From the New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue comes the compelling national bestselling novel about the thin lines between love and loss, success and ruin, passion and madness, all hidden behind the walls of The Dakota--New York City's most famous residence. When a chance encounter with Theodore Camden, one of the architects of the grand New York apartment house the Dakota, leads to a job offer for Sara Smythe, her world is suddenly awash in possibility--no mean feat for a servant in 1884. The opportunity to move to America. The opportunity to be the female manager of the Dakota. And the opportunity to see more of Theo, who understands Sara like no one else...and is living in the Dakota with his wife and three young children. One hundred years later, Bailey Camden is desperate for new opportunities: Fresh out of rehab, the former interior designer is homeless, jobless, and penniless. Bailey's grandfather was the ward of famed architect Theodore Camden, yet Bailey won't see a dime of the Camden family's substantial estate; instead, her "cousin" Melinda--Camden's biological great-granddaughter--will inherit almost everything. So when Melinda offers to let Bailey oversee the renovation of her lavish Dakota apartment, Bailey jumps at the chance, despite her dislike of Melinda's vision. The renovation will take away all the character of the apartment Theodore Camden himself lived in...and died in, after suffering multiple stab wounds by a former Dakota employee who had previously spent seven months in an insane asylum--a madwoman named Sara Smythe. A century apart, Sara and Bailey are both tempted by and struggle against the golden excess of their respective ages--for Sara, the opulence of a world ruled by the Astors and Vanderbilts; for Bailey, the nightlife's free-flowing drinks and cocaine--and take refuge in the Upper West Side's gilded fortress. But a building with a history as rich, and often as tragic, as the Dakota's can't hold its secrets forever, and what Bailey discovers inside could turn everything she thought she knew about Theodore Camden--and the woman who killed him--on its head.
THE ADDRESS by Fiona Davis
I love reading historical fiction set in 1800s New York. This book is about The Dakota apartments which was one of the first major developments in what is now the Upper West Side/Central Park area.
If you’ve read other books by Davis, her stories tend to be formulaic in that there’s always a strong lead female protagonist who delves into the past to solve a mystery or problem. Knowing this didn’t detract from the story; it was quite interesting and engaging as a whole.
While I understood and liked the inclusion of Nellie Bly (if you don’t already know about her, you should!), plot wise it felt too convenient. Regardless, I like how the Sara Symthe and Bailey Camden’s storylines were woven together.
Overall, an entertaining story with twists and turns, combining likeable characters, family drama and NY architectural history. Recommend if you enjoyed other books by Fiona Davis.
Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐️
Loved it
Published by Dorothy , 1 year ago
If you love a page turner, this book is for you, can't wait to read her other books
Great book
Published by Annette , 5 years ago
This is the second book by this author that I’ve read and I thought it was really good.
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