Magnolia Palace, The: A Novel

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And by combining real-life historical figures, those inspired by true people and others imagined, we have another highly entertaining book with a well-developed story which should delight and captivate historical fiction fans, especially those who love books set in New York City. Nearly fifty years later, mod English model Veronica Weber has her own chance to make her career—and with it, earn the money she needs to support her family back home—within the walls of the former Frick residence, now converted into one of New York City’s most impressive museums.

The fallout from the crisis will reverberate through the decades until Veronica reveals her secret and discovers others hidden by the family. Unbeknownst to Angelica, Helen, the daughter of the wealthy industrialist and art collector Henry Clay Frick, was interviewing candidates for the position of her own personal secretary.It brought the vibrant and complicated history of the Frick mansion, which later became a museum, to life. He shares with Veronica some of the history of the Frick family and the story of the lost pink Magnolia diamond. Her whole life felt that it had been upended, beginning with her mother’s death and now with this untrue accusation of murder.

Fiona Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of seven historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings, including The Spectacular, The Magnolia Palace, The Address, and The Lions of Fifth Avenue, which was a Good Morning America book club pick. For the past six years, under the moniker Angelica, Lillian was one of the most sought after artists' models in New York City, with statues based on her figure gracing landmarks from the Plaza Hotel to the Brooklyn Bridge. Frick with her knowledge of his art collection, the management of his daughter’s affairs, and their complicated household. Lillian would have preferred a duplex at the recently constructed Hotel des Artistes building, with its high ceilings and gothic splendor, but Kitty had dismissed it as too expensive.Its permanent collection features Old Master paintings and European fine and decorative arts, including works by Bellini, Fragonard, Goya, Rembrandt, Turner, Velázquez, Vermeer, and many others. Veronica, inexperienced, a bit stubborn and intimidated by the other models and the photographer, would not acquiesce to the demands and whims of the temperamental photographer. Suspicions abound, and an iconic New York City landmark stands poised to reveal a page-turning tale of wealth, family dynamics, and long-held secrets. also, since my reading tastes have changed so much over the last few years, I thought I would give this one a go as a litmus test of sorts.

Lillian escaped out the fire escape when the police arrived, slept on a bench in Central Park for the night, and accidentally was drawn into the Frick Mansion for a job she hadn't applied for but got hired. The Magnolia Palace” features the Frick Museum, one of New York City’s most striking Gilded Age mansions. When Lillian’s landlord murders his wife, she is immediately assumed involved just by the nature of her work. Nearly fifty years later, mod English model Veronica Weber has her own chance to make her career—and with it, earn the money she needs to support her family back home—within the walls of the former Frick residence, now converted into one of New York City's most impressive museums. The silence of the studio, which usually lulled her into a kind of trance, instead haunted her today.

I've read all of Fiona Davis's historical fiction novels, and I look forward when a new one comes out each year. What I loved most about this book was that it sent me scouring Google for more information on the Frick Museum and Audrey Munson, on whom Lillian's character is loosely based. Fiona Davis ‘s inspiration for this book came from Martha Frick Symington Sanger’s great granddaughter of Henry Clay Frick:”Bittersweet Heiress and Henry Clay Frick: An Intimate Portrait “. Watkins rent money, she's been unable to work, and when his wife is found murdered, and the police consider her a suspect? These works of art, however, are placed at landmarks around the city, such as: the Plaza Hotel, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Three Graces at the Hotel Astor; even at the entrance of the Frick Mansion.