The Address: A Novel

Very disappointing and predictable. I enjoyed reading about the Dakota, but the characters were nothing new to me and a times a little boring and stereotyped. There was no real mystery about the love affairs either.

I read this because I enjoy reading about the time period. But, I also enjoy more uplifting books--to have ideals, and read about them, I believe, helps us face issues today. Except for the ending, this story was not one of them. People are making a lot of money pushing liberal issues, including "woman good--man bad" stories. Bothered me to have to constantly jump from one era to the other, too. Ho-hum.

I find it a challenge going back and forth in time periods. I forget to read the title of each chapter what year this took place then change time periods with each chapter.
But It was an interesting story. I enjoyed it a lot. Just as I did Fionas last book I recently read that had two time periods.

It was a very good book. Lots of history about the Dakota which was very interesting. The two stories were also enjoyable. Gave it a 4 because it was a little too much romance novel which is not my thing.

I read this because I enjoy reading about the time period. But, I also enjoy more uplifting books--to have ideals, and read about them, I believe, helps us face issues today. Except for the ending, this story was not one of them. People are making a lot of money pushing liberal issues, including "woman good--man bad" stories. Bothered me to have to constantly jump from one era to the other, too. Ho-hum.

I find it a challenge going back and forth in time periods. I forget to read the title of each chapter what year this took place then change time periods with each chapter.
But It was an interesting story. I enjoyed it a lot. Just as I did Fionas last book I recently read that had two time periods.

It was a very good book. Lots of history about the Dakota which was very interesting. The two stories were also enjoyable. Gave it a 4 because it was a little too much romance novel which is not my thing.

I loved seeing the Dakota as a character in this story. The time switch and the interplay of the generations was also intriguing and kept me guessing at times. The only thing I didn't like was the end. I wasn't ready to let go of the inhabitants.

Ugh, she should have stuck to the 1885 story. I don't know what the fad is for writers with these 'parallel lines, historical vs. modern day' but I wish it'd end. After it was done twice, it became hackneyed and predictable. Let it rest, people.

This book seemed like it was written by two different authors - Sara was a reasonably sympathetic character, and I loved the glimpse of NYC when midtown was still largely dirt and fields. Indeed, all the characters in that storyline had some resonance and intrigue, even if her ultimate aims for them were a bit easy to foresee. Plus I enjoy stories that twang upon the tension between classes of those bygone times.

But so much of the rest of the novel was utterly juvenile in both concept and execution, a random jumble of contrived challenges, as if pulled from a 'paint by numbers', Novel-Writing 101 class. Dead mom! Addict in recovery! Identity crisis! Powerful men sexually harassing helpless women!

Bailey was single-dimensional and so repellent, I groaned aloud whenever the story switched back to 1985. And she was supposed to be one of the heroines! I almost abandoned it partway through. At least it was a short read.

3.5 stars

I had wanted to read this book primarily because of the historical setting and in a way, from a historical perspective, the author Fiona Davis was able to deliver, as she did a pretty good job establishing a sense of time and place with her vivid descriptions of the Dakota apartment house building in New York City, the infamous location where Beatles lead singer John Lennon was murdered back in 1980. The present day narrative does refer to the Lennon murder in a historical context, but that's about the extent it goes, as the main story itself is a fictional one about the Camden family and their connection to the Dakota.

Through a dual timeline primarily taking place in New York City in 1885 and 100 years later in 1985, the Dakota is the link that binds the two past and present narratives together. The first narrative is about a woman named Sara Smythe who, through a chance encounter with architect Theodore Camden in London in 1884, is hired on to become manager of the new apartment house complex he was in charge of building in New York City, called the Dakota. Once Sara arrives in New York, she is able to put her skills to good use and rise above the circumstances in an era when women were looked down upon and given little respect. In the second narrative, taking place in 1985, Bailey Camden is a recovering alcoholic who finds herself in desperate circumstances after completing rehab, so she reconnects with her cousin Melinda, the official heir to the Camden legacy, and is tasked with redesigning her apartment in the Dakota. The 2 narratives start to collide when Bailey finds 3 trunks belonging to Sara, Theodore, and his wife Minnie in the storage area of the building, which sets off a "mystery" of sorts with Bailey trying to find out what exactly happened 100 years ago as well as her own connection to that past.

This was a simply written story and a good choice for a quick, enjoyable summer read. While I liked it enough overall, I felt that there was not much depth to the story or the characters, which was one reason why I couldn't rate this book any higher than I did. The story was quite typical and predictable and the way some of the events unfolded felt a bit too contrived – there were times I felt like I was reading an outline with a series of events filled in neatly one after another, all leading to an ending that I pretty much already figured out halfway through the book. I did appreciate the historical elements that Davis was able to incorporate into both narratives, though I will admit that I was a little disappointed when the second half of the book strayed a bit and focused more on the mystery and romance aspects of the story rather than the history. There were also a few sections where the way certain characters were written, their reaction to things that happened either didn't make a whole lot of sense or wasn't strong enough, which I think contributed to why I wasn't really able to connect with the characters much.

In the author's note, Davis indicates that this story is a "blend of historical fact and fiction" and for me, it was interesting to find out which parts were real versus the ones that were made up. I actually did a little bit of Google searching afterwards, as the book had piqued my interest in the Dakota (I live in California and have never been to New York, so I had no idea about the landmark's historical background) and was happy to see that many of the historical details Davis had incorporated were quite accurate. With that said however, I also feel that the historical context was a little underused at some points when there was opportunity to make it stand out more. I've seen this book marketed as historical fiction but to me, it felt more like a "cozy mystery in a historical setting" – regardless though, the story was quite readable, just not really what I expected.

Received ARC from Dutton / Random House via Penguin First-to-Read program.

The fiction keeps the reader interested . However the writing is so amateurish , as to make this work nothing but a tale a step above the classic romance novel . Credit must be given to the author for her research into the design , building and history of this landmark .
The set up of the book going back and forth between 1885 & 1985 was a clever idea . Unfortunately , Davis wasn't able to manage the dialogues , the vocabulary , the style in the interchange . Hence , the 1985 period was a frightful mess of banalities and cheap characterizations.
The tangle web of deception from Theo, Sara & Minnie was an unnecessary tour de force.

THE ADDRESS is a breathtaking novel from Fiona Davis that has elevated her to one of my favorite authors. Using the Dakota in New York as a backdrop for the story in the 1880s and 1980s, Davis presents us with two female lead characters that you root for from page one. The writing is fantastic. The imagery is beautiful as Davis is able to place the reader in places they have never been with her descriptions. The characters are all very complex and the plot line has a few unexpected twists that all make perfect sense. I didn't realize how much mystery was in this novel and that made it even better and more versatile for readers. I don't want to give away any plot points as it made the read much better reading it blind but you cannot go wrong by picking up this book and investing your reading time in it.

I received an advanced copy of this novel from First to Read.

I no longer trust the store reviews. I guess the vast numbers of people reading and reviewing have just lowered the bar so much that you have no way of knowing whether or not you would like something. The media reviews are out to sell books. At least in Goodreads you can pick out the reviews from people you know more about and share common ground in terms Of your overall reading.
This book might be OK for YA or romance readers but certainly not for adults who value good writing and interesting or insightful messages. Don’t waste your money.

Having also read The Dollhouse, I can see this author has found her by-the-numbers plotlines: take an iconic NYC buliding and alternate between a long ago character and a more modern one. And of course she needs a trite romance to go along with both eras. Spoiler: The ending to this tale was both trite and ridiculous. Why the 19th century “heroine” would passively agree to her fate seemed irrational when she had other options(such as tellibg the truth about what happened and returning back to England with her baby). i found her decision unrealistic. I did, however. Find the modern day character to be refreshingly flawed and her story wasn’t as melodramatic.

I'm not sure why this book gets so many 4 and 5 star ratings. I picked this book up because I was intrigued with the Dakota and it's history. I liked the switches between the two time periods. I thought both female characters were aggravating and naive and their actions unbelievable in most cases. I can understand how Sarah could believe that her situation with Theo was genuine and that he cared for her but there were too many red flags for her to miss what he had done. Bailey's actions regarding her cousin were just stupid and hard to believe as well. I wanted to stop reading this book so many tines but I kept on until the end to see the outcome which was totally predictable. It is difficult to talk about other aspects of the book without giving away the story line but Nellie Bly, a real person, reporting a real and horrifying situation, was one of the best parts of the book.

Please Note: I received an advance reader's copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.

New York in the Gilded Age. Whether is was the 1880's or the 1980's, both were times filled with excesses. People showed off their wealth and power, by living it up in gaudy homes, throwing lavish parties, and thumbing their noses (in the 1980's snorting their noses) at convention. This book is everything I adore about historical fiction. The details that transport the reader to each time are amazing, as are the stories of the two women that are at the heart of the novel.

What I Liked:

Time Periods:

There are two distinct time periods in this book, the 1880's and the 1980's. Both have such wonderful details that I feel that I am actually in each era.

1980's:

I was an adult in the 1980's so I can attest to all the cringe-worthy style of the time. From giant shoulder pads and pastel sponged walls, to clubbing and cocaine binges, the 1980's was all about excess. For Bailey who is just out of rehab, staying sober is a challenge when all your friends are drinking and doing drugs.

1880's:

The style of the 1880's was no less ostentatious. The lifestyles of the ultra wealthy were celebrated in the newspapers of the day. It was the Gilded Age, and people wanted their homes to be bigger and more glittering than their neighbor's. Even though Sarah is used to the demands of the wealthy in England, she is surprised by the luxury and waste of New York.

Stories:

I never felt irked when the author went from the 1880's to the 1980's and back again, because both stories had my attention. Combining the two women's narratives compels the reader keep reading. The central mystery of why a certain character was killed kept me up late reading for several nights.

Characters:

Although Sarah and Bailey are very different characters, I could feel empathy for both women's predicaments. For Sarah, trying to make her own way in life, isolating herself from others seems to be her way of keeping safe. Anyone she lets get close to her winds up hurting her. Bailey is similarly aloof. She doesn't feel worthy of friendship after becoming addicted to alcohol. It takes a long time for Bailey to stop being hard on herself and accept the friendship of Renzo, and other tenants of the building. I think that is the thing both women have in common: incredibly low self-esteem.

If you love historical fiction, this book is a page-turner. With it's compelling story, characters, and sense of time, there is plenty to enjoy about this book.

I should have known better.....I didn't really like this author's first book, "The Dollhouse", but the premise of this story sounded promising. I'm sorry I did, this is just as trite as her first book, full of improbable coincidences and truely unlikeable characters (Bailey and Melinda ). The historical details are interesting, but the actual plotting is on the level of a soap opera.

I'm so sorry I bought this book. At first, I was engrossed by the details of both eras, but I soon had problems connecting with the characters. The 1885 story began to read like a cheap romance novel, and by the time the past protagonist is whisked away, I was just annoyed. The current day protagonist is too contradictory.

I'm halfway though the novel and have no desire to finish it.

Fiona Davis's brilliant new book, THE ADDRESS, takes readers on a journey to historical NYC and into the famed Dakota Apartment building.

With 2016's debut of THE DOLLHOUSE, Fiona Davis made one of the most stunning entrances as an author who knows her way around historical fiction. I was mesmerized and couldn't wait to get my hands on THE ADDRESS. Rest assured, this is no sophomore slump; I think it might actually be *better* than her first.

