There are a few writers who live on my "auto-buy" list. Fiona Davis is one. I was thrilled to receive an advance copy through NetGalley, but that won't stop me from buying a copy for my personal home library. AND for a librarian friend who will also love it. Historical fiction can be a delight, or it can be too dry by spending more time teaching than entertaining. Ms. Davis hits all the notes perfectly. The Lions of Fifth Avenue is a treasure.

I'm a recent discoverer of the immensely talented Fiona Davis. I've been incredibly blessed to review most of her books. I have loved them all and while this one wasn't my favorite, it was a dleight to read. I've always loved how Miss Davis takes historical fictin out of it's preconcieved box. Rather than sticking with the traditional wars, she takes a thing from the past and wraps it up for us readers in an engrossing package.

This particular story revolves around Laura Lyons- herself, immediate family and decendents. You start out with her happily married to her husband and living in the esteemed New York Cigty Public Library with their two children. Dreams she had of being a journalist had been placed on the backburner for women weren't typically with careers at the time. An opportunity presents itself with her being able to pursue her dream and the life she knew slowly unravels. Journalism schools allows her to see a world beyond what she currentlty knew. She meets people a woman who she knew from school, but now will open doors- and viewpoints- that she never purseud before. Over time the friendship changes her life in ways the heavily sheltered Laura couldn't have predicted. All this happens as her husband's job is under intense scruiteny as someone is discovered to be stealing books from the library. Within a short period of time, the life Laura started out with looks nothing like the life she ended up with.

Decades later, Sadie is the granddaughter of the elusive Laura Lyons. By now she has been gone for many years, but more questions than answers appeared to be her legacy. When history repeats itself with new books thefts within the same library, that Sadie is now employed with, she's forced to dig deeper for explanations and those elusive answers.

I was engrossed in most of the story. As with any reader, some aspects of the story were more intriguing than others. I was fascinated with life within the library. I never knew anyone actually lived within it's walls. I was equally intrigued with the whole journalism school aspect. Fiona Davis makes you feel you were there with each student, in Laura's case embarking on a rare adventure.

Fans of Fiona Davis will not be disappointed. Once again, she takes an obscure thing in history and make you unable to put it down while she unravels a story within it. Some characters were more relatable than others. Readers will find their favorite to root. You will feel like you're among the characters while everything is happening.

Intertwined stories of two remarkable women--joined by a passion for improvement, a relentless curiosity, and a love of books--make this historical novel sing. Pitch-perfect period details and a wickedly intriguing mystery only add to the fun. Fiona Davis is at her best in this captivating novel.

My first read by Fiona Davis did not disappoint! Two well done stories of women coming into their own. A mystery connects and through dueling timelines all. Is revealed. Loved this story and will be checking out more from Davis!

I really enjoyed Fiona Davis' novels The Dollhouse and The Address, both of which were dual-timeline stories around historic Manhattan buildings.

The Lions of Fifth Avenue follows the same model. The two stories in two timelines are linked by rare book thefts, both stories about highly valuable, one-of-a-kind historical artifacts that seems to disappear from secure storage at the New York Public Library.

In 1913, Laura Lyons, her husband, and two small children are living in the library, in an apartment for the library's director.  My local public libraries have closed for coronavirus, so I had even more than the usual envy about living in the library. Imagine sheltering in place with all the books! Laura has a complicated life, trying to attend journalism school Columbia, follow her heart, and be a supportive wife and mother at home, so the missing books are one more stress point for her.

In the 1990s, Laura's granddaughter, Sadie, is a librarian helping put on an exhibition of rare books at the NYPL. Sadie hasn't mentioned her connection with the Lyons family, but as more and more rare books disappear on Sadie's watch, and Sadie tries to find how they could be disappearing, she start to wonder about the connection. The books themselves are intriguing, charged artifacts, with secret library identification signs, handwritten author's notes, and other unique marks over the years.

The two timelines intertwine for a wonderful trip through the familiar landmarks and secret, closed-off areas of New York Public Library.

Having both worked in bookstores and a library (also visited the NYC Library), the premise of this book intrigued me. The story of art thieves, journalist and family mysteries added to the allure of this book. I enjoyed it thoroughly and probably will return to reading other books by this author.

