I've been a fan of Fiona's books since The Dollhouse and she gets better w/ea one! The Stolen Queen is everything I love about historical fiction plus l've been fascinated with Ancient Egypt for ages now. The Met setting brought me back to the first time I went there & fell in love with Ancient Egypt (and The Impressionists). Plus with turning the big 5oh! in 4 months, this midlife coming of age story was just
what I needed right now.

Fiona Davis is my go-to author for historical fiction and I was beyond thrilled when I heard she released a new book. "The Stolen Queen" certainly did not disappoint and, once again, history came alive through Davis's words. Charlotte Cross is a character who you can't help but cheer for; she is highly intelligent, brave, and strong enough to rebel all of the expectations society placed upon women in the 1930s. Her determination to finally place a forgotten female pharaoh back on the throne where she belonged, the reader follows Charlotte from Egypt to New York City and back to Egypt again, all the while facing great danger and having to come to terms with unspeakable loss. I loved the emotional depth the author brought to this story, adding an extra layer to the history and intrigue one expects from a historical mystery. I was so immersed in Charlotte's world that I didn't want the story to end!

Once again Fiona Davis cements herself as one of my favorite authors and I am already looking forward to her next book. Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this fabulous book.

This was an enjoyable duo timeline story that takes place partly in Egypt and partly at the Met in NYC. My favorite part revolved around the mystery of what happened to a female pharaoh’s pictures. Why were they defaced? And did she deserve more respect than modern Egyptologists gave her?

There are two main female characters, Charlotte and Annie. Charlotte is an older Egyptologist who refuses to go back to Egypt for unknown reasons. Annie is a young woman who is set adrift in the world by her careless mother. Their stories weave around each other through their jobs at the Met.

Annie is interested in fashion and has an opportunity to be an assistant during the days leading up to the Met Gala. I’d love a book just about this because it was fascinating.

I found the mystery of Charlotte to be less compelling than the other storylines and didn’t love the way it resolved. However, the other parts of the story kept me engaged.

Best-selling author Fiona Davis is known for historical fiction mysteries set in iconic New York City buildings. The Stolen Queen is no different, taking us to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the late 1970s and to Egypt in the 1970s and the 1930s.

It’s a fun ride—told in two different time periods with two strong female main characters who are complex, flawed, and honest.

We follow Charlotte, an Egyptologist fighting misogyny in 1930s Europe and later an associate curator at the Museum fighting misogyny in 1970s New York. We also follow Annie, a young woman with a challenging life in 1970s New York trying to figure out what to do with herself.

They are linked when they meet in the Met and bond over their interest in The Cerulean Queen, believed to be an ancient Egyptian artifact depicting the maligned female pharaoh Hathorkare, and a beautiful Egyptian collar believed to have belonged to Hathorkare. Charlotte knows the artifact’s troubled—possibly cursed—past.

The story is a bit slow to start, but once it gets going and you learn of Charlotte’s tragic history and the multiple mysteries surrounding Hathorkare and the artifacts, readers are immediately drawn in. It becomes a fast-paced read that I stayed up way too late finishing.

There are also lots of great pieces to it that make it a perfect book club selection—so I made a Book Club Guide for the book!

Book: The Stolen Queen
Author: Fiona Davis
Format: Digital
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Places Featured: Metropolitan Museum of Art/New York City, Egypt
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Although the character plot developments are predictable and contrived, the historical aspects of the novel are top notch. As long as Fiona Davis sticks to archeology, Egypt and the Met Museum she is in top form. You can't put down these parts of the book.. They are also very informative. I look forward to visiting again the Egyptian rooms of the Met Museum.. I also look forward to the next Fiona Davis book where she visits the history of various NYC historical landmarks and supplies us with interesting historical information.

In 1936, a young Charlotte Cross is working as an archeologist at a dig in Egypt. She discovers an ancient tomb with mummies. She suspects the tomb is that of an Eqyptian queen, based on the things found in the tomb with the mummies. Those discoveries lead to great tragedy for Charlotte and she leaves Egypt heartbroken and in despair, never planning to return. In 1978, Charlotte now works at the Metropolitan Museum in New York in the Department of Egyptian Art as associate curator. As she prepares for the upcoming King Tut exhibit, an important work of Egyptian art is stolen from the museum. Charlotte feels she must go to Egypt to find the thief and recover the stolen work. While she is there, she must also confront some of the pain and sorrow from the past.
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis is an interesting work of historical fiction. It kept me up reading very late! I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and to those interested in ancient Eqypt.
I was given an ARC of The Stolen Queen by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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This historical fiction novel has two alternating timelines and mainly set in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and an archaeological dig in Egypt. The stories of Charlotte and Annie involved mystery, stolen art, history, family relationships, and friendship. I enjoyed learning more about Egyptian history and the Met Gala. Thank you Dutton for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

There must have been a great deal of research into the subject. The author seemed quite well educated on the subject. As well as finding the story exciting, I learned a lot. The story alternates between Egypt and New York city. I really liked that the main character was a 60 year old woman.

