Once again, Fiona Davis proves herself as Queen of the dual-POV historical fiction novel. Told in 1978 New York City and 1936 Egypt, Davis explores the intriguing mysteries of Egyptology, the fashionable whirlwind of planning the Met Gala, being a female archaeologist, and more, all through the exciting mystery of a stolen artifact. I love that Davis always includes incredibly badass feminist main characters and that she chooses to write stories about untold parts of history rather than rewriting a tale that’s been done a million times before. This book is great for historical fiction readers, mystery lovers, and Egypt enthusiasts!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this title. This was a little outside my usual genre, but I really liked the story. It was fast-moving, and the weaving of timelines was done well. As a person with a nostalgic love of the Met and a childhood fascination with Egypt, this one was easy to get into. It felt well-researched, and was a great read overall.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis!

The story is written from two aspects. One from anthropology student Charlotte Cross in 1936 Egypt. At the site, anthropologists begin to discover and dig up priceless artifacts. Charlotte marries one of the anthropologists and becomes a mother. She’s torn between motherhood, her job, and returning home to NYC. Her husband continues to work on dig sites until one day he arrives home and says they must immediately pack up to return to America. There is confusion, they go and there is tragedy. The other aspect is from 1978 NYC. 18 year old Annie is offered an opportunity by former Vogue editor Diana Vreeland, to work at the Met to help with preparing for the upcoming Met Gala. Charlotte is now a curator of Egyptian art at the Met. Although Charlotte wants nothing to do with the Gala, she is approached by the Gala organizers because they want to integrate some of the Egyptian artifacts with the Gala costumes. Charlotte protests but reluctantly backs down and the artifacts are used for the Gala. Charlotte’s fears come to light and one of the artifacts is stolen that night. Charlotte and Annie come together to help find the stolen artifact. This is an enjoyable read, especially for fans of historical fiction and specifically Fiona Davis. Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Dutton and Fiona Davis for sharing this marvelous work. #stolenqueen #NetGalley #penguingroup #fionadavis

Everything I love about Fiona Davis! Engrossing history wrapped up in interpersonal drama and intrigue told in a dual timeline. I don’t know much about Egyptian history so this piqued my interest and the authors note at the end is not to be missed for more info on the real life figures who inspired the story. There was also a costume institute Met Gala thread to the story starring legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland (and a blink and you’ll miss it reference to equally legendary Andre Leon Talley.) I’m enjoying looking up the Met costume institute exhibits mentioned.

I love all things Egypt, so this book had my attention as soon as I read the summary and it did not disappoint. It felt very immersive, the historical setting beautifully drawn out and the characters engaging. Recommended to all fans of historical fiction!

Fiona Davis is a master at creating stories around legendary buildings found in the city of New York. This time we are taken within the maze of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and into the depths of its ancient Egyptian exhibition and the glamorous Met Ball.

When a familiar artifact is mysteriously and anonymously donated to the met, Charlotte is stunned to see it. Having discovered it on a dig, years earlier, she thought it had been lost to the depths of the Nile. So she begins trying to find out just where this necklace had come from and maybe it will help her to come to some sort of closure of a life she once knew that was lost to her.

Then during the Met Gala, the necklace is suddenly stolen and charlotte sets out to find it, also uncovering a plot to steal Egyptian art from museums and returning it to Egypt. It also helps her rediscover herself and where she’s meant to be.

I think this is my favorite Fiona Davis novel yet! I love ancient history so to combine that with a mystery makes for a unputdownable read! Thanks so much to Fiona Davis & NetGalley for allowing me to read this piece of art! I loved it!!

Ever wished you could step back in time and explore ancient Egypt and the dazzling world of 1970s New York City? Fiona Davis's The Stolen Queen offers just that – a captivating journey that will sweep you off your feet, even if you've never heard of the author before.

Davis, known for her engaging historical fiction set in New York, takes a detour in The Stolen Queen to weave a tale that spans decades and continents. Imagine yourself transported to an archeological dig in Egypt, the hot desert air swirling around you, and then, in a blink, you're amidst the glitz and glamour of the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala in 1978. This book is truly transportive!