The Dakota. You may know it as the apartment building where ROSEMARY'S BABY was filmed, or perhaps where John Lennon died, or maybe you just think of it as a Bavarian monstrosity on the Upper West End where may playwrights, actors, writers, musicians live.

THE ADDRESS is constructed in dual-time periods, 1884 and 1985 respectively, which draws a natural suspense. The writing is evocative, historically rich, and mysterious. Beginning in London, we meet Sara Smythe, a housekeeper at the Langham and follow her on a journey across the Atlantic where she lands in the outskirts of a developing NYC.

Sara is to be the new managerette of the soon-to-be opened The Dakota. She's aghast at the primitive location--farmland and empty lots, unpaved streets. Still, she's alone and unwilling to run home. I found Sara to be extremely likable, sympathetic, relatable, and quite strong. She's not your typical kowtowing woman of the Victorian Era.

One hundred years later, in 1985 NYC, Bailey Camden is an interior designer charged with renovating The Dakota. But she's not impressed with the design ideas which would trump the original design aesthetics of the historic building.

Oh but there's more--and to say too much would be giving it all away--let's just say there's love and loss, success and ruin, mystery, poor decisions, passion and madness that drive the plot. I absolutely loved the clear sense of place in THE ADDRESS, the vivid details and found it to be a very engaging piece of historical fiction.

The ending felt a little too predictable for me with a few conveniences that seemed not entirely realistic, but those who appreciate a story in which most loose ends are sewn together will appreciate (I happen to prefer a more ambiguous ending that allows me to guess what happens).

THE ADDRESS is similar to THE OTHER TYPIST (Suzanne Rindell) MRS. POE (Lynn Cullen) perhaps the dual-time periods of THE ORPHAN TRAIN (Christina Baker Kline).

The Dakota in New York is America’s first luxury apartment building, designed by the architect Theodore Camden. In 1884, a woman working at a hotel named Sara Smythe earns Theo’s respect and admiration, and he hires her to be the managerette of his new apartments, set to rival New York’s famous Fifth Avenue. But their story ends in tragedy, with Sara in prison for his murder, and Theo before beginning what should have been a brilliant, successful career. One hundred years later, Bailey, an interior designer and recovering drug addict finds herself renovating the apartment of the great-granddaughter of Theo Camden. Her own grandfather was raised by Theo’s widow, but their connection remains a mystery, except for a enigmatic drawing from Theo to Sara which hangs in her childhood home in New Jersey. Bailey literally unpacks her family’s repeatedly tragic past and tries to salvage as much of the apartment’s originality as possible, as well as trying not to relapse in this brilliant, engrossing story about family tragedies and the lost Gilded Age. For a themed recipe of "Washington Pie" raspberry tea cakes, discussion questions, or similar books, visit owlcation

The Address was a fantastic book surrounding the history and life of the first apartment house in New York City, The Dakota. This historical fiction story is expertly written and paints a very vivid picture of what The Dakota and its occupants looked like in 1885. The book goes back and forth between 1885 and 1985 as Bailey, an interior designer that is working on the Dakota, researches the history of Theodore Camdem and Sara Smyth, former occupants of the building.

In 1884, Sara was the head housekeeper in London when she met Theo Camdem and his family. After saving the life of one of his children, he wanted to repay her kindness by offering her a job in America at this new apartment house that he is an architect on. Sara kindly refuses, but when the ticket and money show up to allow her to travel to America she decides that she’s ready for a new adventure and heads to New York. Sara has no idea what awaits her at The Dakota and how her destiny will be forever changed.

In 1985, after Bailey returns from rehab, her “cousin” Melinda offers for her to stay at The Dakota and gives her a job to design and remodel the apartment building to something newer. Bailey has no place to go and no money so decides that the job will give her the opportunity she needs to establish herself on her own as an interior designer. Bailey does not want to throw away all the history of the apartment building and with the help of the Super, Renzo, they decide to place the old building materials and pieces in the basement storage. As they search the storage, clues start to turn up that not all the stories regarding The Dakota are as they seem. Bailey is determined to find the truth about the building and her family as well.

This is the first book I have read of Fiona Davis’s and to say I am impressed is to say the least. Not my usual type of book, but I do have a fondness for historical fiction and decided a change was in order. The book was full of twists and turns which made it easy reading. Be prepared for many surprises all the way to the end!

Last summer I had the pleasure of reading Davis’ debut, The Dollhouse and I was so impressed. I was never a huge fan of historical fiction before I read her books and I have her to thank for opening my eyes to yet another amazing genre. I’ve read so much more HF this past year and I don’t know if I would’ve without reading The Dollhouse, so thanks Fiona Davis for expanding my world!

Having been such a fan of her debut I had that nervous feeling I always feel when I’m about to read an authors sophmore book. Well, I shouldn’t have worried at all, I ended up liking this one even more than her first, it was mesmerizing, full of detailed historical descriptions, an amazing setting and two characters that I fully connected with.

This is told using dual narratives set one hundred years apart. Sara is a thirty year old woman who moves from England to New York for a job opportunity in 1884 and Bailey is also thirty and living in NYC in 1985. Both of the timelines were equally fascinating for me, they were both mainly set in the famed Dakota Apartments and Davis truly brought this wonderful setting to life. Most of the book was historically accurate and the liberties she took fictionally were perfectly executed. I really felt like I was beside both women in the Dakota, it was such an immersive, engrossing setting.

Sara and Bailey had many similarities despite being from two completely different worlds. They both have struggles and difficulties to overcome and I was rooting for them the whole way. I found myself sympathizing easily with both of them and couldn’t wait to find out what would wind up happening with their lives.

This is one of those books that will truly sweep you away to another time, there is such a strong sense of place that really worked well for me. While this isn’t a traditional mystery there were some surprises along the way that add another layer to the wonderful plot. If you loved The Dollhouse you’ll like this one as well, and if you haven’t read it but enjoy HF what are you waiting for?!

Sara Smythe, illegitimate daughter of an earl, finds in Theodore Camden’s offer to be managerette of the Dakota, the fabulous apartment he designed in New York City, the chance to make something of herself. The temptation to see more of Theo and experience gilded age society even at a distance is hard to resist.

Bailey Camden, fresh out of rehab, has tasted the riches of New York too exuberantly. Now the ex-party girl and interior designer is homeless, out of work, and out of resources. Bailey is not related to Theo. However, her grandfather was Theo’s ward. Bailey grew up with her “cousin” Melinda. Now Melinda is her only hope to get her life back together.

Melinda hires Bailey to oversee the renovation of the Camden apartment in the Dakota. Although Bailey doesn’t like Melinda’s ideas, which destroy much of the historical detail in the apartment, she has no choice but to help if she wants a roof over her head.

Bailey meets Renvo, the building manager, who shares her interest in preserving the historical detail of the old building. In the storeroom where he keeps all the moldings and furniture no one wants in their modern apartment, Bailey discovers Sara Smythe’s belongings and unravels the secrets of her family.

The gilded age in New York is beautifully depicted in the novel. The changes that take place over the hundred years make a vivid contrast between the modern Dakota and the original building. The descriptions are compelling, so much so that the Dakota becomes a character in the novel.

This is another novel, of which there are a number lately, told from the point of view of two characters separated by many years. Usually, I find one or the other character more interesting, but in this case, I was captivated by both Sara and Bailey. They are strong, independent women who experience difficult trials and are not beaten by them.

If you enjoy a novel with a complex plot and rich historical detail, you’ll enjoy this book.

I received this book from Dutton for this review.

The Address, Fiona Davis, author; Brittany Pressley, Saskia Maarleveld, narrators
There are two competing narratives in this novel. In both, two women are featured. Each of the main characters is separated by a century, and each has a protagonist who is also an antagonist at different times. Often like a soap opera, with various characters leading complicated lives, generally engaging in some foolish behavior involving poor choices, it was nevertheless an enjoyable read. Although the mystery is obvious from the beginning, the eventual outcome is not.
In the early story, a young woman, Sara Smythe, comes to America from England, in 1885, to start her new life in a place that enables her to rise above her station with hard work and dedication. Because of a serendipitous occurrence, she is offered the job of head housekeeper, and then lady managerette, in a new building rising on a plot of land in the largely unoccupied and less preferable west side of Manhattan. The building, called the Dakota, remains a landmark today. Sara seems uniquely qualified to handle any situation that comes her way. For some readers, this may be a challenging idea, difficult to believe. Her antagonist/protagonist is Minnie Camden, the wife of an up and coming architect, Theodore Camden, who is involved in the design of this new rental building which will present its occupants with a lifestyle that was heretofore not available in the city.
Due to a series of unfortunate circumstances and decisions, Minnie Camden is fated with the task of raising Sara’s illegitimate child. Sara, herself, is the illegitimate child of her mother and the Baron she worked for in England. The ancestry of certain characters is the thrust which moves this story forward. Although most of the characters are fictitious, the landmarks mentioned and the lack of women’s rights coupled with the difficulties they faced as a result, very much existed in the real world.
In the parallel story, taking place in 1985, a woman, Bailey Camden, a designer, is a recovering alcoholic. Just recently out of rehab, she is redecorating her cousin’s apartment in the very same apartment building, the Dakota, which has now become a tourist attraction. One of its occupants, John Lennon, was murdered. His wife remained a resident after his death. Strawberry Fields was created in Central Park in his memory. The Dakota is an unusual building that today no longer offers the pampering it once did, but still remains a very important and exclusive address. Bailey’s antagonist is her “cousin” Melinda. They are not real cousins since Bailey’s grandfather, Christopher Camden, was the ward of her great grandparents, Theodore and Minnie Camden and was not believed to be a blood relation. Bailey spends a good deal of her time trying to find out the history of her family’s true heritage. Bailey seems uniquely qualified to ruin every opportunity she is dealt, by abusing her upwardly mobile lifestyle with too much partying, and then after rehab, by making other choices that are not well thought out.
Both women were searching for independence and success. Both stories shine a light on the lack of influence that women have in many situations and couples it with their helplessness and vulnerability because of their lack of power. Often, they had no way to fight back against injustices done to them. Often, they had to rely on help from a male counterpart to succeed or achieve justice in their lives. Often, these male counterparts, unfairly, had the power to ruin their lives, even going so far as to have them committed to institutions.
Although it had a fairy tale ending, with everything neatly tied together in what some might consider a very contrived manner, it held my interest totally. The power of journalism, a disappearing art form, and the history of New York were very well represented as the plight of women was highlighted. The elitism of the very wealthy was evidenced by their treatment of those who were not as well off. Their conspicuous condescension, and their cavalier approach to drugs and alcohol, highlighted the decadence that existed in both centuries. The prose was easy to follow and the narrators were expressive without taking over the character’s role, but rather enhancing it.

The Address by Fiona Davis
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 5/5 stars
My Review:

Y’all know how much I love a good past meets present/past influences present story and Fiona Davis’s The Address certainly delivered!!

The Address focuses on the lives of two very different women, Sara Smythe and Baily Camden, separated by a century, but connected through love, devotion, tragedy, and location.

Bailey Camden needs an outlet because going back to the drugs and alcohol just isn’t an option. With the help of her selfish and self-absorbed cousin, Bailey moves into the famed Dakota and begins a major remodeling project in her cousin’s apartment. Though her cousin’s apartment is going to be a garish example of design (not Bailey’s choice!) the rest of the building has such potential, such good bones, and a few older residents who remember the original days of the site. As Bailey gets deeper into the project, she also becomes far more interested in the history of the site and the people who originally brought the old girl to life. What she finds is as fascinating as it is disturbing and some of the information hits startlingly close to home.

