The Address by Fiona DavisMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
3 1/2 Stars - This historical fiction book is set in two different time frames (1884 and 1985) and revolves around two different characters (Sara Smythe, the first 'managerette' of The Dakota, and Bailey Camden, an interior designer hired to renovate her cousin's apartment in The Dakota). We see how The Dakota was initially envisioned and built so far from the rest of the Gilded Age mansion of New York City.
This book was definitely well researched by the author, and it gives the reader a definite sense of place in 1884. However, I don't think that the 1985 storyline is nearly as strong or evocative of that time period. There's a mystery from the 1884 timeline which encompasses most of the second half of the book. There are some very unsavory scenes resulting from this mystery which I didn't like at all. In addition, I wasn't fond of either of the main characters. I think they both made some very bad life decisions which had very serious outcomes for each of them.
If you are interested in a very fictionalized version of The Dakota history, this book is for you.
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