The story centers around two compelling women: Charlotte Cross, an Egyptologist obsessed with the misunderstood female pharaoh Hathorkare, and Annie, a budding fashion designer working for the legendary Diana Vreeland. Their paths collide when a priceless Egyptian artifact vanishes during the Met Gala, plunging them into a thrilling adventure that takes them from the museum's opulent halls to the mysteries of Egypt.

What makes this book so enjoyable? It's a delicious blend of mystery, excitement, rich historical detail, and even a touch of an ancient curse – think Indiana Jones meets high fashion! Davis skillfully alternates between Charlotte and Annie's perspectives, revealing their backstories and motivations, making them feel like real, relatable characters. You'll find yourself invested in their individual journeys as much as in the overarching mystery.

Beyond the thrills and spills, The Stolen Queen explores thought-provoking themes like the repatriation of artifacts, the challenges faced by women in their respective fields, the world of art and fashion, and the complexities of human relationships. It's a book that entertains and makes you think. Whether you're a history buff, a fashion enthusiast, or simply someone who loves a good story, The Stolen Queen is sure to captivate you.

Many thanks to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for sharing this ARC from Fiona Davis. She truly is a treasure and an author I always reach for.

In 1936, student Charlotte Cross is offered a coveted spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, and she leaps at the opportunity until an unbearable tragedy strikes. In New York City in 1978, nineteen-year-old Annie Jenkins is thrilled when she lands an opportunity to work for former Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who’s in the midst of organizing the famous Met Gala, hosted at the museum and known across the city as the “party of the year.” Charoltte now leads a quiet life as the assocsiate curator of the Dept. of Egyptian art. On the night of the gala, one of the Egyptian art collection’s most valuable artifacts goes missing and. Annie and Charlotte team up to search for the missing antiquity, and a hunch leads the unlikely duo to one place Charlotte swore she’d never return: Egypt. But if they have any hope of finding the artifact,

Fiona Davis has a knack for taking times in history and writing a story around it interweaving time lines and well written characters and areas of the world. I have read several of her other books and they are equally as good. If you like to read about archaeology and events, you will thoroughly enjoy this book as I did. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for offering this book and accepting my request.

Fiona Davis has done it again with a historical fiction novel that keeps you guessing until the end. This story takes place in dual timelines (1930s Egypt and 1970s New York). It centers around the Met Gala and the discovery, loss and rediscovery of an ancient artifact. We are taken on a wild ride through history rapt with unsolved mystery and intrigue. I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.

When Charlotte Cross was a young woman living in 1930s New York City, earning a spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt seemed like a dream come true. Their expedition leader, Grayson Zimmerman, is a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art who takes a fatherly interest in the only young woman on his crew. Charlotte desperately wants to impress him, but is stymied at every turn by the exasperating British archeology doctorate candidate Leon Pitcairn.

Fortunately, Charlotte finds an ally – and more – in another Englishman. Henry Smith is her first love, but tragedy strikes as their group evacuates Egypt, rendering Charlotte incapable, even decades later, of telling anyone the full extent of what she went through.

Fast forward forty years and Charlotte is assistant curator at the Met, polishing her boss’ proposals and letting him take all the accolades for her hard work. But she doesn’t mind, in large part due to the project she’s been secretly researching for the past three years. When she’d been working in Egypt under Zimmerman, she’d uncovered the tomb of Hathorkare, a female pharaoh widely dismissed as an usurper. Charlotte has other ideas, and now has the painstakingly collected documentation to prove it… until the folder containing all of her research is stolen from her office at the Met:

QUOTE
The loss was more than academic; it tore at her heart, and now she was off-balance. The article was supposed to have been the pinnacle of her life’s work in the field of Egyptology, but that wasn’t the only reason she had spent countless hours on the project. She’d wanted to give Hathorkare the acclaim she deserved, show the world what a woman could do when she was given a chance. How thousands of years ago a female had led an enormous, complicated country through an era of artistic creativity and economic prosperity, ordering ambitious building projects–including a sprawling memorial temple and a pair of ninety-seven-foot obelisks–and enriching its citizens with gold, incense, and ebony by expanding Egypt’s trade network.
END QUOTE

Meanwhile, a new employee at the Met is having troubles of her own. Plain, sturdy Annie Jenkins has led a curiously Cinderella-like existence, taking care of her emotionally fragile mother Joyce while working two jobs to support them, even as she struggles to graduate from high school. Annie daydreams of working in fashion, an ambition more or less encouraged by her aging fashion model mother.