A century before . . . .

When Sarah Smythe moved to the United States, she never imagined how high she would rise. Though her father was an English peer, Sarah is illegitimate which severely limited her future prospects. In a totally random twist of fate, Sarah meets Theodore Camden, the man who will bring her to America, put her in charge of the Dakota, and be the cause of her greatest love and greatest sorrow. From the beginning, Sarah embraces her role at the Dakota and hopes to see it become a New York landmark. As she becomes more intimately involved with Theodore Camden (note: he is married with a family!) Sarah begins to share his vision for not just the Dakota, but for architecture throughout the city. The two feed off one another intellectually and emotionally which makes for an excellent professional relationship and a quite messy personal relationship.

A century later . . . . .

With only a few solid and substantial clues and the verbal accounts of a few long-time Dakota residents, Bailey begins to piece together the horrifying story of Sarah Smythe and Theodore Camden. What she discovers is a passionate love mixed with betrayal, abuse, false accusations, yet another illegitimate child, and, eventually murder. What’s more, Bailey’s discoveries provide her a lifeline, a tangible reason to stay sober, and the prospect of a life with a caring man in a home she has come to adore. Proving her story and vindicating a woman from a century past isn’t going to be easy, but Bailey proves she is more than up for the challenge. The end results are so much more than Bailey could have ever asked and/or hoped for.

The Bottom Line: This is another one of those books with a star rating I just can’t understand. The Address is a fantastic historical fiction I can’t believe I left on my TBR list for so long! Not only is The Address an historical fiction (a favored genre!) but it also pulled me in with the alternating past and present chapters. I so love these types of books, especially when the author is particularly adept at weaving the two together into a coherent narrative. Though it doesn’t initially seem so, Bailey and Sarah are intimately tied to one another and as the story unfolds – in the same place it all began! – the connection between the two women becomes blatantly obvious. While I enjoyed Bailey’s chapters and her story, I much preferred Sarah’s chapters and the rich descriptions of the Dakota and Sarah’s life (good and bad) during the early years of the site. I’m adding The Address to my favorites reads of the year list and highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction as much as I do!

Set in New York City in two time periods, a century apart (1884 and 1985), THE ADDRESS by Fiona Davis is an educational and entertaining romp back in time to two eras of excess: the Gilded Age and the age of greed and power. While living in NYC years ago, The Dakota, the building that is “The Address,” always caught my eye, and the mystery that Davis creates and unravels at the iconic building kept me flipping pages.

The story begins with Sara Smythe, the head housemaid at a high-end London hotel. When she saves a guest’s child from falling out of a window, she catches the wealthy father’s eye. Theo Camden is an American architect, and he offers her a job managing the housekeeping staff at the brand new concept, yet-to-open, luxury apartment building in New York’s still undeveloped west side. Seizing the opportunity for success across the Atlantic, Sara eventually accepts the position.

The 1985 storyline follows “cousins” Bailey Camden, the granddaughter of the boy taken in and raised by the Camdens as an infant, and Melinda Camden, the wealthy blood relation of Theo. Bailey is straight out of rehab back into the temptations of alcohol, partying and coke, the trappings of the 1980s clubbing scene. She is out of options, faced with few opportunities, and is living with Melinda at The Dakota. Through Bailey’s desire to understand her family’s true relationship with Theo and her respect of history, she stumbles upon and pieces together clues to her identity.

The two interlinking stories highlight the fact that even as we study and investigate history, we still don’t truly grasp and can’t really know the nuances and intricacies of the true story --- of what actually happened. I like that the guesses and observations of those uncovering fragments from the past don’t quite get it all right. Holes remain and questions are left unanswered. Yet it’s satisfying for the reader to know most of what happened, even if Theo’s relatives didn’t know the full story.

THE ADDRESS examines class and status, and made me appreciate anew being a woman in today’s society versus 100-plus years ago. It’s frustrating to feel Sara’s limitations and lack of power as a smart female in 1884. Though she was successful in managing and running the entire apartment building, she still only had the title of “lady managerette,” and wasn’t respected as any man in that position would have been. She was often not taken seriously by vendors or those in authority.

The reader learns about the city’s culture in that period, including the horrors and injustices of the prison and insane asylum institutions exposed by a heroic and astute female journalist. Yay for women on that one. On the theme of women helping or hurting other women, women helped each other survive on the ship across the ocean, within the walls of the asylum, and Sara supported her staff and helped care for children who weren’t her own. However, we also glimpse jealousy, backstabbing and deceit in the relationships between women in both time periods.

As a mother, there were parts that ripped my heart out; as a wife, there were parts that maddened me despite loving the protagonist; and as a woman, I felt frustration and pride in varying measure. I adore a book that grabs me, makes me think, analyze and feel, and Davis’ latest delivers.

Full of questions and angst, forbidden love and self-discovery, history and mystery, THE ADDRESS is a great read that is expertly crafted. Readers know they are in the hands of a confident storyteller.

Reviewed by Leah DeCesare

When a young budding New York Designer finds a cache of Victorian clothing, architectural drawings, and a blood-covered sheath that once held an antique Tibetan knife in an old trunk in the basement of her apartment building in 1985, her life soon becomes difficult to navigate. Although fresh out of rehab for her alcohol addiction, Bailey Camden’s life soon becomes knee-deep into an investigation that will turn up shocking crimes, a mysterious orphan, a scandalous affair, and the fascinating and haunting history of the notorious Dakota apartment building where Beatle’s star John Lennon was shot in 1980.

Rewinding the past back to 1885, a new life also starts for another young woman as she disembarks a ship that carried her from the shores of England to America’s New York harbor. Ready to begin a fresh new life and to begin an exciting job she was offered as the Managerette of the new Dakota apartment building, Sara Smythe feels life is full of promise. As every aspect of her new life and blossoming career turn her world around, Sara soon encounters a taste of bitter along with the sweet. After a tumultuous rollercoaster ride of fame, love, loss, and deceit, Sara soon finds herself in hell as she is brutally accused of a crime she didn’t commit.

Alternating between 1885 and 1985, two creatively entwined stories are brilliantly woven together like an intricate Oriental carpet that presents the reader a fantastic tale revolving around New York’s historic building known as “The Address”. Over the years, the Dakota has housed many a celebrity and is still standing today. Fiona Davis has outdone herself in this masterpiece of historical fiction that features a strong gothic-like thriller atmosphere. This novel is a top-notch page turner that is rich in period detail, delightfully well-developed characters, and a superior multi-twist plot that will have the readers up all night unable to put it down. I cannot rave enough about this book, five glorious shining stars for “The Address” and a standing ovation for Fiona Davis!

Breeding. It’s in the blood.

Past and present collide in this well-researched, and expertly-written jewel of literary perfection, drawing its reader into the esteemed sphere of the nineteenth-century Gilded Age—with all the aristocratic snobbery and cultured etiquette of a purebred Astor.

I am beyond impressed with this absolutely captivating novel! Bravo, Fiona Davis! Bravo! I loved The Address so much that I hated to part ways with the story at the turning of the final page. What a beautiful work of historical fiction (albeit heavily influenced by a few actual facts) The Address is. In verity, I could read it a second time. That’s just how much I loved it.

Transcribed in the journalistic style of a diary, The Address is a period novel, set in both London and New York, that extends 100 years in sequence—from 1884 to 1985—unveiling the lifelines of a family named Camden, which is a clan that has its foundation lain upon the rock of a famous architect named Theodore (Theo.) Camden.

London, 1884.

The breathtaking story begins to unfold when our main protagonist, Sara Smythe, head housekeeper at the renowned Langham Hotel, notices a small child wobbling on the window ledge of one of the grande inn’s fifth floor accommodations. Terrified that the child is in danger of plunging to her death, Sara immediately runs back into the hotel and upstairs to that particular room to coax the little girl back inside—Sara even summoning the help of two members of her housekeeping staff.

While eventually able to lure the frightened child back into the room, Sara then meets the girl’s beautiful mother, Minnie Camden, an elite socialite of the aristocracy, who arrives back to the suite and learns of the near tragedy—resulting from the family’s maid, who neglected to mind her post.

Enter Theo Camden, architect and Minnie’s husband, who too finds his way back to the quarters, and is briefed about the goings on therein. Theo and Minnie both thank the relieved Sara, and everything returns to normal.

Some time later, an indebted and charismatic Theo, apprentice to the great Henry Hardenbergh, invites the lowly Sara to have tea and cake with him, in order to one: express his gratitude to her for saving his child’s life, and two: to offer her a more prominent job position (as reward) in his native America, working for him in a new elaborate and luxurious apartment house that he and his partners are in the midst of building from the ground up, being it the world famous Dakota. Yes, THAT (real life) Dakota, where the legendary John Lennon met his earthly end at the gun-held hand of the extremely troubled Mark David Chapman.

Mr. Camden’s job offer is one too good to pass on, and Sara agrees to it. Not any longer would she be subjected to a small, oppressive bedsit within the Langham, no, Sara would voyage to America, and to a better life this side of the pond.

After informing both her negative-minded mother, and her imperialistic boss at the Langham of her new job offer in the still developing U.S., Sara sets sail on her voyage to the good old land of opportunity.

New York City, 1985.

Fresh out of a fancy rehabilitation clinic (the stay paid for by her employer), Bailey Camden, possibly a fourth generation descendant of the storied Theo Camden, by way of Sara Smythe’s womb, is a gifted interior designer who battles with her own personal demons of alcoholism and drug addiction. After humiliating not only herself, but also an honored client of the design firm for which she works, while under the influence no less, Bailey is fired by her distinguished boss and left out on the street with nothing of value to cushion her unexpected downfall. Enter her “cousin,” Melinda Camden, who is as much ignorant as she is arrogant. Melinda, learning of Bailey’s dire plight, offers her “lessor” relative a job, in addition to free room and board, at the Dakota (which, by the way, is now under the authority of the greedy, spoiled, hateful, spiteful, and materialistic Melinda), to update the famed property from its classic Gilded Age decor to a more tacky and unsophisticated ornamentation—much to the disdain of the building’s current residents. Incidentally, the Dakota has become a co-op.

In a matter of days (when they turn 30 years of age), both the coveteous Melinda and her twin brother, Manvil, stand to inherit millions from the Camden family trust. But what about the cash-poor, down-on-her-luck Bailey? She’s a Camden, too, right? Her great-grandfather, Christopher, who was the lovechild of Theo Camden and Sara Smythe 100 years prior, and the father of Bailey’s dad, Jack, had a right to a portion of the legacy which was to be divided among the heirs of the remarkable Theo, too, right? Yeah, well who is and who is not entitled to the fortune will all boil down to the male bloodline.

Who is the real Camden? Melinda or Bailey? Who truly has a right to the multi-million dollar estate?

. . .Who really murdered Theo Camden?

In searching through all of the old trunks hidden away and forgotten in the basement storage container at the Dakota, Bailey finds treasures in the vintage personal effects of not only Theo, but of his widow, Minnie, and Sara Smythe also. Treasures that could possibly prove, without a doubt, that she is indeed a Camden by blood, not just symbolically. And with the help of Renzo, both the building’s super, and Melinda’s archenemy, Bailey sets out to determine her findings by law, through DNA—much to the disdain of her “cousin,” Melinda.

Graced with a plot full of twists and turns, and characters truly unforgettable, The Address is perfectly paced and encapturing, from start to finish. It is one of those rare reads that you’ll hate to put down and be away from for too long a period of time. It is forever gripping and enchanting. And no lover of historical fiction should have his or her book shelf void of it.

Fiona Davis, talented as can be, takes her readers back and fourth, from the nineteenth-century through the twentieth-century, in a mind-blowing tale of love lost, lust and passion, hatred and deceit, ravenous cunning, bitter jealousy, and tear-jerking brutality (the details of the treatments suffered by the inmates in Blackwell’s Island Asylum were incredibly challenging to read) with The Address. This gorgeous work of literary art is admittedly destined for legendary status. I absolutely regretted that it had to end, and I reckon that many of its future readers will as well. The Address is a novel commendable in excellence, and worthy of five stars.

• It is my kindly pleasure to thank Dutton Books, as well as NetGalley, for the advanced copy of “The Address” in exchange for my honest review.

This was an enjoyable novel set in a lovely historic address in New York. It featured 2 storylines; one from the 1880s and the other from the 1980s, a few years after the assassination of John Lennon, which occurred in front of this residence in 1980.

The 1880s story was very well researched, into the "class" system in the New York of that day, the plight of poorer women and of those who were judged to be "insane". There was an element of mystery. The ending was in keeping with the time period.

The more modern story was also interesting, and the ending for these characters was a surprise.

Well done!

Seizing opportunities, pursuing life, and daring to reach further than she herself quite believes possible, Sara Smythe is a heroine we find ourselves hoping and cheering for. Her involvement (shall we start by saying her professional involvement) with Architect Camden offers the chance of a complete change in her life…..

And a hundred years later, Bailey Camden, not quite a descendant of this architect, also hopes his greatest creation will carry her own life forward as well.

The Address is the rather tamely-named historic novel, centered on life in the city (or rather 2 cities) 100 years apart.

These two women live much different lives, though there are many similarities. Their characters will enthrall readers, nearly as much as the background location. The one vital connection between the two is the hotel, The Dakota, in New York City. The city itself is so featured to be a draw to readers. I have to admit I found the backdrop, the city, the history, and the architectural points, as unique and interesting as the story-line.

In general, I don’t often care for stories where great leaps in time take place, and here, I could have happily remained with Sara in the more distant past. However, I must admit this time ‘leap’ was well-done, so no complaints. I did not find the character of Bailey to be particularly wonderful, so the more contemporary piece was less engaging for that reason, as well.

The Address is cleverly and engagingly written. Events are entirely unpredictable; some characters are riveting. Its definitely one to add to your reading list.

originally posted at long and short reviews

Last year, author Fiona Davis published her wonderful debut, The Dollhouse, rich in history about the Barbizon Hotel in NYC. Keeping with iconic Manhattan landmarks, her fabulous new release, The Address is set in alternating timelines; in the late 1800s during the building of the Dakota, the architecturally stunning residence on the upper west side of Manhattan, Sara, a housekeeper at a fancy London hotel meets Theo, the talented NYC architect, takes a job at the newly built Dakota, and craziness ensues. Their budding relationship remains hidden from his wife and children as they bond, it turns passionate and a crime is committed. In 1985, fresh out of rehab and penniless, designer Bailey, a descendant of the wealthy Dakota architect, without genetic proof, is not in line for the healthy inheritance. Her cousin, Melinda, set to take over the family riches, hires her to orchestrate the renovation of the building and Bailey learns of her architect relative’s murder by a crazy lady named Sara. And so the two compelling stories come together with rich historic detail and wonderfully creative characters, revealing the secrets from inside the unique and wonderful Dakota.
I had a chance to connect with the lovely Fiona Davis and ask her a few questions about her new and successful career as an author.

What has been the high point in your writing journey from the release of The Dollhouse to now? From your first public book talk to a People Magazine feature, you have accomplished so much in such a short time!
I have to say, the first book talk for The Dollhouse seemed so scary! It was at a library in Westport, CT and there were more people than I expected to show up for a debut author. My knees were definitely knocking. But I loved every minute of it, especially answering questions after the reading. Now I adore doing Q&As and book talks, and I think those are my high points. The readers are so knowledgeable and inquisitive and their support has been amazing.

What are you reading now and what do you recommend for the summer?

I’m currently reading Mrs. Fletcher by Tom Perrotta, and next up is Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. I’d recommend Eve Chase’s The Wildling Sisters, Jamie Brenner’s The Forever Summer as great vacation/beach reads.

Can you tell me a little about what you are working on now?

The next book is a similar structure, two times periods with a connecting mystery, set in Grand Central Terminal, and I’m having such a good time researching and writing it. I won’t give away too much, but I will say I’ve learned some really surprising things about the building that I can’t wait to share with readers.

Are you developing a “formula” or pattern you use for writing?

I do love setting books in architectural landmarks and using dual time periods, so I definitely have a trend going on there. Once the Grand Central book is done, I’ll start thinking about other locales and possibly structures, but so far I’ve been having the time of my life. The pattern for each book, even though it’s similar, is incredibly challenging and rewarding.

I am now officially excited for the new book, I loved The Dollhouse, and I highly recommend the Fiona Davis’ new release. With two connected stories, old New York, ornate architecture, an illicit affair, an illegitimate child, an insane asylum, and the beautiful Dakota on the upper west side, The Address is a perfect mix of history and mystery, fast pace and fun.

When I first picked The Address up, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had heard wonderful things about Fiona Davis’s work but hadn’t read her debut novel. I needn’t have worried. The Address is a masterful piece of historical fiction that brings New York alive through the intertwined stories of two remarkable woman and a mystery that spans the ages.

The story begins with Sara, a head housekeeper at an upscale London hotel, saving the child of a young and brilliant American architect. In thanks, he invites her a job at the Dakota, a new apartment building he is working on in New York. As she accepts, Sara begins a journey that will change the course of her life in ways she never could have imagined.

The narrative alternates between Sara’s tale and that of Bailey, which takes place almost a hundred years later. Newly released from rehab, Bailey is struggling to find her feet and is recruited by her cousin to supervise the renovation of the family apartment. As she digs into the family history, Bailey uncovers a mystery that calls into question everything she thought she knew about her family. Deftly intertwining these two tales, Davis creates a gripping and fascinating tale that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I honestly couldn’t decide which story I found more interesting. Usually in books with dual narrators, particularly those set in two different times, I find one more interesting or am able to only emotionally connect to one. I was equally engrossed in both Sara’s and Bailey’s stories, sneaking in additional pages whenever I could because I had to know what happened next. Even despite knowing the end of Sara’s story, I felt a burning desire to keep reading in order to find out how she had gotten there. Fiona Davis manages to subvert expectations at every turn, creating a surprising amount of tension that kept me enthralled until the end.

The Address was wonderfully historically accurate, even in its depictions of some darker aspects of history. New York, once my home for a few years, came alive for me again in this novel and I loved seeing the juxtaposition of the city when it was being built and how it was closer to the modern day. Both the city and the Dakota apartments (actually a real place) were as much characters in this novel as the characters were.

The Address took me by surprise and I’m so glad I read it. Now please excuse me while I go attempt to find a copy of Fiona Davis’s debut novel.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Millions of readers might recognize the name of the Dakota Hotel as the place where John Lennon was killed, but lovers of Manhattan and its history will know this same hotel as one of the first most glamorous buildings built to house and entertain the rich and famous of the business, entertainment and political world in 1884. Our story begins in London but quickly moves to New York City where Sara Smythe has been hired as the new “Managarette” of the hotel by architect Theodore Camden. Both have very difficult jobs, trying to please aristocratic residents used to being pampered and coddled at any time of day or night.
The story quickly shifts to the same place in 1985. Bailey Camden is trying to recover from alcoholism. She’s just returned from rehab and found out her job is gone as the last drunken scene she put on gave her too much of a reputation and one that the owners didn’t want to smear the Dakota Hotel. Her cousin, Melinda, hires Bailey to do architectural work but that doesn’t last long with the appearance of someone who turns out to be a real friend.
It also turns out a mysterious object is about to be found that might lead to Bailey finding out more about her history than she’d ever imagined. But not without threats and trouble galore!
The Address is a plot-driven account of a lovely Manhattan Hotel, its founders, designers, interior decorators, and more. Even famous places have their notorious, as well as lovely, sides and Fiona Davis does a grand job of providing the reader with a mystery that brings the Camden family full circle, perhaps contrived but well done all the same.
More than that, Sara Smythe and Bailey Camden discover they are valuable human beings with and without fancy names, places and connections! THAT is the magical part of this highly recommended story!

Strongly
Review
Last updated on 09 Jul 2017
Kudos to author Fiona Davis, author of "The Address" for her artistic descriptions, historical research, and her amazing research. The genre of "The Address is Historical Fiction, based on actual history, and written as a novel of fiction.

The timelines of the story are set a century apart, 1884, "The Gilded Age" and 1985, also considered a time of partying use of drugs, and alcohol. In 1884, "The Dakota" one of the first luxury apartment buildings set on the Upper West Side was built, surrounded by farms and the countryside. The architect Thomas Camden had visions of a new Upper West Side. The Dakota had every amenity. There was a dining room, a tailor and more on the premises to meet the residents needs. "The Dakota" will certainly be known as "The Address" where the wealthy and elite reside.

The author describes the characters as complex and complicated. Sara comes from England at the request of Thomas Camden to assist with the grand opening of "The Dakota" and to assist with overseeing the staff in 1884.

In 1985, Bailey an interior designer, and just our of rehabilitation for Alcoholism, comes to The Dakota to modernize it for her cousin, a descendent of Thomas Camden. Bailey really would like to keep the original ornaments and accessories from a century before. There are twists and turns in this novel and there is also a mystery surrounding a murder.

Although it is a century apart, both Sara and Bailey meet with betrayal, SECRETS, and manipulation by other characters.

I love the way Fiona Davis discusses the relevant topics of the times. Around 1884, women could be committed to an insane asylum without any legal representation. It was worse for women that did not speak English. There was abuse and punishment and many of these women would just disappear. There was also the question of illegitimate children and how society viewed this. In 1985 there was drug and alcohol abuse, especially when the wealthy partied. Also the concept of testing for DNA was new. The wealthy had access to testing for DNA to prove inheritance issues.

I appreciate the way the author discusses the importance of family, friends, love and hope. I would highly recommend this intriguing, captivating novel for those readers that love historical fiction, suspense and mystery and romance. I received an ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) for my honest review.
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The concept underlying ‘The Address’ offers a great deal of potential. The Dakota, an iconic New York building built in the 1880’s, has a long and star-studded history. It offered luxurious living to celebrities such as Leonard Bernstein, Rudolph Nureyev and Lauren Bacall. It has many stories to tell.
The writer has chosen to set part of her story as the Dakota opens in the 1880s with the arrival of its ‘managerette,’ Mrs Sara Smythe, and part a century later when decorator Bailey Camden has been hired to completely remodel the interior. The focus of the narrative, though, is the Dakota itself – an address with cachet – magnificently designed and created to offer every amenity to its wealthy occupants.
But behind the Dakota’s elegant façade lies the story of the architect, Theodore Camden, his wife and family and his mistress, Sara Smythe. It is a story of love, hate, ambition and even, apparently, madness. And it is a story that Bailey, a century later, finds herself unravelling as she redesigns the interior of the Dakota despite the whims of its part-owner, her cousin Melinda.
The author juxtaposes 1985 New York life, crowded and fueled by alcohol and drugs, with life in Sara Smythe’s 1880s New York. Details of both periods are well researched. However the plot holds few surprises and its people – I hesitate to call them characters – plod through their appointed roles. Much of the dialog seems stilted and reactions are more formulaic than emotional. .Even the scenes in Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum feel narrative rather than visceral.
The Dakota is the strongest, most multi-dimensional character in the book. But in the end it is merely a setting, a location within which people are engaged in the endless struggle for survival. I should like to have felt that struggle.

