What do you think?
Rate this book
The Raj Hotel #3
The Diamond Daughter
In this emotional story set in 1946 post-war India, can a woman’s quest for love survive shocking secrets and betrayal?
Filled with excitement and a little trepidation, Jeanie Munro is returning to India and her husband Mungo, having been forced apart from him by the long years of the Second World War. She has high hopes of helping him with his new role as headmaster of the prestigious Nicholson’s School in the idyllic setting of Murree in the foothills of the Himalayas. Together, they can start their longed-for family. But post-war India is in a ferment of change and the undercurrents of tension begin to disturb their tranquil outpost. Still grieving for her beloved brother, killed in action in the recent war, Jeanie – vivacious and optimistic by nature – tries to make the most of her new life. But after serving in the Anti-Aircraft Brigade during the war, she is no longer the biddable, naive young wife who left India in 1939 and finds life at Nicholson’s restrictive and lonely. Despite Mungo disapproving of them, her only true friends are the Lomaxes, a family haunted by scandal and owners of the glamorous Raj Hotel in Rawalpindi. Invited to the Raj for an Anglo-Indian wedding, Jeanie finds escape and enjoyment among this vibrant mixed-race community – and is especially drawn to handsome, fun-loving Rick – but knows that duty must not allow their mutual attraction to grow. Then, just as Jeanie is becoming reconciled to her lot, explosive, long-buried secrets come to light that shake her world to the core – and leave her facing the hardest decisions of her life.
Filled with excitement and a little trepidation, Jeanie Munro is returning to India and her husband Mungo, having been forced apart from him by the long years of the Second World War. She has high hopes of helping him with his new role as headmaster of the prestigious Nicholson’s School in the idyllic setting of Murree in the foothills of the Himalayas. Together, they can start their longed-for family. But post-war India is in a ferment of change and the undercurrents of tension begin to disturb their tranquil outpost. Still grieving for her beloved brother, killed in action in the recent war, Jeanie – vivacious and optimistic by nature – tries to make the most of her new life. But after serving in the Anti-Aircraft Brigade during the war, she is no longer the biddable, naive young wife who left India in 1939 and finds life at Nicholson’s restrictive and lonely. Despite Mungo disapproving of them, her only true friends are the Lomaxes, a family haunted by scandal and owners of the glamorous Raj Hotel in Rawalpindi. Invited to the Raj for an Anglo-Indian wedding, Jeanie finds escape and enjoyment among this vibrant mixed-race community – and is especially drawn to handsome, fun-loving Rick – but knows that duty must not allow their mutual attraction to grow. Then, just as Jeanie is becoming reconciled to her lot, explosive, long-buried secrets come to light that shake her world to the core – and leave her facing the hardest decisions of her life.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2021
217 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Janet MacLeod Trotter
47 books365 followersJanet was brought up in the North East of England with her four brothers, by Scottish parents. She is a best-selling author of 24 books, including the hugely popular INDIA TEA SERIES, THE JARROW TRILOGY and a childhood memoir, BEATLES & CHIEFS, which was featured on BBC Radio Four. Her novel, THE HUNGRY HILLS, gained her a place on the shortlist of The Sunday Times’ Young Writers’ Award, and the TEA PLANTER’S DAUGHTER and IN THE FAR PASHMINA MOUNTAINS were nominated for the RNA Historical Novel Award. Her India-set novels, such as THE RAJ HOTEL SERIES, are inspired by her grandparents who lived and worked in India from the 1920s to '50s.
A graduate of Edinburgh University, she has been editor of the Clan MacLeod Magazine, a columnist on the Newcastle Journal and has had numerous short stories published in women’s magazines. Aged 18 she climbed on a bus and went to Kathmandu - the result was a mystery novel, THE VANISHING OF RUTH. Her second mystery, THE HAUNTING OF KULAH is set on the remote Outer Isles of Scotland. She has also written a Scottish historical novel, THE JACOBITE LASS, based on the epic story of Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald.
