I received this book for free from Library, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Address by Fiona DavisNarrator: Saskia Maarleveld, Brittany Pressley
Length: 11 Hours 42 Minutes
Published by Penguin on August 1, 2017
Genres: Fiction, Historical, Mystery & Detective, Literary
Pages: 368
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: Library, Publisher
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ISBN: 9781524742003
Goodreads
THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER
Fiona Davis, author of The Dollhouse, returns with a compelling novel about the thin lines between love and loss, success and ruin, passion and madness, all hidden behind the walls of The Dakota—New York City’s most famous residence.
After a failed apprenticeship, working her way up to head housekeeper of a posh London hotel is more than Sara Smythe ever thought she’d make of herself. But when a chance encounter with Theodore Camden, one of the architects of the grand New York apartment house The Dakota, leads to a job offer, her world is suddenly awash in possibility—no mean feat for a servant in 1884. The opportunity to move to America, where a person can rise above one’s station. The opportunity to be the female manager of The Dakota, which promises to be the greatest apartment house in the world. And the opportunity to see more of Theo, who understands Sara like no one else...and is living in The Dakota with his wife and three young children.
In 1985, Bailey Camden is desperate for new opportunities. Fresh out of rehab, the former party girl and interior designer is homeless, jobless, and penniless. Two generations ago, Bailey’s grandfather was the ward of famed architect Theodore Camden. But the absence of a genetic connection means Bailey won’t see a dime of the Camden family’s substantial estate. Instead, her “cousin” Melinda—Camden’s biological great-granddaughter—will inherit almost everything. So when Melinda offers to let Bailey oversee the renovation of her lavish Dakota apartment, Bailey jumps at the chance, despite her dislike of Melinda’s vision. The renovation will take away all the character and history of the apartment Theodore Camden himself lived in...and died in, after suffering multiple stab wounds by a madwoman named Sara Smythe, a former Dakota employee who had previously spent seven months in an insane asylum on Blackwell’s Island.
One hundred years apart, Sara and Bailey are both tempted by and struggle against the golden excess of their respective ages—for Sara, the opulence of a world ruled by the Astors and Vanderbilts; for Bailey, the free-flowing drinks and cocaine in the nightclubs of New York City—and take refuge and solace in the Upper West Side’s gilded fortress. But a building with a history as rich—and often tragic—as The Dakota’s can’t hold its secrets forever, and what Bailey discovers in its basement could turn everything she thought she knew about Theodore Camden—and the woman who killed him—on its head.
With rich historical detail, nuanced characters, and gorgeous prose, Fiona Davis once again delivers a compulsively readable novel that peels back the layers of not only a famed institution, but the lives—and lies—of the beating hearts within.
Why Did I Listen To The Address by Fiona Davis?
The Address by Fiona Davis is 100% RIGHT UP MY ALLEY. I love a good historical fiction audiobook. Also, I love dual story lines. OH and then there’s a stabbing murder? Yes, I am here for it. You should know by now that audiobooks are totally my thing, so of course, that is how I HAD to experience this book. Let me tell you, I waited for a few months to listen to this! Apparently everyone else in my library system wanted to listen to The Address too.
What’s The Story Here?
Fiona Davis’s The Address follows two different timelines. The first timeline is that of Sara Smythe who is basically the head housekeeper in this London hotel in 1884. After saving the child of famous American designer Theodore Camden, Sara is made an offer. Basically, Camden is all come work for me at this new co-op building in America called the Dakota it is the new and upcoming thing. Sara hems and haws, but obviously she heads to NYC. There, Sara begins to fall for Camden who lives in the Dakota with his wife and kids. OH AND SOME REAL SHADY STUFF GOES DOWN in this timeline.
One hundred years later, in 1985, we have the other main character Bailey Camden. Bailey was an interior designer. Then she went to rehab right. She comes back and her old job is like, nope we don’t want you. She is blacklisted. So, then she is enlisted by her cousin Melinda to revamp her apartment in the Dakota. That apartment is none other than the one that Theodore Camden had and also the one where he was stabbed to death in. Anyways, Bailey and Dakota are cousins in name, but apparently not by blood.
There is drama! There are reveals!
How Did I Like The Address?
The Address by Fiona Davis is totally compelling. If you are a person who needs to be ENGAGED and not bored while reading, here you go. This book is solid. I mean, solid to the point of me having to whip out the eARC and turn ahead because I had to know and couldn’t wait through the audio (this also happened while I listened to The Queen Of Hearts). Let me just say readers of historical fiction and mystery will not be disappointed. ALSO THE SETTING – i.e. time and place and making you feel like you are there is well done in this book.
How’s The Narration?
As there are two points of view that take center stage in The Address, there are two narrators for the audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Brittany Pressley and Saskia Maarleveld. I could not tell you right now who narrated which — as is my typical response with dual narrators that I do not know well. However, both did excellent and felt convincing and easy to follow along with. I would say this is a good audiobook to get sucked right into and transported to another time.
Other reviews of The Address by Fiona Davis:
- Clues And Reviews – “I am pretty much obsessed“
- Literary Treats – “I was totally sucked into the story“
- Lisa Talks About – “a joy to read“
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The post The Address by Fiona Davis | Audiobook Review appeared first on Good Books & Good Wine.
