Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Finally finished this after setting it down halfway through and forgetting about it. I enjoyed the time periods and the mysteries of the Frick Mansion, but the story was quite predictable and tied up way too nicely at the end, especially considering the true story of the model Lillian was based on. I’m not sure I like what was changed for this story as it sanitized her tragic life into something trite.
In 1919, Lillian Carter is a artist model who’s mother died of the Spanish flu. Washed up and embroiled in a scandal after her landlord murders his wife, Lillian runs away and stumbles upon the Frick Mansion where she accidentally is hired as a private secretary for Miss Helen a spoiled spinster heiress. Lillian gets entwined with the Frick family. In 1966, Veronica is a British model for Vogue who goes to the Frick Collective to do a photoshoot. When New York experiences a blizzard and subsequent black out, Veronica and an intern named Joshua are locked in. During this time they complete a mysterious scavenger hunt that was created 50 years before, which begins the unraveling of the Frick family’s secrets that have been buried for centuries.
I thought the book was entertaining. I found the Frick family annoying. I thought Veronica and Lillian where great POV’s.
I thought the book was entertaining. I found the Frick family annoying. I thought Veronica and Lillian where great POV’s.
Lillian has spent her adolescence as the muse for famous artists. When the Spanish Flu takes away her mother, her world comes crumbling down. She is forced to make a quick decision that will change the trajectory of her life. Lillian is thrown into a world of wealth and art under the employ of the Frick family. During her time working for them, she gets entangled in a mystery that crosses generations, not solved until we meet up with our characters in 1966.
I would say this read was exceptionally average. It was easy to keep the pace and finish in a few days, but nothing about it was revolutionary or shocking. It was just an average historical fiction, that delved into a period in history I haven’t read much about. Having family in Pittsburgh, it was interesting reading about the Frick family, as I have had high tea at the Frick mansion. The Magnolia Palace earned itself 3.5 stars because the story kept a good pace, and it kept me entertained, albeit not a book I felt myself needing to pick up.
I would say this read was exceptionally average. It was easy to keep the pace and finish in a few days, but nothing about it was revolutionary or shocking. It was just an average historical fiction, that delved into a period in history I haven’t read much about. Having family in Pittsburgh, it was interesting reading about the Frick family, as I have had high tea at the Frick mansion. The Magnolia Palace earned itself 3.5 stars because the story kept a good pace, and it kept me entertained, albeit not a book I felt myself needing to pick up.
I listened to this on Audible. It’s a pretty good historical fiction novel that I chose because I knew nothing about the Frick family. It had a dual timeline, which is so pervasive in historical fiction lately that it makes me a little weary. I think the story could have been just as effective without the modern-day parts.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
Another great historical fiction book about a family and their art collection. The author does such an amazing job describing this historical place and mixing real people and fiction to create a story around it. The mystery of who did it mixed in with will the secretary's past be discovered entwined with the art history really move the plot along and keep the reader wanting to read
4.5⭐️ I’ve been waiting to read a Fiona Davis book, and I really loved The Magnolia Palace. This historical fiction story had so many of my favorites: a scandal, a murder mystery and a lot of family drama. It dives into the societal expectations of women and a world where power and privilege impact one’s relationships and success. Like so many great books within this genre, The Magnolia Palace has two POVs set across two different time periods: Lillian’s story occurring in 1919 and Veronica’s in 1966. The two timelines blended together seamlessly and it was interesting to see a series of events unfold in the same setting with some character overlap. There was definitely a greater emphasis on Lillian’s story over Veronica’s, but honestly I found the earlier more interesting. Also, be sure to read the author’s note in the end. It’s clear that Davis did a lot of research on the Frick family, the house and the art collection.
Read if you like:
-NYC setting
-Manhattan’s elite during the early 20th century
-Mansions that become museums
-Art history
-Family drama and buried secrets
-Scavenger hunts
-Dual timelines
Read if you like:
-NYC setting
-Manhattan’s elite during the early 20th century
-Mansions that become museums
-Art history
-Family drama and buried secrets
-Scavenger hunts
-Dual timelines
This was an interesting book. I loved the past and present mixing together at times, and how the ending played out.
This was good and kept my attention but there was just something I didn’t love.