A graduate of Edinburgh University, she has been editor of the Clan MacLeod Magazine, a columnist on the Newcastle Journal and has had numerous short stories published in women’s magazines. Aged 18 she climbed on a bus and went to Kathmandu - the result was a mystery novel, THE VANISHING OF RUTH. Her second mystery, THE HAUNTING OF KULAH is set on the remote Outer Isles of Scotland. She has also written a Scottish historical novel, THE JACOBITE LASS, based on the epic story of Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 18, 2023
*Revelations*
This instalment marks the end of the trilogy. It had a different feel to it as it concentrated on Jeanie Munro. It seemed strange at first but towards the end there are revelations after revelations then we see why it was important to have her feature in the story. There are more lies and deceptions and a fitting end to trilogy. I would say stick with it and all will be revealed. I won’t say more as it will spoil it for those who have read or about to read this series.
This instalment marks the end of the trilogy. It had a different feel to it as it concentrated on Jeanie Munro. It seemed strange at first but towards the end there are revelations after revelations then we see why it was important to have her feature in the story. There are more lies and deceptions and a fitting end to trilogy. I would say stick with it and all will be revealed. I won’t say more as it will spoil it for those who have read or about to read this series.
December 2, 2021
What an ending to the series!!!!
Found a bit slow to get into at the beginning, otherwise it would have been 5*
Found a bit slow to get into at the beginning, otherwise it would have been 5*
December 11, 2022
I was a little disappointed in this third book in the Raj Hotel Series because in the beginning it didn’t really link to the two earlier books. It wasn’t a bad read as it dealt with some of the social and political issues taking place in India after WWII and the second half did tie it back to the original story. I felt that the series could have finished at the end of Book 2.
January 16, 2022
Disappointed with this one. For starters it didn't follow the next generation like book 2 had from book 1, it followed minor characters instead which I hadn't already got an affinity with. Then there were three bombshells right near the end, the first I'd already guessed about Mungo so wasn't a bombshell as such, the other two relating to news from Clara (trying not to include any spoilers here!).What is unbelievable is why Clara waited until now to divulge this, but even then it wasn't believable because why would she reveal only one bombshell and not the other? And when Jeanie found out the third bombshell (which seemed pretty much immediately afterwards) she forgave Clara. No I'm sorry it just didn't hang true at this point for me. Clearly written by someone who has never had anything like that sprung on them or known anyone that has, because if they did they'd know emotions don't fall back into place within a couple of pages! And then the whole book has to be brought together to tie up the story's loose ends by Jeanie writing a letter to her deceased brother?!! Really disappointing, wish I'd finished the series after the first two.
December 4, 2025
Ergreifender Abschluss
Mit „Diamanthelle Träume“ findet die zauberhafte „Neubeginn in Indien“-Reihe von Janet MacLeod Trotter nun ihr ergreifendes Ende. In diesem Band geht es um Jeanie, die ins Nachkriegs-Indien von 1945 zurückkehrt, wo ihr Ehemann auf sie wartet. Doch das Lebensglück, auf das sie gehofft hat, will sich nicht einstellen. Als sie auf den charismatischen Rick trifft, der für sie kein Unbekannter ist, nimmt das Schicksal seinen Lauf …
Mir gefällt, wie die Autorin reale politische Hintergründe mit einer fiktiven Geschichte verknüpft und daraus eine realistische Handlung konzipiert hat. Jeanie ist eine sympathische Figur, mit der ich gehofft und gebangt habe. Viele berührende, emotionale Themen kommen zur Sprache und das vor einer spannenden historischen Kulisse.
Der Schreibstil liest sich flüssig, eingängig und transportiert gut die Emotionen. Die Handlung ist nicht ganz neu, auch teilweise sehr vorhersehbar, dennoch habe ich mich gut unterhalten gefühlt. Eine schöne Trilogie mit rundem Abschluss.
Mit „Diamanthelle Träume“ findet die zauberhafte „Neubeginn in Indien“-Reihe von Janet MacLeod Trotter nun ihr ergreifendes Ende. In diesem Band geht es um Jeanie, die ins Nachkriegs-Indien von 1945 zurückkehrt, wo ihr Ehemann auf sie wartet. Doch das Lebensglück, auf das sie gehofft hat, will sich nicht einstellen. Als sie auf den charismatischen Rick trifft, der für sie kein Unbekannter ist, nimmt das Schicksal seinen Lauf …
Mir gefällt, wie die Autorin reale politische Hintergründe mit einer fiktiven Geschichte verknüpft und daraus eine realistische Handlung konzipiert hat. Jeanie ist eine sympathische Figur, mit der ich gehofft und gebangt habe. Viele berührende, emotionale Themen kommen zur Sprache und das vor einer spannenden historischen Kulisse.
