JocelynGreen.com Logo

RSS  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  | Contact

On Location with The Metropolitan Affair

Wed, 2023-06-14 11:35 -- Jocelyn Green

One of the great things about writing a novel set in 1925 Manhattan is that many of the settings are still around and can be visited today. If you’ve not been there personally, I hope this virtual tour of some of the sites will help you picture the scenes in The Metropolitan Affair.

Let’s start with the obvious: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is where the protagonist, Dr. Lauren Westlake, serves as an assistant curator of Egyptian art. It’s a gigantic structure on Central Park, as are all three institutions featured in this new series—hence the series name, On Central Park.

Speaking of Central Park, you’ve probably seen many movie and/or TV scenes set here already. It’s a lovely green oasis in the heart of a bustling metropolis. Lauren’s apartment building, The Beresford, is on the opposite side of the park from the museum, so she walks through it every day to get to work.


A scene from Central Park

On one corner of Central Park, The Plaza Hotel rises up like a massive French chateau. Afternoon tea at the Palm Court inside was a special indulgence then, just as it is now. This was one delicious research outing!

Below, I’m pictured with my faithful research and travel assistant and friend, Mindelynn Young Godbout. (Yes, the same Mindelynn the novel is dedicated to!)

Our hero, Joe Caravello, is a detective with the NYPD. He works out of the headquarters building at 240 Centre Street, which today houses posh apartments. What a gorgeous police building!

I couldn’t resist setting a few scenes inside the New York Public Library. If you are ever in the city, please make this one of your stops. The Rose Reading Room is featured in the novel, although back then it was just called the Main Reading Room. The murals on the ceiling are hard to appreciate in this photo, so plan to see it yourself when you can.


Main Reading Room of the NYPL

Another Manhattan landmark I used for a few scenes was Grand Central Terminal. This is Vanderbilt Hall inside it, with the ceiling painted to look like the night sky with constellations. In 1925, the paint wasn’t nearly so bright, though, since it was stained and dingy with cigarette smoke. Thank goodness for restoration!

Below you'll see historic photos of Grand Central's exterior, and then Vanderbilt Hall again, taken in 1919. Because the buildings that have been constructed around Grand Central since then, we won't see light streaming into Vanderbilt Hall quite like this again.

Of course, as with any novel I write, my goal is to pick you up and plop you right into the setting even if you’ve never been there, and don’t have access to photos. I hope you’ll come along with Lauren and Joe as they traipse around Manhattan and the North Shore of Long Island on their hunt for the forger! Even with all the dazzle of Prohibition-era New York City, you’ll find that the most dramatic landscape is the unseen terrain of their hearts.

Have you been to any of these locations? If not, which of these would you like to visit?

*Please note that I moderate comments in order to weed out spam. I'll approve your comment as soon as I can.

About the Author: 

Jocelyn Green

Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. As a speaker, Jocelyn inspires faith and courage in her audiences. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, strawberry-rhubarb pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.

Comments

Submitted by Reagan on
I have not been to any of these locations. They are all very beautiful but the one I would like to visit is The Plaza Hotel!

Submitted by Anne-Marie Webster on
I avoid New York City like the plague!! However, the scenes from Central Park look lovely and peaceful.

Submitted by Cindy Lear on
I stayed in Queens and took the subway to Broadway but didn’t venture further. Almost got lost as it was because I could retrace my steps since the line I took closed at 10.

Submitted by Susan Stitch on
I've been to Central Park and Grand Central Station! Got to ride in a horse drawn carriage through the park which was one highlight of our trip!

Submitted by Sonja on
Yes, to Central Park and also one not mentioned is the 911 memorial, which was very moving.

Submitted by Sonja on
Yes to Central Park and also one not mentioned which was the 911 Memorial and a very moving experience.

Submitted by Melinda on
I visited NYC years ago while in high school, but our tour didn't take us to any of the places you mentioned. I'd love to visit the library!

