Picture a Canadian-born storyteller who swapped Broadway’s spotlight for the page, weaving historical mysteries around New York City’s grandest landmarks—meet Fiona Davis! With her knack for blending dual timelines and richly detailed settings, Davis has become a shining star in historical fiction, inviting readers into the hidden stories of iconic buildings and the women who shaped them.
From her debut novel to her latest bestseller, Davis’s tales are as captivating as the city she calls home. Let’s step into her world, where history and mystery collide in the most delightful way.
The Making of Fiona Davis
Born in Canada in 1966, Fiona Davis’s early years were a cross-country adventure, with stints in New Jersey, Utah, and Texas. A graduate of the College of William and Mary, she initially chased the stage, moving to New York City to act on Broadway and beyond. But after a decade, the solitary research she loved as an actress sparked a new passion. Davis enrolled at Columbia Journalism School, earning a master’s degree and diving into writing, first as a journalist covering health, fitness, and theater, then as a novelist who’d make history come alive.
Fiona Davis’s Unforgettable Stories
Davis’s novels are love letters to New York City’s architectural gems, each book wrapping a historical mystery around an iconic building. Her debut, The Dollhouse (2016), dives into the Barbizon Hotel’s past, intertwining the lives of a 1950s resident and a modern journalist uncovering secrets. The Address (2017) explores the Dakota’s Gilded Age scandals through dual narratives of women a century apart. The Lions of Fifth Avenue (2020), a Good Morning America Book Club pick, brings the New York Public Library to life with a tale of book thefts and family legacies. Her latest, The Stolen Queen (2025), ventures beyond NYC to Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, blending archaeology and 1970s glamour.
What sets Davis apart is her meticulous research and dual-timeline storytelling. She breathes life into settings, making buildings like Grand Central Terminal or Radio City Music Hall characters in their own right. Her female protagonists—often bold, complex women navigating societal constraints—resonate with readers, while her mysteries keep them turning pages. Translated into over 20 languages, her books are as global as they are grounded in New York’s heartbeat.
Why Fiona Davis Matters
Fiona Davis has redefined historical fiction by spotlighting New York’s architectural history and the women who shaped it. Her novels don’t just entertain—they educate, sparking curiosity about the city’s past and its landmarks. Her advocacy for Parkinson’s awareness, inspired by her own diagnosis, adds depth to her impact, as she weaves characters with the disease into her stories to foster dialogue. Davis’s work bridges past and present, reminding us that every building, and every person, has a story worth telling.
- Born: 1966, Canada
- Key Works: The Dollhouse, The Address, The Lions of Fifth Avenue, The Stolen Queen
- Notable: Good Morning America Book Club pick for The Lions of Fifth Avenue
Ready to explore New York’s secrets through Fiona Davis’s eyes? Snag The Lions of Fifth Avenue and dive into her spellbinding world of history, mystery, and unforgettable women!