the plot. The boyfriend - successful, good looking, tells her she's great all the time, no relationship problems - oh, not that TOO!

And, handsome FBI Agent whose heart is put away on a shelf, falling in love with the victim he is protecting....

For all this, the store moved much too slowly and was repetitive in so many places I wanted to scream.

Overall an easy read, pretty cookie-cutter and I won't remember it next week.

[Sue Lipton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I needed a break. This did the trick. Total crap! Thank you, Danielle Steel.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Η μεγαλύτερη προδοσία έγινε σε εμένα,που τελικά μου πήγαν χαμένα τα φράγκα.

Η ιστορία μου είχε φανεί πιο ενδιαφέρουσα στην περίληψη και γι'αυτό το πήρα το βιβλίο,αλλά όταν το διάβασα με άφησε αρκετά αδιάφορη,κάτι που με απογοήτευσε γιατί έχω ακούσει αρκετά καλές κριτικές για τη συγγραφέα.

Η εισαγωγή της πρωταγωνίστριας με έκανε να νευριάζω πολύ,γιατί γίνονταν πολλές αναφορές στο πως δεν την ενδιέφερε η εμφάνισή της(και ήταν 39 χρονών),και η σύγκριση με την 'κακιά' ττης υπόθεσης,που περιποιούνταν τον εαυτό της.

π.χ.
"Φορούσε μόνο τα ρούχα της δουλειάς,τα οποία τις πιο πολλές φορές την έκαναν να μοιάζει με άστεγη."
"Μοιάζοντας σαν να ντύνεται με αποφόρια,με τα πάνινα μποτάκια της,τα σκισμένα τζιν και τα αθλητικά φανελάκια,η εμφάνισή της παρέπεμπε σε πιτσιρίκι."(Σιγά ρε συ μην ήταν και βρέφος!)
"Η Τάλι δεν φορούσε ποτέ τα πιο καινούρια παπούτσια της,αλλά μόνον εκείνα που ήταν κουρελιασμένα,λιγδιασμένα και γεμάτα τρύπες."

Και όταν τη ρώτησαν αν το κουρελιασμένο μπλουζάκι ήταν από μαγαζί ή από μεταχειρισμένα,αυτή απάντησε:"Το μάζεψα από τα σκουπίδια.Το πέταξε ο Χαντ(η σχέση της)αλλά το λυπήθηκα.Δείχνει να έχει ακόμα λίγη ζωή."

Και αυτά είναι ένα δείγμα για το πως η συγγραφέας μας υπενθυμίζει συνέχεια για το πως η Τάλι δεν ενδιαφέρεται για την εμφάνισή της,αλλά καταφέρνει να είναι πανέμορφη(?),και το πως η 'κακιά' βοηθός της,η Μπριγκίτε,με περιποιημένη εμφάνιση και πλαστικές που έχει κάνει για να αναδεικνύεται δεν καταφέρνει να είναι τόσο όμορφη όσο η Τάλι.Πώς γίνεται κάποια που δουλεύει στην βιομηχανία του θεάματος να είναι τόσο αδιάφορη για την εικόνα της;Και μετά απορεί που ο φίλος της την απατούσε για όσο καιρό βγαίνανε;;Αφού η γυναίκα ντυνόταν από τα σκουπίδια!

Τέλος πάντων,η πλοκή αφορά την Τάλι,που σε έναν λογιστικό έλεγχο ανακαλύπτει ότι της λείπουν περίπου 1 εκατομμύριο δολλάρια και όταν ρωτάει την βοηθό της που τα χειρίζεται αυτή υπεκφεύγεται και λέει ψέμματα.Όταν η Τάλι προσλαμβάνει ιδιωτική ντετέκτιβ,ανακαλύπτει το ιστό της εκμετάλλευσης που έχει υφανθεί γύρω της,ο κόσμος της αρχίζει και καταρρέει.

Η ιδέα ήταν αρκετά δημιουργική και θα μπορούσε να είχε γραφτεί καλύτερα,αλλά αυτό που τη χάλασε ήταν οι συνεχείς επαναλήψεις και γενικά το πόσο εύπιστη ήταν η πρωταγωνίστρια.Βρήκα τον εαυτό μου να την βρίζει όταν δεν μπορούσε να βγάλει άκρη στα προβλήματά της.Πώς έζησε τόσα χρόνια μου λες;;Και έχει και παιδί σε πανεπιστήμιο!

