Fiona Davis again makes a New York architectural landmark a character in her books. This time the landmark is the Chelsea Hotel, a home for artistic types, and a refuge for Hazel after she returns from a World War II USO tour and has a falling out with her family. Hazel and Maxine are negotiating making it in theater but it is the era of McCarthy hunting communists and no one in the entertainment community is safe. The choices, many made long before the war, come back to ruin lives and careers. Will Hazel and Maxine survive?

The Chelsea Girls takes a look at New York landmark the Chelsea Hotel and the devastation to the entertainment industry wrought by the McCarthy era of the 1950s, through the lens of a first time playwright and her best friend/leading actress. The book spans from their meeting in the 40s through to the 60s, told in 3 acts and alternating between Hazel and Maxine's perspectives.
I thought the witch hunting behaviour of the McCarthy era was well handled, especially what the allegations did to people caught up in the grist mill, like Floyd. The Chelsea Hotel of the 1950s sounded like an artistic haven and a fascinating place to live, under David Bard's hectic care. However, I failed to connect with either Hazel or Maxine, they were like paper dolls in a world of fleshed out characters and scenery.
I would still recommend the book because I think the McCarthy era is an under served part of American history in the historical fiction genre; and also that revisiting this era is important in a time of increasing political divisions and #cancel culture. Davis does a fabulous job immersing the reader in the era and settings, hopefully stronger leading ladies will come her way in the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc for my consideration, in exchange for an honest review.

"Spanning from the 1940s to the 1960s, The Chelsea Girls deftly pulls back the curtain on the desperate political pressures of McCarthyism, the complicated bonds of female friendship, and the siren call of the uninhibited Chelsea Hotel." Five Stars! Fiona Davis, once again, hits every note just right. Bravo! Also - I found it to be a very timely read .