The Magnolia Palace is a great story about the Frick museum. There are 2 story lines. Lillian who finds herself employed by the Frick family and Veronica who visits the museum 50 years later. Fiona Davis makes the story line so interesting and believable. She always includes a little mystery, history and entertainment.

Fiona Davis has once again told a wonderful story! I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend. I always get so drawn into her books and this one is no exception!

The Magnolia Palace
by Fiona Davis

As a lover of historical fiction novels and someone who works for an art center and appreciates all types of art, this book was perfect for me. Fiona Davis’ novel alternates between dual timelines in 1919 and 1966 and weaves together strong female characters - Lillian Carter, Veronica Weber, and Helen Frick. These courageous and strong women are so well developed by Davis that you’ll be thinking about them long after you’ve turned the last page.

Lillian is an artist’s muse who finds herself in the middle of murder investigation and on the run from authorities. She lands in the home of the esteemed steel mogul and art collector Henry Clay Frick and becomes his daughter Helen’s private secretary. She quickly gets entangled in their family drama, a missing diamond and a potential murder. In the 1966 timeline we meet Veronica an up and coming model who is visiting the Frick Museum for a photo shoot. Lillian and Helen’s past story quickly becomes relevant to Veronica. What unfolds includes romance, mystery, murder and drama, a book you won’t want to put down.

Magnolia Palace introduced me to the Frick family and as any good historical fiction book will do has me wanting to learn more – in this case more about the Frick Museum in New York, the Frick art collection and the role they played in history. I also found the information on the Johnstown, PA flood very interesting as the town I live in recently experienced something very similar. I look forward to reading other books by Fiona Davis.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! #TheMagnoliaPalace #NetGalley #FrickMuseum #historicalfictionnovel #bookreview #FionaDavis

Fiona Davis is a seamless weaver of historical fact with engaging fiction, and her love of all things New York is front and center in 'The Magnolia Palace'. I feel very fortunate to have read this lovely book before its release. The Frick family was, at once, imposing and flawed, influential and frightening, charitable and unkindly demanding. 'The Magnolia Palace' takes the reader inside the landmark home where we are neither part of their dysfunctional family nor a member of their overworked and seemingly loyal staff. In fact, I almost felt as if I were one of their prized artworks, hanging on a wall, eavesdropping on conversations and furtively watching their often secretive behavior. Of course, those conversations and behaviors, while based on her research, are artfully fabricated by Davis. This historical novel has romance, deceit, intrigue, happy resolutions amid mysterious and apprehensive moments. A very enjoyable read that insists upon a followup visit to The Frick Museum as soon as possible!

The Magnolia Place but Fiona Davis is a delightful historical fiction told in two time periods. Featuring the Frick Museum in New York as a character, we learn of the behind the scenes lives of New York's Frick family. What does it take to become a magnate?
We also meet the muse behind many famous sculptures and statutes. Running from a series of unfortunate coincidences, she finds herself in the middle of a high society match making. With a sprinkle of mystery and a whiff of scandal, The Magnolia Place was a wonderful read.

Consistent with Fiona Davis’ storytelling this dual time-line historical takes readers deep into the people behind one of New York City’s famous buildings. The Frick is the scene of a Vogue photo shoot, and when all goes wrong for new model Veronica she finds herself trapped in the Frick with the helpful intern and a stack of scavenger hunt clues. Uncovering the real story of Angelica, artist muse and model, Helen, the only surviving daughter of the Frick family, and the complex relationships around them, a decades old art theft and murder is revealed, An engaging read with attention to historical detail, that wraps up just little too conveniently.

Fiona Davis has another excellent book! Told in 2 time periods the similarities draw you in and have you wondering how the 2 stories can come together. Oh but they do! The setting is the Magnolia Palace ( Frick home and musuem) in NYC. Historical details are even throughout the story making it all the better.
Highly recommend.

Really loved this book! The two intertwined stories were very interesting. Both set in historical periods, with the same underlying theme of models and the Frick Mansion/Museum. I truly enjoy this author.

Fiona Davis is one of my favorites and this one didn't disappoint.

I felt like I was transported back to the 1920s! The descriptions of old NY, the historical locations, the homes, the clothing and dress of all the characters -- I could visualize off of it! This story has a bit of everything, mystery, love, history, art and of course family dynamics. The story starts with Lillian, working as Angelica (a muse for sculptors), trying to untangle her from a murder that happens in her apartment complex. In her escape, she happens upon The Frick Estate and is hired as a personal secretary to Miss Helen. Lillian quickly learns that she is out of her element. She becomes involved in the Frick family history and trouble ensues. She is entwined in a love story, aa mysterious death, stolen jewels and again the family dynamics.

I am a huge fan of dual timelines, and Veronica's story (ironically also a model) connects to the Frick history and the mystery of the Magnolia Diamond lasting over 5 decades.

Pick this one up today!

I was thrilled to receive an advanced reader copy of The Magnolia Palace as I love Fiona Davis’ novels. The Magnolia Palace is fabulous historical fiction. I did not know about the Frick Family or the history of their house, which the patriarch bequeathed to the city of New York and which is now known as the Frick Museum. The story is told in two timelines from the perspective of two young women several decades apart and it is interesting to see events unfold in the same house in different time periods with some of the same characters. There is also a mystery that connects the two timelines. The main characters are so interesting and face similar issues including societal expectations of women, wealth, power and privilege and their impact on relationships, and finding one’s way in the world.

