Enjoyable story with interesting setting and characters. Disappointed it used alternating storylines 60 years apart. This technique has become cliched and tiresome.Also the lesbian subplot was unnecessary and seemed an attempt to pander to a minority audience.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #TheLionsOfFifthAvenue for advanced digital copy.

Once again, Fiona Davis brings an historical NYC building to center stage in her new historical fiction novel. The story alternates between to women, Laura Lyons in 1913 and her granddaughter Sadie in 1993. The true star of the story is the New York Public Library, first opened 1911. In 1913, It is the residence of Jack and Laura Lyons. Jack is the resident superintendent, while Laura, who cares for her two children Harry and Pearl, longs for a career in journalism. Laura enters the Columbia School of Journalism, and soon finds herself battling the misogyny of her chosen profession as well as the guilt of not being there for her family. In 1993, Sadie is the rare book curator at the same library, heading up an exhibition of many of the library’s literary artifacts. Sadie has chosen a life of independence and solitude to concentrate on her career. The story alternates between the two time periods, and it is not just the family that connects the two women. In Laura’s time rare books begin disappearing and her husband Jack is suspected of the thefts. Fast forward to 1993, and again there is a rash of book thefts. Is there a connection between these two crimes; who was responsible back in Laura’s time?

As usual, this is a well-researched novel, and Davis gives us a well-written story with sympathetic characters. In Laura’s time-period we get a very real sense of what is was like for women whose only career options seemed to be as wife and mother. The difficulties and discriminations they faced by a patriarchal society were daunting. Prior to the right to vote, women had to fight for the opportunities that men took for granted. This novel works on many levels; as a history of feminism, a fascinating story about the little-known residential apartment contained in the wall of NYC Library, and a glimpse into the world of rare books and antiquities.

Part historical fiction and part mystery (with a little romance thrown in), this novel will appeal to lovers of historical fiction (especially NYC history). It will also be of interest to those who want to learn more about early feminism. I loved all aspects of this novel, highly readable and a sure pick by book clubs.

The Lions of Fifth Avenue

Love the characters, the setting and the story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
1913 - Laura Lyons and her husband Jack and their two children live in a seven room apartment tucked in a corner of the grand New York Public Library. Jack Lyons is the library superintendent and an aspiring novelist. Laura, a graduate of Vassar, wants more out of life than just being a wife and mother. She was recently accepted to the newly established Columbia School of Journalism. Her studies take her all over the city and ignite a desire to write about women”s rights, birth control and suffrage. But when some valuable books go missing from the Library Laura is force to reevaluate her priorities

1993 - Sadie Donovan struggles with the legacy of her grandmother, the famous essayist Laura Lyons. Particularly after she has lands her dream job as the curator of the New York Public Library, Berg collection. But the job quickly becomes a nightmare when rare manuscripts, notes, and books for the exhibit Sadie is curating begin disappearing. Determine to save the exhibit and her career Sadie teams up with a private security expert to uncover the thief. Things unexpectedly become personal when the investigation forces Sadie to face some unwelcome truth about her own family heritage..


REVIEW
The Lions of Fifth Avenue is an intriguing and poignant read. I savored every page. The New York Public library setting is absolutely delightful. Who wouldn’t want to live in a famous library! But can you imagine rare library books being stolen? It hurts my heart, but I know it’s happens. There was even a recent news story of this very same topic where extremely rare books and documents, like the Christopher Columbus letters were stolen and replaced with forgeries from the most prestigious national libraries in the world. Anyone who loves and values books and libraries will enjoy this creative historical fiction/mystery novel.

The writing is smart, enjoyable and bounding with interesting architectural details. One of my favorite parts was how Laura would allow her children, Harry and Pearl to have a ten minute “stomp” every evening after the library was closed. The three of them would leap about the hallways dancing and singing. Harry would run laps and Pearl might practice her yodeling. What fun!

Laura and Sadie are both delightfully strong-willed and smart women characters Laura was way ahead of her time in 1913, by wanting to work outside the home. It was this work that opened her eyes to a whole other world and lifestyle. When books were stolen from Sadie’s upcoming exhibit in 1993, she was certainly no shrinking violet. She was able to uncover the truth about the thief and at the same time discover the truth about her family’s history with the library.

