This wasn't bad but just a bit lackluster. There waa no real throughline to the plot, just following the trials and tribulations of Noelle, daughter of famous actress Desiree. Holt seems to have recycled bits from some other books and none of the characters really shone. Just a pedestrian effort. I think by this point in the late 80s/early 90s, she didn't have much more new and interesting to write.

I consider “Daughter of Deceit” as one of Ms Holt’s weakest novels. This is owing to predictability, repeating information, and lack of excitement.

One element I expect from a Holt novel – even the lesser ones – is suspense. This is the author’s forte, yet suspense is absent for much of the time in this novel.

A couple of scenes here and there are good, but on the whole it lacks sparkle.

Oh yes, and it's *not* set on the eve of World War One as advertised in some cases. It's mainly set during the 1860s & '70s. ( )

good novel - Noelle - trials + life

Noelle Tremaston's charmed yet unconventional life as the daughter of the infamous Desiree, darling of the London stage, comes crashing to a halt when her mother takes in a struggling ingenue and disaster strikes. Noelle flees to Paris where, on the eve of World War I, a bizarre twist of fate will lead her into unsolved mysteries -- and the arms of love.

NIL