is it lame that I just want to describe this book by its title...? because it was SPECTACULAR! Gosh, Radio City Music Hall is a NYC GEM and I am so glad to have gotten to visit there in the past and now when I go back I'll have this story to remember too. I love Fiona Davis, her writing, her stories, the New York of it all!! I hope she never runs out of NYC landmarks to craft her historical fictions about!!

This book set in New York City in 1956 is about Marion Brooks who decides to audition to become a Radio City Rockette. When tragedy strikes Radio City Music Hall, the city still in turmoil over the inability to catch the “big Apple Bomber.”

Soon, Marion finds herself helping the police with the search along with Peter Griggs, a young doctor who wants to use profiling to catch the criminal. I fell hard for this story, another example of a Fiona Davis book capturing my attention and holding it until the end.

She creates the best characters and weaves a historical fiction tale that feels like it could be true. I learned so much about the Rockettes and now I’m dying to see them perform.

The Spectacular by Fiona Davis was a wonderful read. All Fiona Davis novels always has historic location and landmark. This one is Music City Hall.

It takes place in the in two time lines, 1992 and 1956 in NYC. Marion is the daughter who wants to pursue a career in dance even though she is engaged to Nathaniel.

Judy doesn’t think she’s beautiful. She is school smart and works for her Dad. Their Dad, Simon is a big wig, works in management for years. He is also controlling and doesn’t trust Marion’s judgements.

Her Mom died years ago and didn’t pursue her life’s goal. Marion wasn’t going to let that happen. She has a chance to try out for the Rockettes. In the meantime there is a mystery through out the book, a bomber. A terrible tragedy happens to the family which connects to the mystery. Which makes the novel a page turner.

The book is a fabulous and easy read for the summer. Who wouldn’t like a novel about the Rockettes, and NYC. It is a such a fun read. I used to live in the city in the 1980’s. And can picture all the going on in the city. I recommend giving The Spectacular a try,

It’s 1956 in New York , Marion Brooks is nineteen, she lives with her father Simon and sister Judy . . She lost her mother to a horrible accident when she was young. Marian has dreams of becoming a dancer and a performer, yet her father has different ideas for her, he wants her to get married and settle down with her boyfriend.
After being let go as a dance teacher, Marion decides to audition to be one of the Rockettes, a member of Radio City Music Hall’s famous dancing troupe, she’s shocked when she’s chosen! She’s scared to tell her father and worries what his reaction will be, just as she suspected he’s angry and Marian packs a small bag and leaves her family behind, she dreams of something more for herself.
The rehearsals begin, the days are long and grueling . They perform four times a day, each show is ninety minutes and it has to be perfectly synchronized no mistakes are allowed. She becomes friends with a fellow dancer named Bunny, one night while out for dinner she meets Dr. Peter Griggs, he’s physiological resident and he introduces her to profiling people, he uses the information about a person’s past, upbringing, childhood, anything that’s happened to them to cause mental trauma.
The Big Apple Bomber hasn’t been caught and it’s sixteen years of him terrorizing New York, he plants bombs all over the city in crowded and busy places. The police haven’t caught him and none one knows his identity. One night he plants a bomb and it explodes in Radio City Music Hall, it’s a night Marion will never forget, she is sure she saw a suspicious man sitting in the front row and she tells the police.
Marian and with the help of Peters profiling they begin to help the police try to uncover who the Big Apple Bomber is, so they can try to stop him before he kills anymore people. Soon Marian becomes his next obsession and she knows he needs to be stopped before it to late. I really loves this story, I couldn’t put it down!

The Spectacular by Fiona Davis
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Set in Manhattan in 1956 when the “Big Apple Bomber” was still at large, we get to know Marion. Marion loves dancing and decides to audition to be a Rockette for Radio City Music Hall. She is learning to love her hectic life as a Rockette despite her family’s criticism, until a bomb goes off in Radio City.
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What I liked:
-I knew nothing about this time period and the Big Apple Bomber. I really enjoyed learning more about it from the author’s note. I did not realize this was the case that really made criminal profiling huge.
-Marion’s situation with her family was what hooked me from the get go! It drew me in and didn’t let me go till the end.
-I loved Bunny and I was glad to see how her story played out at the end too.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a story about a young woman searching for her independence in the 1950’s. It is expected that Marion will marry a family friend and live her life as a wife and mother. Marion has other ideas and she becomes one of the famed Radio City Music Hall’s Rockettes. There is a bomber loose in NYC during this time period that is setting off explosions in touristy high traffic areas. After a bomb goes off before her eyes it is now personal for Marion in many ways. There are a few different layers and subplots throughout the book which kept it very engaging. The storyline is told in the past and present which is always a dynamic I enjoy. Overall a very captivating book!

This should be one of this summer's must-reads. Loved the premise, the mystery, and the characters. Life as a Rockette was fascinating to learn about!

I’m a huge fan of Fiona Davis’ historical fiction. I love how she always centers her stories around New York City iconic buildings. Davis’ latest novel, The Spectacular, was especially appealing to me since this time, her iconic landmark of choice was Radio City Music Hall, the home of the world famous Rockettes.

