Fiona Davis does it again! I love how she brings the history of some of New York City buildings to life. The Magnolia Palace is a work of fiction based on real life events of the Frick family. The story captivated me from the beginning to the very end. I look forward to Ms. Davis’ next novel. I learn so much through her storytelling.

Thank you #NetGalley, #PenguinRandomHouse and #FionaDavis for the copy of #TheMagnoliaPalce for my honest review.

What a fantastic book!
I had no knowledge of the Frick family mansion that exists in New York City. This book makes me want to visit it next time I’m there.
Fiona Davis does another excellent job with dual timelines in history. She is so talented and can bring history to life like no other author I’ve read.

The ending was wrapped up a little too cleanly for my taste. But her books typically have a feel good ending because the characters face so much strife. Davis is becoming an auto read author for me!

Phenomenal book. Fiona Davis once again writes a historical fiction novel that is informative and interesting. She captures the nature of the historical figures and creates fictional characters that help to move the story forward and create greater depth to the narrative. The author educates the reader on a famous New York City family living during the Gilded Age. The book is written with a dual timeline.

After reading this book I am looking forward to going to the Frick Museum once it reopens after renovations to the Frick Mansion. You will not be disappointed reading The Magnolia Palace.

I love Fiona Davis as a person (not met but just online stuff). I think she writes really well and is a good storyteller. However, after this being my second book tried of hers and not finishing either book, I am thinking her books just aren't for me sadly. The First book I had tried to read was really just over my head as I knew nothing about New York. So I felt that maybe that was just a glitch. I requested this book with high hopes of enjoying it. I just simply could not get into the book. It was a DNF for me at Chapter 3.

Historical Fiction is a favorite of mine and I think Fiona Barton does it the best of all! I mean for one, hello New York city, dual timelines, beautiful models and stunning statues!!

We start with the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1919 where famous model Lillian Carter loses her beloved mother. Lillian, fresh with grief makes several bad decisions that send her on a roller coaster of survival to The Magnolia Palace. I was wondering at any moment if her secrets would be found out. When Lillian suddenly disappears questions are left unanswered.

Fifty years later English model Veronica Weber is trying to jump start her own career In New York city. She is a young woman alone with the big responsibility of trying to find a way to support her family back home. Veronica ends up on a job at The Magnolia Palace, a place where the walls hold many secrets. When the job falls apart for her and she ends up being left behind Veronica discovers the messages that will lead her to the true story of what happened to Lillian Carter.

Barton does such a good job of weaving this story together that you quickly find yourself immersed in the history of The Magnolia Palace. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm always anxious for the next story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the copy of this book.

The Magnolia Palace is a slow-based historical fiction novel that follows two timelines.

1919: Lillian, professionally known as Angelica, is a model turned personal secretary. After the death of her mother/manager, Lillian’s career as a sculptor’s muse fizzles out. Unable to pay rent to her scuzzy landlord, he propositions her for a different way to get rent. Lillian sends him a note cheekily turning him down, stating she will come up with the rent money. When her landlord’s wife finds this note, chaos ensues and the wife is murdered. Lillian, terrified of being questioned by the police about her note, escapes and lands a job as Helen Frick’s personal secretary at the Frick Mansion.

1966: Veronica is a fresh-faced British model doing her first photoshoot abroad in New York City at the Frick Museum. After walking off set, she gets lost and trapped during a large blizzard that knocks out the power. Alone in the museum, she meets an intern whose also been snowed in. Together they discover a scavenger hunt that leads them to uncovering the deepest secrets of the Frick Family.

This story was thoughtful, intriguing and had family drama, mystery and murder. Spanning two timelines, we learn about the Frick family, their staff, and their secrets. Fiona Davis is a new author for me and this introduction to her work was beautifully written and timeless. It was slow at times and it took a while to get to the murder and mystery and for that reason I have given this book 4 stars.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin House - Dutton for an advanced reading copy.

Magnolia Palace features two timelines: one in the early 20th century and the second approximately 50 years later. Have you ever noticed the statues throughout NYC and other historical areas and wondered who modeled for them? I had not, but after reading this book I learned so much about the inspiration and work behind these artworks. Further, this book made me want to visit the Frick museum (location of most scenes in the book) to see how it compared to the book. I preferred the first timeline to the second and read the earlier timeline much more quickly, and I would have preferred for the entire book to have focused on the early 20th century story. That being said, the second timeline provided answers to questions unresolved in the earlier timeline. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Fiona Davis for this wished for ARC.