As referenced in the author’s notes, the author did a lot of research on the family, the house and the artwork it contains (the Frick Collection} and this is well captured in the lovely evocative descriptions in the novel. I have never visited the Frick Museum and after reading this book, I really want to! A novel that both informs and engages is a great treat and Fiona Davis knows how to do both well. Highly recommend!!

Historical house in New York City, a gripping 50-year old mystery; I loved this book! Veronica and Joshuas story is interwoven with the 50 year old mystery of the Magnolia diamond seamlessly. I couldn’t wait to find out what was happening to Veronica and Joshua and if Lily would be punished for a crime she didn’t commit. Sometimes an author uses this structure and I find the story disjointed- not here. Interweaving the Magnolia Palace two stories was beautifully written. Thank you for the early read!

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton, for the arc. I didn't love any of the characters but enjoyed getting to know them and Lillian had a great backstory. As usual, the writing was great. So many books use dual timelines and Ms. Davis employs the dual timelines perfectly. The different stories wind around each other until they come together in an unexpected way. If you like historical fiction or need a break from other genres, this book is for you.

This was the first book I have read by Fiona Davis, and it won’t be my last. I enjoyed this work of historical fiction, and learned much about art and the Frick family while reading it. The Magnolia Palace features several strong women forging their own way through society’s expectations of them,
Thanks to netgalley for granting my wish of an advance copy of this novel. Much obliged!

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis is just the kind of read I needed right now. A good solid page turning story with believable characters, colorful setting, just enough conflict and a hint of suspense are the ingredients for a satisfying read for me. Add in the glamor of a sculptor model, a family’s questionably earned fortune, a missing diamond and I’m hooked. Magnolia Palace takes place between the 1920s and 60 years later. The setting is the Frick Mansion/Library/Museum. I enjoyed reading the descriptions and background information about real works of art. I love stories based on real people and places and now I’m anxious to get to NYC and the Frick Museum. A book that satisfies, but makes you want to bask in its setting is a real winner for me.
I appreciate the opportunity for an Advanced Reader Copy.
#TheMagnoliaPalace #NetGalley

This book was amazing! Fiona Davis never disappoints. I loved the dual time lines and the mystery. I love historical fiction. Every book Fiona writes makes me research more the places and events in her book! I highly recommend!

I couldn’t put this book down. I loved the history of the Frick museum and the family behind it. I loved that the author weaved the history on top of the story. I was drawn into the characters and the circumstances and how the help interacted with each other. I loved how it flipped through the two time periods and gave me a sense of walking the halls of the museum again. And after so long of not being around art I could visualize the paintings. Such a fantastic story and I am glad I got an early copy of it!

Lillian has lost her mother to the Spanish Flu, she does not have a way to pay rent since she has not been sitting for any modeling jobs, around the city and the world she is known as Angelica. When her landlord suggests meeting up to discuss rent Lillian writes a note suggesting a rendezvous even though she is disgusted the his actions. A few days later her landlords wife is dead and police want to discuss the note they found on her. Lillian, afraid they don’t believe her flees and finds herself as a private secretary for the one and only Helen Frick. With bad luck still following she ends up being accused of multiple things including stealing the families Magnolia Diamond that she did not perform.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher PEGUIN GROUP Dutton for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “Magnolia Palace ” written by Fiona Davis . All opinions are my own. Publication date:25 Jan 2022

Great interweaving story 1919 and 1966 New York exploring the wealth and heartbreak of a prominent family and their employees and the tremendous opportunity to share art with the community. Strong women characters with ideas and aspirations that are achieved in the 1920’s as well as 1966. Fiona Davis stories never disappoint, read it for the women, for the art, for the sheer pleasure of her words. Enjoy.

The Magnolia Palace is an enjoyable read for fans of interesting and well-researched historical fiction. The dual timeline story takes place in 1919 and in 1966 at one of New York City's landmark buildings - The Frick Collection building on the Upper East Side which was originally the Frick family home and is now a museum.

In 1919, an artist's model named Angelica begins work at the mansion as the private secretary of Henry Clay Frick's daughter, Helen, who is cataloguing her father's art collection and working towards the establishment of an art reference library. A mystery arises involving a missing diamond and this is how the two timelines merge as a museum intern and a young model are trapped inside the museum during a 1966 snowstorm and find a series of clues that helps solve the mystery of what happened in 1919.

The museum building is currently being restored, however, the novel has sufficiently piqued my interest about the Frick family and their art collection that I will plan to visit on a future trip to New York City. The author, Fiona Davis, was new to me but after reading The Magnolia Palace, I will definitely now read some of her earlier novels which are also set in historic NYC buildings.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Author Fiona Davis has become one of my favorites, as she introduces readers to major New York City landmarks through historical fiction interwoven with dual timelines and mystery. THE MAGNOLIA PALACE focuses upon the Frick Family, of Pittsburgh steel fortune and ultimately the Frick Collection Art fame. Although unmentioned, for those of us from Arizona, there is the added connection of our former Governor, Fife Symington, as the great-grandson of the original, Henry Clay Frick.

At her best, Davis interweaves two parallel tales, juxtaposing different mores and times and the outcome of one period influences the outcome of another. Usually one time period is present time which always works nicely for the story. In this book, the time periods are post WWI and 1969, so both seem historical. The upside of the close time is that some of the characters are still alive and that really is an exciting shift for the tale.

I found this book to be one of the author’s best and read it in one sitting. I was fascinated by so many aspects of the book: the discussion of art, the 1918 flu epidemic, the actual building itself with all of its architectural detail and the historical characters were all well described and vivid. This was a joy to read. I received my copy from th publisher through NetGalley.