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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Loved loved loved. Especially loved the authors note at the end! Make sure to read it if you choose to read this book!
PSA: read outside your comfort zone! If I wouldn’t have, I would have never gotten to experience this wonderful story.
This book was so so good. I am normally a thriller reader and chose this as my Book of the Month for January (I know, I was shocked too) - I’m so happy I did. The drama, the time period, the fashion, the art and some mystery had me in a trance. I highly recommend this!
Fiona is a beautiful writer and I will be sure to keep my eyes peeled for more opportunities to read her work.
This book was so so good. I am normally a thriller reader and chose this as my Book of the Month for January (I know, I was shocked too) - I’m so happy I did. The drama, the time period, the fashion, the art and some mystery had me in a trance. I highly recommend this!
Fiona is a beautiful writer and I will be sure to keep my eyes peeled for more opportunities to read her work.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My third book by this author and it’s stunning. I love the ability the writer has to create complicated characters. I love the peak into these artistic worlds and the two different timelines connecting.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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:
Yes
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My third book by this author and it’s stunning. I love the ability the writer has to create complicated characters. I love the peak into these artistic worlds and the two different timelines connecting.
I just love the style and historical layers of Fiona Davis' novels! In her author's note, she states that her inspiration for this story began after taking a tour of the Frick Collection. She had looked up at the front entrance and wondered what would have happened had the model who posed for the pediment above the door had crossed paths with the headstrong daughter of Henry Clay Frick. That moment set into motion the story of "The Magnolia Palace," where model Lillian (aka as the mysterious Angelica - the infamous woman who poses for artist's statues all around the city) finds herself fleeing from a murder investigation and working as the upper class private secretary to Helen Frick.
Dually told is the story of Veronica, a model visiting New York City in 1966 from overseas, who is there in hopes of earning money to help her family. She is attending a shoot at the Frick Museum & library when a disagreement finds her separated from the group and trapped within the museum when a snow storm hits. The two stories mirror each other in many ways while weaving through some of the history of the Frick family. It is historical fiction, mystery and romance all merged together into one wonderfully told story. The characters are imperfect and well developed, and I found myself intrigued and guessing until the end.
I've read that other reviewers felt this was a slow burn... To me it was not this way at all. I suppose if you are accustomed to thrillers, that is not the pace or climax that you are going to find here and it could possibly feel slow. However, if you enjoy historical fiction and art and the exploration of relationships between characters, with a bit of mystery framed within that, then this one is a real winner.
Dually told is the story of Veronica, a model visiting New York City in 1966 from overseas, who is there in hopes of earning money to help her family. She is attending a shoot at the Frick Museum & library when a disagreement finds her separated from the group and trapped within the museum when a snow storm hits. The two stories mirror each other in many ways while weaving through some of the history of the Frick family. It is historical fiction, mystery and romance all merged together into one wonderfully told story. The characters are imperfect and well developed, and I found myself intrigued and guessing until the end.
I've read that other reviewers felt this was a slow burn... To me it was not this way at all. I suppose if you are accustomed to thrillers, that is not the pace or climax that you are going to find here and it could possibly feel slow. However, if you enjoy historical fiction and art and the exploration of relationships between characters, with a bit of mystery framed within that, then this one is a real winner.