I always look forward to diving into the latest Fiona Davis novel! The Stolen Queen is an epic novel that melds Historical Fiction and Mystery/Suspence genres perfectly! I always feel that Fiona Davis has a magical ability to entertain and educate at the same time and this 5-star novel most definitely did both! This novel centers around Charlotte in 1930’s Egypt and Annie in 1970’s New York City whose stories intertwine when the duo end up working together for an Egyptian-themed Met Gala! From that point, I could not put this novel down! I love how Fiona Davis gives the reader such a full birds eye view and organically builds such a fantastic storyline! If you are a fan of historical fiction mystery/thriller like I am I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

Pharaohs, Egyptology antiquities, 1970s Met Gala themes, theft, missing persons!

I enjoyed the premise of this unique historical mystery which kept me guessing at every twist. Set in 1970s with the opening of the King Tut exhibit at the Met, a museum curator with a history as an Egyptologist, and a Met Gala assistant find themselves in the middle of a theft from the museum. The story follows two women as they search for the missing antiquity to clear their names and uncover the mystery. Inspired by the pharaoh Hatshepsut Davis reimagines a female led Egyptian dynasty, but the “historical” facts often gets lost in the books imaginative plot.

For me the book lost steam when I could never really connect with the characters. I’m not sure if Davis’ writing style but all the characters came across predictable and stilted. Some characters felt more like poorly developed caricatures (the Egyptian Bedouin is cringy and even verges on disrespect). Despite the predictable characters, the ending was a complete surprise! I loved the twist and turns but most of that didn’t come in until the second half. Had the characters been better developed and a few key facts presented sooner in the book I would have rated this higher.

For mystery lovers who like a little bit of culture and history, you’ll enjoy this book. Rounding this book up to a 3 ⭐️s.

Thank you Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!

I have read a few books by Fiona Davis, and this is my favorite. (The ones I haven't read just got added to my TBR list--at the top.) I connected with both Charlotte and Annie's characters and was thoroughly invested in each of their stories. Additional characters and events, both real and fictional, made it even more entertaining. Fans of Making the Mummies Dance: Inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art will likely enjoy the Met setting.

Thank you to Dutton for supplying this ARC through NetGalley.

I have read several of Fiona Davis’ books and The Stolen Queen is, without a doubt, my favorite. The story unfolds in two plot lines. One, placed in Egypt pre-WWII and the other placed in NYC and Egypt forty one years later. There are several stories to follow within the book, and they meld together evenly. Davis write about deepest human emotions with a depth that guarantees empathy on the part of the reader.
This is a story of love, loss, ancient artifacts, and high fashion. The settings of the MET in NYC and Egypt are equally enchanting.
The plot revolves around two women, one barely out of her teens and one in her 60s, who work at the MET. Through a series of events including a MET gala night (complete with Diana Vreeland) and the upcoming King Tut exhibit, a valuable artifact is stolen. But much more has been lost beforehand. This is one of those books that require Google searches as you read. Entertaining and educational.
Thank you to Netgalley for this prepub opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

From the start, this book pulled me in. I love an older protagonist! Getting Charlotte’s POV both in 1978 and in 1939 gave the reader glimpses into who Charlotte is and how she got to be that way. Annie’s POV also added something. Despite being very different than Charlotte’s early adulthood, there are definite parallels of being young, making mistakes, trussing the wrong people, etc. I really liked Annoe’s growth and wouldn’t mind a follow up book on her life after this book.

Slight spoiler - so pleased Mark was history at the end. He wasn’t a good partner, and even during their break up made me angry. What do you mean you wanted all of Charlotte when you literally put her aside at every occasion for your clearly manipulative adult child? No thanks. Charlotte deserved better.

A mysterious new loan at the Met brings the past into the present for associate curator, Charlotte Cross. The object brings back memories as she struggles to uncover the truth behind a stolen piece of ancient history and how it links to her own tragic past.

4.5/5 ⭐️

The book is from the POV of two characters. We get chapters from Charlotte both as a fresh-faced aspiring archeologist in Egypt in the 1930s and then as an almost 60 year old woman now working at the Met. The other perspective is Annie, a young assistant to a magazine editor who manages to get caught up in the theft.

The pacing of the book was very good. Multiple chapters ended on minor cliffhangers but most didn’t feel forced. I have to say that while I’m very impressed Charlotte figures out the identity mystery in the end, I’m still not sure how. I’ll have to reread some chapters to see if I can find any more clues because right now I can’t really remember anything that would give it away. The theft mystery though I didn’t catch but now looking back can really see the signs.

Although perhaps now the most intuitive pairing, the POVs of these two very different women blend well together. Annie does seem like a secondary character to Charlotte’s story but her POV did add interest and insight, and I think now having finished the book, her exclusion would have left the book lacking.

Finally I loved the depictions of 1930s Egypt and I appreciate the nuance in which the author discussed the question of what to do with ancient artifacts. Nowadays too many people think it’s an easy answer, but the reality is that question itself is far more complex than most people ever realize.


