The Darlings
An absolutely gripping crime thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat
-
-
4.5 • 4 Ratings
-
-
- £2.99
Publisher Description
'Cristina Alger's debut novel offers a fresh and modern glimpse into New York's high society. I was hooked from page one' Lauren Weisberger, author of The Devil Wears Prada
From the author of The Banker's Wife and Girls Like Us comes an explosive drama about family, greed and high society scandal.
The Darlings of New York are untouchable. But no one is safe from a scandal this big.
When Carter Darling's business partner commits suicide, it triggers a huge financial investigation.
The allegations are serious. The danger of it exposing their private lives is equally threatening.
In times of crisis, the Darlings have always stuck together. But with the stakes so high, how long will their loyalty last?
Praise for The Darlings:
'Forget Gossip Girl: If you really want a peek into the scandalous lives of New York City's elite upper class, Alger's debut novel . . . gets you pretty close' Entertainment Weekly
'A suspenseful, twisty story' Wall Street Journal
'Penned by a former banker, this is a dishy yet thoughtful portrait of greed gone too far . . . A page-turner' Good Housekeeping
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Two parts Too Big to Fail, one part The Devil Wears Prada, Alger's debut is taut and compelling. The recession-era Manhattan elite are bruised and a touch less confident than in their heyday, but the summer homes, charity balls, and general extravagance persist and the titular family is still riding high. Alger's portrayal of the magnetic Darlings is convincing, particularly that of Paul Ross. Married to the eldest Darling daughter, he's a self-made man forced to take refuge in the employ of his father-in-law's hedge fund. What unfolds, amid all the character building, is a well-constructed Madoffian financial scandal, with Alger leaning on her knowledge (she is a graduate of NYU Law School and a former analyst for Goldman, Sachs) for verisimilitude that only occasionally overwhelms. Though the plot is bogged down by a secondary cast who come to drive the drama, sophisticated central characterizations make this novel well worth the time; Alger expertly evokes both sympathy and contempt for her characters and writes with a polished ease, telling the story of our time (or a particular glittery, corrupt corner of our time) with a mix of ruthlessness and sensitivity.
