Friday, August 16, 2019

The Address by Fiona Davis

Title: The Address
Author: Fiona Davis
Genre: Historical Fiction


Synopsis: From back cover: '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.

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.'
My Thoughts

I love a story that bridges several generations, it can lend perspectives that enrich the storyline and increase suspense and mystery. Davis does this masterfully. While the story may seem predictable in the beginning, an affair, an unhappy marriage, an unexpected child, the author takes unique routes in how each issue becomes resolved. The ending of the 1880's storyline is not at all what I expected, while the ending of 1980's story was similar to my hunch from the start. 
I really loved the protagonists in both timelines, women trying to make a life for themselves after hardship but both with so much hope for the future. Historical architecture and genealogy are topics that I am fascinated by, so finding those to be the central focus of this story piqued my interest. The mystery and intrigue aspect of this novel made it so hard for me to make myself stop reading so I could go to sleep. I was excited to get to read more of this book every day and was sad when it ended. I look forward to reading more from this author!



Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

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