I like historical fiction, parallel narratives, and the New York Public Library, so I expected to love this book. It definitely held my attention, but it became too melodramatic for my tastes and I didn't particularly like the main characters.

Davis is a master at storytelling - period. She takes factual events from history and sprinkles in her own flavor to weave incredible tales. It was evident the amount of time, dedication, and research Ms. Davis spent on this novel. I was blown away, completely flabbergasted. It is a gift to readers when authors hone their craft and additionally, spend a lot of time fact-checking. I've talked about this before in reference to historical fiction. . . when reading historical fiction, I like it to be as close to the facts as possible. In this book, it was clear that Ms. Davis knew her subject well.

This story is based on a number of book thefts that were occurring in the NY Public Library system.

This book used a technique that I have come to know well in the last few years. A technique I've had a love/hate relationship with. Alternating timelines. However I don't have a single complaint with how it was executed in this book!

If you liked Gentleman in Moscow or any other Davis books you'll love this!

I absolutely loved this book where – in classic Fiona Davis style – the setting becomes a character of its own through the narrative. And what a beautiful narrative. It's the story of two compelling women, connected through the New York Public Library across generations. More than just about rare books that go missing and the suspense therein, it's also about women who learn to live comfortably in their own skin, the sacrifices and challenges faced by those who brought us our freedoms and the entire history of a city. The research is superb and the characters are extremely well developed. Fiona Davis has done it again!

Fiona Davis has a way of intertwining history and fiction. She does it again with “The Lions of Fifth Avenue”. I always enjoy her style of merging two eras within the same iconic New York City address. This story is set in The New York Public Library. Rare books are missing from the library’s special collection so curator Sadie Donovan must figure out who took them. The story leads to the early 1900s and her grandmother, writer Laura Lyons. Just when you think you figured out whodunnit, the story takes another turn.

Loved this book. Historical and about Libraries....perfect for me. I will be reading more of Fiona Davis after this for sure!

Another knockout novel for Fiona Davis. The Lions of Fifth Avenue is a hit! Ms. Davis is a master of writing historical fiction revolving around NYC's most famous structures. The New York Public Library setting is brilliant. Throughout the story you will develop the most wonderful picture, full of detail, of this landmark in all its glory. The main characters are two charismatic women, from two different times (1913/1993)., Ms. Davis writes a perfectly flowing story, that will uncover their unique relation, while exploring the intricacies of one of the largest US libraries. .One woman, Laura, and her family, live physically within the library building. The other woman, Sadie, works in the library as a librarian. It is a story full of emotion, family, twists, accomplishments, sacrifices, and strength that bring the two women together.

The portrayal of the library system operations covered the topics of restoration, special collections, value, and preservation For the booklover there are biblio related mentions and nuggets from start to finish. No doubt, after reading The Lions of Fifth Avenue, you will want to make a personal visit, to meet Patience and Fortitude. in person.

I loved The Lions of Fifth Avenue just as I have all of the novels written by Davis so far. Of course, my interest in books and love for libraries, made this one extra interesting and enjoyable. As always, I am already anticipating the next novel and its place of wonder.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read/review this title in exchange for my personal and honest feedback.

#netgalley
#fionadavis
#thelionsoffifthavenue

Another triumph for one of the best authors working today. I love these novels and learning about NYC and its history. This latest installment is fantastic and reading about the NYC public library, is wonderful. I must admit, I found the end a bit rushed and easy, but certainly doesn’t detract from the marvelous book. Bravo!

I choose to read this book because I've read the author's previous works, which I've enjoyed. This book did not disappoint. As a librarian, I was intrigued by the New York Public Library as the setting for the story. The historical chapters gave insight to the Library "as it was." The mystery part of the book was interesting and I was able to understand the plot throughout the story.

I love all of Fiona Davis' work, and this one did not disappoint! I love the way she switches between a historical event and more modern times - in this case 1913 and the 1990s. It does a great job of building suspense through both stories. I loved learning more about the New York Public library, and loved the story.

Fiona Davis has written a number of historical fiction titles.  Each book is set in an iconic NYC landmark and has a dual narrative structure and timeline.  In this, the strongest of her novels yet, the reader spends time at the main New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. 