Author Fiona Davis had me with her initial description of the immense lions that stand guard over the entrance to the library. I even have pictures of the lions from a recent trip to NYC. She is is the nationally bestselling author of five novels, including The Dollhouse (2016), The Address (2017), and the Chelsea Girls (2019). She lives in New York City and is a graduate of the College of William & Mary in Virginia and the Columbia Journalism School.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Dutton Books
Published August 4, 2020
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Davis is Canadian born, but was raised and lives in the USA. She has made a successful career by writing fiction set in iconic New York City buildings such as 'The Dollhouse' (set in the Barbizon Hotel for Women) and 'The Address' (set in the Dakota Apartments - home of John Lennon). This new release is set in the NYC Public Library during 1913/14 and 1993. In 1913 Laura lives in the NYC public library apartment, as her husband Jack is the superintendent. Laura enrols in journalism school and is introduced to the Heterodoxy Club (which really existed) where feminists meet to discuss women's rights. Back at the library some valuable books are missing and Jack is a suspect. In 1993 Sadie, who is Laura's granddaughter, also works at the library. When more books start to go missing, Sadie teams up with a security expert to figure out who is stealing them and the search has her discovering her grandmother's story. This is a great recommendation for fans of historical fiction and reminded me of Kate Morton books - albeit with an American setting.

I received this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fantastic. I have never read any books from this author or any dual timeline novels so I was very happy to have the opportunity to read this book. I really enjoyed Laura’s story as she discovered talents that had laid dormant while she became a wife and mother in the early 1900’s. Women were not allowed access to the same opportunities as men. Laura was able to bring her twist to any story.

Sadie, Laura’s granddaughter, worked in the very library her grandmother lived in. This story of two women 80 years apart was compelling and made me want to continue reading. This author is one I will definitely read more of. I will be buying this book as soon as I can.

I was sucked into "The Lions of Fifth Avenue" from page one. Davis' novel toggles between the life of the New York City Library in 1913 and 1993. Laura Lyons and her husband live in the library's secret apartment where Mr. Lyons works as superintendent. Left with the desire for more, Laura finds her discontent solved in ways she never would have imagined. While on a journey to find herself, tragedy strikes and changes her family's life forever.

In 1993, Sadie Donovan sets out to connect the dots of what happened at the New York City Library so many years ago and her own family history. Is there a connection between those lost books and the ones being stolen before her eyes?

If you like reading books about books, then you will love this book set in the New York Public Library in 1913 and 1993. Laura Lyons is married to Jack the superintendent of the library. Along with their two children, they live in an apartment in the library. Laura wants to be more than a wife and mother. She wants to contribute financially. In 1993 Laura’s granddaughter Sadie works at the library and is planning an exhibition of some of the library’s treasures. What do these dual storylines have in common? Thefts of rare books.

In her usual fashion, Fiona Davis leaves you in the edge of your seat when she jumps timelines. I found myself reading late into the night because I just HAD to know what would happen next. I appreciated Laura Lyons’ quest to make more of her life and her interest in the Heterodoxy Club. Sadie’s own personal history left her afraid to get close to people other than her family. Her growth was refreshing.

I will be recommending this book heartily. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! Fiona Davis gives us a fascinating story of the NY Public Library, the family who called it home and a mystery of missing books. She uses alternating points of time...between 1914 and 1993...and alternating narrators. In 1993 Sadie sets out to solve the mystery of rare books that have gone missing from an exhibit she is curating and then her mother makes a cryptic remark about past events before she dies, so she sets out on a journey to discover the mystery of her family, especially that of her grandmother Laura Lyons, a famous essayist and early proponent of women's rights. The journey leads Laura to discover many surprising facts about her family, past and present. But most importantly about herself. Fiona Davis makes the old building come alive, both aesthetically and historically, revealing some of it's hidden secrets.
I loved the Masterpiece, her book about Grand Central Station, after reading this book I think it's time to go back and catch up on her other books.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If given the opportunity to live someplace out of the ordinary, most people would choose a tree-house, or the top of a mountain. Me? I'd choose the architectural magnificence of the New York Public Library. Who wouldn't want to snuggle up with a book in a corner of one of the most famous libraries in the world, at any time of the day or night? Well, it's not going to happen for me because Mrs. Lyons stole my dream!

