EPISODE · Apr 6, 2025 · 1H 24M
"The Spectacular" by Fiona Davis w/ Dahlia Hamza Constantine
from Escape into Period Pieces · host Stephanie Reese
Welcome back to another Virtual Book Club episode! This time Stephanie and returning guest, Dahlia Hamza Constantine, are discussing "The Spectacular" by Fiona Davis."The Spectacular" is set primarily in 1956 New York City with some flashforwards to 1992. Main character, 19 year-old Marion Brooks is a dance teacher in Manhattan and when she loses her job, she tried out to be a Radio City Rockette much to the dismay of her father, sister, and boyfriend. There is also a mystery (crime thriller) element involving "The Big Apple Bomber" who has been terrorizing the citizens for 16 years. Beware of spoilers in this episode, so be sure to read the book before if you don't want to be spoiled! References:The Spectacular by Fiona DavisLovely War by Julie BerryGrantchesterThe Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia GrayMiss ScarletMiss Fisher's Murder MysteriesAgatha RaisinThe Stolen Queen by Fiona DavisMad MenD.E. Stevenson: Miss Buncle's Book (1934) & The Two Abbotts (1943)British Library Women WritersTea Is So Intoxicating by Mary EssexChatterton Square by E.H. YoungFather by Elizabeth Von ArniumWe Are Not Free by Traci CheeThe Kingdom of Back by Marie LuA Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn The Davenports by Krystal MarquisIn Want of a Suspect by Tirzah PriceSugar Street-The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib MahfouzCJ Archer's Glass and Steele AND The Glass Library book seriesMaisie Dobbs by Jacqueline WinspearBeryl and Edwina Mystery Series by Jessica Ellicott Jane Austen's Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector's Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend by Rebecca RomneyLegends and Lattes by Travis BaldreeSunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thank you for listening and to those who wrote in with your thoughts! To contribute in the future:Instagram: @escape.into.period.piecesEmail: [email protected] ^^Submit your thoughts on season 5 of All Creatures Great & Small AND Miss Scarlet and possibly be featured in a future episode! Support your local library and PBS Station!!Would you like merch? Check out Spreadshirt.com and search Escape Into Period PiecesThanks for being along for the ride :)
What this episode covers
Welcome back to another Virtual Book Club episode! This time Stephanie and returning guest, Dahlia Hamza Constantine, are discussing "The Spectacular" by Fiona Davis."The Spectacular" is set primarily in 1956 New York City with some flashforwards to 1992. Main character, 19 year-old Marion Brooks is a dance teacher in Manhattan and when she loses her job, she tried out to be a Radio City Rockette much to the dismay of her father, sister, and boyfriend. There is also a mystery (crime thriller) element involving "The Big Apple Bomber" who has been terrorizing the citizens for 16 years. Beware of spoilers in this episode, so be sure to read the book before if you don't want to be spoiled! References:The Spectacular by Fiona DavisLovely War by Julie BerryGrantchesterThe Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia GrayMiss ScarletMiss Fisher's Murder MysteriesAgatha RaisinThe Stolen Queen by Fiona DavisMad MenD.E. Stevenson: Miss Buncle's Book (1934) & The Two Abbotts (1943)British Library Women WritersTea Is So Intoxicating by Mary EssexChatterton Square by E.H. YoungFather by Elizabeth Von ArniumWe Are Not Free by Traci CheeThe Kingdom of Back by Marie LuA Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn The Davenports by Krystal MarquisIn Want of a Suspect by Tirzah PriceSugar Street-The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib MahfouzCJ Archer's Glass and Steele AND The Glass Library book seriesMaisie Dobbs by Jacqueline WinspearBeryl and Edwina Mystery Series by Jessica Ellicott Jane Austen's Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector's Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend by Rebecca RomneyLegends and Lattes by Travis BaldreeSunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thank you for listening and to those who wrote in with your thoughts! To contribute in the future:Instagram: @escape.into.period.piecesEmail: [email protected] ^^Submit your thoughts on season 5 of All Creatures Great & Small AND Miss Scarlet and possibly be featured in a future episode! Support your local library and PBS Station!!Would you like merch? Check out Spreadshirt.com and search Escape Into Period PiecesThanks for being along for the ride :)
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"The Spectacular" by Fiona Davis w/ Dahlia Hamza Constantine
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