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.

Fiona Davis is an auto-buy author for me. Her works of historical fiction are second to none. Written in her signature dual timeline, Davis transports us to 1978 New York City and 1936 Egypt. The lives of two women, Charlotte Cross and Annie Jenkins, become intertwined in the search for a missing Egyptian antiquity.

I am a fan of Fiona Davis and this book did not disappoint. It's 1978 in NYC and Charlotte has worked for The Met for most of her adult life. Her interest in Egypt started in 1936 when she was involved in a dig in Luxor. The story alternates between the two locations. The plot and locations are all interesting - although a bit far-fetched. This isn't going to win any literary awards but Davis is my go-to author for "light" historical fiction.

While many say that art imitates life, so too does life imitate art.

In the late 1930s, Charlotte Cross convinces her conservative parents to allow her to pursue her passion for archaeology by participating in a dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. While there, she discovers what’s believed to be the tomb of Hathorkare, a female pharaoh who stole the throne from its rightful male heir. Though others dismiss her find as minor, for Charlotte, it unknowingly changes the trajectory of her life as decades later she seeks to prove that Hathorkare wasn’t an unwelcome usurper of power but rather a trailblazer who deserves to be remembered for her contributions to Egyptian culture.

Joining Charlotte in her quest is another young woman, Annie Jenkins. Annie is newly employed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a job that fills her with feelings of passion and purpose that she’s longed to find. As the women work together to catch a thief and recover a precious piece of Hathorkare’s legacy, they also seek to recover pieces of their own selves. Their journey and the strength they need to embark upon it reminds readers that even when someone endeavors to erase the mark you’ve made, you have no choice but to keep drawing your picture.

While Davis’s story is rife with twists and turns, most of them feel believable and appropriate to the story. I also appreciated the less common setting, especially for a book set at least in part at the beginning of WW2.

Thanks to Net Galley and Penguin for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley. The following is my honest review of the novel.

With a dual timeline structure, Fiona Davis delivers another fantastic historical fiction novel, this time dealing with the height of the frenzy over finding mummified remains in Egypt's Valley of the Kings and featuring an earlier timeline about attempts to repatriate those remains from museums such as New York City's Met.

Charlotte's heartbreaking backstory dealing with the theft of Egyptian antiquities while she, her husband, and baby fled Egypt just ahead of the Nazis' arrival leads to present day discoveries about the tragedy that befell Charlotte and her family. Though I was able to easily identify elements of that backstory and how it would play out, several unexpected details revealed themselves beautifully and left me with a sense of satisfaction at not having it all figured out.

Meanwhile Annie's story set in 1970s New York is a delightful study in being in the right place at the right time with the right attitude when opportunity presents itself. Annie's tenacity and grit despite a mostly incompetent mother and at-risk home life situation is a testament

I appreciated the research Davis incorporated into this novel, especially since many years ago I was a general editor for one of my mother's best friends, an Egyptologist's scholarly book on the ceremonial masks of ancient Egypt. I have always been fascinated by ancient Egyptian culture, as many have been, and the care and attention to detail Davis kept made this story that much more beautifully done.

Annie and Charlotte's chance meeting and resulting partnership through difficult and challenging circumstances m;akes me want to know more about how their lives turned out, which is what some of the best stories do.

This was an extremely well-written and exciting heist investigation/historical fiction mash-up. There's mummies, stolen antiquities, famous people in beautiful clothes, globe-trotting hijinks, and two main POV characters that truly change and grow. Highly recommended.

First of all, Fiona Davis is an auto-buy author for me and in my personal opinion she should be an auto-buy author for everyone because every book she writes is gold. Second, as soon as she announced this new novel, I jumped at the chance to get the eARC from NetGalley. When I scored it, I texted all my bookish friends in excitement and anticipation.

I haven't read all of Davis's books, but of the ones I have read, this one veered a little off the course of what she usually does! AND I LOVED IT! Everything I've read of hers stays focused primarily in American history. In The Stolen Queen, Fiona takes us to Egypt! As always, her research to prepare for this story had to be intense, but you can tell she enjoys it because of how much she relays back to the reader and how accurate she is in her retelling of facts and events. Plus, it just makes it that much more fun to read!

I was captivated by the stories of Annie and Charlotte. They were two incredibly well-crafted characters. I found both of them to be complex and relatable. Charlotte's backstory might have been my favorite part of the novel, but I don't want to state that firmly because of how much I loved every bit of this haha! 😄

Thanks again to NetGalley and Dutton Books for the advance copy!! I can't wait to get my own physical version next year!

