Review of The Spectacular by Fiona Davis – Rockettes, Mystery, and 1950s New York

The Spectacular is a captivating historical fiction story set in 1950s New York, following a young Rockette who defies expectations and joins the hunt for a city-wide bomber using groundbreaking psychological profiling.

Summary:

In 1956 New York City, nineteen-year-old Marion achieves her dream of becoming a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall, a dazzling yet demanding life of precision dancing in the iconic theatre. However, her world is shaken when a bomb explodes in the theatre, part of a string of attacks by the elusive “Big Apple Bomber,” who has terrorized the city for years. With public pressure mounting and police stumped, Marion urges the use of psychological profiling to track the perpetrator. As she becomes deeply involved in the investigation, Marion realises she must risk everything—including her career and loved ones—to help stop the bomber, even if it means stepping out of the shadows and taking a bold stand.

My Thoughts:

Fiona Davis has a knack for breathing life into iconic New York landmarks, and in The Spectacular, she turns her focus to the dazzling world of the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. Set primarily in 1956 with reflections from the 1990s, this novel weaves together historical fiction, mystery, and personal transformation with a confident hand.

Nineteen-year-old Marion is at a crossroads. Having just lost her job as a dance teacher, she takes a bold leap and auditions for the Rockettes—much to her traditional father’s disapproval. His belief that dancing is nothing more than a fleeting hobby leads to a heartbreaking rift, leaving Marion without a home but not without hope. With help from a fellow Rockette, she begins to carve out her own path, fuelled by passion and determination.

At the heart of the novel is the real-life case of the “Big Apple Bomber,” a domestic terrorist who plagued New York City for over a decade. When a bomb explodes at Radio City Music Hall, Marion suffers a devastating loss and becomes determined to help bring the bomber to justice. She teams up with Peter, a doctor working with the mentally ill, and together they begin using the then-radical technique of psychological profiling—something that proves as fascinating to read about as it is crucial to the plot.

I was completely absorbed by this story. Davis expertly balances the glitz and glamour of life as a Rockette with the grim realities of the ongoing bombings, creating a rich and layered narrative. The exploration of gender roles in the 1950s felt authentic, and Marion’s decision to reject societal expectations in pursuit of both her career and justice was incredibly satisfying. She’s a strong, admirable character who isn’t afraid to stand out, even when doing so comes at a cost.

There’s a lot going on in this book—family tension, romance, criminal investigation, and a touching thread involving Parkinson’s Disease—but the pacing is pitch-perfect. I was particularly moved to learn in the author’s note that Davis herself was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020, adding an extra layer of poignancy to the story.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook version of The Spectacular, beautifully narrated by Rachel L. Jacobs and Kimberly Farr. Having two narrators to represent the dual timelines was a thoughtful choice, and both performances were easy to listen to and enhanced my experience with the story.

Final Thoughts:

The Spectacular truly lives up to its name—an engaging, well-researched, and emotionally resonant read that I’d happily recommend to fans of historical fiction, strong female characters, and stories rooted in real events.

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