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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I like it. I enjoy the back and forth with the timelines. It was a bit of a slow burn tbh.
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Magnolia Palace is a slow-paced historical fiction novel that follows two timelines.
1919: Lillian, professionally known as Angelica, is a model turned personal secretary. After the death of her mother/manager, Lillian’s career as a sculptor’s muse fizzles out. Unable to pay rent to her scuzzy landlord, he propositions her for a different way to get rent. Lillian sends him a note cheekily turning him down, stating she will come up with the rent money. When her landlord’s wife finds this note, chaos ensues and the wife is murdered. Lillian, terrified of being questioned by the police about her note, escapes and lands a job as Helen Frick’s personal secretary at the Frick Mansion.
1966: Veronica is a fresh-faced British model doing her first photoshoot abroad in New York City at the Frick Museum. After walking off set, she gets lost and trapped during a large blizzard that knocks out the power. Alone in the museum, she meets an intern whose also been snowed in. Together they discover a scavenger hunt that leads them to uncovering the deepest secrets of the Frick Family.
This story was thoughtful, intriguing and had family drama, mystery and murder. Spanning two timelines, we learn about the Frick family, their staff, and their secrets. Fiona Davis is a new author for me and this introduction to her work was beautifully written and timeless. It was slow at times and it took a while to get to the murder and mystery and for that reason I have given this book 4 stars.
Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin House - Dutton for an advanced reading copy.
1919: Lillian, professionally known as Angelica, is a model turned personal secretary. After the death of her mother/manager, Lillian’s career as a sculptor’s muse fizzles out. Unable to pay rent to her scuzzy landlord, he propositions her for a different way to get rent. Lillian sends him a note cheekily turning him down, stating she will come up with the rent money. When her landlord’s wife finds this note, chaos ensues and the wife is murdered. Lillian, terrified of being questioned by the police about her note, escapes and lands a job as Helen Frick’s personal secretary at the Frick Mansion.
1966: Veronica is a fresh-faced British model doing her first photoshoot abroad in New York City at the Frick Museum. After walking off set, she gets lost and trapped during a large blizzard that knocks out the power. Alone in the museum, she meets an intern whose also been snowed in. Together they discover a scavenger hunt that leads them to uncovering the deepest secrets of the Frick Family.
This story was thoughtful, intriguing and had family drama, mystery and murder. Spanning two timelines, we learn about the Frick family, their staff, and their secrets. Fiona Davis is a new author for me and this introduction to her work was beautifully written and timeless. It was slow at times and it took a while to get to the murder and mystery and for that reason I have given this book 4 stars.
Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin House - Dutton for an advanced reading copy.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated