An interesting tale, two different time lines, the story of the infamous Dakota in NYC. A little predictable in parts, but a quick read.
This is a story of essentially two women who lived in time periods one hundred years apart. Sara Smytheâs life begins in 1884 for this novel. She has just landed a job with Theodore Camden, an architect for Dakota apartment in New York, not an easy feat for a servant. Few people understand her as her new employer does. Fast forward into the life of Baily Camden whose cousin, Melinda, lives in this building. Baily's grandfather was a ward of the architect. Baily is just out of rehab recovering from alcoholism and has lost her interior design job. Melinda, a great grand daughter of the architect, comes to her rescue, offering an apartment in the building and the job of renovating her own Dakota apartment.
Baily takes the job even though the remodel will take away the old charm and character of the apartment. It is money which she needs badly with a place to live attached. The architect has lived in this apartment with his wife and three children until he died of stab wounds inflicted by an unhappy employee. Sara Smythe, a former resident of an asylum, was the culprit. Baily sees photos of the woman and notes a startling resemblance to herself. It just couldn't be could it? As she ponders the likeness she begins to think what might have really happened.
The plot is predictable, at least for this reader. As the author set the stage it quickly became obvious. Well written and wonderful characters are an integral part of this novel, which flows well until the climax. Of course there is a lucrative inheritance involved. There was only one factor I did not recognize. Melinda and her twin brother were not related to the architect because the wife had an affair with a poet resulting in pregnancy.
Baily takes the job even though the remodel will take away the old charm and character of the apartment. It is money which she needs badly with a place to live attached. The architect has lived in this apartment with his wife and three children until he died of stab wounds inflicted by an unhappy employee. Sara Smythe, a former resident of an asylum, was the culprit. Baily sees photos of the woman and notes a startling resemblance to herself. It just couldn't be could it? As she ponders the likeness she begins to think what might have really happened.
The plot is predictable, at least for this reader. As the author set the stage it quickly became obvious. Well written and wonderful characters are an integral part of this novel, which flows well until the climax. Of course there is a lucrative inheritance involved. There was only one factor I did not recognize. Melinda and her twin brother were not related to the architect because the wife had an affair with a poet resulting in pregnancy.
Good book, but not quite as good as The Dollhouse. About another iconic New York building told in part in 1885 and in part in 1985. The 1885 story, the murder, was a little predictable in the whodunit. The end of that story line seemed a little rushed. I was surprised that Theo was not quite the golden boy he seemed all along. The 1985 story I liked a little better and those characters were a little more obvious between the nice characters and the petty and entitled characters. In The Dollhouse a lot of the history of the building itself was true. I'm not so sure whether that is true for this book as well - off to google and find out.
The Address is the second novel by Fiona Davis. Sara J. Smythe is the head housekeeper at Langham Hotel in London in June 1884. Sara happens to notice a little girl walking on the ledge outside a hotel room and rushes to rescue her. Theodore Camden, the child's father and an architect, offers Sara a job in New York at The Dakota. The Dakota is a fancy apartment house with hotel amenities. Sara, after some thought, accepts the position and sails for New York. She arrives at The Dakota and finds herself promoted to managerette. Sara works closely with Theo in getting the building ready for its new occupants. Life is full of possibilities in America. Will Sara find the happiness she has been yearning for in America?
Bailey Camden has just been released from Silver Hill, a rehab facility, in New York in 1985. She was hoping to return to her position at Crespo and O'Reilly, but it seems Bailey burned her bridges with them. Her last hope is her cousin, Melinda. Melinda and her twin brother, Manvel own an apartment in the Upper West Side of New York at The Dakota. Bailey has loved the building since she was a child. Her grandfather was a ward of Theodore Camden, who was murdered in that very apartment. Melinda is redecorating and offers the job to Bailey along with a place to live. Melinda's âstyleâ involves ripping out all the beautiful woodwork and vintage features of the gilded age apartment. In the storage area of the building, Bailey uncovers trunks belong to Theodore Camden and Sara Smythe. Secrets that have long been hidden are about to come to light. Bailey embarks on a journey of discovery. Dark family secrets have a way of coming forth into the light.
