Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of Queen of Diamonds (House of Cards, Bk 3)

Queen of Diamonds (House of Cards, Bk 3)
jjares avatar reviewed on + 3414 more book reviews


FYI: Read these three novels in order; they build upon each other (see list below).

This is a very satisfying conclusion to the HOUSE OF CARDS Series. Three year-old Lottie is the only survivor of a carriage accident. Dennis Godfrey, who stole her, gave her to his spinster sister, Molly, to raise. Godfrey and his partner, Ezra "Ize" Iscoll, blackmailed the person who wanted the carriage stopped. Every few months, Mary collected the blackmail money and used it to raise Lottie,

When the child asked about her family, Molly constructed a fairy-tale family; her father was in the military and was killed in action. Molly hired tutors, taught her manners and also taught Queenie her trade -- sewing. Molly changed the child's name to 'Queenie' and life went on for several years -- until Molly was on her death bed. Molly told Queenie that she'd never married, and then died.

Eventually, Queenie went to London and stayed with her friend Hellen Pettigrew. She was the daughter of a prostitute and Hellen plans to go into the trade too. Ize convinces Queenie that she was part of a con to collect the huge reward offered by the Endicotts. However, it fell through and Molly just kept the child. Queenie had heard a rumor that the missing child had died; she wanted to go to the Endicotts and tell them about the con and the child'd death. Ize refused to allow it and said she would be arrested for being part of the con.

When Queenie heard that the Endicotts were searching for a seamstress named Queenie, she thought they were looking to arrest her, so she escaped to France. When she returned, Queenie had a totally new persona, black hair (instead of blond) and a new name, Madame Denise Lescartes.

Lord Harkness is in London, looking for his brother-in-law, who stole the family diamonds and left his sister. While searching, he notices Madame Denise and is instantly smitten. It isn't long before the feelings are mutual. However, Denise/Queenie is dedicated to creating a thriving business for herself and she does not want to get involved with Harry Harkness.

House of Cards Trilogy
1. Ace of Hearts (2005)
2. Jack of Clubs (2006)
3. Queen of Diamonds (2006)