The Magnolia Palace

Fiona Davis (The Chelsea Girls) delivers another richly detailed, engaging historical narrative in her sixth novel, The Magnolia Palace. As she did with The Masterpiece and The Lions of Fifth Avenue, Davis draws inspiration from a New York City icon: in this case, the Frick Collection on East 70th Street and the way it shapes the destinies of three very different women.

In 1919, artists' model Lillian Carter needs a new career. She harbors dreams of Hollywood but stumbles into a position as private secretary to Helen Clay Frick, the intelligent but capricious spinster daughter of steel magnate Henry Clay Frick. Though Lillian plans to earn the money for her train ticket and then leave, she finds herself drawn into the Fricks' world--but she knows, deep down, that all her newfound skills won't matter if anyone finds out about her past.

Veronica Weber, a struggling English model, finds herself stranded at the Frick in a 1961 snowstorm after a photo shoot. Accompanied by a young Black archivist, Veronica uncovers a mystery: a set of letters comprising a scavenger hunt that may tie her to both Helen and Lillian. Davis expertly weaves together Lillian's and Veronica's narratives, teaching readers about the Manhattan art world and bringing the Frick's many hidden corners to life. The hunt for a mysterious treasure is entertaining, but the real gem of the narrative is the way that all three women, especially Lillian, overcome past obstacles to create new lives for themselves. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams

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