The Spectacular by Fiona Davis is an engaging and captivating read. With its rich historical setting and compelling characters, it pulls you in from the start. The blend of mystery, romance, and glamour makes it a thoroughly enjoyable book. Perfect for fans of historical fiction!

Actually 2.5

Marion is ecstatic to be chosen as a Rockette. However, she learns that becoming a Rockette is not all that she thought it would be. They have four shows a day plus rehearsals. Therefore, it could be very stressful. When the theater is bombed, Marion embarks on a quest to find the bomber. While looking for the bomber, Marion realizes that she may be forced to give up everything that she has worked for. Could Marion make the sacrifice to protect those she loves?

After reading this book, I came away disliking the main character. Marion is insufferable and a typical Mary Sue. She is perfect at everything and can do no wrong. She comes across more like a superwoman than a real human. Therefore, I could not relate to her. I also did not like that she constantly looked down on others because they were not as perfect as herself. She was also very narcissistic because she was beautiful and could dance. Thus, Marion was one of the most annoying characters that I have ever come across in literature.

Overall, this novel is about ambition, choices, and sacrifice. I found all of the characters to be flat and stereotypical. The characters are not given any depth and are very cliche. The mystery was interesting, but it was overshadowed by Marion’s drama. There were also some scenes that were so unconvincing that they made me laugh. I did like learning about the Rockettes, however. Those parts were believable and interesting. Nevertheless, I expected a fun, cozy historical mystery. I did not get it, unfortunately, and I was very unsatisfied. I have read other novels by Fiona Davis which are superior to The Spectacular. It feels like she did not put in as much effort as she usually does. I recommend this book for fans of Louise Hare, Emily J. Edwards, and Stephanie Morrill. However, I advise you to read better historical mysteries from this author such as The Magnolia Palace.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I LOVE me a good historical fiction book and Fiona Davis never disappoints. In this book we follow young Marion as she joins the famous Rockettes and gets to perform at Radio City Music Hall. She is trying to get into the groove of things, literally and figuratively when a bomb drops… again, literally and figuratively. Marion finds herself enveloped in the mystery of who the infamous ‘Big Apple Bomber’ could be.

The Spectacular has it all. A brave daring courageous heroine who defies boundaries of her time. A mystery/thriller and the main character quickly jumps to solve what is happening. I love this time period and I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars.

I didn’t dislike this book, but I’m not sure I liked it, either. It felt way too long and the climax felt very anticlimactic. I wasn’t crazy about the ending, either. All in all, I think I just had higher expectations for this based off the description. It wasn’t a bad book, just now what I was hoping for.

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this advanced copy.

Fiona Davis can do no wrong. I was excited to pick this one up and devoured it in just a day.

I love how she takes Historical Fiction and adds some pizzazz to it. I kept stopping and googling information on Radio City Music Hall. I'd love to go to NY and see all of the places in her books.

Fiona is an "auto buy" author for me. I can't wait for her next masterpiece

Fiona Davis again brings NYC to life and makes Radio City Music Hall an active character in this book. Nineteen year old Marion defies her father, seeking her independence to become one of the famed Rockettes during the 1950s. When the Big Apple Bomber detonates a bomb during a performance, affecting her personally, she involves herself in the search to seek the person behind the attacks. As always, history, romance and women's issues are central themes - all masterly done.

You cannot go wrong when you have the Rockettes as your topic! I thoroughly enjoyed learning about what goes into being a Rockette dancer. This time Fiona Davis takes us to, of course Radio City Music Hall. We seemlessly go between the 1990s and 1950s for our character's timeline. I love the information learned about the various NYC landmarks in her books. A favorite author who always does an amazing job on her research.

I verymuch enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the time period it was set it and the relationships that were built within these pages. I liked the the FMC refused to give up on her dreams of being a dance regardless of what her father and fiancé were wanting.

This was my first story by Fiona Davis, and I quickly realized as I was reading this that it would certainly not be my last by her! I grew up traveling to New York City around Christmastime with my family to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show featuring The Rockettes, so I knew when I saw the synopsis for this book that I would enjoy reminiscing on my own experiences at this music hall. And I don't typically steer towards Historical Fiction books, so this was truly a moment for the history books!

But even though this is characterized as Historical Fiction, I enjoyed the Mystery/Thriller aspects that this book provides as well. I felt like this story had a lot of depth to it, not only of our main character choosing to follow her dancing dreams and spontaneously trying out for The Rockettes, but also the investigation into the Big Apple Bomber, and the family drama sprinkled into the pages. This felt like it had something for every type of reader.