Το στοιχείο του ρομάντζου δεν εισάγεται παρά κοντά στο τέλος,αφού έχει επιλυθεί αρκετά η ιστορία.Και εννοώ το ρομάντζο το κανονικό,και όχι με αυτόν που την απατούσε 4 χρόνια με τη βοηθό της.Ο Τζιμ Κίνγκστον ήταν ωραίος χαρακτήρας και προσέδιδε μια ωριμότητα και σοβαρότητα στην πλοκή,καθώς επίσης και το γεγονός ότι ήταν μόνος γονιός σε 2 παιδιά τον έκανε πιο συμπαθή.Βέβαια,αυτός έδινε την αίσθηση πιο ικανού από την Τάλι,αφού εκείνη συμπεριφερόταν με την κόρη της λες και ήταν η κολλητή της. Πάντως,ο Τζιμ ήταν ο λόγος που έδωσε 2 αστεράκια.

Η εναλλαγή των σκηνών με μπέρδευε αφού δεν καταλάβαινα πότε περνούσαν οι μήνες.Επιπλέον,η δράση που με ενδιέφερε,το δικαστήριο της Μπριγκίτε για τη κατάχρηση και το φόνο του Χαντ(ουπς!) έγιναν πίσω από τα παρασκήνια.Γενικά η συγγραφέας δεν τόλμησε να πάρει ρίσκα,κάτι που θα μπορούσε να είχε σώσει την ιστορία και να έμπαιναν περισσότερα αστεράκια.

Και ούτε καν λυπάμαι για τα σπόιλερ,αφού δεν αξίζει να αγοραστεί,πόσω μάλλον να διαβαστεί.

[Tris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reseña de Llave al Infinito

El caso es que hoy os traigo un libro que conseguí en digital gracias a Edición Anticipada, al cual doy las gracias por dejarnos conseguir libros que reseñar y apreciar el “trabajo” que hacemos. Pero debo decir que, para mi gusto, mi elección de libro fue muy desacertada. Danielle Steel es una de las autoras de romántica más conocidas que hay y tenía muchas ganas de leer alguno de sus trabajos, pero me da que he empezado por el equivocado.

Traicionada nos cuenta la historia de Tallie Jones, una conocida directora de Hollywood que prefiere no envolverse demasiado en el mundo que este ofrece. Tallie tiene en su vida a 4 personas muy importantes que son su hija Max, su padre Sam, su pareja Hunt y su mejor amiga Brigitte. La historia gira, como bien indica su nombre, alrededor de una traición, que no os comáis mucho la cabeza va a ser la primera persona en la que penséis (no os voy a decir quién es aunque sea obvio.) El caso es que este libro tiene una historia de película de Antena 3, de estas que echan los Domingos o los Sábados por la tarde con la que te quedas dormida. Hay amores, desamores, dinero, deslealtad, problemas familiares… madre mía, que no le falta de nada a este libro. Pero es una historia muy muy predecible. Según iban saliendo las cosas yo era capaz de decir lo que iba a ocurrir y por qué, y cuando crees que el libro no se puede volver más cutre… pues lo consigue con un “””giro””” y lo pongo muy entrecomillado porque ni a eso le puedo llamar giro argumenta. Es una historia plana, repetitiva y para mi gusto, sin vida. ¿Qué te puede entretener? Por supuesto que entretiene, si en el fondo te ríes y todo. Pero si cada 2 párrafos te cuenta lo poco que le gusta a Tallie el mundillo de Hollywood y el buen corazón que tiene, te acabas cansando.

Con respecto a los personajes, pfr prototipo de personaje de telenovela. Está la buenaza a la que roban, con su vida perfecta que se va a derrumbar y luego no digo más del resto porque entonces os haría spoiler. Pero vamos, que Brigitte es la que se gasta el dinero en el glamour y Hunt es el novio que quiere mucho mucho a Tallie y la trata como una reina, además Sam y Max son la familia perfecta que la apoyan en todo todito. Personajes aburridos donde los haya y predecibles, muy predecibles. Os prometo que no sé qué más decir de ellos porque no tienen absolutamente nada en especial, ni son redondos, ni son especiales, ni nada. ¿Supongo que eso es algo que gusta de ella que hace personajes “reales”? No lo sé, la verdad.

Finalmente el estilo de escritura, pues mira, que no está mal escrito pero es repetitivo hasta decir basta. Es como que en un mismo capítulo se repiten los mismos 5 párrafos pero intercalados de forma diferente, y lo digo muy en serio. Te acabas sabiendo la historia de memoria solo de las veces que repite lo mismo.

