Sorry it took so long to review this book, I had to google and research The Fricks and everything else this book discussed.
That is what Fiona Davis does, tells captivating stories with historical relevance and The Magnolia Palace is no exception. She makes history interesting and keeps it alive in her newest book. The reader gets to live life with The Fricks and then then also with an up and coming model in the 1960s. Going between these two decades the reader experiences love and loss and will gain a deeper appreciation for the two main characters in The Magnolia Palace.

I love it when I read an advance copy of a book by an author I’ve never read before and love it. I love it even more when I find out that they have MORE BOOKS for me to read! This is what happened when I received an advance copy of The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Twenty-one year old Lillian Carter has been modeling for artists since she was fifteen. Under her mother’s guidance, she became Angelica, the most sought-after artist model in New York City. When her mother succumbs to the Spanish Flu outbreak in 1919, she is lost. When her landlord’s wife is found murdered with a flirtatious note Lillian sent her husband, she is wanted for questioning. Instead of complying, she runs with hopes to get out to Hollywood to become a movie star.

Lillian stumbles into a job interview for the personal assistant of Miss Helen Frick of the daughter of the infamous industrialist, Henry Clay Frick. She manages to not only get the job but become a valued member of the Frick household. When the patriarch of the family dies, Lillian is caught up in a scandal unlike anything I’ve ever read before.


This book, with it’s many detailed descriptions great art, New York society and it’s landmarks, was an interesting look at how life would be for a young woman with a so called scandalous profession at the time. Flashing back and forth between 1919 and 1966, the book manages to tie up all the missing pieces without being trite.

If you like historical figures and locals mixed with a good fictional story, this book is for you.

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis is scheduled for publication on January 25, 2022. You can preorder from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at your local independent book store.

Thanks for reading.

https://this-life.blog/2021/11/30/the-magnolia-palace-by-fiona-davis/

I am so honored that I got to read one of my favorite author's latest book before it was released! I have followed Fiona Davis' since I read her book, "The Dollhouse." She does such an extraordinary job of the interweaving narrative of two time periods in the wonderful landscape of New York City. This book does just that with the backdrop of Magnolia Mansion.as we meet two lost souls who find solace in this huge home turned museum. With a little mystery of a jewelry piece and a death, I could not put this book down. I enjoyed the different characters throughout the two time periods. But I found myself hoping that it all worked out for the main protagonist, Lilly. Overall, like I would expect from Ms. Davis, I thoroughly enjoyed reading another wonderful piece of New York City history through the brilliance of Ms. Davis' books.

Thank you #Netgalley and #PenguinGroup for the chance of read this book early in return for my honest opinion.

I just finished the NetGalley version of The Magnolia Palace. This was the most beautiful story Ms. Davis has written to date. Unrequited love, overbearing parents, spoiled children, a missing cameo with a secret and still this one is wonderful story. She blends the early 1900’s with the 1960’s beautifully. Mental illness and racism are handled with compassion and honesty. The Magnolia Palace makes me believe again that good things really do happen to good people.

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis History of the Frick mansion turned into a museum, a missing diamond, a mystery, and romance. Lillian Carter and Veronica Weber both models in their own time periods 1919 and 1966 become involved with the mystery within the mansion/museum. From a historical viewpoint the story was quite interesting, the stories of Lilly and Veronica fell a bit flat. Could not connect with either of the women or their actions. A good read for Ms Davis' fans.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Fiona Davis is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. The Magnolia Palace mixes historical fiction with mystery and a touch of romance, using a dual timeline to tell the story of the Frick Collection in New York City. I thoroughly enjoyed both storylines, especially the integration of art history in the plot. Ms. Davis's novel is educational as well as entertaining with a mystery that kept me guessing until the end. My only real criticism is that I didn't find the main characters in either timeline very likeable, which prevented me from being as invested in solving the puzzle in the end. Overall, I would recommend this or any of her other novels to anyone who enjoys a dual timeline historical mystery or someone interested in New York City history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of the book The Magnolia Palace. My opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Through fictional stories based on actual location, Fiona Davis makes you revisit all places that makes NYC what it is: this time she makes you want to visit The Frick Mansion to look for artworks and rooms that were mentioned in the book, google “Audrey Munson” furiously to see if you can really see her likeness in artworks. So yeah, Frick Museum here I come!

Lillian was what a supermodel should be during the Gilded Age; every face popping out during that time around NYC was based on hers. With her momager died from Spanish flu, she found herself in a very difficult position. Police was trying to pull her into this murder investigation and it was her in her best interest to leave her apartment, but where could she go? She randomly stopped in front of a mansion hoping to get some tea after her night in the park. What she didn’t know about this mansion was first she would find her face in that house and second she would start an experience that would shape her life.

