Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Marion is excited to learn that she has an audition with the rockettes. Her boyfriend will not be happy. He wants to get married and for her to stay home. When there is a bomb going of, everyone is scared. Whi would do such a thing. Marion is scared and is unsure of what she can do. This book catapulted me back in time and was an enjoyable experience.

Fiona Davis once again magically transports us to the 1950s and the life of a young woman pursuing the career of her dreams. I first became acquainted with Fiona Davis’ writing when I read her debut book, The Dollhouse. Like that earlier work, I was pleased to see I was back in Davis’ capable hands to explore a similar time period and work-life challenge with this upcoming book, The Spectacular.

The story reflects how women were stuck in a career choice trap after Rosie the Riveter type workers were directed to return to their housewife roles so World War II male veterans could resume their factory jobs AND before the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment was in full swing. The main protagonist of The Spectacular, Marion Brooks, isn’t compelled by the stereotypical life of a housewife after she graduates from high school. She has her sights set on a career as a classical dancer. Opportunity knocks at her door with an audition to be a member of the famous Radio City Rockettes dance company. She wins a spot with the troupe and boldly leaps at the chance even though her father and her soon to be fiancé are against this career choice.

Davis pulls us into the fascinating behind-the-scenes world and history of the Rockettes with this newest novel. She expertly weaves other significant developments during this period of our work culture. Readers truly experience history through her characterizations and storylines. For example, by incorporating elements of the real life “Mad Bomber” scare (George Metesky was convicted of planting explosives all over New York City over 16 years, including the Paramount Theatre), Davis cleverly unfolds the very first seeds of criminal psychological profiling in the story to solve the case. This practice, which seems commonplace to us now, was a radical approach at the time of the story. Davis’ careful research and artful writing come together seamlessly for this plot point.

As with most historical fiction books, there is a dual timeline. I especially liked Fiona Davis’ thoughtful touch to the modern plotline of 1992. She gave it the balanced light touch it needed, just enough to give us some perspective yet not give away the ending. My thanks to NetGalley for an advance reading copy of The Spectacular. My love of historical fiction drew me to the story. The added bonus was a well written plot with suspense and intrigue to double up my momentum in turning the pages.

If you have ever dreamt of being a Rockette, or even wondered how they came to be and are chosen this is a SPECTACULAR book to do it with.

Like all of Miss Davis' books, there is wonderful NY history blended with characters that you will love forever. A great storyline and is utterly readable: if you have not read any of her previous books, pick them up as well as they will not disappoint.

Highly recommended.

#shortbutsweetreviews

Another book by Fiona Davis that lives up to it's title The Spectacular! The descriptions throughout the book give a real sense of the timelines, the city view, and the Rockets and all of their hard work. It was a great read and one that I would highly recommend. You will not be disappointed in this one.

The latest in a series of novels by Fiona Davis that are set in New York City, it focuses on Radio City Music Hall and the Rocketts in the 1950s. Touching on themes of feminism, corporate greed, mental illness and the beginnings of criminal profiling, the novel weaves them together into a very satisfying story.

The Spectacular tells the story of Marion, a lifelong dancer and dance teacher who is offered a spot as a Rockett despite the fact that her family and boyfriend disapprove of her decision. Marion is torn between her families wishes and her desire to live her own life. Meeting new friends, including a shy but interesting young man, Marion feels she is where she belongs.
Based on a true story, Marion also gets caught up in the search for a person who has planted bombs throughout the city and who sends letters blaming the company Marions father works for. The conclusion well done if a little unrealistic in parts but still rounds out the story nicely.

Fiona Davis has a wonderful way of bringing the history and landmarks of New York City to life, along with an engaging story and interesting characters. One of her best novels yet.

The Spectacular is a wonderful piece of historical fiction, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is my second novel by Fiona Davis, and she has a way of transporting the reader to NYC and immersing them in it. This story focuses on the history of the Rockettes and a serial bomber that has been terrorizing NYC for years. It is based on a real-life story and is told in dual timelines with the bulk of the story taking place in the 1950s. Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton Books for the early copy.

