Fiona Davis Books In Order + Printable List
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Fiona Davis has made some of New York City’s most iconic buildings the stars of her historical fiction, weaving together real history, intriguing mysteries, and unforgettable women whose lives intersect with these remarkable places.
From the Barbizon Hotel in The Dollhouse and Grand Central Terminal in The Masterpiece to the New York Public Library in The Lions of Fifth Avenue, each novel opens a window onto a different chapter of New York history. Her books are standalones, so you can read them in any order. Reading Fiona Davis’s books offers a fascinating journey through the settings and stories that have shaped her writing career.
This guide lists all of Fiona Davis’s books in order, along with publication dates, a quick look at each novel, and some guidance on where to start if you’re new to her work.
Key Takeaways: Fiona Davis Books In Order
New and Upcoming Fiona Davis Books
- The Jewel of Sugar Hill – January 26, 2027
- Samantha: The Next Chapter – October 13, 2026
Where Should You Start With Fiona Davis?
Because Fiona Davis’s novels are standalones, there’s no required reading order. You can simply choose the historical period, New York landmark, or storyline that appeals to you most.
Best Place To Start Overall
The Stolen Queen was my first Fiona Davis novel, and it immediately made me want to explore more of her books. Moving between 1930s Egypt and 1970s New York, the story combines archaeology, a mysterious female pharaoh, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Met Gala, and a missing Egyptian artifact. I especially loved the combination of Egyptology, mystery, and two compelling women at the center of the story.
Start Here If You Love Books and Libraries
For book lovers, The Lions of Fifth Avenue may be irresistible. Set around the New York Public Library in 1913 and 1993, it combines rare-book thefts, family secrets, and two generations of women connected to one of New York City’s most famous landmarks.
Start Here If You Prefer Reading In Publication Order
If you’d rather discover Fiona Davis in publication order, begin with her 2016 debut, The Dollhouse. Set at the famous Barbizon Hotel for Women, it moves between the 1950s and the present while exploring the lives and ambitions of women who came to New York in search of independence and opportunity.
Fiona Davis Books In Order
Fiona Davis’s novels can be read in any order, but the list below follows publication order so you can see how her historical fiction has developed over time.
Standalone Novels
- The Dollhouse – 2016
- The Address – 2017
- The Masterpiece – 2018
- The Chelsea Girls – 2019
- The Lions of Fifth Avenue – 2020
- The Magnolia Palace – 2022
- The Spectacular – 2023
- The Stolen Queen – 2025
- Samantha: The Next Chapter – October 13, 2026
- The Jewel of Sugar Hill – January 26, 2027
The Dollhouse – 2016
Set at New York City’s famed Barbizon Hotel for Women, The Dollhouse moves between 1952 and the present as a journalist investigates a decades-old scandal involving two former residents. The story explores ambition, friendship, and the opportunities – and limitations – facing young women who came to Manhattan to build independent lives.
The Address – 2017
The Dakota, one of New York City’s most legendary apartment buildings, provides the backdrop for this dual-timeline mystery. Moving between the 1880s and 1980s, The Address connects two women across a century through family secrets, scandal, and questions surrounding the building’s early history.
The Masterpiece – 2018
Grand Central Terminal takes center stage in The Masterpiece, which connects a 1920s illustrator teaching at the terminal’s once-thriving art school with a woman working at Grand Central in the 1970s. Their stories converge through a missing work of art and a mystery buried in the landmark’s past.
The Chelsea Girls – 2019
Set largely at Manhattan’s legendary Chelsea Hotel, The Chelsea Girls follows two women pursuing careers in theater during the 1950s. Their friendship and ambitions are tested as McCarthy-era investigations and the Hollywood blacklist bring suspicion and political fear into the entertainment world.
The Lions of Fifth Avenue – 2020
The New York Public Library is at the heart of this dual-timeline novel about two generations of women connected by family secrets and mysterious book thefts. Set in 1913 and 1993, The Lions of Fifth Avenue combines literary history, changing expectations for women, and a mystery involving rare books disappearing from the library’s collection.