The year is 1913, and the Lyons, mother, father, and two children, live in an apartment behind a secret stairway in said library. Mr. Lyons accepted the job of supervisor, and the apartment was a perk.

But among all this splendor, Mrs. Lyons feels a restlessness deep down in her soul, that was very common to women of her era. She wants to go back to school for an advanced degree. She is searching for the ability to stand on her own two feet, whatever comes her way. Her husband, however, is perplexed over why she would choose this route over full-time motherhood. So, therein lies the problem.

Fast forward to 1993 with library worker, Sadie Donovan. Although equality issues aren't as mainstreamed during this time period, they do exist behind the scenes. Like Mrs. Lyons, Sadie is determined to work her way up the ladder and leave her mark on the world. Interestingly enough, she also has an unusual problem in common with Mrs. Lyons that she has to deal with, which involves a serious of mysterious book thefts at the library.

Author Fiona Davis has mastered the art of the tease with this novel. Shocking events are immediately followed by character and time period changes, thus forcing the reader to wait in glorious suspense. Going on this journey of enlightenment with women as wonderful as Mrs. Lyons and Sadie Donovan was an exhilarating experience!

Author #Fiona Davis has a new novel out this week #’The Lions of Fifth Avenue. Her lastest Historical Novel, is about a series of book thefts at the iconic New York Public Libary, leaving two generations of strong-willed women to carry on.
This novel is so good. And it starts from 1913 with Laura Lyons who is a wonderful character. All of sudden it’s eighty years later.......
Thank you,
#netgalley, # Fiona Davis and #Penguin Group Dutton

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

THE LIONS OF FIFTH AVENUE started off slow and a bit frustrating but ended well. I had hoped to break the string of mediocre ARCs I've been stuck on, but unfortunately, this book didn't do the job.

Books are being stolen from the venerated New York Public Library and no one can figure out how. Taking us deep into the inner workings of the fabulous NYPL, LIONS weaves dual timelines to tell the stories of two women. Laura Lyons lives inside the NYPL where her husband works as the first superintendent in the early 20th century. She yearns to do more than be a homemaker: she wants her voice to be heard, she wants to work and earn financial independence, and she wants to love on her own terms. But while she pursues each of these dreams, her family is slowly coming apart at the seams. Seven decades later, her granddaughter is facing her own struggle to live her most fearless life. Sadie has her job as a rare book librarian at the NYPL but not much else to show for her 40+ years. And even her career is threatened when another rash of book thefts begins on her watch.

I had a lot of trouble getting into this novel. I kept putting it down and having to remind myself to pick it back up, to read just a little more. Mostly I think this was down to some of the choices the characters made. Davis provides plenty of foreshadowing, so it's not hard to see that bad decisions are being made. I'm not particularly sure why this bothered me so much in this novel; maybe it's just the unforgiving mindset I'm in right now. But every time one of the characters "did a bad thing," I had to put the book down and walk away. I'm not going to punish the book for this too much, however. I really do think it was more a case of "it's me, not you."

Despite the slow and tenuous start, the last 40% really grabbed my attention. The mystery of the book theft started to pull me in, and the action certainly picked up. I was also pleasantly surprised that I had not predicted the culprit's identity. Davis uses some clever sleight of hand to redirect our attention away from a few key pieces of information.

The novel jumps around a lot, not just between timelines, but between themes too. I feel like Davis might have tried to make Laura too much of a revolutionary to be believable, but on the other hand, it was super interesting to get a view of Greenwich Village in the 1910s. Sadie's character was more traditional (and a bit more pathetic?), but I loved her appreciation for and expertise with rare books. Unfortunately, I never really connected with either woman. In my opinion, Laura was a caricature, and Sadie was a rough sketch.

LIONS is a pretty entertaining read. I give it 3.5 stars rounded up because I might have been grouchy while reading it. Readers with an interest in libraries and turn-of-the-century New York will find much to like in Davis' most recent novel.

