The Situation: Marjorie Lennox has embarrassed her father once again. But given the state of the family, all of the gossip, and various open secrets, her latest adventure is not that big of a deal. As an aspiring clothes designer, Marjorie sees an opportunity to pursue the passion her father has never approved of when she spots a brochure for an artists' residency. With the help of two of her siblings, they all pretend that she is simply staying at the family cottage in another town, when in reality she is given her own small apartment in close proximity to other creative women, all funded by a wealthy and handsome man that Marjorie has longed to get to know for quite some time.
The Problem: Overall, the residency is a dream. A new sewing machine and dressing mannequin available on request. Pretty much any fabric Marjorie could want is brought to her. And the freedom to spend the days creating. Sure, some of the rules and restrictions are a bit much. And there is most certainly a strange air of mystery over the entire thing. Bernice the furniture maker insists the building is haunted. The playwright stays in her apartment never to be seen. And Ivy the artist has an obsession with all things Christmas. The more Marjorie attempts to find answers, the more she begins to question the situation, the benefactor, and even her own family.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in and around Detroit and Grosse Point, Michigan. The Lennox family is an automotive dynasty with a whole host of issues and secrets and scandals. For the most part, the story focuses on Marjorie and her time at the residency, but the third person narrator also often follows her older brother Graham as the situation develops with the family and their windshield business. Set in the 1920s, there is much discussion of the dangers of Detroit as the various automobile giants compete, and gang violence continues to rise. Marjorie's pursuit of the arts is frowned upon, mostly by her father, making the secrecy surrounding the art residency necessary. But other issues regarding women's rights are also brought up.
My Verdict: Narratively and structurally speaking, this book is a little bit of a mess, which is upsetting because the premise is so promising. A young creative woman gets the opportunity to take part in an exclusive art program against the wishes of her father, only for the program to not quite be what it seems. On paper, that interests me greatly. For me, the issues begin with Marjorie's fasciation with the program's benefactor. Something about it feels forced and fake. And Marjorie's family - with their over-the-top schemes and almost cartoonish personalities - is difficult to take seriously. All of the action feels like it is leading to a big, explosive conclusion, but what the readers get is a quiet reveal that does not solve much, or feel at all satisfying.
Favorite Moment: I liked seeing Marjorie create her dresses, including the ones she made for others.
Favorite Character: Marjorie's brother Graham is more than a little silly, but I appreciate his commitment to a cause, and he seems to genuinely care for his sister.
Recommended Reading: I certainly prefer Sepetys's YA books, such as 2022's I Must Betray You.
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