Years later, another model would step into the same mansion for totally different purpose. After series of unfortunate events, she ended up getting stuck in this mansion to find herself in the middle of a story that was thought to be concluded 50 years ago. All characters from past and present ended up coming together to end that story for real, but this time there would be no misunderstandings. I enjoyed this book a lot and finished in one sitting even though ending was little too happy 😅. If you like stories revolve around landmark buildings, you’d like this one too.

Fiona Davis delivers another great piece of historical fiction and continues to seal her status as an auto-buy author for me. I was SO excited to get her newest book early and loved every page. Learning more about New York history while trying to unravel the fictional mystery fit Davis' formula perfectly but was still unique from all her others. If you are a Fiona Davis fan, a historical fiction fan, or a New York city fan you'll love this one!

I enjoyed this novel very much. This follows the story of Helen Clay Frick who is a real American Philanthropist and Lillian Carter who is loosely based on Audrey Munson who is considered Americas first supermodel. There are duo timelines 1919 and 1966. Helen and Lillian are in both timelines . The 1966 timeline introduces us to Veronica and Joshua. I like to learn through reading Historical Fiction and I learned a lot in this one about art. There is a lot in this book, poverty,riches,betrayal,mystery, strong female role models and even love. Thank you so much to Fiona Davis and NetGalley for allowing me to read a early copy of this wonderful book

Once again, Fiona Davis writes a book that you can’t put down! I love how Fiona brings to life these NYC landmarks. I love learning the history behind buildings..and in this case, the family that lived there. Now I can’t wait to go back to NYC and visit the Frick Collection.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity for a newer review to read such a popular author. I am a big fan of “The Address” and “The Lions of Fifth Avenue” so I jumped at the opportunity to review her upcoming novel.
As with previous novels, I truly enjoyed the historical details. I’m a history buff and love the descriptions as well as the dual story lines, 1919 and 1966. I also appreciate the way Davis blends real life characters with fictional ones so seamlessly. As with her previous novels, The Magnolia Palace sends me to do extra research after I’ve finished reading for a deeper historical context. A nice mix of romance and mystery, I will recommend this book to my book club, friends and colleagues.

Simply wonderful ! The Frick family and the Frick Collection were all new to me. …. But not anymore.
Fiona Davis is a master at weaving fiction and a NYC landmark and family and taking me on the most enjoyable ride. Loved it.

Fiona Davis once again takes readers inside an iconic New York building and weaves a story about the people who have been a part of its history, in this case taking us to the Frick Museum. In one timeline, a legendary artist's model running from a scandal winds up as personal secretary to Helen Frick and gets an introduction to the wealthy and dysfunctional world of the family. In the other, new model Veronica finds herself trapped inside the Frick and begins to learn about the building and its history- along with a bit of a mystery. There are excellent details of time and place in both settings, and Davis does a beautiful job piecing together truth and fiction.

It's always a treat to read a new Fiona Davis novel. The NYC settings are so unusual and this one is no exception: The Frick Collection of the 1960s and the home of Henry Clay Frick and his family circa 1919. Meeting the artist's model known as Angelica, we get a sense of what life was like during that early time period. Later in the 1966 timeline, we meet a budding model who came to modeling by accident and is trying to make her way.

The information about the life of Henry Clay Frick family is historically accurate, of course. Fiona Davis researches her subjects thoroughly. The models are fictitious although their experiences sound accurate and on target: long hours, low pay and not being treated well by the artist/photographer while at the same time seeing their face everywhere. I like how this book shows that modeling is not as glamorous as we may think.

For fans of historical fiction, I know they are already looking forward to reading a new one by Fiona Davis. I can't wait for the day I can put this into the hands of readers at my library!

Fiona Davis has captured some of the most historic figures in this historical fiction with tantalizing betrayals, secrets and even murder in an impressive Gilded Age Mansion in New York City in 1919. Henry Clay Frick launched the Frick Collection in the Frick Art Reference Library and still considered "one of the most hated men in America" and an attempted assassination on him and his Frick Coke Company which fueled the Pennsylvania's Steel Mills. He attended some of the the richest doors on NY's Fifth Avenue Elite making room for his debut and home Magnolia Palace.

"The rich think they're are protected, that they have magical powers, when in fact they're only mortals, like the rest of us......."

With their famous sculpts and decor adorning their walls holds a figure in the pediment above the door of the Frick's Collection and this is where the story begins. Posing for sculptors etched into history forever, was a model "Angelica" at 21 years old her life falls apart when her landlord makes advances on her to help her cover her rent. She proudly declines, but it haunts her after the landlord murders his wife and she is wanted for questioning. Claiming her real name, Lillian, she is mistaken for someone else and falls in line to the head secretary of Henry Clay's head strong daughter Helen Clay Frick. This job proves to be more scandals, a tangled web of romance, stolen jewels and murder.

