Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
It wasn’t that good but topically unique so I was into it. By the end I was ready for it to be finished.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
medium-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
Characters didn’t grip me. Not complex or whole enough. The plot felt too sensational. I was hoping for something with more realism but still with mystery.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one but all the lies, betrayal, potential scandals, family drama and murder sure kept me on the edge.
The beginning was subtle but with enough drama to get my attention. When the books took a slow turn it had me questioning where it was going, but as soon as picked up I found myself needing to get to the next chapter even quicker.
The ending was incredibly strong and bittersweet. Giving me the closure I felt I needed after everything that I had just read.
I do have to add that some of the interactions in this book felt a bit monotone to me. Nevertheless, this book was highly satisfying and a page turner.
The beginning was subtle but with enough drama to get my attention. When the books took a slow turn it had me questioning where it was going, but as soon as picked up I found myself needing to get to the next chapter even quicker.
The ending was incredibly strong and bittersweet. Giving me the closure I felt I needed after everything that I had just read.
I do have to add that some of the interactions in this book felt a bit monotone to me. Nevertheless, this book was highly satisfying and a page turner.
Another great historical fiction read from Fiona Davis! Based in New York City at the Frick mansion, the story alternates between 1919 inside the household of the Fricks and the 1960s when the house is now a museum. In 1919, an artist muse runs after she’s wanted for questioning related to the murder of her landlord and lands at the Frick household where there is much family drama. In 1960, a new model is stranded at the Frick museum after a shoot there. She and an intern for the museum discover secrets from the past.
I thoroughly enjoyed following these historical characters as well as learning about the Frick museum, which I did not know about prior to this book. While all of the characters are not always likable, the author gives you insight as to why they act as they do. The book kept me engaged from beginning to end and I very much appreciated the authors note at the end of the book which describes the historical piece and I immediately wanted to know which parts were fact versus fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. This is my honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed following these historical characters as well as learning about the Frick museum, which I did not know about prior to this book. While all of the characters are not always likable, the author gives you insight as to why they act as they do. The book kept me engaged from beginning to end and I very much appreciated the authors note at the end of the book which describes the historical piece and I immediately wanted to know which parts were fact versus fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. This is my honest review.
DNF. I struggled to get through 100 pages and then finally decided to DNF when the author tried to equate being German in the US after WWI with being Black in the US in the 1960s. No. Just no.
Just ok. Great premise but just not as good as Lions of 5th Ave. I didn’t feel connected to Veronica so the 1966 storyline was hard.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Lillian Carter is an infamous artists' model whose face can be seen all around New York City. She began posing nude for sculptors so that she and her single mother could afford rent and food. Lillian quickly became renowned for her classical beauty, but no one knows her real name -- she's only known as "Angelica" to the art community.
After her mother's death from the Spanish flu, Lillian becomes a person of interest for a murder in her building. She flees when the police arrive and ends up at the Frick mansion as Helen Frick's personal secretary. Lillian loves being surrounded by the works of art the Fricks have acquired, even though she worries that someone might notice her as her likeness has been used in a sculpture above the Fricks' door.
Lillian becomes indispensable to Helen Frick, but the reader soon becomes aware in the future timeline that something must have gone wrong. Was Lillian discovered?
Later, in 1966, the Frick home has become a museum. English model Veronica travels to NYC for a photoshoot at the Frick and becomes trapped in the house during a winter storm. She finds the pages of a scavenger hunt created by Helen Frick and enlists Joshua, an intern also trapped in the Frick, to help her reach the end of the clues.
Solving this 50-year-old scavenger hunt leads them back to the past, and the story of Lillian and Helen's falling out is slowly revealed.
Recommended for Davis' many fans, readers of historical women's fiction, and lovers of New York City.
I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/magnolia-palace
After her mother's death from the Spanish flu, Lillian becomes a person of interest for a murder in her building. She flees when the police arrive and ends up at the Frick mansion as Helen Frick's personal secretary. Lillian loves being surrounded by the works of art the Fricks have acquired, even though she worries that someone might notice her as her likeness has been used in a sculpture above the Fricks' door.
Lillian becomes indispensable to Helen Frick, but the reader soon becomes aware in the future timeline that something must have gone wrong. Was Lillian discovered?
Later, in 1966, the Frick home has become a museum. English model Veronica travels to NYC for a photoshoot at the Frick and becomes trapped in the house during a winter storm. She finds the pages of a scavenger hunt created by Helen Frick and enlists Joshua, an intern also trapped in the Frick, to help her reach the end of the clues.
Solving this 50-year-old scavenger hunt leads them back to the past, and the story of Lillian and Helen's falling out is slowly revealed.
Recommended for Davis' many fans, readers of historical women's fiction, and lovers of New York City.
I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/magnolia-palace