Submitted by Judi Imperato on
I have never seen any of these sights but I would love to see the New York Public Library.

Submitted by Tiffany Will on
We went on a family trip when I was 7 it 8 to NYC, but I really can't remember much from the trip besides visiting the Statue of Liberty and a hole-in-the-wall pizza shop where my parents actually let me drink a soda (must have been rare to be that memorable, lol). Given the opportunity, I'd love to visit The Plaza, but I'd adore just sitting and people watching in Grand Central. Oh to be able to experience the grandeur of Vanderbilt Hall back in the day...

Submitted by Heidi on
I haven't been to any of these locations but I love the picture of the light streaming into Vanderbilt Hall! So glad it was captured on camera before it disappeared. That's what happens when you have "progress"

Submitted by Ashley Hedin on
I've only been to NYC once. It was a quick couple of days and I would love to go back with more time to explore!

Submitted by Amalia Julien on
I have been to Grand Central Station and Central Park, but after reading From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, I would love the visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Submitted by Elizabeth Litton on
I've never been to any of these locations, but now I totally want to visit the New York Public Library!!

Submitted by Susan Heim on
I've never been to New York, but if I were to visit, I would definitely go to the New York Public Library. Considering that I'm a writer and I work in a library, this would be a real treat for me!

Submitted by Kim Rosso on
I’ve been to NYC a couple of times but have never visited any of these places. Can I just say that I’d love to see all of them!

Submitted by Kim P. on
I have not been to any of these places but I would love to see Grand Central Station and the New York Public library.

Submitted by SARAH TAYLOR on
I have never been to any of these yet! But would love to visit Central Park and the library!

Submitted by Melanie on
I've been to all the locations except the New York Public Library. That would be a great place to visit! We are taking the Amtrak up in October; maybe we can add that to the itinerary.

Submitted by Anonymous on
I have been to Central Park and loved browsing all the street vendors booths that were set up. Two things I would love to see are The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Public Library.

Submitted by Lelia “Lucy” Re... on
I have not visited any of these sites. Thank you for sharing. Blessings

Submitted by Shelley Beachy on
I've never been to New York, but I would love to visit the library and Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Submitted by apple blossom on
Have a NYC trip planned in Aug. looking forward to it. Hopefully, I'll see some of these sites.

Submitted by Laura C on
I visited NY several years ago but didn’t visit any of the places you featured, at least not that I can remember. I would love to visit the library and Central Park.

Submitted by Elizabeth on
Ahh I haven't been to NY yet but I so want to now! I would love to visit the library. It looks so beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing!

Submitted by David Bibb on
I was at the New York Public Library when the World's Fair was going on. We made a special trip because I was so interested. I guess my growing up to be a librarian was indicated early on.

Submitted by Karen Hoyt on
I lived in NJ as a child and my grandparents lived in NYC. So, I have been to many of these places. I saw all the tourist sights but I would love to go to the public library. I am a "refusing-to-recover" bookophile!

Submitted by Brenda Murphree on
I’ve never been to any of the places. I would love to go in the library and just look around for hours. I would love to see all the places.

Submitted by Shellee H. on
I have never been to NYC, but I would like to visit Central Park, the Plaza Hotel, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Submitted by Sarah Evankovich on
I've been to New York City once while in New Jersey for a business trip. It was after 911 & we went to the top of the Empire State Building, took a boat ride around the Statue of Liberty, saw the beginnings of the 911 memorial & rode the double tourist bus around the City. Sadly, we didn't make it to Central Park, though I would love to see it. I would also love to go into the New York City library & go to the Metropolitan Art Museum. Maybe some day I'll get to go back. The pictures look amazing & it looks like you had a wonderful trip.

Submitted by Stephanie H. on
I have visited many cities in the state of New York, but I've never visited New York City. It's on my bucket list with a trip to their Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ellis Island, and their Public Library.

Add new comment

This will not be displayed to the public or used for marketing - just for claiming giveaways.