The Devil's Daughter

by Danielle Steel

A stunning new novel from Danielle Steel, whose countless #1 New York Times bestselling novels have made her one of America’s favorite storytellers.

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Fiction, Family Drama, Contemporary, Book Club, Medical

240 pages, Hardcover

Published January 13, 2026

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

[Lauren Vasquez · Rating 2 out of 5]

The character development was so basic, I didn’t feel anything for any of them. It was a quick read but almost seemed like an amateur author not a DS.

[Alex (Alex's Version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not bad, it’s not great either. You could see the ending a mile away.

[Laura Often · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh wow. I mean I haven't read Danielle Steele in a long time but this was just bad. Like really really bad. Good on her for having such a successful writing career. I'm jealous.

[Heather Putnam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - not my most favorite but I read it in one afternoon/evening. Like most Danielle Steel books, it was enjoyable but not life changing. This one had more spice then most of her other books.

[Barbara Dougherty Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. Recommend

A really quick read. Took me a day. I read non stop. I loved the character descriptions. Danielle does repeat herself quite a bit. The same information is given over and over again. The book could have probably been chopped to about half the size if the repetition were eliminated.

Overall a good read. I csn recommend.

[Lorraine Bishop · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t hate many books. The storyline was fun. But I felt Nothing for any of the characters.

[Lauren Niewold · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I haven’t read anything Danielle Steel, but I started to get annoyed before the halfway point because dialogue, character descriptions, and the differences between Billie and Mickie were recycled and regurgitated so many times, I felt like I was reading the same paragraphs over and over even though the page numbers were increasing. Then, Jason got gross by describing how he preferred Billie [to Mickie] while at the pool “in her faded blue bathing suit from high school, and her almost adolescent body”. I gagged and nearly threw the book. He’s 33. This was not the story I signed up for! Still… halfway to the end, I continue reading…

More of the same: themes of loneliness, my childhood sucked, I’m not like everyone else, narcissism, wild sex with graphically non-descriptive vocabulary (eventually it gets there), shopping.

Finally the big reveal and ending, and I realize this is not going to be like a psychological thriller. There will be no closure. I have questions, but all I get is a Lifetime ending with surprise Korean mob after reading the same lines for the past several hours. This could have been so much more.

[Katrina (Catching up on Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit underwhelming

[Suzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

An evil and a good sister. Predictable but always fun to read the occasional Danielle Steel. This is not one of her best however.

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil’s Daughter is a heartbreaking, complex, and emotional story. This is actually my first Danielle Steel novel, and aside from being fast-paced, its premise and plot were surprisingly well-developed and thoughtfully crafted. I really appreciated how the author didn’t force any perfect bond between the sisters, one smart and cliché, the other stunning and ambitious. They’re two very different women who walked through life in their own ways, carrying their own scars, yet somehow managed to survive it all.

Crime books are not usually my cup of tea, but this one exceeded my expectations and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved all the glimpses into the luxury lifestyle of Mickie: glamour, wealth, and all the shiny things but I also enjoyed the contrast of the quieter, more ordinary side of Billie's life. That balance made the story feel grounded. It’s a fascinating read that offers plenty of life and family lessons without feeling preachy.

What I enjoyed:
• The luxury lifestyle of Mickie
• The mundanity and groundedness of Billie’s
• The warmth of a newfound family

What didn’t sit right:
• The third-person narrative (felt a bit distant at times)
• The tragic ending of a dear friend
• Their father’s lack of care and emotional presence

Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 4⭐️
• Characters: 4⭐️
• Writing: 4⭐️
• Message: 4⭐️
• Overall: 4⭐️

To sum it up, this is a highly recommended read for anyone who enjoys emotional, character-driven stories about sibling rivalry and family dynamics. It’s quick, straightforward, and genuinely a page-turner. Huge thanks to Pan MacMillan Australia and author Danielle Steel for my copy, this does not change my views or opinions about the book.

~JaNnA~

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book from Danielle Steel that I have listened/Read in years. I listened to the audio from Libby. I really did enjoy the storyline and Ms. Steel has always been a phenomenal storyteller. The characters & storyline definitely held my interest. These two sisters couldn’t be more different. As the reader, you just kind of sat back and was wondering where the story was gonna go. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions definitely had thriller aspects and it’s share of romance as well. It was like a cat and mouse game in some regards with wondering what was going to happen next. I will say that Mickie & Billie could not be more different in the sisters department. It makes me very fortunate for the relationship that I have with my sister. Recommend this book I look forward to looking into her books that I have not read or read ones I read in my early twenties.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall the plot was good. The writing and/or editing was rather poor. The characters' descriptions and the nature of the sisters' relationship were repeated numerous times. One couple had sex every other page, it seemed. I'm not sure why this book is called "The Devil's Daughter." We barely met the sisters' father and, while troubled, he didn't seem evil or devilish. One of the sisters was incredibly narcissistic, but not devil's spawn. Thankfully, the book is fast-paced and I didn't suffer long.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evil Sister

Daniel Steel always knows how to hook me and she did it with this novel about two very different sisters. Mickie is the younger sister who is living in LA trying to model and make it big. Billie is the older sister just graduating MIT and trying hard to find a job in Boston where she wants to stay but its not working out. Then Mickie calls and invites her to LA to get a job there and pay half the rent. Although sceptical, she doesn't have another option. Things are going great and the sisters are really getting along and then Mickie meets Dr. Alexander Addison who will change her life and who Billie instantly doesn't trust. He is an anti-aging doctor giving women these incredible treatments that make them younger and he has his formula under lock and key. Billie ends up meeting a guy, that she gets close to. The sisters drift apart. Will they end up living separate lives?