Set in 1956, The Spectacular follows Marion, a young woman who wants nothing more than to become a Rockette. When Marion is invited to join the troupe, she is the only one in her family who considers it an honor. Her father is so appalled by her decision to dance instead of settling down to get married and start a family that he actually kicks her out of the house and ends all contact with her. We follow Marion as she sets out, determined to follow her own dream. Like many others, I’ve always been fascinated by this elite precision dance troupe. It’s truly mesmerizing to watch them perform, so I was very excited to get a behind the scenes look into the world of being a Rockette. It was very eye opening to witness their grueling rehearsals as well as all of the little details that go into creating that illusion of precision, such as the way they sew costumes for taller dancers vs. what they do for the shorter ones.

Marion loves what she does, but occasionally wonders if the cost of losing her family was too high of a price to pay. That cost grows even higher when the “Big Apple Bomber”, who has been terrorizing New York for over 15 years bombs Radio City Musical Hall. One of the victims of the bombing is Marion’s sister, who against their father’s wishes, had snuck out to see Marion perform. Fueled by her grief and the frustration that the police are no closer to catching the bomber after 15 years, Marion goes rogue and enlists the help of Peter, a psychological profiler, to try to find and catch the killer.

What I really loved about The Spectacular was that in addition to having a well researched strong historical fiction narrative, it also features this riveting murder mystery/thriller, a pretty substantial element of family drama, and even the slightest hint of a potential romance. All of these elements combine effortlessly into a riveting read that I could not put down. It’s a story that definitely has a little something for everyone. I highly recommend The Spectacular to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, New York iconic landmarks, suspenseful thrillers, domestic dramas, and especially to anyone who, like me, has always been fascinated by the Rockettes.

I was given an advance copy of The Spectacular for an honest review. As a huge fan of Fiona Davis, I was excited for her new arrival. If you have a love of historical fiction and New York City, then you will connect with this book. Each of Davis’s books highlights a NYC landmark and this one is focused on Radio City Music Hall. Set in the 1950s, Marion Brooks is a woman who is trying to find herself and be an independent woman in a patriarchal society. Longing to live her dreams, she is stifled by her father and his wishes for how she should live her life. A serial bomber in NYC threatens the safety of the people. The devious actions of this criminal threaten the safety of Marion, her family and the Rockettes. A real page turner, The Spectacular keeps your interest from cover to cover.

In 1956, Marion is 19 years old when she auditions, on a whim, to become a Rockette. She is surprised and delighted to be invited to join the troupe. This offers her a chance to pursue her love of dance and also to leave her restrictive family home. After she moves to New York City, her life is touched by the Big Apple Bomber when a bomb goes off at a Rockettes production with tragic results. She becomes involved in searching for the bomber.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction and Fiona Davis is one of my favorite authors. The Radio City Music Hall setting was also very intriguing!

I think this may be my favorite of all Fiona Davis's books. It tells a fascinating story in two timelines (1956 and 1992), involves a compelling mystery (based on real life events!), and has a slow building romance. The Rockettes storyline is fascinating, with all the details of performance and the lives the dancers lived in the 1950's. Marion even lives in a boarding house for young women in the performing arts that was said to have inspired the classic movie Stage Door!

I highly recommend The Spectacular for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone interested in the Rockettes or New York City history. Just be sure to set aside some time to read, because you will not want to put this novel down!

The Spectacular by Fiona Davis
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Set in the heyday of the Radio City and The Rockettes, Marion finds herself at a crossroads. Follow the life that she has always expected to have, marriage, family, house in the suburbs, or follow her dreams and dance for a living. Taking the leap, she finds herself as a dancer with the famous Rockettes. Meanwhile, the city is being terrorized by a bomber targeting the popular and crowded spaces in the city. She finds herself at the center of hunting down the bomber.

The Spectacular ticked so many boxes for me. Woman bucking expectations to fulfill her dreams, check. Really cool new psychological techniques, check. Solving a mystery, check. Cast of fleshy characters, check.

The only drawback was having to really suspend disbelief since there were a lot of coincidences and exceptional epiphanies. It was a little too convenient.

This was a delightful historical fiction. NYC looms as a setting in the best possible way. The pace was quick and felt cinematic. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a New York setting, likes historical fiction, or a young woman navigating struggles of expectations and dreams.

Thank you #Netgalley for providing me a copy of #TheSpectacular. The Spectacular is out now! Pick up your copy to read soon!

Davis’ books always center on an historical building or area in NYC. The main story in the book takes place in Radio City Music Hall, the home of the famous Rockettes. Marion is dancing with the Rockettes, despite her father’s pressure to stay home and marry and have children. In the 1950’s a woman was expected to marry and have a family, but Marion saw a different future for herself. The 1992 story line is Marion recollecting her story, which includes the bombings that took place during the 1950’s, and her complicated relationship with her father. Well written, the book reminded me of the times in my own childhood, going to the iconic Radio City Music Hall. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Dazzling historical mystery from Fiona Davis. Marion decides to disobey her father's wishes for her future and tries for the the famous Rockettes in New York City. When she makes the final cut, she moves in with other up and coming female artists in a boarding house in the city. After the "Big Apple Bomber" attacks Radio City Music Hall, Marion and her love interest decide to take matters into thier own hands. GREAT read! Recommended.