I felt that Fiona Davis did a notable job at capturing the historical time-period and setting of New York at it was being developed in 1884. The Dakota (which is a real building in New York and can be viewed online) was a unique apartment building, and I loved reading about the beautiful details put into the building (along with the gorgeous dress descriptions). I preferred Sara's chapters over Bailey's (especially in the beginning). In a way, I wish the whole novel had been about Sarah and what happened to her. It was interesting to see how Ms. Davis tied the past to Bailey Camden in 1985. I am rating The Address 3 out of 5 stars. The story is interesting but it has an expected ending (especially regarding Theodore). I was hoping the author would surprise me, but I was let down. I accurately guessed how the story would play out. I found the pace of the novel to be slow which can be attributed to the amount of detail provided by the author. While I love her descriptions and historical accuracy, the do make for a slow-moving story. Bailey's chapters had a faster pace but they were less captivating (the 80s hold little appeal with the terrible fashions, party lifestyle, and the horrible Palm Beach/Miami Vice type décor). I am not enamored with the alternating chapters (the past and present) which seems to be very common lately in books. The Address ended up being a romance novel with a little mystery thrown in.
Bailey Camden has just been released from Silver Hill, a rehab facility, in New York in 1985. She was hoping to return to her position at Crespo and O'Reilly, but it seems Bailey burned her bridges with them. Her last hope is her cousin, Melinda. Melinda and her twin brother, Manvel own an apartment in the Upper West Side of New York at The Dakota. Bailey has loved the building since she was a child. Her grandfather was a ward of Theodore Camden, who was murdered in that very apartment. Melinda is redecorating and offers the job to Bailey along with a place to live. Melinda's âstyleâ involves ripping out all the beautiful woodwork and vintage features of the gilded age apartment. In the storage area of the building, Bailey uncovers trunks belong to Theodore Camden and Sara Smythe. Secrets that have long been hidden are about to come to light. Bailey embarks on a journey of discovery. Dark family secrets have a way of coming forth into the light.
I felt that Fiona Davis did a notable job at capturing the historical time-period and setting of New York at it was being developed in 1884. The Dakota (which is a real building in New York and can be viewed online) was a unique apartment building, and I loved reading about the beautiful details put into the building (along with the gorgeous dress descriptions). I preferred Sara's chapters over Bailey's (especially in the beginning). In a way, I wish the whole novel had been about Sarah and what happened to her. It was interesting to see how Ms. Davis tied the past to Bailey Camden in 1985. I am rating The Address 3 out of 5 stars. The story is interesting but it has an expected ending (especially regarding Theodore). I was hoping the author would surprise me, but I was let down. I accurately guessed how the story would play out. I found the pace of the novel to be slow which can be attributed to the amount of detail provided by the author. While I love her descriptions and historical accuracy, the do make for a slow-moving story. Bailey's chapters had a faster pace but they were less captivating (the 80s hold little appeal with the terrible fashions, party lifestyle, and the horrible Palm Beach/Miami Vice type décor). I am not enamored with the alternating chapters (the past and present) which seems to be very common lately in books. The Address ended up being a romance novel with a little mystery thrown in.
A gripping novel, goes back and forth in time but so interesting to follow.
Two women. Two time period. One city. One beautiful old building. A host of intrigue and secrets that connects all of it. The Address by Fiona Davis tells both stories in alternating sections, winding them closer and closer together until by the end, connections are revealed, and the story of the past ends, and the story of the present finds a path forward. The book is an entertaining story and an intriguing look inside a landmark building.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2017/09/the-address.html
Reviewed for the Penguin First to Read program.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2017/09/the-address.html
Reviewed for the Penguin First to Read program.