Then Annie stumbles into a position as assistant to no less than Diana Vreeland, who is heading the Met’s Costume Institute. It seems like a dream come true. But Joyce is wary of the opportunity, and tries to get Annie to stick with waitressing and house-cleaning. She and an incredulous Annie exchange harsh words, before Joyce seemingly capitulates:

QUOTE
Joyce wiped her eyes. “You’ve got so much going on. You’re just starting out, and I’m on my way to the loony bin for aged models. I hate my life.”

While Annie knew that this was her mother’s way of manipulating her, she also knew there was a real chance that her mother might do something tragic if pushed. “I’m sorry,” said Annie. “I didn’t mean to upset you. Hey, maybe I can get you a ticket to the Met Gala this year? Would you like that? You can dress up and have a night on the town, on me. What do you think?”

“Really?” There was a hint of hope in her voice. “The Met Gala? There are so many fancy people who go to that. Well-off people. What would I wear?”

“I’ll remake one of your old dresses.”

“Oh, darling.” A tentative smile broke out on Joyce’s lips. “What would I do without you?”
END QUOTE

Annie has a habit of becoming indispensable, but when a heist occurs at the Met – including the theft of Charlotte’s work – the eyes that turn to her are filled with suspicion instead of need. Charlotte is perhaps the only one who believes that Annie had nothing to do with the theft. As the two women embark on a desperate journey to recover the stolen items, will they be able to uncover the truth, even if it means that Charlotte will have to confront a past that still hurts too much to talk about?

This globe-trotting, decades-spanning saga is a wonderful read at once escapist and feminist, as our heroines chafe against the restrictions meant to keep them biddable, much as Hathorkare – modelled on the real-life female pharaoh Hatshepsut – once fought against the restraints to her rulership. Their personal dramas also ground the proceedings in reality. Not all of us have been able to travel the world in search of stolen goods, but almost all of us know the frustration of short-sighted parenting and the flush of first love. The discussion as to repatriation is also a necessary one, even though Charlotte’s views are fairly mainstream for the 1970s.

I really enjoyed Fiona Davis’ last novel, The Spectacular. While The Stolen Queen didn’t have quite the same combination of suspense and romance for me, I found it to be a wonderful historical mystery that will appeal not only to established fans of the author and genre, but to Egyptologists and fashionistas alike, as well.

I always look forward to a new book by Fiona Davis. Her historical fiction novels always focus on a building in New York City and there is some sort of mystery. The Stolen Queen is no different. The famous building in this story is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Alternating between the 1930’s and the 1970’s, the novel tells the story of an archeologist who specializes in Egyptology. As a young woman, Charlotte, goes to Egypt to participate in a dig. Unfortunately, women were not given the same opportunities as the men and she did very little actual digging. However, she did participate in the discovery of some important pieces. While there, she also fell in love, married, and had a child. There is a tragedy and Charlotte does not know if her husband and child survived. In the 1970’s, Charlotte is working for the Metropolitan Museum of Art as a curator. At an event, an Egyptian necklace is stolen. A young woman, Annie, who works for the museum, teams up with Charlotte to figure out who stole the necklace. They travel to Egypt. While there, Charlotte confronts her past.

I received an advanced review copy of this book, but kept putting off reading it even though I love Fiona Davis’ books. I am not interested in ancient Egypt at all and thought I would be bored. However, I wasn’t bored at all! Why did I wait so long to read this! The novel was well-researched. I enjoyed learning a bit about the art museum, archeology, and Egypt. I liked the characters. It was a good story. I highly recommend the Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Stolen Queen is a captivating novel that delves into themes of power, politics, and gender dynamics in a historical setting.
It highlights the challenges faced by women navigating traditionally male-dominated fields. Exploring the barriers women encounter, such as prejudice, discrimination, and the constant need to prove their worth.
The book alternates between the 1930s and 1970s as we follow archeologist Charlotte Cross journey as a young woman to Egypt to participate in an archeological dig sponsored by the Metropolitan Museum of Art that later led her to work at Museum itself where she meets young Annie Jenkins. Annie reminds Charlotte of her young self, and they reluctantly forge a friendship as they search for the criminal who stole the Cerulean Queen.
The Stolen Queen serves as an inspiring reminder of the progress that has been made and the work that still needs to be done to achieve true gender equality. The portrayal of women in a man's field is both realistic and thought-provoking, making it a significant aspect of the novel's appeal.