While I love Fiona Davis, I must admit that her last few books didn't impress me as much. The Spectacular, however, knocked it out of the park!! I absolutely loved this book. We all know about the Rockettes, but I never knew much detail about them. This book gives so many details about the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall. It was a delight from beginning to end!

One of the best books I have read! I enjoyed all of the aspects of NYC. Such a wonderful story with multiple layers. A must read!

A young ballet teacher who is not stern enough to keep her job, instead auditions for a place with the NYC Rockettes, and is hired. Unfortunately, her father doesn't think she should take such an unladylike position and her boyfriend just wants her to get married and start a family. But this is something she wants and no one can stop her, including her jealous big sister. To prove how great her Rockettes job is, she invites her sister to see one of her shows. But Radio City Music Hall is the next place that the Big Apple bomber strikes and the explosion kills her sister.. She teams up with a psychiatric resident who seems to be very adept at reading people, as they race to find the bomber's identity before he can harm others.
Davis, once again, mines New York history as a backdrop for a plucky heroine and and an iconic building. I thought this was her best yet as it combined the stories of the Rockettes with one of the first criminal profilers. It was a good romance and a suspenseful mystery and hopefully THIS one will be turned into a movie.

Storytelling at its best - this book should read by all fiction fans, not merely historical fiction fans.

Another hit out of the park for Fiona Davis! I loved being transported by this historical fiction. The lush descriptions were phenomenal and amazing. Will be recommending this one for years to come!

It's 1956, and Marion, a passionate dancer and dance teacher, is thrilled when she has the opportunity to be a Radio City Rockette. But there is a cost; she must sacrifice her family to follow her dream, as her father is adamantly against this career choice.

I love how the book focuses on the iconic Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes. Living in NYC and being a fan of the arts, I have seen countless shows there and always pass by Rockefeller Center and Radio City. So, reading about the Rockettes, the intensity of their daily routines, and the rigid rules they must follow was fascinating.

This book also has a mystery: a terrorist is placing bombs in famous NYC buildings, including Radio City Musci Hall. This hits too close to home for Marion, so she teams up with a young doctor, and together, they use the new technique of psychological profiling to help with the search.

I've read and loved this author's books for years, and this story is everything I hoped it would be. Fiona Davis excels at immersing you in another era.

Just finished The Spectacular by Fiona Davis. It was a beautifully written novel. I enjoyed the rich details and the plot. I was more interested in the past pov, but I understand why they had the present too. I just thought the past was a bit more rich in plot. Overall, a good book and I would recommend for fans of historical fiction!

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

It’s spectacular! I really identified with this book as a blues musician who decided to have a family instead of pursue a career in music

Marion goes against her fathers wishes to become a Rockette. She is torn between her dream and her family. Marion becomes entangled in the mystery of The Big Apple Bomber. She enlists the help of a young psychologist to help solve the case.

This book has a bit of everything, family drama, love interests, mystery, history… I loved it!

Once again, Fiona Davis has created an exciting story, with NYC as it’s backdrop.

This story is told by 55 year old Marion Brooks. In 1956, at the age of 19, Marion was selected as a member of the Rockettes. She went against her father’s wishes and seized this opportunity.

This historical fiction novel is based on the story of the Big Apple Bomber, When Radio City is bombed, Marion takes it upon herself to find the perpetrator. Realizing the incompetence of the NYPD, she engages the assistance of an acquaintance who is a psychiatrist. He profiles the bomber, leading to his capture.

This story includes mystery, love and family betrayal. It illustrates the challenges women who wanted to follow non-traditional paths in the 1950s faced.

I cannot recommend this book enough! It captivated my attention from the first page.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with an advanced copy.

I wish I could give this one 10 stars! Fiona Davis is near the top of my MUST-READ list these days. I have loved every book she has written. If you are not familiar with Ms. Davis, you should be. Every book she writes is set in a NYC landmark and features some type of drama along with that landmark, which often becomes a character too. The Spectacular is set in Radio City Music Hall, where Marion has just landed a job as a Rockette. Marion's family doesn't agree with her decision to dance and there is a bomber loose in the city. The Big Apple bomber has been terrorizing New York for 16 years, and I will not spoil anything about what he does or if he is caught. What you need to know is that this book is just like the title states.....SPECTACULAR!!!