The story in the past begins around 1913.  The iconic library has just opened.  The superintendent, Jack; his wife, Laura; and their two children, Pearl and Harry actually live in an apartment inside the enormous new library.  Jack, in addition to his job, is writing what he hopes will be the great American novel.  Laura, up until now, a woman who married for love and cares for her family wants more.  She enrolls as one of very few women at the Columbia School of Journalism.  Jack and Laura's desire for fulfillment leads to conflict, misunderstandings and tragedy.  The fallout from their actions influences the story that takes place in the 1990s which is about their descendants.


In the present, Sadie works as a curator at the very same library on 42nd Street.  Her love of all things bookish is apparent.  Under Sadie's watch, volumes are being stolen from the library.  How do the past and present collide?  Read the book to find out.


I learned a lot about collectable and antiquarian books as well as the library through reading this novel.  I now know more about valuable books and how they are both vulnerable and protected. Clearly Ms. Davis has been meticulous in her research and loves her subject.


There are themes to this novel in addition to the mystery, romance and depictions of life at the Columbia School of Journalism,  the Village and the library.  What sacrifices are women asked to make and when are they too much?  How much is owed to a family?  Can we be forgiven for mistakes?  How important is it to have a relationship and to take risks for it? Who should define what a person wants in life?


Ms. Davis does an excellent job of connecting the two narratives.  The book is a page turner that will be eagerly embraced by her loyal readers and will also be enjoyed by those new to the author.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.  I recommend it very highly.

New York City 1913 the New York Public Library, the two lions guarding the entrance. Jack and Laura Lyons and their two children live in an apartment in the library as Jack is the superintendent there and that apartment is provided for them. Laura, restless as a homemaker yearns for more and is able go to the Columbia School of Journalism. This is not just an adventure for a bored housewife, but a whole new world awaits her as she steps into studies that take her all over the city. As Laura continued on with her studies, she left her cloistered surroundings, going out into New York's bohemian neighborhood in Greenwich Village. It was there that she opened her eyes to the difficult reality and struggle of women's lives, the under privileged, the less fortunate, a life she never understood or was aware of. But there was so much more she learned, that of a bohemian lifestyle, so different from her's. In the meantime, Jack was going through his own problems, something else Laura was unaware of. However, there is grave danger that is about to destroy the Lyons lives, as valuable books are soon missing from the library.

Flash forward to 1993 where we now find Sadie Donovan who is the curator of the New York Public Library. Sadie, Laura's granddaughter, is actually the one in charge of her grandmother's legacy, the famous essayist Laura Lyons. Under her position as curator, however, missing manuscripts, private letters as well as notes and books begin missing from the famous Berg collection. With her career in jeopardy and the valuable items now missing, Sadie now finds herself in the midst of helping to find the thief. Yet, what else will she find, what family secrets will be unearthed and discovered in this search?

What a double entendre with the lions guarding the library and the Lyons living within! Between the grandmother and the grandchild, as the story unfolds, we see the absolute connection between the two. The research is impeccable, the characters well developed. Fiona Davis has done it again. She has given us, her readers, a book that is excellent, a story that I loved and readers will treasure. Ms. Davis is one of my favorite authors and I look forward, as always, to her next novel.

My thanks to NetGalley and Dutton Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting story that revolves around the New York Library, rare books, and a persistent librarian!

Fiona Davis is one of my favorites and this one did not disappoint! Alternating between two time periods in New York City, this is a story of love, loss, family, and courage.

In 1913 Laura Lyons, her husband Jack, and two children live in an apartment inside the main branch of the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. Laura is pursuing a journalism degree, while her husband Jack is the superintendent of the library.

Forward to 1993, Sadie Donovan is a librarian at The New York Public Library where the Lyons family lived. She becomes curator of the Berg Collection, a special collections department with rare books and artifacts.
The two time periods are intertwined by a series of book thefts- unique books and folios that have gone missing. As the story unfolds, both Laura and Sadie discover more about themselves and the ties that bind them together.

As a librarian myself, I loved the research that was put into this book! I never knew the NYPL had apartments for rent, how cool. One thing I would have changed- I really wanted Harry to reconnect with his mom and sister- I can’t imagine what Laura must have felt leaving for London never knowing what became of him. I was hoping before Pearl passed that her and Harry would see each other, even just for a brief time.

Overall excellent read as usual! Good choice for book clubs as well.

From the title that offers a tie in : stone lions protect the library on the outside the human Lyons on the inside to the compelling female leads I loved this novel