• Spoilers Ahead •


In the first half of the book, we learn about Charlotte’s fear about returning to Egypt and how her two previous attempts were sidelined by tragedy. It was surprising then that once Charlotte arrived in Egypt, we didn’t actually get that much insight into her anxiety. It comes later on but only upon uncovering some more secrets. I would’ve expected at least a couple more sentences on her when she literally steps foot in Egypt.

The latest Fiona Davis historical mystery looks at not only the Metropolitan Museum of Art but also Egypt during the time of great archeological excavations and discoveries.

Charlotte works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City as a curator. The Museum is getting ready for the annual Met Gala when a new artifact is to be added to the collection. Charlotte recognizes the piece and it takes her back to the 1930s when she was part of an archeological team in Egypt. Her time in Egypt was interrupted by the looming war in Europe as well as some personal matters. When the new artifact is stolen during the Gala, Charlotte realizes she must return to Egypt to solve not only that mystery but also the one about what really happened to the people she cared about.

Another nod to an iconic NYC landmark as well as a look into the history of excavations in the Valley of the Kings.

I loved this book. Fiona Davis always hits it out of the park. This time, we get an insider look at the planning of the Met Gala and the way the Met is run. I am fascinated by Egyptologists so this was a double whammy for me. Thank you Netgalley for another spectacular book.

a dual timeline set in Egypt and new York. another great read from Fiona Davis, she never disappoints.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis masterfully intertwines dual timelines set in 1930s Egypt and 1970s New York City, revolving around Charlotte Cross, an Egyptologist scarred by past tragedies, and Annie Jenkins, a young assistant to the iconic Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. As a priceless artifact goes missing during the Met Gala, rumors of an ancient curse resurface, compelling Charlotte and Annie to team up and return to Egypt in search of answers. Through meticulous research and richly developed characters, Davis explores themes of loss, resilience, and the ethical complexities of repatriation. The novel’s blend of historical intrigue, personal growth, and vivid settings makes it a captivating read that seamlessly blends fact and fiction.

Egyptology , antiquities, mummies, artifacts and more make up this novel that cannot be put down. Dual timelines from the 1930's and the 1970's centers around Charlotte who works at the Met. Working behind the scenes as a curator at the Met she encounters theft of an important Egyptian statue and a mystery she is challenged to solve. It has been 40 years since Charlotte was in Egypt working at a site and has no wish to return to the Valley of the Kings fearing a "supposed" curse that has caused her much grief. With Annie, a young assistant to Diana Vreeland at the Met, she puts aside her fears and both go to Egypt to solve the mystery of the missing statue. This book was both a fantastic novel, but educational as well. With her on-point research, this author provided information with facts I've never known. Once again Ms. Davis gave us, her readers, something worthy, interesting and a page turner I couldn't resist. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been reading author Fiona Davis since her 2016 debut novel "The Dollhouse". I love how she centers her historic fiction on an iconic NYC building, great concept! Her latest, "The Stolen Queen" is a bit of a departure for her as it also centers on Egypt, but the Met and its famous Gala are right there front & center. This one also has the dual-timeline she employs so well, but one of the MCs features in both periods. I liked this title - both the Egyptology and the timing in with the Met Gala (and I am old enough to remember with "Tut-mania" swept the country - cue Steve Martin, LOL!) Very well-researched, well written and fascinating - recommend to historic fiction fans. My sincere thank you to the publisher who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

Let me start by saying I am a fan of Fiona Davis. She writes with precision and her research is solid. The Stolen Queen is no different.
Charlotte, an archeologist who was in Egypt on a dig in 1936 encounters a tragedy. She becomes an associated curator at the Met. In 1976 she meets Annie, a model who is coming to an important gala at the Met.
At the gala there is a theft of an important artifact and it is up to Charlotte and Annie to solve the crime.

I really enjoyed the story told in two time periods that then merge. Knowledge is gained about antiquities and high society.
I highly recommend this book

4.5 ⭐️
The Stolen Queen follows our main character Charlotte in a dual timeline. Starting with her as a young Egyptologist. She falls in love with a fellow coworker and they rush to marry upon news of their first baby. The book flashes to current where Charlotte is now working at the Met and meets our other main character, a young woman Annie. Annie grew up taking care of her mom and realizes she should snatch her dreams as she can, taking an assistant job to a fashion designer currently working at the Met.
The two end up working together to solve the mystery of who stole an ancient Egyptian statue as the dual timelines compare Charlottes original discovery of an Egyptian necklace and its curse.
This one was really hard for me to rate. I love the book and the historical aspect and especially loved getting to read about their discoveries as an Egyptologist. Was such a solid interesting mystery! The ending is where I struggle to rate this, it was a satisfying conclusion, but just a bit unrealistic feeling. Overall I loved!