Der Schreibstil liest sich flüssig, eingängig und transportiert gut die Emotionen. Die Handlung ist nicht ganz neu, auch teilweise sehr vorhersehbar, dennoch habe ich mich gut unterhalten gefühlt. Eine schöne Trilogie mit rundem Abschluss.
March 8, 2024
loved it, great story to follow the other two.
I love reading the new generations stories, with little tidbits and turns from the old ones. I especially loved the historical and cultural elements of the books. Makes me want to dive deeper into it all.
This one didn’t have audio, for which I was a bit disappointed. I had really gotten used to all the lovely voices narrating the first two. It took me a little longer to get through it because I couldn’t listen, but still only took 2 days 🤣. Didn’t matter, I loved it anyways! I believe there is a 4th and if so, I can’t wait to read it!
I love reading the new generations stories, with little tidbits and turns from the old ones. I especially loved the historical and cultural elements of the books. Makes me want to dive deeper into it all.
This one didn’t have audio, for which I was a bit disappointed. I had really gotten used to all the lovely voices narrating the first two. It took me a little longer to get through it because I couldn’t listen, but still only took 2 days 🤣. Didn’t matter, I loved it anyways! I believe there is a 4th and if so, I can’t wait to read it!
September 2, 2022
What can I say? I, who once read only high literature, have become a sucker for historical romances, especially those by Trotter and the Raj period in India. There always predictable elements in such novels, such as the main character's falling out with her self-righteous, judgmental and eventually revealed as hypocritical husband, and her falling into the arms of her compassionate, lively, younger and more handsome man. There is always the colonial element-the husband is British to the core, the other Is Anglo Indian, which adds color and interest. And I do love a ha-ppy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2022
Diamond Daughter
What a fabulous story! This was another book in this series that I did not want to put down. I was reading it while on my way to a birthday party during a sad scene which had me crying. This book is full of love, happiness and life. The characters are entertaining, interesting and engaging. As I am sitting here writing this review, I am wondering what I will read next. I feel a little let down because I am sure that it won't be as good as this series.
What a fabulous story! This was another book in this series that I did not want to put down. I was reading it while on my way to a birthday party during a sad scene which had me crying. This book is full of love, happiness and life. The characters are entertaining, interesting and engaging. As I am sitting here writing this review, I am wondering what I will read next. I feel a little let down because I am sure that it won't be as good as this series.
January 10, 2024
Surprise Ending
without giving too much of way, you have to really stick this book to the end you will be utterly surprised, and utterly amazed, and utterly thankful that the author was able to bring this story to such a close, I couldn’t think of how she could keep going after book 3 it’s an amazing ending that makes you feel like you have come to an end of a great three part series.
without giving too much of way, you have to really stick this book to the end you will be utterly surprised, and utterly amazed, and utterly thankful that the author was able to bring this story to such a close, I couldn’t think of how she could keep going after book 3 it’s an amazing ending that makes you feel like you have come to an end of a great three part series.
January 3, 2022
Another book that is hard to put down.
This brings together in a fascinating way all the threads of the books in the series. So descriptive you can imagine the scenes. Sensitively and beautifully written the story unravels in a way you don’t expect and finishes in a happy ending.
.
This brings together in a fascinating way all the threads of the books in the series. So descriptive you can imagine the scenes. Sensitively and beautifully written the story unravels in a way you don’t expect and finishes in a happy ending.
.
January 18, 2022
The Diamond Daughter - A page turner
The Diamond Daughter is the best of the 3 books in the Raj Hotel series. The first book was a bit slow; however the second book held my interest and the 3 book I was unable to put it down. I was up at 3am reading. I was sad when it ended. Highly recommend this series.
The Diamond Daughter is the best of the 3 books in the Raj Hotel series. The first book was a bit slow; however the second book held my interest and the 3 book I was unable to put it down. I was up at 3am reading. I was sad when it ended. Highly recommend this series.
May 22, 2022
Kindle. Another wonderful story about the extended family and the Lomaxes. This is the Scottish Jeanie point of view. With absent husband Munro. All the books are complicated love triangles but fun to see how all connected as the story unfolds and are filled with such rich history of Hindu and Muslim conflict as British rule ends 1948-1950
November 23, 2021
Yet another page Turner about life at the Raj hotels.
