Review 144: The Lions of Fifth Avenue

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is told between two alternating time lines, around 1913 and 1993, and both take place around the New York Public Library. The early time line is when the library first opens, with Jack and Laura Lyons with their two children live in an apartment inside the library. Jack’s job is superintendent of the library and one of the perks is the apartment. Jack also is writing a novel, and Laura also has ambitions and joins the Columbia University School of Journalism.

In the more modern time we have Sadie Donovan who happens to be Jack and Laura’s granddaughter, and she works with the Berg Collection at the New York Public Library. Sadie is divorced and her relationships with men take up some part of her story, along with her family, an older brother, his wife and their kid.

There are many similarities between the two time periods, one of which is rare books are going missing from the library and no one can figure out how. Once Sadie learns the same happened during her grandparents time at the library, she wonders if they two are connected, and she becomes wrapped up in solving this mystery.

The frame of the book with the alternating time lines is the style of the author. It works well, and in this book the pacing is well done. Each time line leaves at a moment when you really want to know what happens next. There are some unexpected moments and of course some coincidences. I enjoyed this book and found it a good diversion, with a wonderful backdrop of a story.

Really enjoyed this book.

Thanks to Dutton Books/Penguin Group and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.