Doesn't this book have the loveliest cover? The title is so pretty, too.

The story caught my interest at first. I love historical fiction with dual timelines, and I was intrigued by the glamour and scandal promised on the book's description. However, I was underwhelmed by the story and characters. The writing was beautiful, but there was no urgency to the plot; it was easy to lay this book down and walk away. I did enjoy the ending, though!

"New York City, 1919

Lillian Carter stood half naked, one arm held up like a ballet dancer, the other hanging lightly down at her side, and calculated how long she could avoid paying rent while her landlord was in jail. If Mr. Watkins was released right away, she’d have to avoid him until she pulled together enough money to pay for the one-bedroom apartment she leased in the crumbling, five-­story tenement building on Sixty-­Fifth Street. Not an easy task when Mr. Watkins and his wife lived off the lobby on the first floor. On the bright side, the Watkins couple had shouted each other to pieces in a terrible fight earlier that morning, the screeching carrying on for a good forty-­five minutes before silence finally reigned. Not long after, as she left for work, Lillian had passed the police as they tramped up the front steps. Maybe they’d keep the tiresome man for a few days this time, as a lesson. Not that she felt any sympathy for his bulldog of a wife. Mrs. Watkins had hated Lillian on sight, especially after she discovered what Lillian did for a living."


I don't often read historical fiction but Fiona Davis' "The Magnolia Palace" has so much to offer readers, not least of all the setting of the beautiful former Frick mansion, the Frick art collection and an insider's view of .the family dynamics. Davis pits two strong-headed, very different women against each other while exploring ideas of beauty and womanhood, and how they've changed (or not) over the past many decades. She successfully interweaves secrets, betrayal, murder, family drama and romance into dual storylines. And, a missing diamond is involved! "The Magnolia Palace", a combination of fact and fiction, is a rich, intriguing read..

If you’re in New York city, take a wander by the Frick mansion at 1 East 70th Street and visit the Frick Madison at 945 Madison Avenue. (While the Frick Collection is currently closed for renovations, the museum’s highlights have been moved to the Frick Madison.)


Synopsis

Eight months since losing her mother in the Spanish flu outbreak of 1919, twenty-one-year-old Lillian Carter’s life has completely fallen apart. For the past six years, under the moniker Angelica, Lillian was one of the most sought-after artists’ models in New York City, with statues based on her figure gracing landmarks from the Plaza Hotel to the Brooklyn Bridge. But with her mother gone, a grieving Lillian is rudderless and desperate—the work has dried up and a looming scandal has left her entirely without a safe haven.

So when she stumbles upon an employment opportunity at the Frick mansion—a building that, ironically, bears her own visage—Lillian jumps at the chance. But the longer she works as a private secretary to the imperious and demanding Helen Frick, the daughter and heiress of industrialist and art patron Henry Clay Frick, the more deeply her life gets intertwined with that of the family—pulling her into a tangled web of romantic trysts, stolen jewels, and family drama that runs so deep, the stakes just may be life or death.

Nearly fifty years later, mod English model Veronica Weber has her own chance to make her career—and with it, earn the money she needs to support her family back home—within the walls of the former Frick residence, now converted into one of New York City’s most impressive museums. But when she—along with a charming intern/budding art curator named Joshua—is dismissed from the Vogue shoot taking place at the Frick Collection, she chances upon a series of hidden messages in the museum: messages that will lead her and Joshua on a hunt that could not only solve Veronica’s financial woes, but could finally reveal the truth behind a decades-old murder in the infamous Frick family."


About the author

Fiona Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of six historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings, including ''The Magnolia Palace'', ''The Dollhouse'', ''The Address'', and ''The Lions of Fifth Avenue'', which was a Good Morning America book club pick. Her novels have been chosen as “One Book, One Community” reads and her articles have appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal and O the Oprah magazine.

She first came to New York as an actress, but fell in love with writing after getting a master's degree at Columbia Journalism School. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and she is based in New York City.