The Magnolia Palace – 2022
The Frick mansion provides the setting for The Magnolia Palace, which moves between 1919 and 1966. A young artist’s model finds herself drawn into the wealthy Frick household, while decades later another model becomes involved in uncovering clues that may finally solve an old family mystery.
The Spectacular – 2023
Set amid the glamour of 1950s Radio City Music Hall, The Spectacular centers on a young woman who defies her family to become a Rockette. As a bomber terrorizes New York City, her world becomes entangled with the investigation in a story combining dance, ambition, family conflict, and a real chapter of New York history.
The Stolen Queen – 2025
Moving between Egypt in 1936 and New York City in 1978, The Stolen Queen brings together an Egyptologist and a young Met employee after an ancient artifact disappears during the Met Gala. Their search leads back to a mysterious female pharaoh, an archaeological discovery, and secrets that have remained buried for decades.
Samantha: The Next Chapter – October 13, 2026
In this adult continuation of the beloved American Girl character’s story, Samantha Parkington is now twenty-five and living in New York City in 1920. As the country enters a new decade and women gain the right to vote, Samantha must decide what independence and a meaningful future will look like on her own terms.
The Jewels of Sugar Hill – January 26, 2027
Set around Manhattan’s historic Morris-Jumel Mansion, The Jewel of Sugar Hill weaves together two women separated by generations and connected to one of New York City’s oldest surviving homes. The novel combines Davis’s signature mix of real New York history, women’s stories, and secrets hidden within an iconic landmark.
Novellas & Anthologies
- Stories from Suffragette City – 2020
- A Wild Rose – 2022
- The Gimlet Slip (With Greg Wands) – 2024
Fiona Davis Books In Order – Printable List
What To Read Next
If you enjoy Fiona Davis’s blend of historical fiction, intriguing mysteries, and strong female characters, these guides and recommendations can help you find your next read:
- Explore Kate Quinn’s books for more historical fiction filled with fascinating women, secrets, and richly researched history.
- Discover Rhys Bowen’s books in order if you enjoy historical settings with a strong dose of mystery.
- Read my review of Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl for another historical novel that brings New York City and the lives of ambitious women to the forefront.
- Browse more historical fiction for book reviews, reading recommendations, and author guides from across the genre.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fiona Davis Books
Do you need to read Fiona Davis books in order?
No. Fiona Davis primarily writes standalone historical fiction, so you can read her novels in any order. Reading them in publication order can be a fun way to follow her writing career, but you can also simply choose the setting or story that interests you most.
What is the best Fiona Davis book to start with?
The Stolen Queen is my personal recommendation for a first Fiona Davis novel. Its combination of Egyptology, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, mystery, and strong female characters made it a favorite of mine. Book lovers may prefer to begin with The Lions of Fifth Avenue, while readers who want to start at the beginning should choose The Dollhouse.
Are Fiona Davis’s books connected?
Most Fiona Davis novels are independent stories with different characters, time periods, and mysteries rather than an interconnected series. What connects many of them is Davis’s signature use of famous New York City landmarks as important parts of the story.
Are the buildings and landmarks in Fiona Davis’s books real?
Yes. Many of Fiona Davis’s novels are built around real New York City landmarks. Her settings have included the Barbizon Hotel, the Dakota, Grand Central Terminal, the Chelsea Hotel, the New York Public Library, the Frick Mansion, Radio City Music Hall, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She uses the real history of these places as inspiration while weaving fictional characters and mysteries around them.
Conclusion
Fiona Davis has carved out a distinctive place in historical fiction by turning some of New York City’s most fascinating landmarks into settings filled with mystery, secrets, and remarkable women. And because most of her novels are standalones, there’s no wrong place to begin.
Whether you start with The Dollhouse and read in publication order, choose a favorite New York landmark, or take my recommendation and begin with The Stolen Queen, there are plenty of fascinating stories waiting to be discovered.