In my opinion, what sets apart a “good” historical fiction from a “great” one depends on three things: (1) the depth and development of the characters; (2) the quality of the research put into the story; and (3) striking the perfect balance between providing the reader with the necessary context based on thorough research without making the reader feel inundated with facts and history. The Stolen Queen is a prime example of a “great” historical fiction, excelling in all three categories.

This story is primarily driven by the strong and interesting characters, as well as Fiona Davis’s excellent writing. The Stolen Queen follows two women in different time periods: Charlotte, a driven young archaeologist on a dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings in 1936; and Annie, an ambitious 18-year-old who just landed her dream job working for fashion editor icon Diana Vreeland as she organizes the famous Met Gala in 1978. Charlotte and Annie’s paths unexpectedly cross when Charlotte, now working as an introverted associate curator at the Met, teams up with Annie to attempt to recover a stolen valuable Egyptian artifact the night of the Gala.

Thank you to Fiona Davis, Penguin, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Every time I read a Fiona Davis novel I know exactly what to expect. A little bit of romance, a little bit of humor, a dash of mystery, and a thrilling plot that I won't be able to stop reading. That is exactly what happened with The Stolen Queen and I loved that it took place in both Egypt and New York. I would love to go to Egypt someday to see the pyramids, but if I don’t get to see them, I’m glad I got a chance to go there and learn more about the place itself as well as a lesser-known female pharaoh. The authors note at the end is a must read, and I was glad that it was included in the audiobook. Davis did take a creative license as historical fiction authors tend to do, but I still got a lot of information out of this book. I loved the dual viewpoints between Charlotte and Annie as well, and I thought Davis hit the nail on the head with both of their characters.

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook which is narrated by Linda Jones. She nailed both Charlotte and Annie’s viewpoints exceptionally well and I believed her narration as both a sixty-year-old and an eighteen-year-old which is not easy for some narrators to do. I couldn’t go above a 2x speed when I was listening because of the app I was on, but Jones had her pacing DOWN and it was a relief to not feel like I was listening to slow-motion narration. There was also a song included at the end which was beautiful! This book also made me put the Met on my list of places to go in NYC, and Davis makes every word of this story feel vivid and lifelike. The mysteries and bit of magic were all solid additions, and I definitely shed a few tears during this one.

Read this if you enjoy historical fiction with mystery elements, ever wanted to go to Egypt, and like getting caught up in stories of love and lost things.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

This historical fiction novel alternates between the 30s and the 70s. Charlotte is a young woman in the 1930s, working as an assistant in Egypt on an archeological dig. She falls in love and tragedy strikes. Fast forward to Charlotte in her 60s and she is working at the Met in NYC, where an item from her tragic past comes into provenance in her museum. She has to investigate where it came from, and find closure on the terrible things that happened to her all those years ago. She also meets a young woman who wants to escape her own home life and who comes with her as an assistant/friend. I'm not entirely sure we needed this other main character but it was fine.

I feel this is a bit of "historical fiction light." It had its moments of being a bit too over-the-top and dramatic for me to classify it as true historical fiction. I wish the time between Charlotte's early life and later life wasn't such a large gap.

I was really excited about this one! I love anything about Egyptology. But it didn't live up to my expectations. The beginning had a lot of ancient historical context but it fizzled out from there. I didn't enjoy Annie's POV nearly as much as Charlotte's - didn't love how much time was spent centered around fashion. I didn't find the present-day stakes very engaging, would have loved more time spent at the digs in Egypt. Overall it just felt surprisingly bland and flat. I wasn't very invested in the plot and I wish the characters gave me more. It was just okay, kind of disappointing. I'd still recommend for fans of this author, but I wouldn't recommend starting with this one if you've never read a Fiona Davis before.

Fiona Davis’s “The Stolen Queen” is an entertaining story about the Metropolitan Museum’s Department of Egyptian Art. The story revolves around Charolette Cross and Annie Jenkins. The story is told from alternate points of view in a dual timeline, taking place in 1936 and 1978.