This is my first book by Fiona Davis and it did not disappoint! First, who doesn’t love a story that includes ancient Egypt! Second, who doesn’t adore a good who dunnit story full of twists and turns. This book is beautifully written and thought out. I love how the characters pasts are built to show why they are the way they are in present time. Charlotte and Annie are an amazing team thought this book. I would love to see a sequel to this book about another adventure the two of them embark on. The Stolen Queen captivates you from the begging and takes you back and fourth between altering timelines in the past, Egypt in the 30’s, and back to present, 70’s New York City. This book will keep you wanting more!

I also loved that in the Authors Notes Fiona Davis explains where her ideas for the ancient Egyptian history comes from. Based off of a ancient Egyptian queen storyline she creates her own queen and history that closely follows another true piece of history. Fiona Davis is incredibly talented and I look forward to reading her previously written works along with any new pieces!

Thank you to NetGalley and to Penguin Group Dutton for giving me an advanced copy of this upcoming new release!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I often find American language grates on me but this was fine. I found it slightly annoying that that the Egyptian queen was fictional when she was so obviously based on a real one. That jarred somewhat.
Overall, I did think the book well written, the characters felt very believable and it brought back happy memories of trips to NYC and especially the Met.
I particularly liked the relationship between the two female protagonists. That worked extremely well. The ending was good and very complete which I suspect a lot of people will like.
My first book by this author and I will certainly read more

I've always had a fascination with ancient Egypt so this was right up my alley! This story follows Charlotte, an Egyptologist and Associate Curator at the Met, who refuses to go back to Egypt because of an unbearable tragedy that happened the first time she was there in the 1930s; and Annie, a young fashion enthusiast who just started working for the organizer of the famous Met Gala.

This story is split into two timelines— Charlotte's backstory from the 1930s, and present day for Charlotte and Annie set in the 1970s.

After an impressive necklace, that belonged to a little-known female Pharaoh, is anonymously donated to the Egyptian department, Charlotte is stunned. SHE was the one who discovered the necklace and was told that it had gone missing shortly after the fact. The artifact is said to be cursed, and because of the horrible events that happened after unearthing the necklace, Charlotte believes the curse is real.

Charlotte and Annie's paths cross when Annie's boss insists on using this necklace as part of her Met Gala presentation. After a different artifact is stolen the night of the big party, Charlotte is convinced it has something to do with the cursed necklace and decides she needs to go back to Egypt, with Annie tagging along, to finally put this curse to rest.

This was a quick and entertaining read for me! I couldn't put it down!

The Stolen Queen
By: Fiona Davis
Publisher: Dutton
Pub Date: January 7, 2025
5 🛕🛕🛕🛕🛕

Every year I cannot wait for Davis’s next book. She always transforms me to NYC. Her books always have a NYC building as the center of the story. This year centers on the Met Gala and we travel back decades to Cairo.
🛕
Art, stolen artifacts, an in-depth story, intrigue, mummies, curses, NYC and Egypt make for an extraordinary novel filled with well-researched details.

Thank you Dutton for the gifted eARC.

❓Have you visited NYC? If you have, which is your favorite building? I had made a quick trip, but going back is on my bucket list.
#thestolenqueen, #fionadavis, #dutton, #bookreview, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50

DNF @ 25%

Here we are again, doing my least favorite thing, DNFing an advanced copy :/
This premise sounded amazing, as someone who works in GLAM I thought that I would be immediately hooked. As much as I thought I would enjoy the setting, there was really nothing for me to grab onto here. I have never read the author before so I didn't know what to expect, but there was something a little too smoothed over for me, as if there were no texture to the scenes, and we were just moving from beat to beat. Maybe there will be some edits in between now and publishing and I will give it another shot, but I think here I broke my own rule of not requesting books that are more than four mouths out from their pub date. Take my words with a grain of salt, if this is an author you like, it still might be for you!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me early access to this book!

“The Stolen Queen” is by Fiona Davis. If you’ve read any of her previous books, you know you can expect an interesting building (in this case The Met of NYC) and some strong female characters. In this case, we follow (via dual timelines) Charlotte. In the 1930s, Charlotte accompanied a Met sponsored dig in Egypt, where a great discovery was made. In the 1970s, Charlotte is now employed by The Met as an Egyptologist, prepping for the King Tut exhibit. Before that, however, is The Met Gala, headed by Diana Vreeland, in Ms. Vreeland’s typical over the top extravaganza. While Charlotte isn’t involved (much) in planning that event, the other main character, Annie, is - hired on the spot as Ms. Vreeland’s assistant. During the party, a number of things go wrong - a priceless piece of sculpture is stolen, priceless and delicate costumes are at risk, and some of Charlotte’s work is stolen. Charlotte and Annie go off to Egypt to try to find out how, exactly, the past and present connect. I once again applaud Ms. Davis’s historical research - do read the Author’s Note [knowing a bit about both The Valley of the Kings and the Egyptian time period, I was impressed that Ms. Davis invented a new set of rulers - hats off to you Ma’am]. I found a bit of Annie’s coincidences a bit *too* convenient - and I absolutely disliked the storyline with her mother - but I dld like how Annie blossomed as this book progressed. This was a delightful book and I look forward to Ms. Davis’s next book.