Book Review—The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis

The Masterpiece, published in 2018, is the third novel that I have read by Fiona Davis. I just loved it! The Grand Central Terminal in New York City is the iconic building that author Fiona Davis chose as the backdrop for this historical fiction/mystery novel. I listened to the novel on the Libby app, courtesy of the Orange County Library System.

The book has alternating timelines and strong woman characters. Clara Darden is the illustrator we meet in 1928 who teaches at the Grand Central School of Art. She is so talented, but feels that she is the “token woman” instructor at the school. She also has difficulty selling her illustrations because she is a woman. We also meet Virginia Clay in 1974, nearly 50 years later, who is newly divorced, and has taken a job at the information desk at the deteriorating Grand Central Station. Virginia discovers an unsigned piece of artwork one day, and thus begins the mystery to discover the artist.

This book is just fantastic. Fiona Davis has researched the Grand Central Terminal, as well as the Grand Central School of Art, to form a timeline in her novel that fits into the real-life history of that historic building. The book is fast-paced, and I really wanted to see how the story ended! I loved how the author had Jackie O. make an appearance in the novel, due to her connection with Grand Central Station.

I highly recommend The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis!  Next, I’m listening to her fourth novel, The Chelsea Girls.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5







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