In 1884 Sara Smythe has made her way up the ranks to head housekeeper in a fancy London hotel. She receives the chance of a lifetime when guest Theodore Camden offers her the position of female manager at the residential building he designed, The Dakotas. While the job means moving to America, Sara is eager for the opportunity, and soon develops a close relationship with Theodore.

In 1985, Bailey Camden is fresh out of rehab and has just lost her job as a high-profile interior designer. Her "cousin" Melinda Camden comes to her rescue and hires Bailey to decorate her Dakotas apartment. Bailey's grandfather was a ward of Theodore Camden and Melinda is Theodore's great-granddaughter. While the apartment is undergoing renovations, Bailey slowly starts to uncover facts about Theodore Camden's murder and the woman who was sent to prison for the crime, Sara Smythe.

I really loved that The Dakotas was the setting for this book. (Thank you Ann M. Martin for introducing me to the famous building in your Baby-Sitters Club books many, many years ago!) This book had a good mix of mystery along with some history about the building and the insane asylum. I preferred when the focus of the book was on Sara, but towards the end I did appreciate Bailey's character and what she brought to the story. I loved the alternating timelines between the late 1800s and the 1980s. Even though many things changed, it's amazing that no matter what the decade, there are people who love to flaunt their wealth. This was a real treat to read and I would recommend to anyone that likes mysteries and/or historical fiction.

Thank you to First to Read for giving me the opportunity to read an advance digital copy! I was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinions.

Familial heirlooms and legacies can carry with them meaning, a sense of identity, and responsibility. The Address by Fiona Davis explores the meaning that family carries across a century.

Sara Smythe is an efficient manager of hotel maids in her London job, but having caught the attention of a rising American architect Theodore Camden, Sara is persuaded to move across the ocean to be the lady managerette of a new hotel-type apartment residence called the Dakota. While learning her new duties, Sara and Theo become close, drawing them into a delicate situation that causes Sara to face some daunting issues. 100 years later, in 1985, Bailey Camden is struggling to get back on her feet after a stint in rehab. By finding a place to stay in her cousin Melinda’s Dakota apartment, Bailey is charged with renovating the historic space to her cousin’s eclectic design tastes. While working to please her cousin, Bailey begins to uncover some intriguing details about their family through the Dakota’s history that could mean changing who is entitled to the Camden trust fund.

A fast-paced read that straddles historical eras, as well as fact and fiction, the narrative was entertaining and engaging as details are uncovered. Moving between Sara and Bailey’s lives, separated by a century, their connection gradually strengthens as Bailey investigates the history of the Dakota and Theo Camden; however, the reveal of how exactly they are connected was rather predictable, as was the actual perpetrator of Theo’s demise. Both Sara and Bailey were enjoyable characters, with a spark to their characters that helps portray them as acting upon their own agency, particularly through their quick-thinking and strong sense of humor.

Bailey is struggling. She is finally out of rehab and about to really get her life together. Not as easy as it sounds. She lost her job as a designer, she has no place to live and she has no money. She falls back on her family…well, maybe not her family by blood (need to read the book!) Melinda, her “maybe” cousin gives her a job redecorating her apartment in the historical building, The Dakota.

This novel follows two storylines, Bailey set in 1985 and Sara set in 1884. Sara’s storyline is essential to following Bailey’s troubled life. I admired Sara. She is tough and hard-working. However, her story is a tale of mistakes which leads to a tragic outcome. The mystery of Bailey’s family past impacts her future.

I adored the setting of this read. The time periods and the historical building make for a very eclectic story. This book is not without problems. There are places where the conversations are stilted or a little canned. Plus, I hated Melinda. And sometimes the plot is a little “too convenient”. However, I am still giving it a five star rating. I loved the history and the mystery. I take great pleasure in a book which has me doing research and I was all over researching this building and the architecture.

I enjoyed many aspects of this read, the mystery of the trunks in the basement, the small historical details about NYC, oh….and don’t forget the insane asylum with the cameo appearance of Nellie Bly. This book is super fascinating and I cannot wait to read The Dollhouse

I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.

Having spent many nights in the Dakota, I looked forward to Fiona Davis' novel. I did learn many things about the Dakota that I had not known. Learning those things was the highlight of the novel. The story that the author felt was needed to accompany these details left me a little cold. It was nice in that it contrasted life in the building when it opened with life today. People have many of the same problems, it seems. The grandeur of the building today was skimmed over so that the author could detail its early life. Had she skipped over many of the problems of the newer residents it wouldn't have bothered me. The novel becomes more soap opera when it focuses on the people. The Dakota will likely stand for years to come. The Address, the novel at hand, is likely to be soon forgotten.

The Address is a study in contrasts. Set in both 1885 and 1985 around the prominent Dakota Apartment house, the story follows two women intimately involved in this iconic building. Sara Smythe, a Londoner, becomes the site’s first “Lady Managerett.” She is fully up to the challenge of managing this huge project and its staff, but is not prepared to deal with the men she works with and the society they control.

In the twentieth century we meet Bailey Camden, fresh out of rehab and a job. She is peripherally related to the building’s architect, Theodore Camden, and lands a job remodeling a cousin’s Dakota apartment. She stumbles onto information which seems to indicate a closer familial relationship with Theo and Sara.

The story moves smoothly between the centuries, leaving the reader wanting more. I liked that we follow the characters for several chapters, allowing us to spend time with each. Personally I preferred Sara’s story which was complex and sobering. We see Bailey trying to sort herself out post rehab and find her way, something unfortunately common in these times. The contrasts are stark, the challenges perhaps equally difficult. Quite frankly, I would love to share this book with a college classroom! But alas, I am now retired!

I truly loved this book and am heading to the library for Davis’ first novel. This is an author to embrace and follow!

The Address by Fiona Davis

Brief Summary: This novel alternates between Sara Smythe, a managerette in 1885, and Bailey, an interior designer in 1985; set in the historic Dakota apartment building in New York City which links the two stories. I enjoyed the author’s debut novel The Dollhouse and am becoming a big fan of Fiona Davis.

Highlights: This book has it all, history, mystery, strong heroines, and a social justice aspect. I liked both of the dual story lines and their leading ladies. Sara especially got caught in more than one difficult spot; I came to respect her morals and values and I found myself rooting for her. The twists kept coming and I was genuinely surprised at the ending. Actual people, places, and events inspired it. I would love to see the Dakota Building on a future trip to New York City. Let me say one more time how much I loved the social justice aspect when Sara was in Blackwell Island’s Insane Asylum, especially given my background in mental health. It definitely touches on provocative issues and would be great for book clubs.

Psychology Issues: Bailey struggles with addiction and I found both her slip ups and sobriety maintenance through AA realistic and well portrayed by the author. I also found the portrayal of Blackwell Island’s Insane Asylum fascinating and loved the tie in of social justice for individuals with severe mental illness.

Explanation of Rating: 4/5 as much as I enjoyed this read; it engrossed me but didn’t consume me. I finished it in a week.

When Sara is offered a job at the new Dakota apartment house in New York, she lives her job in London for the unknown. In the present day, Bailey is out of rehab and looking for a job. When her cousin offers her the opportunity to refurbish her apartment in the Dakota, she jumps at the chance.

This book was just mediocre. The characters were shallow and poorly developed. The story line and conclusion was extremely predictable. Overall, a bust.

My first book by Fiona Davis and it was a page-turner. The story is one of two story lines - two time periods, Bailey Camden in 1985 and Sara Smythe in 1884. She handles the two effortlessly. Sara Smythe is a struggling working class girl who manages to become head housekeeper at a top London hotel. There she makes the acquaintance of Theodore Camden and his family. He is so impressed with her skills, he offers her a job managing The Dakota, a brand new luxury apartment building in NYC. Sara makes her way to America and takes up the challenge of the new position. She finds herself excelling at and enjoying her new job. Plus seeing Theo often is a treat and he really seems to enjoy her company. Sara's life becomes a bit more challenging as things become romantic with Theo and she finds out the hard way who she can trust. Bailey Camden has always felt like the poor relation when it came to her cousin Melinda. Bailey loses her job with a top interior design firm and then Melinda offers her a job renovating her apartment at The Dakota. Along the way Belinda finds out some things about her family and finds romance with a kindred spirit. Thank you to Penguin First To Read for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Author Fiona Davis has taken a real place, the storied Dakota Apartment building in Manhattan, and crafted a work of historical fiction around it. The novel features two historical eras that the author entertwines more and more as the novel reaches its conclusion. The first storyline is set in the year 1885 when the building was constructed, and tells the story of a young married architect, who was found murdered in the building, and his mistress, Englishwoman Sara Smythe, who has come over to manage the new apartment building. The second storyline is set in 1985. Interior designer, Bailey Camden, poor relation of the architect's descendants, is given a second chance when the architect's granddaughter hires her to renovate her Dakota apartment. Bailey has just been released from rehab and struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. She develops an interest in finding out what did happen black in 1885. The novel kept my attention, and was an enjoyable if not very historically accurate read, even though I found the ending--especially of the 1885 storyline--fairly improbable. Thank you Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC of this title and for allowing me to review this book.

In her book THE DOLLHOUSE author Fiona Davis showed us her ability to tell a story that was entertaining as well as thoughtful. In her newest offering THE ADDRESS she reminds us that time may pass but we are human beings remain the same.

We are drawn into the lives of two women, Sara and Bailey who might be separated by time are connected by their desires, hopes and dreams for themselves. We're able to see how hope fades and love may not be enough, but we are also able to realize the resilience of the human spirit. As equally important in the book is the setting which is a mixture of history and the author's own imagination---but it becomes a character in the book as well, showing the truth of the old saying: "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

Definitely a book that draws you in and allows you to see how no matter where you're from that you have the ability to affect not only what happens in your life but how you choose to deal with the things outside of your control. Will that knowledge benefit Sara and Bailey before it's too late? That is just part of what THE ADDRESS answers.

A quick-moving adventure through time and life, THE ADDRESS invites you to settle in for a read you're sure to enjoy.

After reading The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis, when I saw she had another book out I was immediately interested. Her second novel did not disappoint. It’s a wonderful combination of mystery, historical fiction and romance. The story is told from two different time frames and centers around the Dakota Apartment building.

Sara begins the story in 1884 when she saves a child from falling out of a window in the London hotel where she works. Because of that, she is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to come to New York and help manage the new Dakota Apartment building.

The story picks up again in 1985, when Bailey Camden, fresh out of rehab, returns to New York and ends up helping her cousin Melinda renovate the family apartment at the Dakota. There were some past unresolved family issues and when Bailey begins the renovation, she discovers several clues from the past that eventually fill in the blanks from the family’s past.

