Hello everyone,
Today’s review is on The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis.
Date read: February 28, 2022
About the Book
Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue, returns with a tantalizing novel about the secrets, betrayal, and murder within one of New York City’s most impressive Gilded Age mansions.
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.
My Thoughts
This was an interesting read, although I found the pacing to be kind of slow at times. I liked how it had a split timeline between 1919 and 1966. I wish we had gotten to know Veronica and John a bit more. I felt like their sections were rushed. I think there could have been more exploration of John as an African-American wanting to work in the field of fine arts. The author touches on it, but also just over it, but I can also understand why.
I found most of the characters unlikable, especially Helen, but she is also based on a real person who I guess was that ornery. I found Richard Danforth to be a lily-livered man. I don’t know why he was appealing also (slight spoiler) is it implied that Mr. Frick paid him to marry Helen?
Lillian was an okay character, I felt like there could have been more exploration of her character, especially since she serves as a sort of foil to Helen.
Overall, I liked The Magnolia Palace, however I expected there to be more of a mystery than there actually is (based on the synopsis), it just seemed to be tacked on. The writing held my attention, but not necessarily to the point where I felt like I couldn’t put it down. However, I might try some of Fiona Davis’ other novels in the future. 3/5 Stars.
Happy Reading,
Janelle L. C.
Meanderings of a BookWorm 