En resumen, no lo recomiendo. Porque es surrealista, aburrido y predecible. Estoy segura que esta autora tiene otros libros mejores para ser tan famosa pero no es el caso de Traicionada. Eso sí, si te gustan las películas de Antena 3 de asesinatos por celos, amoríos entre todo el mundo, robos y mil cosas así de tontas, adelante porque sin duda este es tu libro.

[Libby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Steel's breezy style of narrative is fluid, and I clipped along at a fantastic pace while reading this book. However the plot seems formulaic, and the way Steel describes the action of the book is mostly a turn off. Steel seems to talk about the action that is occurring without really entering into descriptions that involve the reader's senses. While reading, I kept comparing her style with that of mostly unknown authors or authors of freebie books I've gotten from pixelofink.com, and it's difficult for me to understand why she's so famous. I've read some freebies that I think did a better job on characterizations and credible plots. This book is about movie director, Tallie Jones, and a series of betrayals that leave her victimized. The theme of deceit and betrayal is a universal one, and therein lies some of its appeal. Steel does an excellent job of setting up scenes and her transitions, while not seamless, are not too abhorrently clunky either. Tallie, a woman who is so engrossed in her work, that she doesn't take any time for her looks is easily mislead by a long time friend. Her lover, who produces some of the movies she works on, also becomes someone that Tallie cannot trust. Coincidentally, there is a tall, dark, handsome man in the wings. He does not really rescue Tallie, thank goodness, but his appearance is too contrived. While Tallie Jones is a likable protagonist, all the characters in the story seem superficial as though there should be layers of personality that we knew more about. I would rate this story at 2.5 because it does have its 'graces,'....universal themes, likable protagonist, and a narrative style that is fluid, if not totally engaging, or entirely credible.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may be the highest rating I've given a Steel book, but I confess I really enjoyed this one. I started reading her books when she first started writing them- and wow was that a long time ago. They lost my interest [same old thing- or perhaps her writing went downhill] years ago but because I am a compulsive addict I kept plowing through them. Sometimes it would be years before picking one up and a trip to the used bookstore would catch me up.

Why did I enjoy this one??? Good question - but I didn't get bored by her overuse of the same old, same old [yes, it was there but for some reason I could overlook it in this book], basic characters [no foot in reality as usual- but likable], and an okay plot [you knew what was going to happen before it did]. I always said when I start slipping downhill into 'la la land' her books would be perfect to read since you can't forget what happened due to her repeating over and over. This could be a very bad sign of things to come for me!!!!

[Teri Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pacing was excruciatingly slow. :( Bummer, because I really like some of her other books - HRH, Message from Nam, Palomino and The Ring are all great. But skip this one. The romance literally starts 50 pages from the end and moves with the speed of a glacier after that. All in all, a disappointment.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical Danelle Steel. A quick read but always a nice story and a change from the mysteries that I tend to read.

[Nels · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 out of 5 stars
A easy read.

[Indiabookstore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I read a Steel, after a string of Dan Brown’s and Jeffery Archer’s, it was on my aunt’s recommendation. I was on vacation and Danielle Steel fit my mood to a T. I do admit, I was on the last hundred pages, and I still was wondering when the plot would set in!! Only when I was through with the last chapter, did I realize that the story was not progressing any further. It was a bit of an anti climax actually! But, that’s the best part of a Steel novel. All you have to do is flow with the story. It’s always a feel good novel which pumps you with an extra ounce of goodness. Like Sridevi said in “English Vinglish” – “Thanks for making me feel special about myself” Ditto that!

A protagonist who is middle aged, invariably a divorcee or a widow or someone who has been left high and dry, a cozy family set up, is what one would normally expect out of a Danielle Steel. “Betrayal” betrays all our expectations and plunges into the mucky world of crime and fraud – temporarily though. The trademark warmth of a Steele novel can still be felt throughout the pages....

For the full review, visit IndiaBookStore

[R.T. Wolfe · Rating 2 out of 5]

For whatever reason I felt I wouldn't be a true romance writer if I hadn't read a book from the time-honored and respected Danielle Steel. I may have picked a bad choice, as I have to be honest and say that I was disappointed. She described the main character, Tallie, as disheveled and sloppy quite literally dozens of times. Her lover and best friend were given their descriptions over and over, also. Possibly, if a reader has a difficult time focusing, this might be the book for them. However, I hope I trust my readers enough to be able to pick up on details with endless repetition. Steel had Tallie making wishes only a highly weak and ignorant woman would make. Although it feels wrong as an author of romance, I cannot recommend Betrayal by Danielle Steel.
-R.T. Wolfe
www.rtwolfe.com

[CJ Hines · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the second Danielle Steel book I've read in a few weeks. She ties things up all nice and tidy at the end-no surprises, no twists, just what you expect will happen. While there were still more than 100 pages left, she had already told us who the antagonist was-I kept expecting something to change the outcome, but it didn't. Predictable.