I choose this rating because I couldn't put the book down. I was in the story with all the characters. Each one charismatic and beliveable.
I choose this rating because I couldn't put the book down. I was in the story with all the characters. Each one charismatic and beliveable.
February 12, 2023
Wonderful 3 book series!
The Emerald Affair, The Sapphire Child and The Diamond Daughter take place in Scotland and India. With believable characters, many surprises and wonderful endings, these books were an excellent reading experience!
The Emerald Affair, The Sapphire Child and The Diamond Daughter take place in Scotland and India. With believable characters, many surprises and wonderful endings, these books were an excellent reading experience!
September 29, 2023
The continuation of love and family in India
Generations come together in surprising ways. Secrets are revealed bringing sorrow and joy. All are caught up in the throes of India’s struggle for independence.
Generations come together in surprising ways. Secrets are revealed bringing sorrow and joy. All are caught up in the throes of India’s struggle for independence.
November 16, 2021
Loved this final book in the series Fantastic read and i couldn't put it down till I had finished it
November 18, 2021
Really enjoyed this series!! It kept me interested at all times!!
November 30, 2021
Enjoyable
If you have enjoyed Janet MacLeod Trotter's other books you must read this one. The story is compelling. She is excellent at wrapping everything together in the end.
If you have enjoyed Janet MacLeod Trotter's other books you must read this one. The story is compelling. She is excellent at wrapping everything together in the end.
Read
December 10, 2021Story of the ups and downs of a loving family
I love Novel series that take you through a family learning to love and care for them including facts of history
I love Novel series that take you through a family learning to love and care for them including facts of history
December 14, 2021
Perfect ending to this series. Having read mostly all of Ms. MacLeod Trotter's books this one was just as enjoyable like all the others. Looking forward to more of her work.
Michele Zito
Michele Zito
December 17, 2021
Great read
I loved the whole series a raj. The dot.ries keep,p absorb to the very end with so many Twists and turns. Great read.
I loved the whole series a raj. The dot.ries keep,p absorb to the very end with so many Twists and turns. Great read.
December 26, 2021
Another good one !
Teary eyed at the happy ending, so many twists & turns, convoluted family connections, loved it as much as it’s two previous volumes…
Teary eyed at the happy ending, so many twists & turns, convoluted family connections, loved it as much as it’s two previous volumes…
December 28, 2021
Tied up all the ends
There were times as a modern woman
I wanted Jeanie to stand up to her husband however, all the knots untied and the ends were tidied
There were times as a modern woman
I wanted Jeanie to stand up to her husband however, all the knots untied and the ends were tidied
February 13, 2022
A great end to the trilogy. All loose ends tied up in respect of family relationships. The pain of Indian independence leading to partition was there.
April 25, 2022
A satisfying conclusion to this 3 part series! Historically accurate and an interesting storyline with all loose ends neatly sewn up!
May 4, 2022
Betty Z
Great read , couldn't put this book down. Story lines were terrific, kept you wanting to keep turning pages. You will not be disappointed.
Great read , couldn't put this book down. Story lines were terrific, kept you wanting to keep turning pages. You will not be disappointed.
September 12, 2022
Final of 3
Excellent book that brought the two prior ones into a well rounded story with wonderful surprises of forever lasting love even beyond death.
Excellent book that brought the two prior ones into a well rounded story with wonderful surprises of forever lasting love even beyond death.
September 24, 2022
The Diamond Daughter
I loved reading this novel. It brought India alive....Really seeing the characters and places.
Can't wait to start the next novel.
I loved reading this novel. It brought India alive....Really seeing the characters and places.
Can't wait to start the next novel.
Read
January 6, 2023Wonderful
Janet Trotter is an amazing story teller. The unexpected twists and turns in her novels keeps me turning the pages and anticipating more from this gifted author!
Janet Trotter is an amazing story teller. The unexpected twists and turns in her novels keeps me turning the pages and anticipating more from this gifted author!
January 16, 2023
Great read
I loved how this all came together! All 3 books were a great read. The last book is definitely my favorite of the three.
I loved how this all came together! All 3 books were a great read. The last book is definitely my favorite of the three.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews