Fiona Davis brings to life the hidden part of New York. This book has passion, mystery, intrigue, and adventure. I loved it

Also adore the cover

The Magnolia Palace was reminiscent of Lions of Fifth Avenue, but takes place the Frick museum rather than the NY Public Library. The story occurs in dual time lines of 1919 and 1966. It begins in 1919 with Lillian Carter (known in the art world as Angelica, renown for her beauty). Unfortunately, she finds her self in the middle of a murder investigation, and she looks for somewhere she can lay low and earn money. She stumbles upon the Frick mansion, and it's oddly demanding Frick family. They she is employed by the scattered and overly challenging daughter, Miss Helen. There she becomes embroiled in another possible murder and scandal as she tries to keep her identity secret. Forty seven years later, during a blizzard, Veronica becomes locked in the now Frick museum. She along with the museum intern search for answers as they find clues to the almost 50 year mystery of what happened in 1919 with the Frick family. As with the previous book, the story unfolds slowly but does pick up about 50% into the novel.

Fascinating book about the beginnings of the Frick Museum in New York City. A historical time piece that readers of this author will enjoy . Highly recommendable, I plan to go back and read the author's previous novels.

This is an engaging book about a an iconic site here in NYC. The Frick Museum occupies a large plot of land on New York’s Upper Eastside, yet few people realize this was once a family home. Having visited both the house in Pittsburgh and the one here has given me a tremendous thirst for knowledge about this family. Although historical fiction, surrounded by a fanciful story, I did enjoy reading about the Fricks, especially Helen.

When the beautiful model and muse, Angelica is forced to flee from her home, she is hired to work in the mansion. Going back to her birth name of Lillian, she becomes the private secretary for the mercurial Helen and involved in the intrigues of the family.

Woven into this is the fanciful story of the young model, Veronica, who is locked in the mansion and makes a startling discovery.

The weakness in the novel is the fact that the author forced an unnatural closure on the reader.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.