Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC. A compelling historical masterpiece, I’ll be recommending this to many of my library patrons.

Davis doesn’t disappoint in her impeccable research as well as a final page separating fact from fiction. I am not a fan of Egyptian art, but the story line kept me reading. I love her ability to capture New York settings, and hope she continues to delve into more strong protagonists and the Manhattan setting. A definite 4.5

My thanks to Net Galley and Penguin Group/Dutton for allowing me to review this arc.

3.5 stars.

I always get excited for a new Fiona, but this one missed the marked a bit. I understand the dual timelines to establish Charlotte's early career in Egypt vs present time at the Met in reference to the object in discussion, but I felt a lot of the context was not needed or called for. Ex:, the moth incident, the lost daughter, all the early history. It was all over the place and took away from the focal point. Just ok.

I have to say i'm disappointed. Fiona Davis is as close to an automatic read as I get, and this book, with its ties to the MET and ancient Egypt was on course to be a favorite. But it sadly falls very flat and very hollow for me.

Nothing felt cohesive. Nothing felt like it had the gravity to carry the story along. There were shining moments, but they were over too soon and swept away just as quickly. For much of this book, it felt like Davis was checking things off a lit of what has made good and sellable historical fiction in the past. It follow the same formula that Davis, and many other historical fiction authors, have travelled in the past, but this time it FELT like it.

There is little to no time given to any plot point, but especially the Egyptian Queen Davis has based her novel around. It honestly feels like its shoehorned in to the plot. The characters feel stunted and very shallow, even the writing feels like it was done quickly and without the usual finesse I come to expect from this author.

I tend to be hit or miss with Fiona’s books. When I love one, the next isn’t a fit for me, and unfortunately The Stolen Queen was a miss, despite me loving art. I had a hard time getting in to the story and just couldn’t connect to it.

It’s been 42 years since Charlotte worked on an archeological dig in Egypt. After the tragic way it ended, she knows she will never return. It’s now 1978 and she is working as an associate curator in the Met when one of the museums most valuable pieces goes missing. Annie is just 18 and working her first “big girl” job as an assistant to the head of the Met Gala. When the piece goes missing, both of them are in the vicinity, and determined to find out who stole the piece. Their endless search begins by going back to where Charlotte thought she would never return…

First of all…if you know me, you know that I LOVE Fiona Davis! Like love love love love her! That said, I was a bit worried to start this one because I am generally not that interested in ancient Egypt, it’s just not my time frame interests in historical fiction. That said, I shouldn’t have been worried because Fiona hit it out of the park! I ended up doing this one on audio and I could just not stop listening! The narration was perfect and just added to the story. I should have known Fiona would have me covered! Whether you are an ancient Egypt fan or not, if you like historical fiction, and have liked Fiona Davis in the past, look no further! It’s out on Tuesday!

Thank you to @duttonbooks and @prhaudio for my gifted copies of this book!

Another NYC institution is gracing the pages of Fiona Davis' book. This time MET Museum and its famous Egyptian collection took the center stage. With King Tut's tomb open and visiting US museums to give Americans a taste of ancient Egypt's riches, Charlotte was busier than she expected to be. She did not complain about it though, because this was her forte. She was meant to solve Egyptian mysteries and set records straight.

As Diana Vreeland was prepping the museum for the Met Gala, a broad collar was sent to be presented at the museum by an anonymous couple. It was a marvelous piece, but also it was meant to be displayed in Cairo. Charlotte had the worst shock of her life when she saw the board collar in the museum intake. She knew that broad collar was lost, and if it was here then she needed to go back to past and do some digging.

I'm one of those people who go to museums to stare at the same thing because they are never done being amazed by it. Temple of Dendur is one of those things. I'm especially happy that certain family's name was stripped from the hall. Seeing the Egyptian wing represented in this story made me pretty much inhale this book. If you like NYC buildings and hidden stories within their walls, pick this one up

Two women, or is it three if you count a female Egyptian Pharaoh, come together over a precious Egyptian necklace stolen from the Met on the night of the 1978 Met Gala. Fast-paced, twists and turns, philosophical questions about removing artifacts from their country of origin, the challenges of being female and wanting more from career and life, all create a fabulous read - sure to be a book group fav.

I won’t be writing a review of the book but I do plan to stock a couple copies. Thanks for the ARC. I enjoyed reading it.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc.

Once again, Fiona Davis creates a spectacular story with great history intertwined. Very engaging and couldn’t put it down. Felt like I was in Egypt and NYC along with the splendid characters
Such a page turner. This might be my favorite Fiona Davis book yet !! This is a must read for 2025 !

This was my first read by Fiona Davis and I know she's absolutely adored by many. While I don't always read historical fiction, I like jumping in from time to time with beloved authors. With both NYC and Egypt taking the stage, this book was a lovely change of scenery for me. Davis brought together an unlikely duo and I liked the energy there even if it wasn't fully believable. In fact I can say that about most of the book. I think Davis is very well acquainted with New York, but felt less so on the Egypt part. That being said, this was still light and fun to read and I think it'll still be a crowd pleaser.