I enjoyed both storylines equally and although it was a bit of a slow start, this was a quick read because once I was far enough into the story, it was hard to put down.

Many thanks to First to Read/Penguin for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

Visitors to New York City’s Upper West Side have undoubtedly seen the Dakota, an apartment building which opened back in 1884, back when the landscape was desolate and unpopulated. With its unusual looming rooftop, wrought iron monsters and tall forbidding windows, this historic structure lacks warmth and prods imaginations to run wild. Now, in THE ADDRESS, Fiona Davis throws open the doors and invites us inside to tell us a haunting tale of love and murder and of two very different women living one hundred years apart.

Sara Smythe has always been ambitious, even if her mother had bigger dreams for her than working as a domestic. Still, her skills don’t go unnoticed, particularly when she saves a little girl from falling out a window to her death at a London hotel. In fact, the girl’s father, Theodore Camden, is so enamored with Sara, he invites her to accept a job as the female manager at the Dakota, a newly-minted apartment building in New York City. After much deliberation, she packs up her belongings and boards a ship for America.

Fast forward to 1985 when interior designer Bailey Camden leaves rehab only to discover that no one will hire her, and even her friends have turned their backs to her when she needs them most. Unsure where else to turn or what to do next, her “cousin,” Melinda, offers her a job redecorating her lavish apartment at the Dakota—the very apartment where Theodore Camden was murdered by a former employee named Sara Smythe after she is released from an insane asylum where she spent seven months.

Separated by a century, Sara and Bailey struggle to survive in a tempting world filled with excess, wealth, and sin. But it is also a world corrupted by tragedy, lies, and madness. Drawn toward one another by a building whose walls hide the darkest of secrets, Bailey is destined to learn the truth, and it will shatter everything she knows about the famed architect and the woman who killed him.

With THE ADDRESS, Fiona Davis has crafted an exceptional novel that lingers in the mind long after it is finished. The story’s protagonists are like many modern women, captivating and adventurous, as they both try to construct new lives for themselves in a building that is described as a “Bavarian behemoth.” Readers won’t be able to resist following them down the labyrinthine halls of the Dakota as their stories and revealed. Haunting, imaginative, and yet deeply moving, this is historical fiction at its best.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fiona Davis was born in Canada and raised in New Jersey, Utah, and Texas. She began her career in New York City as an actress, where she worked on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in regional theater.

After ten years, Fiona changed careers, working as an editor and writer, and her historical fiction debut, The Dollhouse, was published in 2016.

She’s a graduate of the College of William & Mary and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and is based in New York City.
Visit Fiona at her home on the Web at FionaDavis.net, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

THE ADDRESS
By Fiona Davis
368 pgs. Dutton. $26.

As originally published at JathanandHeather.com.

I liked this book but I didn't love it. There were parts of the story that I really liked while other sections of the book didn't capture my attention as well. This was a book that was never really hard for me to set aside. I actually started reading it just before bed and never had any desire to read more than one chapter. The story was never one that made me want to put my other reads aside and was really a rather slow start. I didn't have a hard time finishing it but the book seemed to lack that something extra that really seems to grab my attention.

This story is told through dual timelines. The parts of the book that focus on Sara Smythe take place in 1884, while the section of the book from Bailey's point of view occur in 1985. As is often the case with this kind of story, I found myself enjoying one of the timelines much more than the other. Sara's story was really just so much more than Bailey's and anytime the book made the switch to 1985, I found myself wanting to put it down. There were a few times in the book when something that happened in 1985 would hint at an event that was going to happen in the earlier time period which took away some of the excitement.

There were things that I really liked about the story. Sara Smythe was a character that was easy to like. She was very capable and was able to come up with impossible solutions quite quickly. The descriptions in the book were really well done. It was so interesting to see this famous building just as it was starting to be lived in. There were a few times in the book that I was really quite surprised by the turn the story took.

While I thought that the 1985 time period was described quite well, I just had a hard time connecting with anything going on in that timeline. Bailey was not as easy to like as Sara. The Dakota's super and the neighbor downstairs were much easier to like. Bailey did grown on my by the end of the book but I still always preferred Sara's story.

I think that a lot of readers will enjoy this one a bit more than I did. I would recommend that anyone who is interested in this story to give it a try. I would not hesitate to read more from Fiona Davis in the future.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Penguin Publishing Group - Dutton via First to Read.

The Address is the first book I have read by Fiona Davis and I cannot say enough about this page turner. The book takes place at the famous New York building The Dakota. There are dual story lines one taking place in 1884 and the other in 1985. In 1884 Sarah Smythe is a struggling housekeeper who meets architect Theodore Camden. He asks Sarah to come to the Dakota to be head housekeeper of the Dakota. She accepts his offer in hopes of living a better life. In 1985 Bailey Camden is just out of rehab when her cousin Melinda hires her to be in charge of the renovation of her apartment in the Dakota. While working on the apartment, Bailey finds things in a basement storage room that she hopes will unlock some family secrets.

I loved reading about the history of the Dakota. The way Fiona Davis connected the two stories together at the end was fantastic. The book is full of drama and mystery. One of the best historical fiction books I have read this year.

I've not read anything by Fiona Davis before, but chose this novel because it deals with New York City, which is my favorite place, and its history is fascinating to me, particularly its architecture and social structures/cultural evolution.

This novel hops back and forth in time --- so many do lately, is that a requirement in MFA workshops?--- from the 1880's to the 1980's and the connection between the 1880's London transplant, Sara Smythe, who works as manageress of The Dakota, the tony apartment building when first it opened, and the 1980's Bailey Camden, recently alcohol/drug rehabbed and living in the maid's room of her cousin's Dakota apartment as she helps with its redesign.

I enjoyed this a lot. It's not literary fiction by any stretch of the imagination, but, rather, a Dominick Dunne-ish sort of speedy, compelling soap-opera, potboiler read. And I mean all that to be complimentary.

Fiona Davis’s is premised around The Dakota, a famous landmark hotel with a rich history in New York City. It was first built in the late 1800's and was destined to boast its opulence and convenience for the wealthiest citizens. It is a novel that flips back and forth between the 1900's and the 1800's, a tale of two women, Bailey and Sara, and their link to the architect of the building, a most intriguing man.

The details of how, why, and when the building came to be are skilfully intertwined with a rich story of greed, power, and rags to riches. The characters were ever evolving and at times, not what they seemed. This kept me flipping the pages until the secrets and conflicts came to a head at the brilliant end.

I am very fond of this author. Having read The Doll House, I had high expectations of this novel. And she did not disappoint. Two very different stories, but each one engrossing! This is one author you need to follow!

What a book! This may be one of the best books I've read in the last year. The author was able to write characters that made me read late at night, page after page revealing more about these characters that were so real. There are two wonderful stories here, set about 100 years apart, sited in the The Dakota, a famous New York apartment house. The earlier story is of Theo Camden, an architect, and Sara Smythe, who becomes the "manageress" of the Dakota and how they fall into love and peril at the same time. The later story is about the descendants of Theo and SaI'dra, and how they learn to live life, on lifes' terms. The two stories are gripping and unfold in tandem. I loved this book. The author has a lovely touch when showing people in their frailty, idiosyncratic behaviors and other faults. These are real people that I was rooting for through the book.
I was given an advance copy by the publisher, but I'll be talking about this book for weeks, it was so good!

This author is a Master at changing between time frames, going from 1885 to 1985 smooth as silk! Totally engrossing story, both of them, you think you know how it will end & she throws you a curve! In 1885, an English girl born on the wrong side of the sheets, though an Earl's daughter. She is working at a London exclusive hotel in charge of the house maids, when she saves the daughter of an American Theodore Camden. He's one of the architects of the Dakota, a NY exclusive apartment bldg, he offers her a job managing the bldg. in 1985, Bailey Camden, newly released from rehab, needs a fresh start to her life. She's the granddaughter of Theo Camden's ward, but won't see a dime from the estate, & that's just a partial background of "The Address". Hang on for an absolutely fantastic read, only the second book written by Fiona Davis! So we're in for many more enjoyable hours from a new young author!

I just finished Fina Davis's The Address, and I am sorry to say goodbye to the cast of characters, whom I had grown quite fond of, including The Dakota apartment building, which of course is one of the main characters. In addition to the characters, I particularly enjoyed the wonderfully detailed descriptions of The Dakota's interior and exterior. The chapters alternate between the late 1800s and in the 1980s. The Address is a very enjoyable historical novel, with many twists and turns in the plot. If you are an architecture or history buff, especially a New York history buff, you will truly enjoy this book. I don't want to give away the story but I was unexpectedly delighted at the inclusion of additional important buildings in NY as part of the story and the surprise inclusion of a well-known historical figure. I purchased the book at a bookstore after seeing the author speak. I highly recommend The Address especially if you enjoy mystery, suspense and historical fiction.

Ms. Davis has a knack for descriptive internals, and for that I'm giving 2-stars. But the predictable plot lines feature a checklist of romantic tropes, cardboard villains, and silly dialogue. I kept hoping that one or more P.O.V. characters would turn out to be an unreliable narrator, just anything to offset the stereotypes. I agree with other reviewers who preferred the 19th Century storyline -- the 1980's Manhattan scenes were laughable, but also somewhat patronizing.

Obscene wealth. New York. Dual storylines. A basement with a hidden secret. An insane asylum. And just for good measure - a murder. Hello, great summer read! I loved Fiona Davis's first novel THE DOLLHOUSE and had high expectations for THE ADDRESS. Bingo. The story of a former servant working for the architect of the Dakota as the building's manager (Dakota as in John Lennon's assassination...THAT Dakota) juxtaposed with the more current story of the granddaughter of the architect's ward (already you know you're in for a grand sense of history when a character is somebody's "ward") - unravels in a can't-put-it-down way. I loved Sara and Bailey. I loved learning about a famous wealthy New York apartment building. And confirming that every building and its occupants has its secrets.

This is an interesting story of the beginning of The Dakota in New York City, built in 1884. With both history and mystery, two stories, one from 1885 (Sara) and the other from 1985 (Bailey), are told.

Sara's story begins by telling how she became involved with The Dakota, meeting the architect, Theo Camden, and his family in London and being recruited to be the lady managerette of this new apartment building. She goes on to tell of her relationship with Camden and the intriguing events that happen in her life thereafter.

Bailey's story begins when she starts to help her cousin remodel her apartment at The Dakota and finds some mysterious items in storage in the basement. Bailey is not an official cousin of the family since her great-grandfather was merely a ward of this wealthy family and not a blood relative -- or is he? What was his relationship to this family, and therefore, Bailey's relationship? And how does Sara's story connect with Bailey's, and can she find out what really happened?

This is an interesting tale that held my attention and made me want to keep reading. I also liked the history that was told of the beginnings of the New York City skyscrapers and some other interesting details of what was going on at the time. Also, I thought I was going to like the 1885 era best in the storytelling, but I found that I couldn't wait to get back to the 1985 story, as Bailey's story was very compelling. I will say that I enjoyed this one very much!

An engrossing novel that transports you to 1884 NYC, the Gilded Age and the Dakota. Davis tells the story of Sara Smythe, the manager of the Dakota, who has left everything behind in England for her new job. Who is she? Why was she committed to an insane asylum and why did she murder the lead architect of the Dakota?

Fast forward to 1984 and Bailey Camden is trying to solve the mystery of her family as she undertakes a renovation of an apartment in the Dakota.

