“What was it about the synchronicity of movement that created a swell of emotion, one that couldn’t be helped? It was a strange kind of alchemy.”
Fiona Davis, The Spectacular
Title: The Spectacular
Author: Fiona Davis
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 368 (Hardcover)
Published: June 13th, 2023
My Rating: ★★★
Read: 10/15/2023 – 10/16/2023
Review:
As expected from Fiona Davis, The Spectacular has a stunning NYC backdrop. I didn’t even read the synopsis when I picked up this book. I saw Radio City Music Hall on the cover and didn’t care to know more. Plus, having read The Magnolia Palace, I figured it was a safe bet.
More or less on a whim, teenaged Marion auditions to be one of the Radio City Rockettes, figuring the audition would be as far as she’d go. Being accepted causes a riff with her father, but as time goes on, his disapproval becomes the least of her problems. After an explosion during a performance, Marion gets involved in the investigation.
I didn’t love this as much as I thought I would. Of course I loved the setting and all, I just found myself disconnected from the characters and mystery. Even so, Fiona Davis’ writing style made me want to continue. I’m going to hang onto this and visit it another time. It’s been a while since I’ve visited New York. I can see myself getting a taste of Broadway and wanting to visit it.
Likes & Dislikes:
What I liked:
- The location. I haven’t read a lot of books that center on live performance.
- In general, an interesting plot concept.
What I didn’t like:
- I struggled to connect to the characters.
- Didn’t hold my interest.
Afterthoughts:
I think this was a wrong place and time read for me. I’m going to try and revisit it later, maybe on audiobook.