The Address
by
Fiona Davis
I’ve always enjoyed reading stories set in New York and have been meaning to read The Address for a long time. In this 2017 novel by Fiona Davis, Sara Smythe and Bailey Camden live in New York, one hundred years apart. They are connected in indeterminate ways to the 1885 murder of the fictional architect Theodore Camden. Set in 1884 and 1984, their narratives revolve around the famous Dakota, an apartment building in New York.
The Dakota is a real place. Located on the northwest corner of 72nd Street and Central Park West on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, its tenants include famous musicians, artists and actors. It’s also where John Lennon was murdered in 1980. When it first opened in 1884, the Dakota was actually in a remote part of NYC, if you can believe it. Designed to attract the newly wealthy, the building opened its doors to a full staff and plenty of luxuries.
Sara’s story begins in 1884 when Theodore Camden recruits her from the London Langham Hotel to become the first managerette (how do you like that job title?) of the Dakota. Unmarried and in her thirties, Sara works as the head housekeeper. She’s ready for a change, however and drawn to Theodore’s charms, despite the fact that he’s married with three young children. In a bold decision, Sara quits her job and crosses the Atlantic to start a new life during New York’s gilded age. She lives at the Dakota and confidently manages a large staff of housekeepers, porters, maintenance crew and the tenants’ maids. Unable to resist their mutual attractions, Theo and Sara begin an affair that leads to Theo’s ultimate death and the end of Sara’s career.
Jumping to 1984, interior designer Bailey Camden must rebuild her life after a struggle with drugs and alcohol. Out of rehab and jobless, she visits her wealthy cousin Melinda Camden, who lives at the Dakota, in the same apartment where Theo was murdered. Bailey’s family connection to the wealthy Camdens began when her grandfather became Theodore Camden’s ward. Melinda will soon inherit trust money, but Bailey, whose family has learned to live without, will not. In a gesture of seemingly good will, Melinda hires Bailey to redesign her apartment and agrees to let her live there until she gets on her feet. When Bailey discovers personal items belonging to Sara and Theo’s family, she will soon learn more about the affair and just how she fits into the Camden lineage.
I enjoyed this novel which is part mystery and part historical fiction. Davis explores the messy themes of money, class, inheritance and family and entertains the reader with images of New York’s upper and working classes and the city’s development and its varied architecture. In addition, a special appearance by investigative journalist Nellie Bly provides an up-close look at the horrors of Blackwell Island’s Insane Asylum. I recommend The Address to fans of New York stories as well as readers who like historical fiction, interesting characters and themes of money and class.
Thanks for visiting – come back soon!
i’ve always been fascinated by that case and this sounds like an interesting take on things
Hi Beth – yes it was an interesting case. I enjoyed the adaptation. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
Barbara, I’m hooked by your review and the book … love the sound of its dual time line particularly and the mix of fiction and fact! A book I’d thoroughly enjoy and thank you for the recommendation!
Hi Annika – thank you so much. I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read it. Hope you are doing well 🙂
This sounds like a great read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Barbara.
Hi Jill – definitely enjoyed it – thanks for the visit 🙂
This sounds like a very interesting book – thanks for the review.
Hi Lynette – I do like the books set in NYC – I’m not a New Yorker, but for some reason I’m drawn to them!
Thanks for the review, Barbara. I like historical fiction, and with a little mystery thrown in this novel sounds intriguing. I’ve always liked Edith Wharton novels set in New York, so no doubt I’d like this one.
Hi Marian- thank you for stopping by to read my review! I’ve read The Age of Innocence and Ethan Frome. What other Edith Wharton books would you recommend?
I have this book on my Kindle, and I really must read it soon! I do love books with settings that are familiar and buildings based on real places. Great review.
Hi Laurel-Rain – I had wanted to read it for a long time and I’m glad I finally got to it. Hope you get a chance to read it soon. I have a lot of books on my Kindle waiting for me! Thanks so much for the visit 🙂
This sounds terrific! I really like historical New York stories as well, and the dual timeline sounds really well done. I’ve heard such good things about this author, and have never tried her. Maybe this book!
Hi Lisa – it’s the only one I’ve read, but I think I would enjoy some of her other books too. Let me know if you try a different one. I’m looking at The Doll House as a possibility 🙂 Thank you for reading!
This one was a bit too romancy for me, but I still enjoyed it.
I can see that – glad you still enjoyed it. Thanks for reading, Davida!
This sounds like a very intriguing historical New York story. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Hi Donna – thanks for the visit. I do like a NYC story, though I’m hardly a New Yorker!
This sounds like a very good book, Barbara. Just up my reading street.
I may try another by Davis. Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds interesting, Barbara.
It was – I love those gilded age NY stories. Thanks so much for stopping by!
My pleasure. Have a lovely weekend.
You too!