You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
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
lighthearted
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
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The historical accuracy was awesome! Definitely read the author's note at the end of the book.
All questions were answered by the end of the novel.
The ending was a bit rushed and unlikely, but overall I enjoyed the time spent reading this.
All questions were answered by the end of the novel.
The ending was a bit rushed and unlikely, but overall I enjoyed the time spent reading this.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Classism
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
mysterious
medium-paced
Set in dual timelines between 1919 and 1966, The Magnolia Palace features the eccentric and wealthy Frick family. Overwhelmed with her household duties, Miss Helen Frick employs Lillian Carter as her private secretary. However, Lillian falls into the job under false pretenses, as she is a model also known as Angelica, who is entangled in a police investigation which she keeps hidden from Miss Helen. Lillian becomes entrenched in the Frick family, and unexpectedly endeared to Miss Helen. However, she cannot hide her past for long, and must face the Frick family fury once her true identity is revealed. Many years later, Veronica and Joshua uncover clues of the Fricks’ past and set out to unearth the famous Magnolia diamond.
The Magnolia Palace is full of rich depiction, and features an interesting family in the Fricks. Between Lillian’s alter ego of Angelica and the tension within the Frick family, the book is full of drama. There were quite a few characters to keep track of, and at times the plot was over the top. The novel was entertaining enough and offered a bit of mystery, yet the plot was not compelling enough to make this a must-read.
The Magnolia Palace is full of rich depiction, and features an interesting family in the Fricks. Between Lillian’s alter ego of Angelica and the tension within the Frick family, the book is full of drama. There were quite a few characters to keep track of, and at times the plot was over the top. The novel was entertaining enough and offered a bit of mystery, yet the plot was not compelling enough to make this a must-read.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another great book by Fiona Davis.
Davis is a master of dual timelines and seamlessly weaving between two stories and beautifully connecting them together.
In 1919, Angelica (aka Lillian Carter) is an artist's model whose face is seen on some of the most famous statues in New York City. She finds herself caught up in a scandal and by accident becomes employed as Helen Frick's personal secretary.
Helen Frick is a daughter of the head of the prominent Frick family and loves reviewing the fabulous books and materials her father collects for his personal library. In fact, the Frick family is a real life upper class family and later Helen Frick founded the Frick Museum based on her father's personal collection.
Lillian, as she goes by here to hide her identity, is responsible for organizing the materials in this collection and assist Helen in organizing her schedule and the family household. As she learns more about the family, she discovers some interesting family secrets and becomes engaged in a mystery.
Meanwhile during the 1960s, Veronica, an upcoming model lands a photoshoot at the Frick Museum. Due to a blunder and an unpredictable snow storm, she gets locked in the museum with an intern. They have a mystery of their own to solve when Veronica stumbles upon clues to what appear to be a scavenger hunt.
I loved both mysteries and how they tied together in the end.
If you enjoy historical fiction, art and grandeur, dynamic characters, and a beguiling mystery, you must add "The Magnolia Palace" to your curl up by the fireplace reading list this fall.
Davis is a master of dual timelines and seamlessly weaving between two stories and beautifully connecting them together.
In 1919, Angelica (aka Lillian Carter) is an artist's model whose face is seen on some of the most famous statues in New York City. She finds herself caught up in a scandal and by accident becomes employed as Helen Frick's personal secretary.
Helen Frick is a daughter of the head of the prominent Frick family and loves reviewing the fabulous books and materials her father collects for his personal library. In fact, the Frick family is a real life upper class family and later Helen Frick founded the Frick Museum based on her father's personal collection.
Lillian, as she goes by here to hide her identity, is responsible for organizing the materials in this collection and assist Helen in organizing her schedule and the family household. As she learns more about the family, she discovers some interesting family secrets and becomes engaged in a mystery.
Meanwhile during the 1960s, Veronica, an upcoming model lands a photoshoot at the Frick Museum. Due to a blunder and an unpredictable snow storm, she gets locked in the museum with an intern. They have a mystery of their own to solve when Veronica stumbles upon clues to what appear to be a scavenger hunt.
I loved both mysteries and how they tied together in the end.
If you enjoy historical fiction, art and grandeur, dynamic characters, and a beguiling mystery, you must add "The Magnolia Palace" to your curl up by the fireplace reading list this fall.