[Julie Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid story from Danielle Steel about two sisters who couldn't be more different. Billie, 22, is well educated, loving, and grounded, while Mickie, 19, is self-centered, morally bankrupt, and incapable of caring for others. The ending was not predictable. Until the very last chapter, I was wondering how it would work out between the two sisters, and whether there would be an epiphany for Mickie and an eleventh-hour reconciliation between the two. You'll have to read the book to find out. This book is also filled with intrigue and revelations that will keep the reader interested and speculating until the very end.

[Brandy Lemire · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! I liked this book better than some of her most recent ones. This was a good read overall

[paige (ptsungirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shockingly good read by the end! Seemingly without consequences, and a bit underwhelming in the end. but I ended up liking it in the end.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two sisters torn apart by a dead mother and a drunk of a father try to become closer but the past gets in the way.

[Tina Prince · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Dorothy Rosenbaum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really wonder why I sometimes finish books. Transparent and overly physical.

[Angela Stillson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty quick read. Not my favorite Danielle Steel book but I definitely found it interesting.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5 stars I think is more fair. I really liked it. Short, sweet, interesting, not run of the mill…. I’m guna pick up another Danielle Steel book I think.

[Doris Kinsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feeling Conflicted

As I read this book, I kept thinking "Danielle Steel didn't write this book" as it was so far from her usual books. The storyline was interesting but the sexual references were far more graphic than in previous books. It was a bit far fetched and predictable.

I'll continue to read Ms. Steel's books but hope the next one is more like the genre I have read in the past.

[Jaclyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

What did I just read? Maybe I should wait awhile before writing this review so it’s not so scathing, but I’m too annoyed and want to get my thoughts down.

I finished this book feeling genuinely confused, especially by the extremely high ratings. First of all, a minor annoyance was that for a book that’s supposedly about two sisters, the choice to have the narration done by a man was an odd and disappointing decision. Secondly, based on the title and synopsis, I went in expecting a dark, twisted story centered on an evil sister. Instead, what I got was a selfish, narcissistic character who was described as evil…but never actually was. And to make it even more baffling, she barely played a meaningful role in the story at all!! I think she maybe had a few lines from her POV and the rest were from her bf’s or sister’s perspective. If anything, her boyfriend was the real villain, while she was just along for the ride. I was expecting something far more complex and intense…like Eve and Alexandra from Sidney Sheldon’s Master of the Game (IYKYK). That kind of layered, toxic, unforgettable sister relationship never materialized here. There was no suspense and hardly even a plot. I kept waiting for something to happen…some twist, some escalation, something…but it never came. By the 75% mark, I already knew I was going to be angry at the ending because the story had gone nowhere…and unfortunately, I was right. The ending was deeply unsatisfying. Overall, this book felt misleading from start to finish. The premise sounded way better than it actually was. Disappointing doesn’t even begin to cover it. What kept it from being a 1 ⭐️ is that I didn’t want to DNF it…I just kept wanting something to happen between the sisters.

[Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just so so, not a read I’d recommend by far.

[Melissa Trevelion · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devils Daughter by American author Danille Steel is a gripping blend of family drama, psychological suspense and emotional healing.

Billie and Mickie Banks grew up in a small farm in the American Midwest, after their mother’s death their father struggled with alcoholism effecting his physical and mental health. Despite Billie’s attempts to look after Mickie, her sister consistently treated her with cruelty, and their lives went in dramatically different directions.

Billie is kind, loving, and academically gifted having graduated magna cum laude from MIT with a background in science, she yearns for a happy life. Mickie who lives for glamour, attention, and personal gratification moves to LA to become a star, with her good looks she becomes a model.

After years of distance, Mickie invites her older sister to move to Los Angeles, offering what appears to be a chance at reconciliation and a fresh start. When Billie joins Mickie, she grows increasingly concerned about her sister’s new lifestyle and her boyfriend Alex Addison a surgeon who has something to hide. Tension escalates when a scandal threatens to destroy Mickie’s glamorous world, forcing both sisters to confront difficult truths.

The narrative moves forward in time which makes the story easy to follow and allows the emotional consequences of events to unfold naturally. Moral clarity plays a big role and how harmful choices have consequences, reinforcing themes of accountability, compassion and personal integrity. I enjoyed the contrast between the two sisters. Steel’s strength lies in her ability to craft characters who feel vividly human, even when flawed.

Billie earnestness and perseverance make her easy to root for, she is intelligent, disciplined, and deeply compassionate but her greatest weakness is her loyalty. Billie repeatedly gives Mickie the benefit of the doubt, even when it costs her peace, security, and self-worth. This makes her painfully human and easy to empathise with.

