Overview

In nationally bestselling author Fiona Davis’s latest historical novel, a series of book thefts roils the iconic New York Public Library, leaving two generations of strong-willed women to pick up the pieces.

It’s 1913, and on the surface, Laura Lyons couldn’t ask for more out of life—her husband is the superintendent of the New York Public Library, allowing their family to live in an apartment within the grand building, and they are blessed with two children. But headstrong, passionate Laura wants more, and when she takes a leap of faith and applies to the Columbia Journalism School, her world is cracked wide open. As her studies take her all over the city, she is drawn to Greenwich Village’s new bohemia, where she discovers the Heterodoxy Club—a radical, all-female group in which women are encouraged to loudly share their opinions on suffrage, birth control, and women’s rights. Soon, Laura finds herself questioning her traditional role as wife and mother. But when valuable books are stolen back at the library, threatening the home and institution she loves, she’s forced to confront her shifting priorities head on . . . and may just lose everything in the process.

Eighty years later, in 1993, Sadie Donovan struggles with the legacy of her grandmother, the famous essayist Laura Lyons, especially after she’s wrangled her dream job as a curator at the New York Public Library. But the job quickly becomes a nightmare when rare manuscripts, notes, and books for the exhibit Sadie’s running begin disappearing from the library’s famous Berg Collection. Determined to save both the exhibit and her career, the typically risk-adverse Sadie teams up with a private security expert to uncover the culprit. However, things unexpectedly become personal when the investigation leads Sadie to some unwelcome truths about her own family heritage—truths that shed new light on the biggest tragedy in the library’s history.

Review

Laura Lyons is married to the superintendent for the New York Public Library. Her husband and their family actually live in an apartment in the library. Laura decides to go back to school and become a journalist. Being a woman…and 1913…this is not an easy feat. Then some valuable books disappear from the library. This threatens everything she has worked for…including her family.

Now, fast forward to the 1990s. Sadie almost has her dream job of curator for the New York Public Library. She has kept hidden the fact that Laura Lyons, the famous essayist, is her grandmother. She does not want to use this as leverage. But, when valuable objects and books start missing from the library. Things start to cave in around her.

I enjoyed how the author incorporated the two time periods. And she did an excellent job with the differences for woman during both eras. I was extremely fascinated with just about every part of this book. The characters, the building of the library, the history around the objects…just amazingly well done!

No one does old New York like Fiona Davis! And this book is one of her bests! As most of you know…I love a book which has me researching. And this one had me looking up all kinds of stuff.

Do not miss this one! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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