The Spectacular (by Fiona Davis)
Fiona Davis brilliantly swept me back in time to 1956, New York City, Radio City Music Hall with her novel, The Spectacular. Dancer, Marion Brooks, is struggling to make life decisions that make her happy. She is anticipating a marriage proposal from her high school sweetheart. This is exactly what she has been taught to expect from adulthood; marriage and children. This is also what will make her father happy. Although, Marion is teaching dance lessons to little girls and would love nothing more than a career in dance. Unexpectedly, Marion has an opportunity to audition to become a Radio City Rockette. She defies everyone’s expectations and goes for it!
Simultaneously, there has been a string of bombings, placed at landmark locations, throughout New York City for the past 16 years. Police finally welcome the assistance of Peter Griggs, a young doctor working at a mental hospital who introduces his theories of criminal profiling. Peter and Marion are invested in uncovering the “Big Apple Bomber” and take personal risks to accomplish their goal.
I have read all of Fiona Davis’ historical fiction novels. I especially love how each of her stories are set at famous New York City locations. I love New York! Fiona develops characters I immediately love and find myself rooting for. She helps me appreciate the struggles Marion faced as a young adult in 1956, and society’s expectations for women; especially those of her controlling and demanding father. Throughout this story, Marion is consistently faced with challenging decisions that affect her happiness and the relationships with her family and love interests.
Fiona introduced me to the fascinating lifestyle of a Rockette. As a young girl, I took ballet lessons and had dreams of being a ballerina and living in New York City. I’ll never forget my first visit to the city and the excitement I felt about the possibilities. Needless to say, that dream fizzled out. As I entered my teenage years, I became quite interested in criminal profiling. I remember reading John Douglas’ book, Mindhunter. I have been intrigued by the criminal mind ever since. Fiona’s inclusion of character Peter Griggs is the historical beginning of the psychology of criminal profiling.
The Spectacular is a wonderful story, set in an amazing location, with fascinating history. As expected, Fiona closes the book with an author’s note on the historical aspects of the story. She offers additional resources and information that appropriately wrap up the reader’s experience. I chose to listen to the audiobook that I borrowed from my local library with the Libby app. The narration by Rachel L. Jacobs and Kimberly Farr was excellent!
I encourage you to sign up for Fiona Davis’ newsletter on her website here. Since the release of this book, she shared unique information about her research of the Radio City Rockettes.
Included below is an author event Fiona participated in with the independent bookstore, The Poisoned Pen, in Scottsdale, Arizona for The Spectacular.
You’re welcome to read my other reviews for books by Fiona Davis, which are linked below.
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