The Spectacular

The Spectacular

Fiona Davis

Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis transports us back to 1950s Manhattan and the glamorous Radio City Music Hall. . . . New York City, 1956: Nineteen-year-old Marion is over the moon to have been selected to be one of the Rockettes, Radio City Music Hall’s glamorous precision-dancing troupe. It’s an honor to perform in the world’s most spectacular theater, an art deco masterpiece. But with four shows a day as well as grueling rehearsals, not to mention exacting standards of perfection to live up to, Marion quickly realizes that the life of a Rockette has both extraordinary highs and devastating lows. Then one night a bomb explodes in the theater. It’s only the latest in a string of explosions around the city orchestrated by a person the press has nicknamed the "Big Apple Bomber." They have been terrorizing the citizens of New York for sixteen years by planting bombs in popular, crowded spaces. With the public in an uproar over the lack of any real leads after a yearslong manhunt, the police, at Marion’s urging, turn in desperation to a radical new technique: psychological profiling. As Marion finds herself pulled deeper into the investigation, she realizes that as much as she’s been training herself to blend in—performing in perfect unison with all the other identical Rockettes—if she hopes to catch the bomber, she’ll need to stand out and take a terrifying risk. But she may be forced to sacrifice everything she’s worked for, as well as the people she loves the most.


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  • josiereadsalot
    Feb 01, 2025
    Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

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  • bookgang
    Mar 30, 2025
    Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

     
    I received an advanced copy of this book from Dutton. This novel will publish on June 13th, and Fiona will be a guest in our Summer Author Series.

    Fiona Davis is best known for her historical fiction novels, which explore the history (and mystery)  behind some of New York City's most well-known landmarks. I’ve read many of her books and can confidently say that this is her best book yet.

    In this dual timeline story, we meet Marion, a nineteen-year-old whose thrilled when she lands a spot in the Rockettes, even if her father isn’t. Davis takes us on a journey not just behind-the-scenes of the grueling dance life but imagines a dancer that is such a showstopper that she fails to blend into the dance ensemble. 

    However, amidst the glamour and grueling routines, the “Big Apple Bomber” is on the loose, and Marion tragically becomes entangled. The bomber has been relentlessly planting explosives all over New York,  even where Marion performs.

    As the police turn to psychological profiling for the first time,  Marion finds herself drawn into the investigation with an unlikely man tied to the case, and she must decide if catching the bomber is worth risking everything she holds dear, including her hard-earned dreams and the safety of her loved ones.

    Most people are unfamiliar with the true story of this bomber Davis was surprised to uncover the details herself, bringing an astounding amount of research to this story along with beautiful historical elements to those beginning days of the Rockettes. What she does well is making this easy-to-digest so the reader is never too bogged down with the details.

    Davis also excels at writing captivating dance sequences with perfectly captured frenetic energy. The true showstopper to this story isn't just Marion's earlier life; it is how she weaves a surprisingly personal and profound ending for her life that beautifully connects these two timelines. 

    It was so satisfying and moving that I encourage any reader to have a box of tissues accessible for a good cry after you finish it. 

    I'm thrilled that Fiona will join us to discuss this book in our summer author series. I plan to request a short spoiler-filled conversation for our Patreon to discuss the ending of this book. 

    If you loved The Matchmaker's Gift, you'll devour this story. 

     

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  • RamblingBooks
    Mar 09, 2025
    Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

    Ugh my heart. Davis had to choose to throw in the one disease (won't specify, to prevent spoilers) that hits home for me. Literally had tears in my eyes.


    **Edit: Found out after finishing the novel that Davis was also diagnosed with the aforementioned disease. Thank you for bringing awareness to it and calling out a foundation near and dear to my heart in the Author's Note

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