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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I've tried several books from this author and they all end the same - great premise but terrible follow through, they end up waffling and boring by the halfway mark. DNF and I'm not going to try again with this author.
There's some really good parts to this book: the influence art has over the storyline and character backgrounds, the backstories of many character, the prose. I felt that it was a little too slow and the climax/resolution happened extremely quickly at the end, but it's a good read if you are someone who likes lighter historical fiction.
The Magnolia Place captures the fictionalized account of what would have happened if a 1910 super-model became the personal secretary to Henry Clay Frick's adult daughter, Helen Clay Frick.
I received an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Lillian Carter, the 1910 super-model has been featured in various famous statues throughout the city. Lillian, 21 years old, just recently lost her mom, Kitty to the Spanish flu and is struggling to find work and pay her rent.
Mr. Watkins, her landlord, and his wife have been known to get into frequent fights and he's been hauled off to jail on several occasions. On this morning, he and his wife were in a screaming match and Lillian hopes he is hauled off to jail so that she can buy herself a few more days to earn the rent. Ironically, Mrs. Watkins was murdered and somehow Lillian is believed to have a relationship with Mr. Watkins and wanted for questioning in her murder. Lillian decides to go into hiding and through a series of uncanny events ends up with a job at the Frick house.
Simultaneously, we are introduced to Veronica in 1966, who is at the Frick house for a modeling shoot. Somehow Veronica manages to get locked into the house by herself during a major snowstorm and has no way out. However, she comes to find out that Joshua Lawrence, the Frick collection archivist, is also in the house.
The novel alternates between Lillian and Veronica's story during which we learn more about the Frick family, some of the skeletons in their closet and overall love and devotion to the art world. Ironically, despite the different time periods, we see some similarities the challenges faced by Veronica and Lillian.
Although the novel does include some factual events, the author does take some license with creating a story wrapped up with lies, deception, murder, friendship and family loyalties. I found the overall book enjoyable/exciting and would recommend it - especially if you enjoy strong female characters.
I received an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Lillian Carter, the 1910 super-model has been featured in various famous statues throughout the city. Lillian, 21 years old, just recently lost her mom, Kitty to the Spanish flu and is struggling to find work and pay her rent.
Mr. Watkins, her landlord, and his wife have been known to get into frequent fights and he's been hauled off to jail on several occasions. On this morning, he and his wife were in a screaming match and Lillian hopes he is hauled off to jail so that she can buy herself a few more days to earn the rent. Ironically, Mrs. Watkins was murdered and somehow Lillian is believed to have a relationship with Mr. Watkins and wanted for questioning in her murder. Lillian decides to go into hiding and through a series of uncanny events ends up with a job at the Frick house.
Simultaneously, we are introduced to Veronica in 1966, who is at the Frick house for a modeling shoot. Somehow Veronica manages to get locked into the house by herself during a major snowstorm and has no way out. However, she comes to find out that Joshua Lawrence, the Frick collection archivist, is also in the house.
The novel alternates between Lillian and Veronica's story during which we learn more about the Frick family, some of the skeletons in their closet and overall love and devotion to the art world. Ironically, despite the different time periods, we see some similarities the challenges faced by Veronica and Lillian.
Although the novel does include some factual events, the author does take some license with creating a story wrapped up with lies, deception, murder, friendship and family loyalties. I found the overall book enjoyable/exciting and would recommend it - especially if you enjoy strong female characters.
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a DNF for me. This was my second chance after not caring for lions of 5th ave and it was much the same.
I'll read just about anything Fiona Davis writes. She's done it again with Magnolia Palace - capturing our imaginations with a blend of fiction and history and mixing in a mystery. I'm always impressed with her ability to develop strong, intelligent female characters in stories set during times women were often overlooked or taken advantage of. Every time I read a Fiona Davis book, I'm inspired to research more about the real events, people, and places featured in her novels. Magnolia Palace was no different - I was fascinated by the story of the Frick family, as well as the life of artists' models during the Gilded Age. This Historical Fiction account of the Henry Clay Frick family and a mystery involving the Private Secretary of Frick's daughter, Helen, was the perfect blend of fact and fiction. Highly recommend for any fan of Historical Fiction, Art History, or just a good read! Be sure to stay for the Author's Note at the end!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dutton Publishing, and Fiona Davis for the Advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dutton Publishing, and Fiona Davis for the Advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Well, thanks, cookies…this was spot on in the category of “if you liked this other book, you’ll probably like this one too”. I did enjoy this, maybe not quite as much as Lessons in Chemistry, but as both a fan of old houses with a story well told, art history, and scavenger hunts, this book was great fun for me to read.
Great weaving together of characters across several generations. Fun plot with suspense and a little romance. But I just loved the characters.
The Frick is my favorite museum in the world, and so I loved reading this!
4.2 stars. It started off a bit slow but quickly turned into an interesting and beautiful story - really it was two stories that eventually became one in the end. First we meet Angelica the art model in 1919 and follow her for three months as she ends up working as a private secretary for the Frick family, the most wealthy family in NYC. Scandal, romance, betrayal, possible murder, a missing diamond. Then we flash to the 60’s and meet a young art history student and a young model who happen to be trapped in the Frick mansion together during a snowstorm. They uncover hidden secrets of the past that help provide answers to a long unsolved mystery.
I enjoy Fiona Davis because her novels are beautifully written and quite educational. I enjoyed learning about the art world and it’s history.
Highly recommend.
I enjoy Fiona Davis because her novels are beautifully written and quite educational. I enjoyed learning about the art world and it’s history.
Highly recommend.