This will be my monthly book pick for June.

In Fiona Davis’ new novel, The Spectacular, we meet Marion who was a Rockette in the 1950s, much to her father’s chagrin. Marion’s mother gave up an acting career to settle down as a wife and mother, so Marion felt she owed it to her mother’s sacrifice to give it a go. Marion’s father wishes she was more like her sister, Judy, who works with him at Met Power or like her mother by settling down with her boyfriend, Nathaniel, and being a wife and mother.

After Marion leaves home to live in a boarding house for other dancers, singers, and actresses, she manages to start mending her relationship with her sister, which has been brittle for years. When tragedy strikes, Marion finds herself trying to find the culprit behind sixteen years of bombings, aimed at revenge on Met Power. With the help of psychiatry resident, Peter, Marion aims to help police use a new concept of profiling to capture the man that Marion saw before a bomb went off in Radio City.

Davis returns with another historical novel that blends romance, suspense, and the city that never sleeps. Fans of her other works or those who are ready to discover her for the first time will not be disappointed in The Spectacular. Pulling from New York City’s own “Mad Bomber” and highlighting the Rockettes, you will get lost in 1950s Big Apple. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton/Penguin Random House for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book is set for publication on June 12, 2023.

#netgalley #arc #fionadavis #thespectacular #penguinrandomhouse #dutton

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 am a huge fan of Fiona Davis as she is a master storyteller. I was so thrilled to be offered this book. I love the Rockettes and this story is all about a young woman of privilege who really wants a career in dancing. Her father wants her to marry well and raise children. One day she learns about tryouts for the Radio City Rockettes team and goes to audition never thinking she was good enough to make the cut. The reader learns all about the hard work that goes into putting on a show at Radio City Music Hall and the bonding between the girls. Just when you are totally absorbed with the story it changes and the reader finds herself in the midst of a murder in the theater. You follow the progression of the search for the criminal. What a great story this one is. If you are a fan of the Rockettes this one is for you. The story is in two time frames which are really fun as you look both forward and back to fully understand what is happening. This one will be a huge hit with book clubs everywhere.

The book is beautifully crafted, well researched and totally engaging. I loved it!!!! I think you will also.

Marion Brooks is a nineteen year old growing up in affluent Bronxville, NY with her sister Judy and her father Simon, an executive at Metropolitan Power. Her mother died in an accident when Marion was much younger. It seems that her father has her future mapped out. She will wed her longtime beau and move into her Bronxville home.
Marion has the courage to seek her own fortune and ventures to an audition with the very famous Radio City Rockettes. What a wondrous moment when she is actually gets the job!
Quickly she realizes that she is far too creative to adhere to the rigid restrictions that being a Rockette requires. Then a blind date with a psychiatry resident, Peter, puts her life into a completely unexpected trajectory as the two join forces in an attempt to identify the bomber who has attacked Radio City and who is terrorizing many New York City landmarks. Can she pursue her own goals and still live in peace with her very authoritarian father? How can she marry her sweetheart while dancing in four shows a day, attending grueling rehearsals and having only one week a month of free time?

Fiona Davis writes with emotion, detail and language that is descriptive and flowing. Usually I am attracted to character driven novels. In The Spectacular, Ms Davis, has managed to create characters who live inside of the reader while she creates a plot that is sublimely interesting.
New York City, specifically Radio City Music Hall in the grand era of the mid 1950’s , is the setting of this remarkable tale. Lots of research went into that period of history as well as historic Radio City Music Hall. I was a small child at that time and remember the splendor and excitement of a trip to see the renowned Rockettes. I knew there was a Mad Bomber terrorizing NYC, who simply was not being caught. It was exciting revisiting history that happened right before my eyes
I enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end and wish to thank #Netgalley and the #Penguingroup for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review. Four well deserved stars for this engaging read.