Rich with family drama, tangled romance, cryptic clues, and long-buried secrets, The Magnolia Palace is sure to be loved by Fiona Davis's devoted and new readers alike. A can't-miss for anyone who has sauntered through an art museum and found themselves tempted to peek behind a painting or two.” Another brilliant historical thriller from Davis, this time set in a Gilded Age mansion in New York City. You will fall in love with Lillian, the penniless young artist’s model surviving the Spanish flu of 1919; and Veronica, the young mod model of the 1960s; and Davis’s deftly written and beautifully woven feminist storytelling.” After years of estrangement, Helen and Lillian finally reconcile and let go of the past. Inspired by the Magnolia Diamond’s legacy, Helen uses the gem to fund a scholarship program. Joshua, who had been struggling to finance his graduate studies, becomes the scholarship’s inaugural beneficiary. Meanwhile, Veronica, now employed as Helen’s new private secretary, brings her family, including her beloved sister Polly, to live in America. Together, they embark on a new chapter of their lives, filled with hope and promise for the future. The rich think they're are protected, that they have magical powers, when in fact they're only mortals, like the rest of us......."

A police officer emerged from the Watkinses' apartment, leaving the door open behind him. At first, Lillian wondered when the Watkinses had gotten such a deep-red rug, almost scarlet, before realizing it was some kind of dried liquid, not a new runner. Control means a lot to me. My family moved around a lot when I was young, and not knowing what was going to happen the next day or the next month turned me into an anxious kid. I laid out my school outfits the night before and was a straight-A student who never missed an assignment. As an adult, I created a life that suited my nature perfectly. I became an author, setting my own hours and writing novels in my home office. I held a delicious control over every character: I decided if they were happy or sad, whether they lived or died. Glorious. Yes, just a little tired. My landlords got into a rousing fight early this morning. I didn't get much sleep." The blending of the two time lines and the intriguing story line is signature Fiona Davis as she again gives us another wonderful history lesson.

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Mr. Rossi dropped the tool on the table beside him with a loud clatter. "Very well." He lit a cigarette but didn't move from the spot, as if ready to begin again right away. Where and how do you enjoy viewing art? Is there a time of day or a season or a setting that is most conducive to your appreciation? How do the stories behind the artwork— whether that of the painter or the subject or the collector— enhance or detract from your art appreciation? How has art moved you? How do you think about private collections versus public institutions owning masterpieces? I found these descriptions of the art in both 1919 and in 1966, added to my enjoyment of the novel. In addition they brought out the personalities of the characters studying the art. They made me think about which paintings most captivated each character.

But it’s not just the sculpture that takes her breath away. For the first time in her life, Lillian feels recognized and valued for her contribution to the art world. She had spent so many years hiding her past as Angelica, fearing discrimination and shame, but now she feels vindicated. As she watches the tour groups admire the sculpture and learn about her role in its creation, Lillian knows that she has finally found the respect and recognition that she deserves. Wasn’t observing Veronica’s outside’ she was trying to understand her inside. It wasn’t about being looked at’ it was about being seen.’” Many historical fiction authors are skilled at finding and researching hidden stories and bringing them to the fore. Take My Hand and Horse are two recent historical novels that I enjoyed immensely as I read about individuals whose stories hadn’t been lifted up, whose names were not commonly known. The magic of Fiona Davis is the tenderness with which she crafts her settings, so that they bloom into characters themselves. We come to know them. We come to love them. And they help us to understand our place in time. The Magnolia Palace is a love letter to art and history. An intriguing, beautiful read." - Sarah Addison Allen Step into the world of intrigue, mystery, and historical fiction with Fiona Davis’s sixth novel, The Magnolia Palace.Many thanks to Dutton / Penguin Group, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this engaging book prior to its January 25, 2022 publication date. As a Columbia School of Journalism graduate, Davis is celebrated for her historical mystery novels that revolve around New York City’s iconic structures.

Of course. I am in awe of all of your past likenesses. You were an inspiration to so many." His gaze drifted to her hips. Davis adeptly interweaves two compelling story lines to shine a light on another NYC landmark. . . . This is historical fiction at its best, with well-developed characters, detail, art history, and mystery.” As they explore the mansion, Veronica stumbles upon some clues that suggest the existence of a scavenger hunt within the mansion, and she shares her findings with Joshua. Intrigued by the possibility of unraveling the mystery, the two of them join forces to solve the puzzle.

But instead of continuing, Mr. Rossi wiped his hands on his apron and approached the model stand. "Can you angle yourself a little more?" He pushed his right hip forward slightly, as an example. "And twist like this." Or to be sitting in a car as it careens down the Saw Mill River Parkway, knowing that sometimes it's okay to be the passenger, instead of the driver. Yes, that's better." But his face didn't register approval. She knew why. Her hips and legs no longer resembled the earlier statues he'd seen of her. The clean lines once heralded as the classical idea of perfection were now more padded, to put it gently. Since Kitty's death, she'd felt a consistent, gnawing hunger in her gut that would only be satiated with butterscotch candies and lemon meringue pie. Her skirts had hidden the ripples of fat at that first meeting. "Maybe let the cloth down, all the way over the legs." Note that this guide, like all of the guides, may contain spoilers. I recommend reading the book before the guide. Online Resources

Another policeman stepped to the door to shut it, but not before Lillian caught sight of a woman's bloody hand, the fingers gently, almost daintily, curled in. Authors, if you are a member of the Goodreads Author Program, you can edit information about your own books. Find out how in this guide. Maybe if he saw Memory, he'd soften and truly appreciate all that she'd accomplished. "I suggest, Mr. Rossi, if you have the time, that you take one morning off and view it. It's not far uptown, on West End and 106th Street." Oh, now, I've been working steadily for years, and trust me, you can always ask for more time. Artists are often accommodated by their patrons that way." Fascinating . . . Allows Davis also to explore the struggles of young women to be taken seriously while adding an unvarnished look at the wealthy. . . . Davis smoothly layers fact onto fiction. . . . Excellent.”Unable to force one more appointment from Mr. Rossi, Lillian headed to the luncheonette across the street from her building. She was starving, craving a bowl of potato soup and a slice of pie. Her mother would never have allowed such decadence. I am not a person who frequents art museums or who has studied art in any depth. When I do visit an art museum, I most enjoy viewing just a few paintings and getting to know them. If I am very fortunate, I find a young school group sitting attentively while the painting is discussed by a curator. Seeing a painting through the eyes of school children with the depth of a curator’s understanding connects me to a painting in much the way discussing a book with you connects me to novels. Mr. Rossi waited, holding a boxwood shaper in one hand and a rag in the other. Even after six years of posing, Lillian had never quite gotten used to being called by her stage name, chosen by her mother, Kitty, to protect her family’s reputation, which was a real laugh. As if they were the Astors or something. Lillian pulled the silk up over her shoulder so only one breast was exposed. The material was slippery and refused to