Charlotte Cross has a secret past that she won’t share with anyone. She led a completely different life in 1936. She was married, had a baby and lived in Egypt as an Egyptologist. Now in 1978 she lives in NYC without her husband or her child. Charlotte refuses to marry again, despite living with Henry, her loving boyfriend of many years. What happened to Charlotte so many years ago?

Annie Jenkins is a young girl struggling to deal with the recent death of her beloved father. She takes refuge in the Egyptian Department of the Met, where she reflects on her life before her father died. Annie’s mother Joyce, an aging, struggling model, has become obsessed with finding a rich man to take care of her in the aftermath of her husband’s death. Annie is consumed with worries about money, made worse by her mother’s frivolous spending and lack of regular employment. How will Annie ever get out of her current situation?

Soon Charolette and Annie’s paths intersect at the Met, when a priceless piece of Egyptian Art is stolen by an unknown assailant. The Broad Cross (the piece of Egyptian Art) has brought Charolette and Annie together in 1978, as they travel to Egypt to try and discover the identity of the thief. For both women The Broad Cross had interwoven, deep personal significance and will change each of the women’s lives forever.

As Charlotte and Annie work together to discover the truth about the artwork and the robbery, they find answers to Charolette’s past and Annie’s future!!.

Overall a very good story, but the ending was a bit far-fetched and felt rushed to tie up all the loose ends. Some aspects of the story were a bit unbelievable and consequently gave it a four star rating.

Thank you Net Galley and Penguin Random House Publishing for the opportunity to review this enjoyable eARC book. Fiona Davis has done a great job at creating a beautiful story that will be entertaining for all, especially those who love Historical Fiction. Publish date Jan 7, 2025!

Fiona Davis' historical fiction stories all occur in New York buildings. This new story is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Stolen Queen weaves together two compelling timelines that explore themes of loss, redemption, and the power of female leadership. As with her previous works like The Lions of Fifth Avenue and The Magnolia Palace, Davis demonstrates her expertise in crafting narratives that bridge different eras while maintaining historical accuracy and emotional depth.

Her portrayal of 1930s archaeology in Egypt feels authentic, from the technical aspects of excavation to the political tensions of the era. The 1978 sections capturing the Met Museum’s inner workings and Diana Vreeland’s larger-than-life personality are equally well-researched and engaging. .blend of historical fiction and mystery that will appeal to fans of both genres. Davis has created a compelling narrative that educates while entertaining, offering insights into archaeology, museum politics, and the eternal human desire to understand our past. I devour her stories and highly recommend this one. I gave it five stars.

Once again spotlighting New York’s world-famous architecture and strong female protagonists in a poignant story, Fiona Davis has crafted a compelling tale set in 1930s Egypt and the Metropolitan Museum in the late Seventies. It’s all systems go at the Met in 1978 as two simultaneous exhibitions are being staged: the touring King Tutankhamun exhibition, and the Costume Institute display of the early 20th-century choreographer Diaghilev’s flamboyant and vibrant costumes, overseen by Diana Vreeland.

Within this whirlwind of preparation, sixty-year-old Charlotte Cross and nineteen-year-old Annie Jenkins cross unlikely paths, eventually striking up a partnership of sorts through common interests in ancient history. Charlotte, an Egyptologist, is curator of the Department of Egyptian Art. Annie is fortuitously hired as assistant to Vreeland and suggests the Costume Department borrow a stunning broad collar (necklace) from the Egyptian Art collection, to accent one of Diaghilev’s costumes. Charlotte recognised the collar immediately, when the Met signed it in, as one lost long ago in Egypt when she was a young woman, and is highly suspicious of its provenance, but is stymied by the director because the owner wishes to remain anonymous. The two women pass in the night as they prepare for the exhibitions and meet again the evening of the Met Gala, when things go wildly wrong and Charlotte can no longer ignore her tragic history.

Davis knows New York and its architecture well and expertly takes readers inside the famous museum with its thousands of artifacts and inevitable internal politics. The Egyptian settings exude a powerful sense of antiquity, and arguments for and against ownership of artifacts outside their country of origin reflect old and new thinking. Threading its way through the novel is Charlotte’s research into Hathorkare, Davis’s fictional Hatshepsut, an important and often overlooked Egyptian queen. The author’s notes are a welcome addition.