Industrious young Annie, assistant in the Costume Gallery, finds herself in a pickle when all hell breaks loose at the 1978 Met Gala. While trying to set things right, she and Charlotte Cross, an Egyptologist at the Met, end up in Egypt chasing down a stolen artifact. While there, Charlotte’s tragic past catches up to her, forcing her to confront the most difficult time of her life.

Annie’s involvement in tracking down the missing artifact felt unrealistic to me - what homeless 19 year old can afford a last minute plane ticket to Egypt? - but she and Charlotte made a fun pair, and I was rooting for their success. This was a really fun and spirited read, so I’m willing to look past the slightly awkward dialogue and the many very convenient connections and coincidences. I also didn’t guess the ending, so points to the author for keeping me on my toes.

In 1936 anthropology student Charlotte Cross is offered a spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt. Fast forward to 1978, she is living a very quiet life as associate curator of the Met’s Department of Egyptian Art when her past life finds her, and she jets back to Egypt for the first time since the 1930’s. She also believes she is cursed, or an artifact she found is, whatever it is, she is scared to go back to Egypt.

Fiona Davis always tells us a fantastic historical story that is full of emotions, action and intrigue. the Stolen Queen was a great read.

The Stolen Queen isn’t just about finding a lost artifact, but lost family, and self.
Thank you, Dutton, and NetGalley. #TheStolenQueen #NetGalley

"From New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis, an utterly addictive new novel that will transport you from New York City's most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back.

Egypt, 1936: When anthropology student Charlotte Cross is offered a coveted spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, she leaps at the opportunity. That is until an unbearable tragedy strikes.

New York City, 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."

Meanwhile, Charlotte is now leading a quiet life as the associate curator of the Met's celebrated Department of Egyptian Art. She's consumed by her research on Hathorkare - a rare female pharaoh dismissed by most other Egyptologists as unimportant.

The night of the gala: One of the Egyptian art collection's most valuable artifacts goes missing, and there are signs Hathorkare's legendary curse might be reawakening. Annie and Charlotte team up to search for the missing antiquity, and a desperate 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, Charlotte will need to confront the demons of her past - which may mean leading them both directly into danger."

You know Egyptomania? Yeah. I have it. Big time.

This book is told by two characters. It flips from past to present effortlessly. I thought it was really good and an interesting book. I’ve always been interested in Egyptology so that was an added bonus. It’s another excellent book by this author.

Do you believe in ancient Egyptian curses? Hathorkare's curse might have been triggered when a piece, the Cerulean Queen, from the Met's gala goes missing. Having studied Hathorkare is Egyptologist Charlotte, who has a haunted past from a prior visit to Egypt, finds herself back in Egypt one half of an unlikely duo. Her partner in the search for the missing piece is Annie, a girl who has spent most of her life making sure her mother and Annie stay afloat. When Annie lands a job of a lifetime working for a former fashion editor, Annie thinks things are starting to change. Then the Cerulean Queen goes missing and Charlotte and Annie race to find it. I will admit, this one was a slow burn for me but overall, I really liked it. The character development was well done and I could relate to both Charlotte and Annie. Thank you to Penguin Group and Net Galley for this advanced copy.

In The Stolen Queen the book follows Charlotte’s life in Egypt and New York City, her important work, love and loss, and professional and personal growth. This is a fascinating look at the world of discoveries about the past and present. Charlotte and all the characters who have been involved in her life are well developed and interesting. The Stolen Queen is another excellent book by Fiona Davis. Book clubs will be eager to enjoy and discuss it.

Oh my goodness, this one was unputdownable. Following Charlotte in 1936 and 1978 as she worked in Egypt and at the Met years later. Also included in the 1978 timeline is Annie, who stumbles into a job in another area of the Met. When the annual gala and a stolen item occur at the same time, it’s time to unravel the mystery. I loved this one so much with all the twists and turns. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for a chance to read this one early in exchange for an honest review.

I always enjoy how Fiona Davis 0weaves her stories. How we go from past to present incorporating the theme throughout the story.

Davis’ stories are always set in a prominent New York location, and this time it is The Met. I really enjoyed this story and how it focused around Egyptian antiquities.

This story has two layers of mystery, the first around the antiquities and the second around Charlotte’s missing family.

Annie’s story with her mother was so sad. It was nice to see her grow her wings and start her own journey. I didn’t feel like she added too much to Charlotte’s story, but it was still enjoyable.

All in all, another solid historical fiction.

Thx PRH Audio for the early audiobook.

I thought I would read this in sections and take my time. It worked for one day and one section. Then I binged the rest on the couch on a cold and rainy day. This is the story of Charlotte Cross. Unlike Davis's norm, all of the timelines are based around Charlotte. The Stolen Queen is her story in the past and the present. I loved watching her life unfold this way and with the added perspective of Annie, it only made the story richer.

Davis writes historical fiction set in a prominent NYC location and it almost always has a thread of mystery to it. This is the very same. I loved the Egyptian story lines. I loved the Met and the pieces of the Gala. I loved the mystery and i loved the resolution. Davis once again hits all of the things that I was looking for in a book.