I love Fiona Davis's writing style of exploring an iconic building in New York City in two connected timelines so I had high hopes for The Magnolia Palace, her newest release. The landmark featured in the novel is The Frick Collection art museum.

The earlier timeline features Ellie in 1920, a sculptor's model who was the inspiration for many works of art throughout NYC. When she accidentally becomes Helen Frick's personal secretary, she's given the perfect place to 'hide' after from scrutiny following a murder in her apartment building. Surrounded by priceless works of art, she's quickly pulled into the dysfunctional inner circle of steel magnate Henry Clay Frick and his family.

A British model named Veronica is the focus of the second storyline set in 1966. She's traveled to NYC to be part of a Vogue photo shoot at the Frick Collection - the Frick family home which became a public museum. Through a series of unfortunate events, she finds herself trapped in the Frick with Joshua, an intern and aspiring curator. They discover, then follow a decades-old set of hidden messages that shed light on a past Frick family tragedy.

I enjoyed reading about the history of The Frick and was equally engaged in both storylines and their compelling characters. This novel was a total escape since the worlds of models, fine art collections, and ultra wealth are not part of my life. Toward the end of the novel, the writing shifted from a Monet watercolor to a talented child's finger painting. The polished prose of the first 80% devolved into something akin to the conclusion of a cozy mystery. I still enjoyed the novel overall, but the ending felt a bit off key.

Thank you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this title pre-publication.

I didn’t know much about the Fricks before I read this book but I am so intrigued by their lives now. Fiona Davis draws you into the story, gets you comfortable with the characters and then lets you ride along as their stories unfold in two different time periods. I loved uncovering the past with Veronica and Joshua, getting to know Lillian and Helen, and learning what happened in the end. It did slow down in the middle but was all wrapped up nicely in the end.

I love Fiona Davis and her books, and "The Magnolia Palace" is no exception,. Jumping back and forth between Lillian Carter, a former artists' model in 1919, and Veronica Weber, a British model in the late 1960s, the entire novel takes place inside one of the most impressive and historically significant buildings on the East Side of Manhattan: the Frick mansion.

A mystery is central to the plot, but it's really the relationships, betrayals, and romances that make this story so compelling. The amount of research that Davis obviously did for this book is unbelievable; as a result, you will accidentally learn some fascinating things as you read. My favorite kind of learning! I will be recommending this to all readers, casual and voracious alike.

Two models, two timelines, two voices searching for one thing - their own identity.. After losing her mother to the Spanish flu in 1919, Lillian Carter was alone. With her mother as her manager, Lillian became "Angelica" ,the muse of sculptors and artists who had her likeness adorning landmarks throughout NYC. Her perfect beauty was nearly mythical in her time. Now, a twenty-one year old Lillian was without work and finds herself a suspect in the murder of her landlord's wife. If she can just make it to Hollywood, she is certain that she will become a great star. On the run, she is mistaken for an applicant for a position in Magnolia Palace, one of the grand homes in the city. and becomes the private secretary to the daughter of the an industrialist and art collector, Henry Clay Frick.. The drama within the Frick family puts Lillian in a precarious position, once again. Through these tribulations, she finds her purpose, but will she be free to to pursue it?
Some 50 years later, aspiring British model, Veronica Weber, is flown to NYC to do a photo shoot at the Frick Museum for Vogue. She is awkward and out of place with the other models. She is making mistakes which makes the shoot go longer annoying both the models and the photographer to the point where her tells her to leave. She goes upstairs to a bedroom and comes down to find that everyone has left. with the exception of a young curator named Joshua. A snowstorm is coming and they have been locked in with the alarms set until someone comes to open the museum again. It is during this lockdown that Veronica come across some letter and part of an old scavenger hunt. Together, she and Joshua complete the scavenger hunt and solve the long held mystery of Magnolia House and perhaps find their own true paths as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Magnolia Palace.. The story telling is layered with rich detailed historical perspectives. and social issues. Once you come to the Magnolia Palace, you will want to stay a while..