[Amaya Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book!!! Yet again Danielle Steel drags you deep into the story and takes you to the life of Tallie Jones and her life as a directer until an unsolved mystery comes into play, who's stealing all of her money? A must read for anyone who likes to learn bout the law!

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good storyline BUT it was so repetitive....it could have probably be lessened by 100 pages or so....

[Janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The James Patterson of romance. Clunky dialogue, obvious storyline and a main character who is such a good person but sooooooo hard done by!

[Andie Constantinides · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars. Jesus Christ this dragged on. Light holiday read but the same thing was repeated a million times. This should have been 200 pages, not 400 🤣

[Georgina N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Εμπιστοσύνη .Δύναμη η αδυναμία;


Η Τάλλυ ,μια σπουδαία σκηνοθέτης και μαμά της πανέξυπνης και πολύ πιο ώριμη για την ηλικία της Μαξ ,18 χρόνων, έχει κατακτήσει πλέον την τέλεια και ισορροπημένη καθημερινότητα. Αναγνώριση στη δουλειά, επιτυχημένη μητέρα και ενθουσιασμένη με την ερωτική της ζωή αφού διατηρεί μια ζεστή και ασφαλή σχέση με το Χαντ .

Τι συμβαίνει όμως όταν ένας απλός οικονομικός έλεγχος στα λογιστικά της αποκαλύπτει ότι χάνει χιλιάδες δολαρίων κάθε μήνα; Πώς ταρασσονται οι οι ισορροπίες στη ζωή της και ποιος είναι αυτός που της παρουσιάζεται διαφορετικός από αυτό που είναι;

Μία κλασσική σταρ-χολυγουντιανή,ταμπλόιντ ιστορία που κατά καιρούς έχουν ακουστεί και απασχολήσει τα μέσα. Έτσι θα παρομοίαζα αυτό το βιβλίο .Εύπεπτο ,page turner αλλά δυστυχώς προβλέψιμο .Στις πρώτες 50 σελίδες ήξερα ήδη τι έχει συμβεί. Θα ήθελα μια πιο αινιγματική γραφή που να διχάζει λίγο τον αναγνώστη ως προς το τι συμβαίνει και τι κρύβεται πίσω από την κλοπή των χρημάτων.

Κατά τα άλλα μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ που ��ίγεται το θέμα της εμπιστοσύνης μέσα από την πρωταγωνιστρια ,η οποία βλέπει το καλό στους ανθρώπους από επιλογή και προσπαθεί να ειναι δίπλα σε αυτούς που τη χρειάζονται κατορθωνοντας να εκπληρώσει την πολλαπλό ρόλο που καλείται να εκπληρώσει και κάθε σύγχρονη γυναίκα του Δυτικού Κόσμου. Ωστόσο,η εμπιστοσύνη δεν έχει μόνο θετική πλευρά ...

3 αστέρια και όχι λιγότερο για τα θέματα που θίγονται και ανέφερα παραπάνω.
3 αστέρια και όχι περισσότερο γιατί η πλοκή ήταν προβλέψιμη και αν κρίνω και από το πόσος χρόνος και χώρος στο βιβλίο αφιερώθηκε στο κάθε απόσπασμα μπορώ να πω ότι υπήρξαν σημάδια προχειροδουλειάς και βιασύνης .

[Sundria (Sundi) McCormick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good easy read but really predictable. I knew instantly who she would end up with and who was the Betrayer. Not predictable enough to not finish it, but already knew how things would go. Still a great easy read.

[Sara Elfellah · Rating 3 out of 5]

بعض روايات دانييل ستيل متعة لا تضاهيها سوى البراوني المحلى و قهوة المساء

[Mariana Sirbu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very boring...nothing happens!!! It is just a commercial book, not Danielle Steel at all! I usually enjoy reading her novels, this one is a real failure!

[Katlego Molatlhegi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Motho ga itsiwe ese naga. Motswana a buile.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked it

[Toby Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.81191038015 stars
I do love that I know what I’m getting whenever I crack into a Danielle Steel book

[Carol Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it's main character Tallie is a film producer and it follows her relationship with the people she lovesand trusts in her life and the outcome of their actions on her.

[Chloe Crew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting and I was invested in it until about page 300. It did get a little slow and I agree with the other reviews that it could’ve been cut short of 100 pages. However, it was a nice ending.