Local newspapers on display "The star witness in the West Side murder has disappeared! Angelica, the most beautiful woman in the world." Hiding among the wealthiest people in NY Royalty and they are clueless or are they?

Fast forward 1960's... during a snowstorm with the power out, Vogue model Veronica is locked in the Frick's museum with Joshua Lawrence, a museum archivist. Curious about the decades old murder, they uncover hidden messages in the walls much like a scavenger hunt revealing more than expected, but they are not alone in the dark.....

I was so caught up in this Old Hollywood feel, never before thinking about sculptures reveal their own legacy of people and their past. This capture by the author is so rich in history offering a magnetic draw to the past without disrupting their true events. The research will leave you hunting for more information on this vile bunch. An absolute amazing caper through their world!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this historical fiction in exchange for my honest review!

I wish to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was thrilled when my request to read this was approved.

What an intriguing book about the life of a young artist model. Her face is all over New York. She witnesses a murder and goes into hiding in fear. She is trying to find a job and ends up working as a secretary/special assistant to a wealthy daughter of a Steel magnet. She dreams of a becoming a silent movie star. This story is very involved and with each change it drags the reader into the depth of the story. I really enjoyed this book as I learned a lot about beautiful historic buildings in New York City and fabulous artworks that are part of the Frick Museum collection. When the wealthy father dies he leaves his home and collection to the city and his daughter is tasked with setting up the collection. There is romance, murder, missing treasure and so much more. See if you can solve this mystery.

The author writes in such a delightful way that the buildings of New York actually seem like characters in the book. I am a fan and always look forward to reading her books. She never disappoints.

I was lucky to receive an advance reader copy of The Magnolia Palace, by Fiona Davis. Once again, she has woven the history of a New York City landmark, The Frick Collection, into an historical fiction story that kept me reading constantly until I finished. Fiona Davis' story of the mystery surrounding the fictional Magnolia Diamond allows us to explore the Frick family in all of their glory, foibles, and assumed privilege as one of the preeminent preeminent New York families of their time.
The story is told in dual timelines of two young models, one in 1919 and one in 1966. Both women are attempting to fix their life problems and both become entwined in the Frick mansion, family and collection.
The book moves at a wonderful pace, and the mystery will keep you guessing right until the very end. I highly recommend you read The Magnolia Palace when it is released on January 25, 2022.

I have enjoyed all of Fiona Davis's books, and this one was no exception. She does an excellent job with dual timelines, and the NYC buildings in her books are like another character. I knew very little about the Frick family and their art collection, so I learned a lot, which has inspired me to read more about both. I look forward to recommending this book to our library patrons!

It’s the Gilded Age and the early 20th Century finds NYC a thriving city for the rich. Artists are given commissions to paint and sculpt statues to embellish interior and exterior landscapes. Lillian Carter is contracted at the tender age of 15 to begin her modeling career. With classic beauty and a lithe body, Lillian catches the eye of a sculptor who wants her to be his model. It is the start of a six-year career of being a muse, mostly unclothed, for prominent artists. She has become famous as “Angelica” because of her beatific looks. Her mother accompanies her so that nothing untoward ever happens. But at 21, her career is flailing. Plus, her mother who was her promoter, has just died of the Spanish flu. Angelica is desperate and when the police think she might be somehow involved in a crime, she has nowhere to turn, so she runs. By accident Angelica get hired – now under her real name – as a personal secretary to Helen Frick, daughter of the wealthy Henry Clay Frick.

In another timeline set in the 1960’s, Veronica Weber is an aspiring model who’s on assignment for Vogue in NYC. She gets trapped in the Frick Museum when a storm hits and she finds the other models and the crew have left her behind. There’s a young museum intern who is also caught by the storm. Together they explore the museum and learn some of its secrets.

Davis takes historical figures and mixes in fictional characters to create a riveting story. She explains in her notes at the end of the novel, who was real and who was imagined. This story of wealth and a passion for art, is enthralling. At every turn the Frick mansion is a testament to art and beauty. The story of Lillian’s interaction with Helen Frick and others in the household will capture readers and immerse them in a gilded world that they can only imagine.

Both timelines are intriguing and the addition of the fictional elements enhance the book. Davis has created a powerful story of innocence ensnared, family rivalry, women’s rights, and the lives of the rich and famous. If one ever gets the chance to visit the fantastic Frick Museum in NYC, it is a must stop and will make appreciation of this book even greater. A good companion to this book would be to read The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict which follows the story of Frick’s contemporary JP Morgan, and the story of his librarian who oversaw the start of the stunning Morgan Library in NYC.

With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
Once again fiona has brought us another outstanding book full of history and intriguing details, I can highly recommend this wonderful book