“The Magnolia Palace” - Fiona Davis

 🌸 I love the alternating timelines in this one; both are gripping. Eventually they converge which makes satisfying reading because all questions are answered. Davis sprinkles the novel with the steepest of cliffhangers when she alternates between timelines.

NYC in 1919 introduces us to Lillian “Angelica” Carter, a famed artist’s model who takes on a job at the Frick mansion as a private secretary to Helen Frick when her modeling work dried up. 

Then we bounce forward to NYC in 1966 where Veronica, a London model, is newly fired from the shoot-of-lifetime at the Frick mansion. She discovers secret messages hidden in the now-museum and sets off to uncover a Frick family secret.

🌸 Old biddy Helen is kind of awesome - she’s fully come onto her own and really does not care if people like her. She’s by no means a lovely personality, but deep inside, her heart is in the right place. 

🌸 I got “Secret Garden” vibes to Lillian’s nighttime wanders through the mansion; while Veronica’s situation reminds me of “The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler”. Am I the only one? See below for images of some of the famed artworks that Davis features throughout the story.

🌸 Davis works in the BLM movement into the narrative. A major character, Joshua the Frick’s intern, is Black. It was a true nod to realities and didn’t feel forced. 

🌸I thought this was a striking word choice to describe a character trapped in nothing less than a Gilded Age mansion.

🌸 Below are just a few of the intriguing art works referenced in TMP.