The Magnolia Palace Review

Hello, all!

Something about the fall makes me want to pick up more historical fiction, and if you're the same way, then you should check out The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis.

Pub Date: 1-25-22
Adult - Historical Fiction

Eight months ago, twenty-one-year-old Lillian Carter lost her mother to the Spanish Flu, and her life has never been the same. For the past six years, Lillian's mother helped her make a name for herself in the New York City art scene under the moniker Angelica. As Angelica, Lillian became a sought-after model, her likeness inspiring some of the most famous sculptures around the City. But with work drying up and her name enmeshed in scandal, Lillian is desperate for a haven. When she stumbles upon a job at the Frick mansion, Lillian jumps at the chance. As Lillian's life becomes entangled with the Frick's, she finds herself in the middle of a family drama that could cost her everything.

Fifty years later, English model Veronica Weber lands a lucrative job posing at a photoshoot at the Frick mansion. The once impressive home is now a famous museum, and Veronica finds herself awed by its beauty. After an altercation during the shoot, Veronica is dismissed and stumbles upon a series of hidden clues for what seems like a scavenger hunt around the mansion. When she and the charming intern Joshua get stuck in the mansion, they decide to pass the time following the clues. Veronica is hoping the treasure at the end is a famed missing jewel that would solve all her financial woes, but she soon realizes that the clues point to an even bigger mystery.

I've read a few books by Davis now, and they all follow the same formula. There's a famous building in New York, a dual-POV/timeline, and a mystery that has waited ages to be solved. Even though I know how it will play out, it doesn't stop me from eating up her books. Something about her writing pulls me in, and this was no exception. I did enjoy Lillian's POV more because I found her more interesting than Veronica. I didn't think Veronica's POV served much purpose until the end, so whenever we got a chapter from her, I was waiting for it to switch back to Lillian. It wasn't my favorite out of Davis's books, but it was still a quick read, and I'd recommend it if you enjoy historical fiction.

Rating: 3/5