The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis (Dutton; LJ starred review), is the top holds title of the week (1/24/22). LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting for this buzziest book. 

In Davis’s (The Lions of Fifth Avenue) latest historical novel, dual timelines seamlessly connect the lives of two women at New York’s Frick Collection. In 1919, Lillian Carter (based on the real-life artists’ model Audrey Munson) is the supermodel of her day and the muse of classical sculptors; her face and figure grace hundreds of famous statues throughout New York City. When her landlord’s wife is murdered, Lillian is sought as a person of interest and hides away by taking a job at the Frick mansion. There she works as private secretary to Helen Clay Frick and lives among the collection’s masterpieces, including a portrait of herself. In 1966, British model Veronica Weber comes to the Frick mansion (now a museum) for a photo shoot and ends up being locked in during a storm. The two timelines meet when Veronica discovers secret messages among the Frick’s masterpieces and uncovers a long-lost heirloom. VERDICT Davis adeptly interweaves two compelling story lines to shine a light on another NYC landmark (after novels set in the Chelsea Hotel and the New York Public Library). This is historical fiction at its best, with well-developed characters, detail, art history, and mystery. —Catherine Coyne, LJ review Dec. 2021

Read-Alikes:

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (William Morrow; LJ starred review)

Appeared on the March 2021 LibraryReads list

“Sophisticated Osla, ambitious Mab, and timid Beth become friends while working as codebreakers at Bletchley Park during World War II. The secrecy of their work has lasting effects on their lives. Years later, they are forced to forgive one another to unmask a traitor.” —Nanette Donohue, Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL

The Forgotten Seamstress by Liz Trenow (Sourcebooks Landmark)

Appeared on the May 2014 LibraryReads list

“Two women’s stories, separated by close to 100 years, connect through a patchwork quilt. Carolyn finds a quilt in her mother’s attic and is intrigued by its origin, and quiltmaker Maria’s story is told through transcripts. Trenow carefully stitches together a novel about family secrets, using many interesting details about fabrics, needlework, and textile conservation. A strong sense of place and well-told story make this book superior women’s fiction.”—Leslie DeLooze, Richmond Memorial Library, Batavia, NY

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (Berkley; LJ starred review)

Appeared on the June 2021 LibraryReads list

"Both history and homage to The Morgan Library, one of the world’s greatest private libraries. It is also the story of a young African-American woman named Belle posing as a white woman of Portuguese descent. For fans of Fiona Davis’ historical novels." —Jennifer Winberry, Hunterdon County Library, Flemington, NJ