Another stellar work of NY historical fiction from writer Fiona Davis. This one takes place at the Met Museum where employee and Egyptologist Charlotte Cross investigates the theft of a relic. The investigation takes her and fellow Met worker Annie to Egypt, where Charlotte must also solve the mysterious events of her past.

Davis is a master of providing readers with enlightening historical details, as well as a suspenseful mystery. The characters are likable and relatable. Like all her books, this will be ideal for book clubs.

This book is an absolute gem! From the moment I started, I was hooked by its rich blend of history, mystery, and compelling characters. The dual timelines—1930s Egypt and 1970s New York City—are seamlessly woven together, creating a story that feels both timeless and utterly engaging.

Charlotte and Annie make such an incredible team! I loved how their stories were distinct yet intertwined enough that it felt like one cohesive narrative. The insights into the world of museum curation and the fascinating details about Egyptian history added so much depth and authenticity to the story.

The mystery surrounding Hathorkare and the missing artifact kept me guessing. While I thought I had one of the big twists figured out, the final reveal still managed to surprise me—and I loved that! Fiona Davis has such a talent for blending fictional characters with historical events, bringing both to life in a way that feels vivid and meaningful.

This book beautifully captures the excitement of archaeological discoveries, the intrigue of museum life, and the glamour of 1970s New York. It’s also packed with suspense and emotional moments that will stay with me long after finishing it.

It’s easily one of my favorite reads of the year, and I can’t recommend it highly enough to anyone who loves historical fiction, mysteries, or just a really great story. Don’t miss this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Beware: This book is hard to put down.
The Stolen Queen is an engrossing dual timeline (1936 & 1978) story of a woman Egyptologist who has done her best to erase her past. Women were not supposed to have careers in the 1930s. However, unknown to her parents, Charlotte Cross declares archaeology as her major and heads to Egypt to participate on a dig. In 1978, Annie Jenkins is looking for a job and the chance to change her life. She gets the opportunity of a lifetime to work for Diana Vreeland who is preparing for the Met Gala. Charlotte and Annie’s paths cross and intertwine as they endeavor to locate a stolen artifact from the museum.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Another wonderfully immersive novel from historical fiction queen Fiona Davis, The reader is swept away from the iconic galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the dusty deserts of Egypt. Highly recommend!

Fiona Davis has a gift of writing compelling historical fiction that draws the reader into the story, the time, and the environment and The Stolen Queen pulled me in within the first chapter.

The research and the blend of fact and fiction were wonderfully done and the story so intriguing that I’ve already gotten a copy of The Woman Who Would Be King, a biography about Hatshepsut. The fictional characters are fully formed and their stories are just as engaging.

My one issue with this one is that I did find the ending to be a bit too neatly wrapped up.

Ending aside, I really enjoyed my reading of The Stolen Queen and recommend it.


*my (step) dad brought my mother to the Tutankhamen exhibit at the Met when it opened in the late 70’s and looking through the catalog they brought home was one of my favorite pastimes when I was little.



Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the DRC

Thank you to @netgalley, @DuttonPub and @FionaDavis for this ARC. Charlotte is working at the Met in NYC and after three years of research she thinks she found an answer to a long asked question regarding Hatshepsut and her rein. Annie has fallen into a job for the Met Gala. On the night of the gala, on priceless Egyptian artifact is stolen right in front of them both. In order to clear Annie's name and Charlotte's desire to get the artifact back, she must face her past when she worked in the Valley of the Kings. I always enjoy Davis' books and will continue to do so! This book had mystery, love, loss and more! #TheStolenQueen #FionaDavis #DuttonBooks #Jan2024

Fiona Davis again features a New York institution – The Metropolitan Museum of Art – as a main character in her book. I love the way she weaves the history of the Met with a story about one of their important Egyptian treasures. Davis is a master at deeply researching her topics and then creating an intriguing story with some mystery, romance, history, tragedy and hope. I enjoyed the sections about Charlotte Cross, a Met curator, in her early years as an Egyptian archaeologist. That story is intertwined with her present role as an associate Egyptian curator. Unfortunately, this time, Davis’s ending isn’t quite so satisfying. It seems a bit forced as though she had a great story but didn’t quite get how to logically bring about the end. It was still a very enjoyable read, especially for anyone who is intrigued by ancient Egypt. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for an advanced readers copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Stolen Queen was part mystery, part historical and all interesting. The story is set in two different time periods; both of which center around Ancient Egypt. I completely enjoyed this book and found it wildly entertaining. If used in school, would be best for 11th or 12th grade.
Highly recommend!