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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I liked it okay, but it dragged a bit in the middle and felt a bit disjointed in parts. It seemed like modern issues were shoehorned in after the book was finished without being planned. Also the 60s parts felt more like modern day.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Magnolia Palace is excellent historical fiction, strongly rooted in facts and actual people from the time periods it is set in. The dual timelines of the story follow Lillian in 1919 and Veronica in 1966. Lillian is known as Angelica and she models nude for great artists in NYC. When her mother dies from the flu epidemic, she is caught in a murder scandal and finds a job in the ultra-wealthy Frick home. There she is able to hide and end up in another tricky situation.
Nearly fifty years later, Veronica is a model visiting NYC from the UK. She finds herself stuck at the Frick museum in the middle of a blizzard after a modeling call gone wrong. As she looks for an escape, she discovers old clues for a scavenger hunt. The way Fiona Davis brings the storylines together is truly well done, and the mystery that is solved is emotional and intriguing.
This is certainly a slow paced historical fiction, but the character development is exceptional and the descriptions of the art work in the Frick home/museum keeps it engaging. If that's what you are in the mood for, this book is a delight.
Nearly fifty years later, Veronica is a model visiting NYC from the UK. She finds herself stuck at the Frick museum in the middle of a blizzard after a modeling call gone wrong. As she looks for an escape, she discovers old clues for a scavenger hunt. The way Fiona Davis brings the storylines together is truly well done, and the mystery that is solved is emotional and intriguing.
This is certainly a slow paced historical fiction, but the character development is exceptional and the descriptions of the art work in the Frick home/museum keeps it engaging. If that's what you are in the mood for, this book is a delight.
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Nothing like a solid mystery told over two timelines to peak my interest! It was a bit of a slow build, but this book really delivered in the end! I very much appreciated the attention to the real life details and inspirations of this story. It truly feels authentic as if it was something that could have actually happened!
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you, Dutton Books, for the gifted copy of Magnolia Palace šø {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: New York, 1916 and 1966
Format: š§
Pub Date: 1.25.2022
Star Rating: āāāā
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: New York, 1916 and 1966
Format: š§
Pub Date: 1.25.2022
Star Rating: āāāā
āThe rich think theyāre protected, that they have magical powers, when theyāre only mortals, like the rest of us. Bodies break down and betray you. People you love die. Children die.ā
Well, folks, I finally got around to reading the Magnolia Palace after it sat on my shelf for a year. I donāt want to admit how often I looked at the stunning book and didnāt pick it up. But Iām so glad I finally read it (well listened to) because it was a delight!
I always love Davisā books as she has a captivating way of bringing history to life through endearing characters, familiar places, and always a hint of mystery. The more I think about it, the more I realize that the historical fiction + mystery mash-up may be my favorite trope.
My only two criticisms about Magnolia Palace are that I did not love Veronicaās character. She lacked the characteristics of the strong female protagonist I could see her being, and I also disagreed with her choices (even if she did try to make up for her actions). The other issue is that the ending felt rushed and too easy. There were a lot of moving pieces that seemed to just come together in an unrealistic way.
If you choose to read Magnolia Palace, which you should, I encourage you to read the Authorās Note at the end. It brought the whole story together and shed some light on a woman from history that was neglected and forgotten.
āš¼Dual timeline (1916 + 1966)
š Family drama with lots of secrets
šÆ Frick Mansion setting
š Historical Fiction + Mystery genre mash-up
I recommend reading Magnolia Palace if you enjoyed reading any of Fiona Davisā other books or are looking for a bit of history and mystery combination from your next read.
_
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