What do Sara and Bailey have in common?

Davis takes the reader on an intriguing journey as she unravels the mystery and secrets of these two women.

This is one of those stories that I wish I could read again for the first time. I thought all of the characters had great dimension and sucked me right in. The star of the story is of course The Dakota, which I immediately read more about as soon as I finished. I have drove past the building before when visiting New York City, but I definitely will be making a stop next time to view the gorgeous details that were described. Fiona Davis weaved a masterful story that kept me engaged from page one and never faltered. I would highly recommend historical fiction fans to check it out and I will definitely be on the lookout for more titles by Fiona Davis.

* I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *

As demonstrated in her debut, THE DOLLHOUSE, Ms. Davis is a master storyteller who seamlessly braids dual story lines into a page turning, nail biting narrative - in this case, the 1880s when The Dakota was built and the 1980s when so many grand old buildings like it were sacrificed to the sword of modernism, either razed or remodeled beyond recognition. As the tension builds, with both Sara and Bailey hurtled onto a collision course of disaster and/or redemption, I found myself reading into the small hours, racing to reach The End. Nuanced characters, textured settings rich with period detail, and pitch perfect pacing make THE ADDRESS an unforgettable read. When will Ms. Davis's next book release? The short answer - not soon enough!

Simplistic plot line. I was drawn into the two stories and the two characters, but the journey was a bit too simplistic. As the reader you knew the connection early into the story, and you solved the mystery before it was even revealed. Very predictable, the kind of book you skip pages just to finish because you already know the story.

If you like partially developed characters who do silly things and poorly constructed plots, this is the book for you. I forced my way through it to the halfway point but could not torture myself further. A total disappointment.

London 1884

Having worked her way up from a maid, Sara Smythe, age 30, has just been given the position of head housekeeper at the Langham Hotel in London. Her position brings her the title of Mrs. Smythe even though she is unmarried.

One day, Sara happens to see an unattended toddler climb onto a window sill. Terrified that the child will fall out of the window, she rushes to the room and saves the child from falling. Later, Mr. Theodore Camden, an American and father of the little girl Sara had saved, introduces himself as the architect of The Dakota, a luxury apartment house in New York and offers Sara the job of head housekeeper. After much thought, she agrees to go to New York. Upon arrival, she then becomes the Managerette of the entire building. Her job is very intense but she is able to coordinate all of the families moving into the building, in addition to the staff required to run it.

Before long, Sara and Theodore fall in love and begin an affair which has devastating consequences that Sara has to face.

New York City - 1985

Bailey Camden had a good job with an interior decorator firm but was fired when she was put in rehab for drinking and doing drugs. Now, her cousin, Melinda Camden, who has an apartment in The Dakota, has offered for her to stay in her apartment and oversee her large remodeling job. Bailey is very ashamed of her past addictions and is working hard to overcome them. Bailey and Melinda are descendants of Theodore Camden who built The Dakota. Melinda and her twin brother are in direct line to receive an inheritance on their 30th birthdays, whereas Bailey is not. However, Bailey is fascinated by the history of the building and Theodore Camden.

The story switches back and forth in time. I liked the story of the time period of Sara but didn’t care so much for it combining the present day story of Bailey. Although Bailey is an interesting character, I thought she accepted too much anger from Melinda and others. Had the story simply been about Sara, I could have given the book 5 stars but with both stories together, I only gave it 4 stars. But don’t get me wrong. This is a fascinating story and I am curious to see how readers feel about Sara’s character.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

n recent years historical fiction has become my favorite genre. I have learned far more about the past from novels than I ever did from history books in school and had the extra advantage of being entertained while furthering my education.
THE ADDRESS by Fiona Davis has added to my knowledge while engaging me in a parallel tale of two young women. Sara Smythe is given the opportunity of a lifetime to come to America and be the manager of a new lavish apartment house called the Dakota by Theodore Camden, one of the architects of this new style of building. In 1884 there are very few opportunities for unmarried women and Sara hopes to rise to the challenge of this special job. Theo Camden is married with three children, but there is an undeniable attraction.
One hundred year later in 1985, Bailey Camden has just gotten out of rehab and is trying to start over. Her only chance to get back on track is to move into the Dakota to help her cousin Melinda renovate an apartment there. Melinda is due to inherit a fortune from the Camden estate soon since her great-grandfather was Theodore Camden's son. Bailey's grandfather was just the ward of the Camden family, so she is left out of any inheritance.
Once Bailey starts moving renovation pieces to the basement storage, she finds old family papers and realizes that the Dakota may hide many past secrets.
Author Fiona Davis has crafted a compelling tale that shows how both the Gilded Age of the New York in the 1880's and the free wheeling 1980's had a powerful effect on the people of those times. Both Sara and Bailey have to deal with choices and various demons. Although the characters are fictional they come across as authentic and believable.With vivid descriptions, I was able to visualize the settings of both eras.
I truly enjoyed THE ADDRESS and will soon be reading the author's previous novel, THE DOLLHOUSE. I look forward to future books by this talented writer.

I thoroughly enjoyed the historical portion of the book, but the story itself left much to be desired. However, I understand, but do not appreciate, that the classification of Historical Fiction is sometimes code for sappy, sacrificial romance. Oftentimes following the same general storyline: doomed romance for her & an affair for him; woman seemingly being rescued from her boring existence; fallen and/or pregnant woman; woman realizes too late that he's a scoundrel but makes some major sacrifice anyway. I stuck it out because Davis' other book was pretty good. Sigh, I wish the Historical Fiction genre wasn't so general!

Fantastic book!!! The author does an exceptional job with non-linear story telling. The story from each time period was interesting and the respective protagonists were well-developed. The book contained some very cool twists that were executed beautifully.

Really loved reading about the Dakota and a little of its history; makes me want to read more about the apartment that I was already intrigued by!

SPOILER **** I wish both ladies had had a happy ending. ****

A wonderful book entertaining and informative, very well written. I didn’t want to put it down. I loved the New York history, I didn’t enjoy the modern timeline as much as I did the older timeline. I definitely recommend this book.

Wonderful weaving of a family's past and present, all tied to a historic apartment dwelling in NYC. What does a young head housekeeper from England in 1885 have in common with a NYC party-girl in 1985? What secrets does the Dakota have to share a hundred years after it was built? The vivid detail and character development will keep your engaged to find out the mysteries to this 100 year old tale.

This book started out with some promise. But it became so predictable and trite I had a hard time finishing it. The story line is weak at best. I guess if you are on a long flight and have nothing else to do, you could pass the time with THE ADDRESS. Otherwise, there are too many other good books to read. I ended up skimming the last 50 pages or so.

I listened to this book electronically. The narration was awful and the silly British accents and overly-husky male voices distracted from the story - it was like listening to children act out an adult play.

The plot was highly predictable, when it actually seemed to follow a normal storyline, yet ridiculously implausible. Much of the book read like a Harlequin romance, especially the portion taking place in the late 1800s.

The dialogue between characters was forced, with comments or actions that were solely added to move the plot along, even when it made no sense. The villainous characters were completely over-the-top. Much of what the characters did seemed not to ring true and there was no subtlety to the author’s writing.

I’m truly surprised at the high ratings this book has received. It’s one of the worst books I have ever read.

THE ADDRESS is an impressive fusion of romance and history resulting in a novel told in dual timelines of 1884 and 1995. The characters are interesting, but the story’s star is The Dakota. Fiona Davis has successfully woven historical details around a complex love story. Book groups will have much to discuss.

I received an ARC from Dutton. There was no expectation of a favorable review.

First, let us be clear about the genera of this book: it is a romance novel (A.K.A. chick lit). So, those expecting to find literary fiction should probably not read it.

That being said, it is an absolutely fabulous book in its genera. The author has done extensive research about the history, the structure and the mores not only of the Dakota building, but also of the society and the time periods where the action takes place.

The struggles of the main characters raise awareness to issues such as social and gender inequality, exploitation and lack of options that most people experienced in the 1800's.

Each character feels alive in this book's lines!

It took me a while to get into the second intertwining story but once I did the pace picked up. It's an easy read after that. I wanted to give it 4 stars but some of the other characters are too limited. Solid 3.5.

Fascinating story of an English girl who works hard and gets a big break to come to America and manage the new Dakota apartment building in the 1880's. And a related story set in the 1980's about a girl struggling to stay sober and make something of herself and figure out where she came from. Part fiction, part non-fiction, and all parts interesting.

I loved reading this book ,I love the vision of the building being built and later on being restored,Sara's story coming to light 100years after her Descendant Bailey happens to find three trunks telling the story ,bringing her to the truth of her heritage,Amazing story on both sides ,will definitely read this Author again

I was the lucky winner of an ARC of The Address on Instagram, and I'm so thankful for that good fortune. If it hadn't been such a busy week for me I would have finished it in one sitting - it was hard to put down! The twists and turns the story takes had me captivated from the beginning. I haven't yet read Fiona Davis' The Dollhouse, but will definitely be taking care of that oversight soon. I highly recommend this book!

As in her first novel, The Dollhouse, two women from different time periods are linked by an iconic New York building. This time The Dakota is the star, and its character development is as thorough as our two human protagonists. I had to force myself not to read the book in one sitting, I was so interested to find out what becomes of all three. Once again, the plot is fast-paced and features a murder along with mistaken identity. It was lots of fun to read about the 1880's and the 1980's -- the clothes, food, sights, smells, social conventions, and, of course, the hopes and dreams of "modern" women.

I just read this wonderful book last week - I was gloriously transported between 1885 and 1985 at the famous Dakota Hotel ("The Address") Fiona Davis is going to be providing us with hard-to-put down reading for many years to come. The Dakota Hotel and its famous residents has fascinated me for some time ever since John Lennon's murder, but this is the first book I have read about it. Tying in characters with a century in between was like solving a mystery. I immediately found the author had written an earlier book The Dollhouse about the famous Barbizon Hotel written in 2016, which I can't praise enough either. Can't wait until 2018 for her next book about Grand Central Station! I am now her newest fan - don't miss her books!

For the first 250 pages, I thought I was reading a 5-star book...then, for the next 100, to the end, a 3-star book. The story, especially the 1980s one, turned into a unbelievable "soap opera". I feel the story taking place in the 1800s would have been enough...perhaps with an "afterwards". For the record, I love reading historical fiction.

Wow!! This novel has it all a story of scandal, secrets, intrigue, lies, cruelty, trickery and family lineages. The pages are filled with images that immersed me and my senses into each character's life. I love the history tucked into the society and struggles of these flawed people. A hard book to reach the end of, I miss it already !!

The story and the characters pull you in quickly. I haven’t read a book this quickly in quite some time. My first knowledgeof The Dakota was at John Lennon’s death. I never knew about the history. The writing gives you insight to that history and a story well interwoven.

Much like Fiona Davis’s THE DOLLHOUSE, THE ADDRESS is an historical fiction account of the history of the Dakota Building in New York City. Interesting characters and a well told story make the novel a quick, entertaining read. I’ve definitely become a fan of the author... and this novel. My thanks to Penguin First to Read for the Advance Reader Copy.

Having spent a great deal of time at The Dakota over the years, I loved reading a book that transported me back to the construction of the building and provided me with the flavor of the early residents. The book seamlessly wove the story of two women from two different time periods whose destiny emanated from The Dakota. The twists and turns in the storyline were wonderful and I am always satisfied when I cannot predict the ending but yet when I discover it, all of the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. I totally enjoyed the book and I know others will feel the same.