This was a wonderful historical fiction dual timeline book. It was a joy to read and I didn't want it to end.

Lillian Carter is struggling since her mother died suddenly of Influenza. She is trying to keep jobs so she can continue to pay for their apartment. The landlord requests to meet her and she finds his wife has been murdered, she runs in a panic for fear she will be implicated. She was once a muse for many artists in the city and now has to redefine herself to stay hidden from the police. She finds a place as a secretary for Helen Frick. She is the mastermind behind her letters for her employer to catch a beau. Things go terribly wrong and Lillian is then suddenly moving on to a different.

Veronica Weber scored a photoshoot with Vogue magazine in the Frick mansion. She suddenly is in the photographer's spotlight because she tries to stand up to him when he wants the models to pose in the snow making angels in beautiful dresses. She is left behind all alone in the mansion when she get separated from the group. There is a terrible snowstorm and she thinks she is alone, but finds one of the archivists has been working and is locked in the house when the power goes out.

This story weaves the lives of Lillian, Helen Frick and Veronica together beautifully.

This book linked the lives of people over two different eras within the New York library. I like a book with a good story but also with history I can learn about! So I enjoyed this one and loved the characters. However for me, it was slow paced, I found I was confused at times as to where I was in the story and it took me a while to get into the book too.

The Magnolia Palace is a gripping read that keeps you turning the pages until the end. If you're looking for a historical fiction novel with a bit of mystery and suspense, this is the book for you. Fiona Davis does an excellent job of bringing the past to life, and I found myself fully immersed in both timelines. The characters are well-developed and complex, and the plot is twisty and full of surprises.

From my blog: Always With a Book

It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Fiona Davis’s books. I just love how she takes iconic buildings in NYC and brings them to life and this latest book is no exception. New York City is one of my favorite places to visit and yet I still learn so much from reading her books and I cannot wait for my next visit to the city so I can take a walking tour and see all these buildings.

This time around, we delve into the art world and are given a historical mystery filled with a murder mystery and a little romance. I’ve always heard about the Frick Museum, but I’ve never really known much about it, so it was fascinating to read about the family and the building itself. I love that this story is of course based on real events and people, as the author mentions in her author’s note – definitely be sure to read this!

This book captivated me from the get-go. I loved the way the story unfolded, alternating between the time when the Frick family lived in the house and then when the building had become a museum. I enjoyed both timelines, though I have to say, the scavenger hunt was definitely something that kept me a bit more on my toes – that’s probably the mystery lover in me! Being locked in a mansion during a snowstorm and then discovering the clues to an unsolved family mystery is right up my alley…and I could not read these sections fast enough.

This book really was so unique, as I have found all of Fiona Davis’s books to be. I have read them all and cannot wait to see what building she tackles next!

3.5 stars
I always enjoy a dual time period narrative. This novel takes place in 1919 and 1966 and focuses on two young women who have already had a lot of loss in their lives trying to do whatever they can to help themselves and their families survive. The first third of the book dragged, especially while trying to establish the latter timeline’s narrative, but it found its rhythm and created a good mystery that also gave me other subjects (such as the Frick family and artist’s models) about which I would like to learn more.
I was given a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

The Magnolia Palace weaves history and thriller and suspense into one compelling and page-turning read which does not disappoint.

Fiona Davis NEVER disappoints... another beautiful book that weaves the story of old New York with its treasures, buildings and lost jewels. There is nostalgia and contemporary takes all bound up in one beautifully executed masterpiece whose characters stay with you long after the last page has been turned.

For some reason I really put off reading this maybe because of the old fashioned looking cover. I really enjoyed the writing and the perspectives of the women in the novel. While I’m not the biggest historical fiction fan I really enjoyed this one and would recommend for some history of New York and the frick with a thriller/mystery twist.

The Magnolia Palace tells the story of a stolen diamond. I really the 1919 plot line. However, the 1960s plot line did nothing to enhance the plot. Still, this novel has art, romance, and mystery. I recommend this for fans of Gill Paul, Lucinda Riley, and Kate Morton!

