Fiona Davis
Author Interview - Fiona Davis
An interview with Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of six historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings, including The Magnolia Palace, The Dollhouse, The Address, and The Lions of Fifth Avenue (click on the books below for more information about each one.)
New York City, 1956: Nineteen-year-old Marion Brooks knows she should be happy. Her high school sweetheart is about to propose and sweep her off to the life everyone has always expected they’d have together: a quiet house in the suburbs, Marion staying home to raise their future children. But instead, Marion finds herself feeling trapped. So when she comes across an opportunity to audition for the famous Radio City Rockettes—the glamorous precision-dancing troupe—she jumps at the chance to exchange her predictable future for the dazzling life of a performer.
Meanwhile, the city is reeling from a string of bombings orchestrated by a person the press has nicknamed the “Big Apple Bomber,” who has 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 turn in desperation to Peter Griggs, a young doctor at a local mental hospital who espouses a radical new technique: psychological profiling.
As both Marion and Peter find themselves unexpectedly pulled in to the police search for the bomber, Marion 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. In doing so, she may be forced to sacrifice everything she’s worked for, as well as the people she loves the most.
Author I draw inspiration from: Geraldine Brooks, who juggles complex plots, heartbreaking characters, and historical settings with such genius.
Author Interview with Fiona Davis | Author she draws inspiration from
Favorite place to read a book: A rocking chair out on the porch on a rainy, warm summer day.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: Eleanor from Maria Semple’s Today Will Be Different, because I know I’d be laughing the entire time.
Author Interview with Fiona Davis | Book character she'd like to be stuck in an elevator with
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: When I learned of a unique set-up in a former women’s hotel in New York City, where the long-term residents shared the building with the luxury condo owners. I had to write that story.
Author Interview with Fiona Davis | The moment she knew she wanted to be an author
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Typically, the hardback (too impatient to wait for the paperback), but an ebook when traveling.
The last book I read: An advance copy of The Paragon Hotel, by Lyndsay Faye, which I loved. Beautiful writing, a great opening scene, and lots of Jazz-Age ambience.
Author Interview with Fiona Davis | The last book she read
Pen & paper or computer: Both. I use a pencil and a yellow legal pad to briefly sketch out each scene, before typing away on my Mac.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: Count Alexander Rostov from A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. I adore his droll wit, courage, and intelligence and would be happy to hang out in the hotel lobby with him in the hope some of it rubs off.
Author Interview with Fiona Davis | The book character she'd be best friends with
If I wasn’t an author, I’d be a: Journalist – I love interviewing people and crafting a narrative, no matter what the form.
Favorite decade in fashion history: 1950s, all the way. Those poufy skirts and narrow waists – to die for.
Place I’d most like to travel: Wales, where my grandfather was from, and take some long hikes along the coastline.
My signature drink: I love a Moscow Mule, mainly because of the cool copper mug it’s served in.
Favorite artist: Arshile Gorky, who’s the inspiration for the character of Levon in The Masterpiece. Gifted, tormented, tragic.
Number one on my bucket list: I’ve been taking Spanish lessons for a number of years now, and it’s time for me to go away for three or four weeks to a Spanish-speaking country and immerse myself in the language. Adiós!