Loved this book...a wonderful history of the Dakota merged with a fictional story with a very good surprise twist. I pride myself on seeing things coming and didn't anticipate this one. A thoroughly enjoyable read! Fiona Davis seems to specialize in historical fiction based on actual NYC landmark buildings and she's very good at it. Recommend!

Despite some artistic license taken by the author, I loved this book! She really gathered the essence of what life was like during both timelines. The visual descriptions were truly a work of art. The duplicity of all of the characters was engrossing. This book is the epitome of what a dual timeline should be!

Family mysteries are my favorite genre so I was quite taken with this story. I also enjoyed the descriptions of NY City in the late 1800s. I do wish that the modern female character would have been able to find out the complete story of her family and not just a few details.

Main character from 1985 didn't interest me but in general liked the story of the Dakota and relationship between Sara and Theo. Instead of being enamored in the end, I felt disappointed about how these characters were played out, particularly Theo. It was too sharp of a 180 for me and I felt cheated by investing my time and getting sucked up in the love story. My rating would've been higher if genuine aspects were maintained.

The perfect follow-up to The Dollhouse (which I also loved.) Fiona Davis is a master at the dual timeline (this one is 1880s and 1980s), making each one equally as rich and compelling and weaving them to create a story full of drama. This book has so many quirky period details about New York back when the Upper West Side was more like the wild, wild West. Full of mystery, romance, suspense -- what a gem of a book!

1884/1885 and 1985. The interlocking story of Sara Smythe, Managerette of the newly opened Dakota apartment building and the architect of the building, Theo Camden in the late 1800s. And the story of the descendants in 1985 still in the Dakota apartments.

Really 3.5. The 1880s segment was stronger, and some characters really didn't get much development. But learning about the Dakota and its origins, as well as the mental institutions of the time, were really interesting. I enjoyed the read.

Very readable and somewhat researched. Much of the Gilded Age was a sham, the newly rich trying to outdo each other with over indulgence. The Dakota is a perfect example of that age and the two stories are a bit contrived and coincidental.

Although this wasn't as good as her previous novel, the book is a good blend of old and new. The link between the past and present becomes obvious early on, but the connection is more complicated and interesting. Every loose end is unbelievably tied up in the last chapter.

Do you like a little mystery mixed with some historical facts? Then this book is for you. The author does a good job of alternating between now and then and keeping the reader wondering what will happen. And along the way you might learn a few things about nyc that you did not k now.

The story; a mystery and romance rolled into on, we actually two, is good, very good. I however enjoyed the story of The Dakota. What an interesting building. I am looking forward to learning more about it.

Two heroines from different eras connect through the backdrop of the historic Dakota in Ms. Davis's latest tale of intrigue. Could not put it down. The author weaves seamlessly between Sarah, coming to Manhattan in the late 1800's, to Bailey, who is navigating the mid 1980's and all it's excesses. Beautifully written with just the right amount of history. Another winner for Fiona Davis. I am eagerly awaiting her next iconic building's tale!

Fiona Davis has done it again! An amazingly quick read, you don't want to put it down. Set in the 1880's when the Dakota was first built and people were moving "uptown" to the "country" of 72nd Street. A really interesting mystery combining the 1980's at the time of Lennon's death and an event from the 1800's that impacts the family of the original architect generations later. I love historical fiction and this one is fascinating!!!

I really enjoyed this book. The "Dakota" building in New York is a main character right along with the humans. The story is an intriguing one and the style of writing made feel I was actually watching the events and conversations happen right in front of me. I'm looking forward to more books from this author.

I read “The Address” after hearing Fiona Davis read a selection from her new novel at an event in NYC. The parallel stories of Bailey Camden and Sara Smythe, separated by 100 years but connected by the Dakota (and, we are to find, by a few other things as well), were enjoyably described and made for an addictive read. The details of each woman’s story reveal a significant amount of research and a creative vision to bring them to life.

The storyline is gentle but also reflects the harshness of the times for women. Some good plot twists. Lovely descriptions of the famous Dakota. Recommend for history lovers and those with interests in history of women's rights.

I thoroughly enjoyed this page turner by Fiona Davis! In reading the book, I didn't want to put it down and couldn't wait to pick it up to continue reading. The writing style kept me on edge wondering what would happen next.
I eagerly look forward to the next book by Fiona Davis!

Fabulous read. Ms. Davis weaves the historical genres with an intriguing plot - with believable twists and turns. Truthfully I can't remember the last time I couldn't put a book down - and read into the wee hours of the morning.

"The Address" by the talented Fiona Davis is a beautiful book that transported me to 1885 and 1985. I didn't want it to end! I've also read Fiona's "The Dollhouse," and already look forward to finding out which building will be featured in her next book.

This is the 2nd novel I've read by Fiona. I love her architectural theme. The first book was built around the Barbizon.
The Address uses the Dakota for its basis. What an incredible history that Building has.
I can't wait to see where the next book is set.
Great read on many different levels.

As a New York architect, it was such a thrill to walk the halls of the Dakota in The Address. The story that is woven about the building's inhabitants held as much intrigue and detail as its facade. Couldn't read it fast enough and can't wait for Davis's next architectural tour.

I loved loved this book. However, I bought the book on my kindle and couldn't loan the book out. I paid more then I would normally for this book and was disappointed to find out that the publisher won't allow the book to be lent out. I feel like a renter and not an owner of the book. So disappointed I won't buy another book from this author.

Wonderful mystery in a fantastic setting--the Dakota upon its opening in the 1880s, and in the middle of the go-go, greed is good 1980s. But the author struggle to write in the voice of the 1880s--her characters' dialogue is too contemporary. For example, I doubt an English housekeeper would ever have said "It wasn't a good fit," in describing why she left her previous job. But if you can get past that, it's a fun read.

Excellent historical fiction about the Dakota building in NYC. Characters are well developed and the story has a few unexpected twists. Well written and a captivating read. I couldnt put the book down. Especially interesting is how and why the Dakota was built the way it was. Loved the architectural details. I loved this book and you will too!

Visitors to New York City’s Upper West Side have undoubtedly seen the Dakota, an apartment building which opened back in 1884, back when the landscape was desolate and unpopulated. With its unusual looming rooftop, wrought iron monsters and tall forbidding windows, this historic structure lacks warmth and prods imaginations to run wild. Now, in THE ADDRESS, Fiona Davis throws open the doors and invites us inside to tell us a haunting tale of love and murder and of two very different women living one hundred years apart.

Sara Smythe has always been ambitious, even if her mother had bigger dreams for her than working as a domestic. Still, her skills don’t go unnoticed, particularly when she saves a little girl from falling out a window to her death at a London hotel. In fact, the girl’s father, Theodore Camden, is so enamored with Sara, he invites her to accept a job as the female manager at the Dakota, a newly-minted apartment building in New York City. After much deliberation, she packs up her belongings and boards a ship for America.

Fast forward to 1985 when interior designer Bailey Camden leaves rehab only to discover that no one will hire her, and even her friends have turned their backs to her when she needs them most. Unsure where else to turn or what to do next, her “cousin,” Melinda, offers her a job redecorating her lavish apartment at the Dakota—the very apartment where Theodore Camden was murdered by a former employee named Sara Smythe after she is released from an insane asylum where she spent seven months.

Separated by a century, Sara and Bailey struggle to survive in a tempting world filled with excess, wealth, and sin. But it is also a world corrupted by tragedy, lies, and madness. Drawn toward one another by a building whose walls hide the darkest of secrets, Bailey is destined to learn the truth, and it will shatter everything she knows about the famed architect and the woman who killed him.

With THE ADDRESS, Fiona Davis has crafted an exceptional novel that lingers in the mind long after it is finished. The story’s protagonists are like many modern women, captivating and adventurous, as they both try to construct new lives for themselves in a building that is described as a “Bavarian behemoth.” Readers won’t be able to resist following them down the labyrinthine halls of the Dakota as their stories and revealed. Haunting, imaginative, and yet deeply moving, this is historical fiction at its best.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fiona Davis was born in Canada and raised in New Jersey, Utah, and Texas. She began her career in New York City as an actress, where she worked on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in regional theater.

After ten years, Fiona changed careers, working as an editor and writer, and her historical fiction debut, The Dollhouse, was published in 2016.

She’s a graduate of the College of William & Mary and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and is based in New York City.
Visit Fiona at her home on the Web at FionaDavis.net, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

THE ADDRESS
By Fiona Davis
368 pgs. Dutton. $26.

As originally published at JathanandHeather.com.

I thoroughly enjoyed the historical portion of the book, but the story itself left much to be desired. However, I understand, but do not appreciate, that the classification of Historical Fiction is sometimes code for sappy, sacrificial romance. Oftentimes following the same general storyline: doomed romance for her & an affair for him; woman seemingly being rescued from her boring existence; fallen and/or pregnant woman; woman realizes too late that he's a scoundrel but makes some major sacrifice anyway. I stuck it out because Davis' other book was pretty good. Sigh, I wish the Historical Fiction genre wasn't so general!

I listened to this book electronically. The narration was awful and the silly British accents and overly-husky male voices distracted from the story - it was like listening to children act out an adult play.

The plot was highly predictable, when it actually seemed to follow a normal storyline, yet ridiculously implausible. Much of the book read like a Harlequin romance, especially the portion taking place in the late 1800s.

The dialogue between characters was forced, with comments or actions that were solely added to move the plot along, even when it made no sense. The villainous characters were completely over-the-top. Much of what the characters did seemed not to ring true and there was no subtlety to the author’s writing.

I’m truly surprised at the high ratings this book has received. It’s one of the worst books I have ever read.

I loved reading this book ,I love the vision of the building being built and later on being restored,Sara's story coming to light 100years after her Descendant Bailey happens to find three trunks telling the story ,bringing her to the truth of her heritage,Amazing story on both sides ,will definitely read this Author again

What a wonderful book! I grew up in NY and have always admired the Dakota from afar. How interesting it was reading a fictional story, with very real details, about the just built building and all that went on to make it the successful, exclusive building that it still is today. What I enjoyed the most was reading every other chapter about the Dakota then and the Dakota today. Everything tied in so naturally. The book was very hard to put down. I am so looking forward to the next book with which Ms. Davis will gift her readers!

From the moment I read the first page of Fiona Davis's "The Address", I was completely hooked! I read it in one sitting, compelled to see how the story resolved itself and yet reluctant to leave behind the characters, the story, the beautifully crafted details of both time periods and New York City in 1885 and 1985! I also found that every character in the novel is so well drawn, with such depth, that they stay with me. I highly recommend "The Address"!

Absolutely loved the book. I love how the stories of Sara and Bailey are woven together like The Tale of Two Cities, even though both women lived a century a part. I couldn't put this book down; loved the romance and the mystery involved in this book. Can't wait for the next book by Fiona Davis.

I could not put this book down. Totally engrossing! The use of the two time periods, like her last book, was so smart! I kept changing my mind on which was my favorite! I also love how she uses landmark buildings as a backdrop. The building becomes a central character. Makes you want to book a trip to NY!

I loved loved this book. However, I bought the book on my kindle and couldn't loan the book out. I paid more then I would normally for this book and was disappointed to find out that the publisher won't allow the book to be lent out. I feel like a renter and not an owner of the book. So disappointed I won't buy another book from this author.