The Black Diamonds

by Jennie Gallant

Sylvia Thompson, using the name Jane Bingham, became nursemaid to Bobby Palin in order to find out what had really happened to her sister, Bobby's former helper. In no time she found herself in love with her employer, suspicious of his second wife, and horrified by her sister's fate--which might have been sealed by the infamous black diamond mourning ring. Victorian Gothic by Joan Smith, writing as Jennie Gallant; originally published by Fawcett Crest

Genres: Regency, Gothic, Mystery

432 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1981

About the author

Jennie Gallant is a pseudonym for Joan Smith

Reviews

[Megzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Flo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is so different from most of Joan Smith's Regency novels, I could even imagine it was written by someone else. (Jennie Gallant!) Firstly, it takes place during Victoria's reign and not during the Regency of George III. Second, it is a murder mystery so our female protagonist is totally without humor since it seems her own sister has been killed. Third, our male protagonist seems dull as dishwater. I kept hoping for a different hero to come rushing up to save the novel, but alas, not to be. I cannot recommend this one.

[Jackieannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Victorian Gothic, dark and brooding and improbable, but entertaining.