3.5 stars

This was my first Fiona Davis novel. It was an interesting story, but slightly unsatisfying. It does feel like there have been a lot of dual voice, dual era novels lately. In this story, we switch back and forth between future feminist activist Laura Lyons in 1913 and her granddaughter Sophie, a librarian in 1993. The thread that connects them, aside from the family relationship, is the New York Public Library and some unsettling rare book thefts in each time period.

Laura Lyons is married with two children when the book begins. Her husband is a librarian and they live in an apartment inside the library. That apartment actually did exist which was a bit of a fascinating side story. Laura loves her family, but yearns after a career and some fulfillment outside her home. The family's energies mostly go toward nurturing her husband while he finishes his novel. She manages to scrape together enough money to go to graduate school in journalism, only to be met by serious gender discrimination and out and out theft of her written classwork.

Priceless books begin to disappear from the library and Laura's husband is suspected. Laura is torn between her family and a different sort of life away from them.

Fast forward 80 years. Sophie is divorced and emotionally walled off. Her mother, Laura's daughter, won't talk about her childhood or family much. After her death, Sophie still knows very little about her parents or grandparents. But again, rare and valuable books are missing from the collection and Sophie is panicked since they are all part of a major exhibit that she is putting together.

As she investigates the thefts, she discovers more about what happened with her family all those years ago. And then Sophie falls under suspicion.

Not a bad read, but (and perhaps this was the intention) confusing in terms of Laura Lyons' character and life goals. Obviously she was torn between two worlds. Neither Sophie nor Laura was an especially appealing character to me. The plot depended on a lot of coincidence.

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am talking about the new book —
The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis!

This is a great mystery!
It starts in New York City in 1913, in the New York Public Library.
A family actually lived inside the library for 30 years!
For me (a book nerd) that would be awesome!
There are 2 stone lions in front of the library, thus the title of the book.

Anyway, one-of-a-kind books are disappearing.
It ends with a death.
Then 80 years later, the granddaughter ends up working at the NY Public Library.
It is up to her to solve the 80-year-old mystery.

This book grabbed my attention, and never let go!

The author answers —
HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA TO FOCUS ON RARE BOOK THEFTS?
The theft in the novel is inspired by one that occurred in 1994 at Columbia University’s Butler Library, in which a thief stole $1.8 million in rare books, manuscripts, and letters over the course of three months. I was lucky enough to interview Jean Ashton, the University’s librarian at that time, as part of my research.

It’s a different kind of mystery, and really tough to solve!
At the center of the story is the family living in the library, and the library itself.
Quite unusual, but actually based on history.
There really was an apartment for the Library Superintendent and family to live in.

If you love a mystery, this is a great book!
If you love libraries, this book will indulge you!

Fiona Davis' latest novel, The Lions of Fifth Avenue, is another excellent work of women-centered historical fiction. Set in the main branch of the New York Public Library in 1913 and 1993, the story follows Laura Lyons and, eighty years later, her granddaughter Sadie Donovan. The dual timelines work together to unravel a string of mysterious rare book thefts decades apart.

Wife, mother, and aspiring writer Laura lives in a hidden apartment inside the library with her husband and two young children, but as much as she loves her picture-perfect family, she craves a career in journalism. After enrolling in the Columbia School of Journalism, she finds herself swept up by the radical women of Greenwich Village, activists who rail against the patriarchal society that restricts female autonomy. Drawn like a sheltered moth to the bright flame of this movement, Laura finds not only article inspiration for her class assignments, but a camaraderie that grows into an intense escape from her stifling domestic life.

Librarian Sadie is in charge of a massive rare book exhibition at NYPL, but her curating plans derail when integral works in the collection begin to disappear. She is under scrutiny for the thefts, but is determined to uncover the truth behind both the recent crimes and the long-unsolved mystery of missing books from the time her grandmother lived in the library apartments.

Both women navigate the fine line between desire and duty as they strive to find solace from tumultuous tension at work and home. My only criticisms were I wanted even more of Laura's journeys into Greenwich Village bohemia, and I found some of Sadie's chapters to be less engaging than the 1913 chapters at certain points. But I really loved the queer content and the strong, smart, flawed women at the center of the story. Overall, the main characters were likable and the atmosphere lovely.