I felt like I was really close to going into the 5 star range with this one, but held off after a few personal ties to the character had me super bummed. This was definitely a me problem and not the author's!

This was an easy style of writing that propelled me to read faster and for longer doses at a time. I hope this continues with Fiona's other novels, and I'm excited what other thrilling stories based around New York City she has up her sleeves!

Thank you to netgalley for providing an e-galley for review. Fiona Davis writes such compelling novels and this one is no exception. Her female main characters are always so strong and inspiring. The Spectacular, set around Radio City Music Hall, gives mystery, suspense, romance to historical fiction that can sometimes be fairly rote. So good.

I thought this book was an entertaining read about an era in New York City that I am always intrigued by. I enjoy the author and how she centers her novels around New York City landmarks we all know and love. Somehow Fiona Davis always finds a novel and new way to write about the people, events, and places that we all know and from which we think we have heard it all. I had never know the backstory of the Rockettes and Radio City nor about the disgruntled former employee of Con Ed who for years (a decade plus!!!!) caused chaos, disruption, and pain and suffering.

One of my favorites by this author! When giving book recommendations to friends, I will always recommend this book and each of Fiona Davis's books.

Fiona Davis is a new to me author and i really enjoyed THE SPECTACULAR. I always like to read stores about times in fiction that I’m not familiar with and “The Big Apple Bomber” was unfamiliar to me. I thought THE SPECTACULAR was well thought out, detailed, and engaging. I can’t wait to read more from Fiona Davis!

Fiona Davis is the master of writing about glamorous New York City locations and offering a bit of history as well. The Spectacular focuses on Marion, a young woman with a dream to be a dancer. When she is chosen as a Rockette - a very coveted position in dance - she jumps at the chance. But, tragedy strikes when a bomb goes off in the theater during a performance and her sister is killed. Marion puts on her detective hat and, alone with a new friend, she sets out to solve the mystery of who is planting bombs in the biggest NYC locations. Part historical fiction and part detective story, The Spectacular is a fun novel!

Fiona Davis bases each of her books in an iconic New York City building, and The Spectacular is set at one of the city’s most well-known and beloved locales, Radio City Music Hall. Nineteen-year-old Marion is selected as a Rockette, performing at Radio City Music Hall, much to the chagrin of her parents and her boyfriend. Then one evening, a bomb explodes in the theater, and Marion’s personal connection draws her into the investigation. The behind-the-scenes glimpses into both Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes are fascinating, and aspects of the story are more personal for Davis.

This story was such an amazing journey. I loved the main girl Marion. She was so ahead of her times! The rocketettes audition and then the Christmas spectacular was icing on the cake. The mystery of the bombs being planted was like having the cake and eating it too! Such a compelling story that keeps the reader flipping pages.

I have absolutely loved Fiona Davis's books in the past, but this one fell a little short, for me. I found it to be about 5 chapters too long, and felt like the book could have wrapped up long before it actually did. I enjoyed the back and forth with the mystery of the bomber that we found ourselves in the middle of, but I thought that the character play really took a backseat to that mystery, which is not like a typical Fiona Davis book. I felt like the characters were a little flat for me, and that the relationships in the book were not as parsed out as I would have liked. I feel like Fiona Davis usually makes the relationships and the characters front and center in the book, and this one got lost, a little bit. I also don't have much interest in the Rockettes, or dancing shows, so maybe that is another reason I didn't like it as much as her past offerings.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts are my own.

In her captivating novel, *The Spectacular*, New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis immerses readers in the vibrant world of 1950s Manhattan. At the heart of this tale stands the illustrious Radio City Music Hall—a beacon of glamour and entertainment. Within its opulent walls, nineteen-year-old Marion realizes her lifelong dream: joining the iconic Rockettes, a precision-dancing troupe that graces the grandest theater stage in the world.
However, beyond the dazzling facade of sequins and spotlights, darker forces are at play. Danger lurks, mysteries unfold, and a relentless bomber threatens the very heart of the city. As Marion navigates the glittering highs and perilous lows of her newfound career, readers are drawn into a web of suspense and intrigue.

*The Spectacular* is a must-read for enthusiasts of richly detailed historical fiction. With its strong female protagonist and a touch of suspense, this book leaves an indelible impression, lingering in the reader's thoughts long after the final page is turned.

I just dont think that Historical Fiction is really for me. I liked the premise of this book but I wasnt over joyed by it.