My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 by Fiona Davis was one of my most anticipated reads of the year! It did not disappoint! Mix historical fiction with mystery, betrayal, family drama and dual timelines, and you get a masterpiece! Set in 1919 and 1966, both timelines are vividly described in Davis' elegant prose.

Lillian Carter was the most sought after model for artists until her mother died from Spanish Flu and Lillian was accused of murdering her landlord. Desperate to escape, she finds herself in a position to become the private secretary to Helen Frick, daughter and heiress of industrialist and art patron Henry Clay Frick.

Fifty years later, model Veronica Weber finds herself trapped in the Frick Museum after a model shoot gone wrong. She begins to uncover a decades old mystery involving Lillian and Helen. Will the truth be uncovered and names cleared?

Thank you to Dutton for a copy of this book!

I don't read a lot of historical fiction but, as a librarian and an author, I like to try various genres. Fiona Davis is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her books are compelling, set in New York, and well researched. Her latest, The Magnolia Palace, is no exception. In fact, it kept me glued to the pages until the end and then I was rewarded with historical details about the Frick family who were featured in the book.

I enjoyed how the story alternated between the years 1919 and 1966. The two main characters, Lilly Carter (Angelica), a model who lost her mother in 1919 from the Spanish flu, ends up as private secretary to Helen Frick at her home before it's turned into the New York City art museum that she founds. Lilly takes on this position by accident after fleeing her home when suspected of concealing information about her landlord's murder. In 1966, a young woman named Veronica, also a model, travels from England to New York to audition at the Frick Museum in the hope that she can make enough money to bring home her sick sister whose medical expenses and care her mother can no longer afford.

What ties Lilly and Veronica together is a missing jewel -- the magnolia diamond that is hidden somewhere in the Frick residence. When Lilly worked there, she'd followed scavenger hunt clues to locate it without any luck. Veronica, trapped alone there with a young man during a snowstorm, comes across these clues and follows the hunt with her friend.

There's much more to the story including a romance, a murder, and a twist, but I don't want to ruin it for those who like surprises. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, can't-put-down read.

The glitzy Gilded age, a missing diamond, and mysterious murders. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗡𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘 is a historical mystery with plenty of intrigue.

Told in dual timelines, the story follows multiple women and their relationship to the iconic Frick mansion. We meet the main protagonist Lillian, formerly known as the artist’s muse Angelica, in her new role as a personal secretary for the infamous Frick family in their art-filled mansion.

The Frick Mansion was a character in its own right and I enjoyed learning about the history of this infamous NYC building.

I enjoyed the beginning of the story as Lillian’s modeling career takes flight. The middle of the book was a bit slower-paced as Lillian tried to find her way in the world, but I appreciated how the mystery came together in a satisfying way.

This was my first read by @fionadavisauthor and I look forward to picking up her previous novel, The Lions of Fifth Avenue.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 4/5 ⭐️
𝗣𝗨𝗕 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 1/25/22 (available now!)

A big thank you to @duttonbooks and @netgalley for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a solid novel, good plot, good character development, etc...
I really enjoy story's told from different timelines and POV's so that helped hold my interest.
The ending was satisfying, everything resolved nicely. My only complaint was that it was a tad slow pace wise at the beginning, but overall definitely a novel worth reading.

What can I say about Fiona Davis’s THE MAGNOLIA PALACE other than I adored it? I was pulled in from the first page and couldn’t put it down. Davis’s writing wrapped itself around me and didn’t let go. The characters, loosely based on real people, were so full of life and interesting that I felt like I jumped into their lives.
The dual timeline was captivating as well, also showing the challenges each group of characters faced until their stories came together. The novel was well-paced with enough twists that Davis kept me guessing until the end. Davis also included historical and art facts that I didn’t know, which made it even more enjoyable. I am still thinking of this work of art and don’t see me forgetting it any time soon.
Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the book. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#TheMagnoliaPalace #FionaDavis #Dutton #historicalfiction

This was a dual timeline story that really worked well together! I loved the historical aspect and the art piece. The character development throughout the book was fantastic! I loved how the storylines came together in the end. Magnolia Palace was interesting and complex, and made for a treat of a read! My thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!