This historical fiction novel is based on a true story, which I had never heard about and I found it very interesting. It is based in the 1950’s in New York City and involves the “Big Apple Bomber”. I enjoyed reading about dancers and performers as Rockettes with Radio City Hall. The main character is Marion, a 19 year old dancer and involves themes about family and mysteries. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Unfortunately, this was not a favorite. I felt that the story telling here was rather uninspired and the author failed to generate much interest in a story that was rather blah, filled with characters that were just too one dimensional.

Marion Brooks has always wanted to dance but even though she is obviously talented, her family discourages, pushing her toward a "normal" life as a homemaker and mother. When she is hired to be a Rockette, instead of being happy for her, her father threatens to disown her. Marion decides to follow her dream and loves being a Rockette, but a serial bomber attacks the theater with dire consequences for her family. The police discount Marion's information because she is a woman but she is determined to force them to listen to a psychologist who has a theory about the bomber.
Like the author's previous books, this is a well-researched story that centers on a famous building in New York. Lots of history about the famed Rockettes of Radio City, with information about their dance/precision style. Dual timelines follow the story in 1956 and 1992. Anyone who enjoys dance or crime fiction will enjoy this very readable historical novel.

I was swept away by this new release from author Fiona Davis.

The story takes place in New York City in the late 1950s, with the glamour and grit of the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, the terror and trepidation of a city bomber, and the determination and devotion of a young woman finding her way.

The sparkling cover drew me in, and the strong story kept me reading and reading and reading. This book has a little bit of everything: drama, romance, humor, mystery.

I consider it a must-read for historical fiction fans!

The Spectacular by Fiona Davis is a poignant story of a woman in the 50’s who cannot yet be independent of her family. Her name is Marion. She has gotten fired from her job as a dance teacher for not being rigid enough and on a whim auditions for The Radio City Rockettes, and as luck would have it, is hired. Although likable and popular, she is not destined to be there as the goal of the Rockettes is conformity. Everyone must look the same. She always kicks a little higher or opens her hands a little wider. She is making inroads into a relationship with her estranged sister, who is as opposite her as possible, when the bomber that has been plaguing the city for 16 long years, detonates a bomb at a performance, and as luck would have it, is sitting next to her sister and she dies. This devastates Marion and makes her chances of reconciling with her father even more remote than they had been. Then, tragedy strikes at home, at the same time she is offered a job as a choreographer, which will turn into her life-long obsession. It is a moving story, full of the things that happen in families, and with those we love. Especially then.

The story is told in two timelines: the mid-fifties, and 1992, although the bulk of the story is 1956. Marion has made some good friends at Radio City and has fallen in love, although that didn’t work out. She didn’t understand why. Her friend, Peter Griggs, a young psychologist has opened a whole new profession as a profiler, something heretofore unknown but helped catch the bomber and then left to work for the FBI. There is plenty of angst in the story as well as some actual danger. The most important thing is the longing of a person to do what their heart tells them to do, in this case, dance. There is some backstory for both Marion and Peter that makes the whole story even sadder. It takes us back to a time when life was different. Maybe better? Maybe not.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Spectacular by Penguin Group Dutton, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #PenguinGroupDutton #FionaDavis #TheSpectacular

Marion has been fired from her dance teacher job. So, on a whim, she decides to try out for the Rockettes. And she makes it…but now she has to face her father. He is bound and determined that she marry and settle down and none of this “dance girl” mess.

As you can guess, Marion is a fabulous character. And KUDOS to her for following her dream. But, there is more to this tale than just dancing. There is a bomber on the loose. And it has connections to Marion’s father. Then disaster strikes! It changes everything!

Well, I will say, I rounded this up. This is more of a 4.5 star read. It is a bit predictable and in some places, unrealistic. BUT…the history in this tale is so dang good. I loved learning about the Rockettes! And the bomber! Yes, there actually was one in the 50s blowing up places in NYC.

No one incorporates history into fiction quite like Fiona Davis. Nor does any one do NYC quite like Fiona Davis and she definitely has me wanting to visit again soon.

Need a great story surrounding the Rockettes…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Fiona Davis is quickly becoming a favorite author for me. The Spectacular had me hooked from the first page and I could not put it down.

I have always been fascinated by the Rockettes. The precision, the dances, the kicks, the costumes. I would love to see them live one day. This inside look at how it all comes together was fantastic and her research shines.

Marion Brooks making it to the Rockettes and her struggles to remain there against the wishes of her family was so well written. I felt for Marion.

As the attacks of the Big Apple Bomber hit closer and closer to home, Marion is faced with hard decisions and a need for answers. Peter’s work to help profile and catch the bomber was fascinating as well.

I enjoyed every part of this story. The family dynamics, the struggles of Marion, the struggles and ultimately the peace Marion has to make with events in the story deeply touched my heart. I didn’t want this book to end.

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton for the copy of this book. All views are my honest opinion.