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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
A typical Fiona Davis where a fictional story is weaved with a historical place and persons. I love the Frick so I was looking forward to this. And I enjoyed the story about an artists model (très scandaleuse) trying to escape an even greater scandal by disgusting herself as a personal assistant to Miss Helen Clay Frick. I flew through this.
Fun historical fiction! I really enjoyed the Frick family. I enjoyed the author's writing style. I didn't think it needed to be a mystery (almost didn't realize it was) and was there enjoying the historical fiction aspect. I liked the past and present jumps. I enjoyed Lillian's story more, though I felt like we were getting off track going to upstate NY visit at the end of the book. I enjoyed the notes at the end giving information on the historical/true bits. The ending/wrap up with the "escape" just felt awkward to me. But overall enjoyable.
I've never been a huge fan of historical fiction, but I think that's because I always associate it with WWII. I don't want to continuously read stories about WWII. This was really fun though. I liked our 2 main characters, especially Lillian. I was fascinated with her job for the Frick family (partly because I would love to do something like that). And I definitely want to visit the Frick mansion the next time I'm in New York City.
Loved it. Never suspected the true murdered and am about to go frisk.org to the the house and paintings!
3.5 stars. It was a good book, and I was interested In figuring out the mysteries, but I felt like the ending was rushed and very convenient in a way that took me out of the story.
I must’ve spoiled myself by reading The Spectacular first, which I loved. I also loved The Address. Then I read a few others and have found them to be rather boring. I enjoy her writing style, just not the topic. I got about halfway through this and realized it’s been taking me several weeks to get to the halfway point, whereas with her other two I loved, I read in a few days. There are just too many good books out there to slog through one I dislike. DNF
Really enjoyed this one. Jumped back and forth between past and present until the stories collided. Well done!
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Quite a few people recommended I try a Fiona Davis book or two because she writes the sort of historical fiction books that I like best: dual timelines, based on and researched of a person or place, with notes at the end telling just how much of the story is true or not. When there was a Kindle Deal for The Magnolia Palace a while back, I grabbed it and finally got around to reading it. I was not disappointed.
I liked both timelines but appreciated Lillian’s more. Veronica’s fell a little flat for me, but not enough to think that this was a bad book. It was still compelling, and the solving a mystery in a historical setting was a bonus. I’ll definitely be visiting more Fiona Davis books in my future.
Quite a few people recommended I try a Fiona Davis book or two because she writes the sort of historical fiction books that I like best: dual timelines, based on and researched of a person or place, with notes at the end telling just how much of the story is true or not. When there was a Kindle Deal for The Magnolia Palace a while back, I grabbed it and finally got around to reading it. I was not disappointed.
I liked both timelines but appreciated Lillian’s more. Veronica’s fell a little flat for me, but not enough to think that this was a bad book. It was still compelling, and the solving a mystery in a historical setting was a bonus. I’ll definitely be visiting more Fiona Davis books in my future.