The Address

A Novel

By: Fiona Davis

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld, Brittany Pressley

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue comes the compelling national best-selling novel about the thin lines between love and loss, success and ruin, passion, and madness, all hidden behind the walls of The Dakota - New York City’s most famous residence.

When a chance encounter with Theodore Camden, one of the architects of the grand New York apartment house the Dakota, leads to a job offer for Sara Smythe, her world is suddenly awash in possibility - no mean feat for a servant in 1884. The opportunity to move to America. The opportunity to be the female manager of the Dakota. And the opportunity to see more of Theo, who understands Sara like no one else...and is living in the Dakota with his wife and three young children.

One hundred years later, Bailey Camden is desperate for new opportunities: Fresh out of rehab, the former interior designer is homeless, jobless, and penniless. Bailey's grandfather was the ward of famed architect Theodore Camden, yet Bailey won't see a dime of the Camden family's substantial estate; instead, her “cousin” Melinda - Camden's biological great-granddaughter - will inherit almost everything. So when Melinda offers to let Bailey oversee the renovation of her lavish Dakota apartment, Bailey jumps at the chance, despite her dislike of Melinda's vision. The renovation will take away all the character of the apartment Theodore Camden himself lived in...and died in, after suffering multiple stab wounds by a former Dakota employee who had previously spent seven months in an insane asylum - a madwoman named Sara Smythe.

A century apart, Sara and Bailey are both tempted by and struggle against the golden excess of their respective ages - for Sara, the opulence of a world ruled by the Astors and Vanderbilts; for Bailey, the nightlife's free-flowing drinks and cocaine - and take refuge in the Upper West Side's gilded fortress. But a building with a history as rich, and often as tragic, as the Dakota's can't hold its secrets forever, and what Bailey discovers inside could turn everything she thought she knew about Theodore Camden - and the woman who killed him - on its head.

©2017 Fiona Davis (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A delicious tale of love, lies and madness.” (People Magazine)

“The Address is compelling, historically minded fiction with unexpected - and entertaining - twists and turns...the novel delights...” (Ms. Magazine)

“Lively and detail rich - set against the backdrop of NYC’s infamous Dakota building - with a thread of mystery that makes it easy to enjoy, hard to put down.” (Family Circle)

Not your Count of Monte Cristo story

This book is really well written and has 2 main characters and two different time periods- and of course parallels. I did not read the book in one sitting, but loved to get back to it whenever I could. There are no twists, but there is a happy ending in the story. Character development is steady and nothing surprising jumps at you. It's a even story with like-able and despicable characters, and it's worth a listen, albeit, better to get it on sale. Narration was great and matched the characters. I would not read it again as I know the ending, but would recommend the book as a beach read or commuter book. If you liked my review, please vote for it.

Great History!

Really enjoyed this story I learned a lot about the history of this magnificent building that still stands today in NYC. The fictional twist was a great entertaining story. Well with listening to!

The N.Y. "Dakota" hotel in all its splendor

Good performances, with a very fine mystery about a murder and the great characters involved. I was kind of sad that it ended so abruptly.

Good book with multiple twists.

I was sceptical when I started the book, as to whether it would capture my attention. It did. Just when I thought the book was going to be too predictable, it gave a twist. Then, it twisted again. It kept my attention to the end.

A great read!

Well written and delivered. Enjoying listening to the very end. Easy read and excellent purchase.

Interesting two stories combined into one

Both stories in the book were equally interesting. I know sometimes books can get complicated with more then one story but this was not the case here. I looked forward to each story and they each told you a bit about the big picture. I did find the main woman in both stories a little nieve at times but their overall character was very good as were all the people in the story. I think anyone who enjoys historical fiction will enjoy this book. Both readers did an amazing job!

A worth while venture into another era.

Actually 2 Eras are embraced, 1880s & 1980s each with excesses of their own.
Clever weaving of historical facts while embellishing. Very enjoyable story line.

Great Book to read.

The book kept me listening to find out what happened. Loved the history..and details of the historical building.

Good, bumpy middle

This was a great listen. I’ll admit it felt really bumpy for me in the middle and I needed to take a few weeks off and decide if I wanted to finish or not. If you feel that bumpiness like I did, stick with it. The entire storyline is well thought out and it unfolds so nicely with a nice wrap up at the end. Excellent performances as well.

Loved it...

I really loved The Address! A great combination of both fact and fiction, revolving around The Dakota Apartment building in New York City.