I’ve been meaning to read something by Fiona Davis for a while now and when I saw this one described as a ‘historical thriller’, I knew this was the one!

I enjoyed the duel timelines alternating between 1919 and 1966 and really liked how flawlessly Davis was able to intertwine the two decades and compelling storylines of two different women with a connection although years apart.

The setting was also quite intriguing starting with the wealthy Frick mansion that transitions into a stunning museum and landmark. Make sure to check out the Authors note at the end - I found it fascinating to learn of the factual aspects of this well researched, fictional tale!

My favourite thing about this book was the captivating mystery aspect and the dark secrets and entertaining drama associated with them!

Some secrets don’t always stay buried…

3.5 rounded to 4 stars for goodreads

A fascinating historical fictional story about the Frick family, and two models decades apart whom find themselves unexpectedly in--and entangled within--the family's upper east side mansion. This novel completely captivated me with its characters, setting, dual timeline, and art history.

Ok. Now I absolutely have to travel to NYC to see the Frick. The building was so well described in the novel I have to see it for myself. And the art! As a museum visitor I am filled with regret that I’ve never been to the Frick and that it’s probably been 40 years since I’ve been to NY. I guess what this all boils down to is that I loved the book. I found the two timelines compelling and both Lillian and Veronica feel like real people. Two thumbs up from this happy reader. And a thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Fiona Davis sets each of her historical fiction novels in an iconic New York City building, and her latest takes place at the Gilded Age home of industrialist Henry Frick. Using a dual timeline format, Davis toggles between 1919, when the Frick family still lives there, and 1966, when the home has become the magnificent Frick Collection, a museum still in operation today. In the later timeline, a Vogue photo shoot is occurring, and when one of the models is fired along with a museum curator, they stumble across a hidden message that leads them on a hunt that uncovers the truth about a murder that occurred at the Frick years earlier. The Magnolia Palace starts slowly but then gains momentum as Davis weaves the Frick family members into the story and provides interesting details and stories about the odd family who created one of New York City’s finest museums. I chatted with Fiona for my podcast and enjoyed learning more about her research and inspiration for the book.

Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis is a wonderfully written historical novel with a beautiful character “Angelica”. She gains confidence as she interacts with an eccentric list of characters and situations throughout this mystery. While reading I was compelled to research NYC museums and historical landmarks in order to envision the detailed scenery and delightful characters. I enjoyed the storyline, quirky characters and the fast paced ending. Thank you NetGalley and Fiona Davis for the opportunity to read this book.

The Magnolia Palace is an ambitious novel with two timelines that unfortunately falls flat for me. While reading the story, I found myself to be entertained but entirely unenthused. It felt like both MCs weren’t as fleshed out as they could have been and that no one was all that likable. I felt like staying in the earlier timeline would have made a better story. I did enjoy the time in to actual history of NYC.


Thank you NetGalley, Dutton, and Fiona Davis for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Frick collection wasn’t something I was familiar with however after reading this book, I have been on a virtual tour of the families collection. This book provided a piece of NY history that I wasn’t aware of as many of Fiona’s books do. The story tied so well together and touched on race in the 1960’s which I thought was well incorporated.

Thank you to netgalley.com for the ARC.

I loved this book. I've read all of Fiona Davis' books and like them all but this may be my favorite. Based on the family connected to the Frick Museum in NYC, its a fictionalized story told in two time periods. Having visited the museum it was interesting to learn about the history of it.

The story told from the perspective of two very different young women in 1919 and 1966 tells the story of their times.

Definitely a page turner!