Set in 1919 and 1966, The Magnolia Palace centers around the Frick mansion in New York. In 1919, Mr. Frick was in failing health and trying to keep his daughter, Helen, under his thumb, even as he knew his death was looming. Lillian, Helen’s personal secretary becomes part of Mr. Frick’s plan which ultimately leads to some dire consequences for Lillian

In 1966, Veronica, a model who was on a photo shoot, gets stuck in the Frick mansion during a blizzard along with one of the interns from the mansion, Joshua. Veronica stumbles upon a set of scavenger hunt clues that take them around the house, ultimately in search of a valuable diamond thought to have been lost ages ago.

Fiona Davis did a masterful job with all of the characters’ development. I typically enjoy one timeline over another but with each shift, I couldn’t wait to find out more about where we had left off previously.

I highly recommend this historical fiction book to fans of The Personal Librarian.

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First line: Lillian Carter stood half naked, one are held up like a ballet dancer, the other hanging lightly down at her side, and calculated how long she could avoid paying rent while her landlord was in jail.

Summary: In 1919, Lillian Carter, is an artist model who is famously known as Angelica. She has posed for sculptures all over New York City but when she gets entangled in the death of her landlord’s wife she goes on the run. In a case of mistaken identity she is hired as the private secretary to the daughter of one of the richest men in the country. In the hopes of lying low and earning some money to escape to Los Angeles she sees that life in the home of the rich is not as glamorous as it may seem.

In 1966, Veronica Weber, is an English model who arrives at the Frick Museum for a photo shoot, only to be locked inside during a blackout snowstorm. While waiting out the storm, she and an archivist follow the clues to a mysterious treasure hunt only to find something that has been missing for nearly five decades.

My Thoughts: Fiona Davis does not disappoint. She writes some wonderful novels that incorporate history, art and sometimes a little bit of a mystery. This was no different. I had never heard of Angelica. In the book she uses a different name than the real life Angelica but many of the statues mentioned in the book are real. Of course I had to look up pictures of them and the Frick Museum. I have heard of the museum but knew nothing about the family. It was interesting to get a little background to it and its famous works of art. I would love to visit and see the masterpieces that line the walls.

I wonder if Miss Helen was as stubborn as she is made out to be. She is definitely not a likeable character. But she was also a product of her time. A wealthy woman who lived in the shadow of her family. At the end in the author’s notes she gave several books to read for more information. I will be adding them to my ever growing list.

The story was well written and enjoyable just as her other books have been. Highly recommended for lovers of art and history.

An excellent, intriguing read. I loved the mystery and the descriptions of the property. It did tie up pretty neatly and fast at the end, but overall a great read. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

If you enjoy dual timeline historical fiction, you will love The Magnolia Palace. As for me, I much preferred the historical timeline (1919) over the modern (1966) one. I love historical fiction about New York City and The Frick provides a fabulous setting for this novel. The building was built as a residence but was intended to work as a museum for the art collection of the Frick family after the death of steel magnate, Henry Clay Frick and his wife. This book will definitely make you want to visit The Frick, but it is currently closed for renovation. The collection is temporarily housed nearby (in the former home of the Whitney Museum), but to get the full effect, wait until the renovations are complete and visit this historic mansion to see the artwork in that environment.

So… the story. Davis took her inspiration from a woman who modeled for a large number of sculptures in the early 20th century in NYC. She puts this fictionalized version of the model into the Frick household as a personal secretary to Miss Helen Frick in 1919. You have to suspend your disbelief to think that this could actually have happened, of course. I loved the insights into the daily lives of these ultra-rich people, as well as how their servants lived. The 1966 timeline didn’t work that well for me, even though I enjoyed the characters of young model Veronica and young archivist intern Joshua. Just too many coincidences and quick solutions to mysteries that had resisted solution almost fifty years earlier. My rating is generous, mainly because of the massive research done for the book and because of my enjoyment of it, even while not fully accepting the modern timeline.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I’m a bit late to it. I appreciated being able to bounce back and forth from the eARC to the published audiobook, narrated beautifully by Karissa Vacker, courtesy of my public library. All opinions are my own.