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Joan Happel's Reviews > The Magnolia Palace
The Magnolia Palace
by
by
Fiona Davis has mastered the use of the dual timeline in the historical fiction novels. This time she highlights the New York City’s Henry Clay Frick house once home to the wealthy Frick family and now a museum.
In 1919, Lillian Carter is a much sought-after artist model known professionally as Angelica (based on real life model Audrey Munson). Lillian has lost her mother to the Spanish Flu. Now paralyzed with grief, she does not know how to continue to work and live. When she inadvertently witnesses a murder in her apartment building, she flees from the police who think that she is part of a love triangle that led up to murder. Lillian happens upon a chance to hid at the Frick mansion when she is offered a job as the personal secretary to Helen Clay Frick daughter of wealthy Henry Clay Frick. Despite the demands of her new employer, Lillian soon finds success in her new position, even attempting to help Helen make an advantageous marriage.
Fast forward to 1966 and British aspiring model Veronica Weber finds herself on a photo shoot in New York City at the Frick Mansion, now functioning as a museum. When the photo shoot goes wrong, Veronica is locked in the mansion during a fierce snowstorm. While there she happens upon some papers describing a scavenger hunt that Helen had made for her soon to be fiancé. Trapped in the mansion along with Veronica is archivist Joshua Lawrence. the duo set out to decipher the clues that will ultimately lead to a solution of a long-lost secret.
Davis� novels bring to life many of New York Cities landmarks, and this one is no exception. Along with beautiful descriptions of the famous art collection housed in the museum, this is an intricately plotted novel, with engaging characters and a well-developed story line. Davis masterfully combines history, fiction, and mystery to bring alive the Frick family and their amazing art collection. I highly recommend this to readers of historical fiction, especially those with an interest in art history and the amazing architecture of New York City.
Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the e-Arc.
In 1919, Lillian Carter is a much sought-after artist model known professionally as Angelica (based on real life model Audrey Munson). Lillian has lost her mother to the Spanish Flu. Now paralyzed with grief, she does not know how to continue to work and live. When she inadvertently witnesses a murder in her apartment building, she flees from the police who think that she is part of a love triangle that led up to murder. Lillian happens upon a chance to hid at the Frick mansion when she is offered a job as the personal secretary to Helen Clay Frick daughter of wealthy Henry Clay Frick. Despite the demands of her new employer, Lillian soon finds success in her new position, even attempting to help Helen make an advantageous marriage.
Fast forward to 1966 and British aspiring model Veronica Weber finds herself on a photo shoot in New York City at the Frick Mansion, now functioning as a museum. When the photo shoot goes wrong, Veronica is locked in the mansion during a fierce snowstorm. While there she happens upon some papers describing a scavenger hunt that Helen had made for her soon to be fiancé. Trapped in the mansion along with Veronica is archivist Joshua Lawrence. the duo set out to decipher the clues that will ultimately lead to a solution of a long-lost secret.
Davis� novels bring to life many of New York Cities landmarks, and this one is no exception. Along with beautiful descriptions of the famous art collection housed in the museum, this is an intricately plotted novel, with engaging characters and a well-developed story line. Davis masterfully combines history, fiction, and mystery to bring alive the Frick family and their amazing art collection. I highly recommend this to readers of historical fiction, especially those with an interest in art history and the amazing architecture of New York City.
Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the e-Arc.
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Reading Progress
November 3, 2021
–
Started Reading
November 7, 2021
–
Finished Reading
December 27, 2021
– Shelved