In sharp contrast, Mickie is darker and disturbing. She is manipulative, lacks empathy and is relentlessly self-interested, thriving on attention and control. Using people as tools rather than forming genuine connections, her cruelty is wrapped in charm and entitlement.

The supporting cast of characters adds depth and conflict, enriching the story’s emotional landscape. From the father representing unresolved loss and emotional neglect to Alex as a clear antagonist embodying manipulation and abuse of power. Other secondary figures are not deeply complex but are essential in advancing the plot.


I have been a fan of Danielle Steel for decades, well known for her romance and drama this novel marks a new chapter with a darker, more contemplative edge. While the narrative may be a bit familiar to those who have read Steel’s past works, the complexity of its themes and the depth of its characters will keep readers engaged from start to finish.

The Devil’s Daughter is a compelling read that delivers a thoughtful exploration of trauma, resilience, and the courage it takes to rewrite your own story. It is a reminder that walking away can be an act of strength, not failure, and that peace is sometimes found not in reconciliation, but in choosing yourself.

If you enjoy character-driven novels with a strong emotional core, I highly recommend.

Thank you, Beauty & Lace and Pan MacMillian Australia for the opportunity to read

[Laci · Rating 4 out of 5]

What really stayed with me was the relationship between the sisters. Billie and Mickie are complete opposites, and watching Billie repeatedly try to protect someone who keeps making dangerous choices was exhausting in a very real way. Billie’s loyalty felt human, but it was also painful to watch her care so deeply for someone who rarely returned that care.

Mickie, on the other hand, is deeply self-absorbed, and that never really changes. From beginning to end, she looks out for herself first. Even after what happens to Alex, her concern isn’t about the damage done or the people hurt. It’s about getting the attention off herself and moving on to the next situation that benefits her. Her involvement with the plastic surgeon and the revelations about his botched surgeries only highlighted how willing she was to ignore red flags as long as the lifestyle and attention suited her. It was frustrating, but also disturbingly realistic.

This is a slow, character-driven story, not a fast-paced one, but the emotional weight carries it. Some parts were predictable, but the consequences felt earned. Overall, it’s a dark, messy, and very human story about loyalty, ambition, and the painful reality that you can’t save someone who refuses to change.

[Latham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not joking when I say the whole first chapter is just "she wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts". And the second chapter is "she's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers".

Then The Devil's Daughter becomes a story of fraud, power and the lengths people will go to achieve aesthetic perfection. Steel is known for her repetition, it's all over the place here and its just how she writes so I don't really mind it, but she namedrops Uber so much over the course of this book you'd think its her second job. The dual narrative between two extremely different sisters does work, despite relying on some very, uhh, outdated and overused stereotypes. It was getting real "she's better known for the things she does on the mattress woah" in here. Anyway I'll stop with the Taylor references. There's also a really random side storyline that one of the sister's has a friend fighting overseas in an "underground anti-terrorist network", and he literally is mentioned twice in the first few chapters, only to be killed off in the last couple pages of the book. The point of him existing at all in the book being?

It's a mess but I had fun.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Their upbringing should have bonded them but sisters Belle and Mickie are polar opposites. Belle seeks a higher education and retreats in books to get through her teenage years until receiving a full scholarship to M.I.T. On the flip side, Mickie's seeks stardom and flees to LA embracing a modeling career with high-fluent clients.

Upon graduation, Belle needs to find a job but Boston proves financially scarce. Fearing she'll need to retreat to the family farm, Mickie calls her from LA and volunteers to share her apartment. Worried that they'll revert to childhood angst, Belle is surprised that things go smoothly until Mickie models for an renowned doctor and embraces his lavish lifestyle.

While Belle settles into her new job, Mickie spends her free time with the handsome surgeon. When Belle learns of a trouble waters, Mickie blames Belle for being jealous of her success. The devil is in the details and Mickie is playing a dangerous game betting everything to win. Will the stakes prove too high or will she stack the deck determined to beat the odds?

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about two sisters and their lives. One graduuated from MIT and the other dropped out of high school to pursue her modeling career. One is a beatiful, gorgeous women and the other is a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. They have never gotten along. One day Mickie calls asks Billie to move in with her to help pay rent on her apartment. Billie moves to Los Angles and things go well for them. Billie finds a job at the hospital and Mickie finds a doctor with lots of money and up and coming research. He uses Mickie as his model for his brochures. Then they move in together and their lives beome one glamourous party after another. She is living the dream of rich clothes and a rich lifestyle. Her sister Billie meets a nice man and they begin dating. The story is about their lives and how they are affected by the doctor. The plot is exciting and you will have to read it to find the conclusion.

[Deborah A. Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Evil Sister

The part of the book I most liked was no matter what Michelle did to distance herself from her annoying, loving older sister, only made her sister love her more. She never gave up on her younger sister even as she moved half way around the world to avoid her live.

No matter what extent the younger sister went to her older sibling the older one worried for her happiness & inability to love.

Throughout the novel various things happened to the younger sister which couldn't be avoided but somehow she always found a way to come out smelling like an innocent rose!!