While waiting for the new 2025 publications to come out, I picked up “The Spectacular” by Fiona Davis. This terrific historical fiction novel led me to learn about The Rockettes and gave a glimpse of 1950’s New York. This is my favorite Fiona Davis book so far!
Marion Brooks, age 19, has led a fairly pampered life in Bronxville with her father, sister and housekeeper. But Marion’s dream is dancing – she isn’t content to marry her high school boyfriend and settle into the expected 50’s role as a housewife. Marion tries out for The Rockettes and can’t wait to perform in Radio City Music Hall with her new team. But her father, boyfriend and sister disapprove . . . And there is the worry of the ‘Big Apple Bomber’ who has been placing bombs in prominent New York venues for 16 years! When one of those bombs explodes during The Rockettes show, Marion is drawn into the investigation. She and her friend, a psychiatrist who is interested in a new tool called profiling, help with the search. Will they find the bomber before he strikes again?
I thought “The Spectacular” had the perfect blend of mystery and history. I loved reading about the life of a Rockette! (Definitely not an easy career!) And I never knew there actually was a bomber in NYC in the 1950’s and that he planted 32 bombs during that time. (Ms Davis takes significant liberties with her fictional account, but gives the actual facts in her Author’s Note.) I highly recommend “The Spectacular” to anyone who loves dance, mystery or historical fiction!
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