[4/5: A fast read that made my librarian heart happy (even though Sadie used gloves on thin paper but that's okay I'm okay). It is very clear how much Fiona Davis loves the NYPL, and I enjoyed learning about the little secrets of the beautiful main branch building. Readers of historical fiction, especially novels with dual timelines, will enjoy this one. And anyone looking for 'books about books/libraries' will find much to savor here!]

Many thanks to the publisher (Penguin Random House) and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The best kind of historical fiction drives the reader to find out more, and Fiona Davis does this with her newest New York City novel centered on the main branch of the New York Public Library. This fabulous building makes an engaging setting for the story set between two time periods and two women who are attached to the library--and to each other--in unique ways. The mysteries of each time period propels the storylines along, and societal concerns of the eras provide food for thought.

Fiona Davis writes dual-timeline, historical fiction set in iconic New York buildings. They are thoroughly researched to ensure factual accuracy. She uses that as a springboard to create beautifully crafted stories about women working through struggles and coming out stronger, wiser, better.

The Lions of New York is her best so far. Fascinating building, engaging characters, interesting time period when the role of women was changing so drastically and compelling personal stories.

Five stars is not enough.

Every Fiona Davis novel is a treat, and this, her latest, is no exception. I loved traveling through the passages and rooms of a long ago time in the New York Public Library. I loved all the tidbits sprinkled throughout about rare books and the care and keeping of them. I loved how the story - both stories! - kept me on the very edge of my seat. And maybe most of all I loved Laura, who learned what her passion was and blazed her own trail.

I'm a big-time fan of Fiona Davis, and her novels are definitely high on my list of recommendations.

Thank you, Netgalley, for this arc.

This is my first time reading a novel by Fiona Davis and I was definitely impressed. I can't believe I waited so long to read one and I definitely want to read more!

The story was really interesting and had a Susan Meissner feel to it with going back and forth between time periods and capturing pieces of history. One of my close friends works for the New York Public Library, so it was even more fascinating to learn about the library's inner workings for that reason, as well. It made me want to visit the library the next time I have a chance to travel to New York.

I liked both leading characters and found them relatable in different ways. I didn't expect the outcome to be what it was, so I was definitely surprised. The details helped move the story along and made me feel like I was right there with the characters. It was definitely a page turner.

If you like history and mystery, along with the feeling of being surrounded by books, this is the novel for you!

Movie casting suggestions:
Laura: Lily James
Jack: Bug Hall
Amelia: Melissa Roxburgh
Sadie: Sally Hawkins
Lonnie: Lee Pace
LuAnn: Riki Lindhome
Robin: Holly Earl
Nick: Ethan Suplee
Claude: Ben Schwartz

Fiona Davis’ newest entry in her historical fiction collection contains her traditional writing techniques; namely dual timelines and the themes of women’s rights and their struggles to obtain equal status to men. Her choice of New York venue for this outing is the iconic New York Public Library. Even if you haven’t visited the NYPL, we all know the iconic building at first sight with a pair of stone lions flanking the stairs at the entrance; and who doesn’t remember Carrie’s almost wedding to Big, held at the library in the first Sex and the City movie???

At the beginning of the 1914 storyline, we are introduced to Laura and Jack and their two children, Harry and Pearl. Jack was hired to be the library superintendent and the family resides in an apartment in the library. There are detailed descriptions of certain parts of the library such as the rare book room and the residence, however, I found myself wanting more description of the public areas. I had high hopes for great descriptions of the library which the public can access, but I found that the most descriptive passages were areas which are hidden to the public.

The book’s second timeline in 1993 features Sadie, Pearl’s daughter, who also works at the library. The theme that ties these two storylines together is the theft of several rare books that occur under Jack’s watch and then again under Sadie’s decades later.

In the end, Davis has provided us with a solid historical fiction novel, but personally, I was a bit disappointed and don’t feel that it compares to her previous work, The Masterpiece. I had a difficult time connecting with these characters in comparison to her other work.

Thank you to the publishers – Dutton (Penguin Group) and to Netgalley for providing this book to me in exchange for an honest review.

Review will be posted on my blog, social networking sites and major book retailers upon publication date.

3/5 Stars

Enjoyed the fictional story of a family living in the New York Public library. What book lover has not dreamed of living in a library?