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!

Fiona Davis rarely disappoints. Any book with Egyptian antiquities is a must read for me, as is any book Davis writes!

I am a huge fan of Fiona Davis, and *Stolen Queen* is her best book yet. This is a seamless dual timeline story. In 1936, Charlotte Cross is a young student on her first Egyptian archaeological dig when tragedy strikes. Forty-two years later, Charlotte is an associate curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Egyptian Art. Someone has stolen a valuable Egyptian artifact. To find the artifact, Charlotte must face her past and revisit the one place she does not want to return to—Egypt.

This is classic Fiona Davis—a brilliant tale of twisting and turning facts with danger along the way. I loved the story and read it in a few days. In this book, you’ll travel to Egypt, New York City, and back, and meet Diana Vreeland along the way.

I loved this book and highly recommend it—5 stars!

Thank you to Penguin Random House – Dutton for an early read in exchange for a fair review.

Content warnings: loss of a child, loss of a spouse, toxic parent

Fiona Davis' novels always center around a NYC building, and this one is no exception. This novel is based around the Met in the 1970s, where curator Charlotte Cross is working on an upcoming Egyptian exhibition. Teenager Annie Jenkins is working for Vogue's Diana Vreeland on the upcoming Met Gala. Charlotte and Annie's paths cross when an artifact goes missing on the night of the famous gala.

Charlotte and Annie go to Egypt to solve the mystery of the missing artifact. Charlotte suffered a devastating tragedy on an expedition to Egypt in the 1930s and vowed never to return. The past doesn't stay buried, and Charlotte ends up seeking answers about more than the missing artifact and its thief.

Recommended for readers of historical fiction, especially those with an interest in Egyptology, New York City, or the Met Gala.

In the 1970's, Charlotte was the assistant curator of the Egyptian exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Her internship in the '30s left her with an enormous fear of ever returning to the Egypt of her past. Annie supported herself and her selfish, feckless mother by cleaning her landlady's apartment so they can live in the downstairs unit. She came to the Met almost every day to bask in the beauty of its art and treasures, but concealed her talent with a needle and thread. They were brought together when Annie gets the unlikely opportunity to assist Diana Vreeland, costume consultant to The Institute, who is putting together the finishing touches on this year's Met Gala. A new exhibit of an almost intact broad collar was loaned to the Met for a year by anonymous donors. While Annie sees it as a wonderful addition to a mannequin's costume, Charlotte recognizes that it was last in the tomb of a woman pharaoh, and that she was the one who unearthed it forty years ago. How did it end up in her museum, and what did this mean for the life that she so carefully reconstructed?
Whenever a Fiona Davis novel is released, I say this is the best she's ever written-then the next one comes along and tops it. Her brand is the combination of an iconic New York building and a strong woman character from the past who has an important story to tell, based on that building. In her new book, Davis mines the beauty and mystery of the Met's Egyptian holdings, while tying in the Temple of Dendur and the pageantry of the Gala. Her plot was flawless, and it kept you guessing to the end. I think another trip to the Met is in my near future.

This fast-paced novel blends adventure, mystery, and history in a page-turner that I couldn’t put down. Anthropologist Charlotte Cross’s mission to uncover the truth behind female pharaoh Hathorkare’s reign and legacy propels a plot full of secrets and surprises. All the elements of adventure are here, too—expeditions into ancient tombs, chases through the streets of Cairo, a treacherous journey on the Nile. The settings in both Egypt and New York City are finely-drawn and impeccably researched. Davis’s characters are well-drawn and authentic, with complex family dynamics and motivations. The behind-the-scenes glimpses into the Met’s inner workings and the Met Gala preparations are as fascinating as they are delightful. The characters’ thoughtful and organic discussions about how best to honor and preserve important artifacts are an added bonus. Fiona Davis has written another fantastic book to add to her impressive repertoire, and readers will be eager to add THE STOLEN QUEEN to their bookshelves and must-read piles.

WOW! Fiona Davis, the author of “The Stolen Queen” has written a spectacular masterpiece, that is a memorable treasure. Fiona Davis is one of my favorite authors, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to read an early copy from NetGalley. The Genres for this story are: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Crime, Mystery, and Suspense, and Adult Fantasy. The locations for this story take place in Egypt, and the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. The timelines for this story are 1936 and 1978. I love how Fiona Davis writes about the power, struggles, courage and triumphs of women. I appreciate how the author discusses mother and daughter relationships, and the sisterhood of women. The author vividly describes the landscapes, scenery, plot, and dramatic and colorful characters.

Charlotte Cross, is on an archaeological dig in Egypt in 1936 and discovers historical significant finds. At the same time Charlotte, meets with disaster and tragedy, which will stay with her forever. In 1978, Charlotte is an assistant curator for the Met. For several years, Charlotte has been researching Hathorkare, “a rare female Pharaoh” to prove that she was significant to other Egyptologists.There is also speculation that Hathorkare has a legendary curse.

In 1978, 18 year old Annie Jenkins gets the amazing opportunity to help with the Met Gala. Annie comes from a dysfunctional family, and is very creative. Annie and Charlotte meet when an important artifact is missing the night of the Met Gala. Both team up to search and discover the disappearance of this.

This is a book with secrets, deceptions, mystery, sabotage, and deadly danger. Fiona Davis takes the reader on an adventurous journey for answers, truth and justice. I highly recommend this impressive and captivating novel.