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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
DNF. I just couldn't get myself to care for either POV. The character backstory and descriptions of the present moment felt at odds and a bit forced. Also neither time period felt immersive enough
for me.
for me.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fiona Davis has, once again, hit it out of the park. This may be my new favorite from her — it’s hard to beat out THE MASTERPIECE and THE LIONS OF FIFITH AVENUE, though this one may knock both of those down my list.
Why I love Fiona Davis: her books are formulaic-esque without seeming overdone. What I mean is, each book has two POVs and most of them happen during two different time periods. The way she uses these two POVs to make two great separate stories that intermix to make an even better singular story is some kind of magic that I cannot do justice.
If you’ve not read a book by her, I highly suggest starting with this one. THE MAGNOLIA PALACE really shows off her cleverness with story telling while giving us some amazing characters that you will love.
First, we are introduced to Lillian. Lillian is known around town as Angelica, a muse for many different artists whose likeness can be found at many different locations across the city in the form of beautiful statues. Recently, she lost her mother and her landlord has been using her grief to his advantage. While she never had plans to have any sort of relationship with the man, she is inserted into a murder investigation as the (possible) Other Woman once the landlord’s wife is discovered murdered. Trying to escape, she finds herself outside the Frick residence. Confused as an applicant for the job opening of private secretary for Hellen Frick, Lillian finds herself rushed into the house (her likeness on display outside) and stumbles into a job that can help her stay in hiding and maybe get out of the city.
In 1966, we meet Veronica, an up-and-coming model who has come from London to New York City to participate in a shooting for Vogue at the Frick museum. Veronica starts the shoot off on the wrong foot and eventually, after standing up to the photographer, is asked to step off set. Veronica hides in a room, waiting for the shoot to finish so she and the girls and crew can get on the train for the next stop. While on hiding, she finds notes that were part of a scavenger hunt and loses track of time while reading them. Once she finishes her reading, she heads downstairs to find that she is locked in, alone, and a winter storm has brought in a blackout. She soon discovers she isn’t alone: one of the archivist for the museum, Joshua, had stayed late working, fell asleep, and is also locked in with her. Eventually, Veronica shares with him her discovery and together they work to complete the scavenger hunt, trying to discover the secrets left in the Frick mansion.
This book brings in a lot of my loves: books, art, libraries, archives. It truly had everything I wanted from this story — and more.
The mystery is wonderful and paced well. Davis really hit a home run with this one!
THE MAGNOLIA PALACE will be published January 25th and I highly recommend going to pick up a copy or grabbing it from your library ASAP! Thank you Netgalley and Dutton Books for my eARC!
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes