--- product_id: 134477969 title: "The Masterpiece: A Novel" price: "€ 20.94" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.at/products/134477969-the-masterpiece-a-novel store_origin: AT region: Austria --- # The Masterpiece: A Novel **Price:** € 20.94 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Masterpiece: A Novel - **How much does it cost?** € 20.94 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.at](https://www.desertcart.at/products/134477969-the-masterpiece-a-novel) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description In this captivating novel, New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis takes readers into the glamorous lost art school within Grand Central Terminal, where two very different women, fifty years apart, strive to make their mark on a world set against them. For most New Yorkers, Grand Central Terminal is a crown jewel, a masterpiece of design. But for Clara Darden and Virginia Clay, it represents something quite different. For Clara, the terminal is the stepping stone to her future. It is 1928, and Clara is teaching at the lauded Grand Central School of Art. Though not even the prestige of the school can override the public's disdain for a "woman artist," fiery Clara is single-minded in her quest to achieve every creative success—even while juggling the affections of two very different men. But she and her bohemian friends have no idea that they'll soon be blindsided by the looming Great Depression...and that even poverty and hunger will do little to prepare Clara for the greater tragedy yet to come. By 1974, the terminal has declined almost as sharply as Virginia Clay's life. Dilapidated and dangerous, Grand Central is at the center of a fierce lawsuit: Is the once-grand building a landmark to be preserved, or a cancer to be demolished? For Virginia, it is simply her last resort. Recently divorced, she has just accepted a job in the information booth in order to support herself and her college-age daughter, Ruby. But when Virginia stumbles upon an abandoned art school within the terminal and discovers a striking watercolor, her eyes are opened to the elegance beneath the decay. She embarks on a quest to find the artist of the unsigned masterpiece—an impassioned chase that draws Virginia not only into the battle to save Grand Central but deep into the mystery of Clara Darden, the famed 1920s illustrator who disappeared from history in 1931. Review: Magnifico! - Fiona Davis’ new novel “The Masterpiece” is as brilliant as a shining star, a magnificent historical tale that takes the reader back in time to both the 1920s and the 1970s. Fiona’s talent wondrously builds the lives of two courageous strong women by weaving the past into the present, alternating back and forth in such a seamless manner that you believe you are in one world, not two. Near the end of the Roaring Twenties, young Clara Darden runs from family disgrace back in Arizona and lands underneath the bright city lights of New York City. Back home she taught art in a local school but found her life empty and without purpose. Hoping to turn her life around, she lands a job working as a teacher of illustration in the train terminal’s Grand Central School of Art. Meeting many interesting people, fellow teachers and talented young students, she begins to outshine them and everyone involved has a thing or two to learn. Surrounded by Bohemian artists and men to fall in love with, Clara’s life soon rockets to success as she becomes a famous magazine illustrator. But all does not end well for Clara. Broken hearts, scandals, and the coming economic depression, twist her life into a tailspin of doubt leaving her future dim and uncertain. Fast forward to 1974 and we meet Virginia Clay. Coming hard off the heels of a bitter divorce, and a tragic secret she guards with her life, she is a single mom trying to keep a roof over her head by accepting a job in Grand Central Station’s information booth. Prowling the station’s empty hallways and dusty abandoned rooms on her time off, she one day finds a beautiful watercolor illustration behind a cabinet in the old art school and decides to keep it. Settling into her new life, Virginia and her daughter Ruby find great interest in the history of the train station and both begin to photograph and research the fascinating history and sad future of its architectural glory. Just as things are looking up for Virginia, threatening notes arrive in her mailbox demanding she return the painting adding danger and intrigue to her world. Fiona magically brings Grand Central Station to life for fans of historical fiction. She blends each woman’s lives masterfully as both stories soon captivate the reader with art history, romance, intrigue, scandal, and drama. This author does all with finesse. The characters in both eras are lifelike and I felt both eras of New York were told in an evocative and atmospheric way. From the shining brass and art décor of the times to the flapper style high fashion of the day, as I read this literary jewel I felt I was standing in Grand Central station on the sidelines watching the story unfold and could clearly hear the whistle of the trains pulling in. As brass ages with a coating of patina, and as mirrors fog over in time, both can slowly glimmer and shine again with a little effort and hard work to rub off the grime revealing beauty beneath. This is what Fiona does with The Masterpiece. She creates the lives of two ladies that at first glimpse are a bit worn and faded. But with time, determination, tears, and creative talents, Virginia and Clara beam with radiance! Five stars once again for another bestseller for Fiona. Standing ovation please! Review: Three Stars Plus - I have mixed feelings about this book. Here’s what I liked: the history of Grand Central Station from its heyday through its revival. The views inside the different styles of art instruction including illustration and abstract impressionism. Here’s what I did not like: Most of the characters. Clara Darden abruptly behaves in a way that was not consistent with how her character had been created. Virginia is not likable. She does gain some sympathy but again, she is not a consistent character. The writing is wooden, and the pacing can be sluggish. The story is light, occasionally diverting, but overall forgettable. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #59,444 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #2,135 in Literary Fiction (Books) #2,652 in Historical Fiction (Books) #3,551 in American Literature (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 6,115 Reviews | ## Images ![The Masterpiece: A Novel - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81pzqWjeIIL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Magnifico! *by J***I on August 20, 2018* Fiona Davis’ new novel “The Masterpiece” is as brilliant as a shining star, a magnificent historical tale that takes the reader back in time to both the 1920s and the 1970s. Fiona’s talent wondrously builds the lives of two courageous strong women by weaving the past into the present, alternating back and forth in such a seamless manner that you believe you are in one world, not two. Near the end of the Roaring Twenties, young Clara Darden runs from family disgrace back in Arizona and lands underneath the bright city lights of New York City. Back home she taught art in a local school but found her life empty and without purpose. Hoping to turn her life around, she lands a job working as a teacher of illustration in the train terminal’s Grand Central School of Art. Meeting many interesting people, fellow teachers and talented young students, she begins to outshine them and everyone involved has a thing or two to learn. Surrounded by Bohemian artists and men to fall in love with, Clara’s life soon rockets to success as she becomes a famous magazine illustrator. But all does not end well for Clara. Broken hearts, scandals, and the coming economic depression, twist her life into a tailspin of doubt leaving her future dim and uncertain. Fast forward to 1974 and we meet Virginia Clay. Coming hard off the heels of a bitter divorce, and a tragic secret she guards with her life, she is a single mom trying to keep a roof over her head by accepting a job in Grand Central Station’s information booth. Prowling the station’s empty hallways and dusty abandoned rooms on her time off, she one day finds a beautiful watercolor illustration behind a cabinet in the old art school and decides to keep it. Settling into her new life, Virginia and her daughter Ruby find great interest in the history of the train station and both begin to photograph and research the fascinating history and sad future of its architectural glory. Just as things are looking up for Virginia, threatening notes arrive in her mailbox demanding she return the painting adding danger and intrigue to her world. Fiona magically brings Grand Central Station to life for fans of historical fiction. She blends each woman’s lives masterfully as both stories soon captivate the reader with art history, romance, intrigue, scandal, and drama. This author does all with finesse. The characters in both eras are lifelike and I felt both eras of New York were told in an evocative and atmospheric way. From the shining brass and art décor of the times to the flapper style high fashion of the day, as I read this literary jewel I felt I was standing in Grand Central station on the sidelines watching the story unfold and could clearly hear the whistle of the trains pulling in. As brass ages with a coating of patina, and as mirrors fog over in time, both can slowly glimmer and shine again with a little effort and hard work to rub off the grime revealing beauty beneath. This is what Fiona does with The Masterpiece. She creates the lives of two ladies that at first glimpse are a bit worn and faded. But with time, determination, tears, and creative talents, Virginia and Clara beam with radiance! Five stars once again for another bestseller for Fiona. Standing ovation please! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Three Stars Plus *by C***R on December 1, 2022* I have mixed feelings about this book. Here’s what I liked: the history of Grand Central Station from its heyday through its revival. The views inside the different styles of art instruction including illustration and abstract impressionism. Here’s what I did not like: Most of the characters. Clara Darden abruptly behaves in a way that was not consistent with how her character had been created. Virginia is not likable. She does gain some sympathy but again, she is not a consistent character. The writing is wooden, and the pacing can be sluggish. The story is light, occasionally diverting, but overall forgettable. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ an unexpected good read- more than I thought it would be. *by M***7 on May 18, 2026* From start to finish , this fabulous story kept me awake! It was a beautiful glimpse into history from several points of view and time. An underlying observation, accurately describing how much more women had to struggle to be recognized in thier work and everyday life,was not the point but an awareness. The artwork described, Grand Central Station in its’ glory, was so well written, I could see it. Characters developed beautifully and finished well. I really enjoyed this novel. I will look for more Fiona Davis Novels. ## Frequently Bought Together - The Masterpiece: A Novel - The Lions of Fifth Avenue: A GMA Book Club Pick: A Novel - The Address: A Novel --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.at/products/134477969-the-masterpiece-a-novel](https://www.desertcart.at/products/134477969-the-masterpiece-a-novel) --- *Product available on Desertcart Austria* *Store origin: AT* *Last updated: 2026-08-25*