The Stolen Queen involves stolen antiquities, mistaken identity, Egypt's Valley of the Kings, the Metropolitan Museum of New York, Diana Vreeland, and a female pharaoh! Once again, Fiona Davis has written a multigenerational story around a New York City landmark (the Met). I loved the depth of the two main characters, Charlotte and Annie, and the fact that Charlotte's research is based on Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh. A delightful story.

Fiona Davis is an auto buy author for me! The Stolen Queen is a captivating historical novel that intertwines two timelines: 1936 Egypt and 1978 New York City. It follows Charlotte, and American anthropology student who participates in an archaeological dig in Egypt, and Annie, a young assistant involved in organizing the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Their lives converge when a valuable Egyptian artifact disappears during the gala, prompting a journey that delves into ancient mysteries and personal histories.

Charlotte and Annie are such well written characters. The research behind this novel is incredible!

I'm always amazed by Fiona's ability to blend historical detail with compelling storytelling. The rich descriptions always make me feel like I'm there.

Told in two timeframes, this story of ancient Egyptian tombs and pharoahs kept my attention and I couldn't put it down!

In 1936 Egypt, anthropology student Charlotte Cross is offered a coveted spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, so she leaps at the opportunity. But while she learns so much during that time, she also falls in love and is devastated by the tragedy that eventually unfolds. Charlotte returns to her home in New York, vowing to never return to Egypt.

In 1978 New York City, at only 19, Annie Jenkins is thrilled when she coincidentally is able to get an opportunity to work for iconic former Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland. They are working on organizing the famous Met Gala, which involves portions of the famed Egyptian displays of the museum.

On the night of the gala, Charlotte and Annie's paths cross when one of the Egyptian art collection’s most valuable artifacts goes missing. As Annie and Charlotte team up to search for the missing antiquity, a desperate hunch leads the unlikely duo back to where the story began - Egypt. The story had wonderful twists and I loved seeing both characters grow and learn from each other.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis was a wonderful book. I loved the pace, the adventure, intrigue and entire story line. A beautiful story with a lasting image of wonderful characters. Thank you @Dutten@NetGalley

I really liked the description of this, but it didn't end up being for me. It wasn't badly written, but I found some of the characters actions and reactions to the situations they were in to be pretty unbelievable (it didn't occur to the MC that getting married and having a baby in the 30's would put an end to her career until she was already married?), and took me out of the story. I didn't realize until starting that both of the times lines are historical, which might have had something to do with it, as historical fiction isn't usually my genre. Probably not a bad book if it is a genre you enjoy.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis is a historical novel that switches between 1930’s in Egypt and the 1970’s in New York City. The story revolves around two women; Charlotte (in her 60’s) currently leading a quiet life as the associate curator of the Met’s celebrated Department of Egyptian Art; and Annie (18 years old), who gets a job working for Vogue fashion editor, Diana Vreeland.

In Egypt, 1936, Charlotte was an anthropology student, working on an archaeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. She loves her work, falls in love and will discover a burial chamber with a collar necklace. After a devasting tragedy, she eventually returns to New York, grieving her loss. 40 years later, Charlotte is a successful curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and becomes disturbed when a valuable Egyptian artifact is found missing.

In New York City, 1978, Annie is excited when she gets a job working for Diana. On the night of the gala, chaos unfolds, when someone destroys things, and the Cerulean Queen is now missing. At first, Annie is questioned, but Charlotte does come to her rescue. Charlotte decides she needs to return to Egypt and discover who is behind the missing links, as well as trying to find the truths about the tragedy. Unknown to Charlotte, Annie will also go on the same plane heading for Egypt, in order for her to help Charlotte, as well as protect her. Charlotte and Annie work together to uncover dangerous trials, deceit, finding the stolen artifacts, as well learning more of the secrets in the past.

I really loved the friendship that grew between Charlotte and Annie. Charlotte began to realize that Annie had an uncanny sense of observing valuable insights. Annie was very sweet and was determined to help Charlotte, especially finding clues to help her. They both were wonderful, as their stories intertwined. The storyline of Charlotte’s past comes back to haunt her, leading into a heartbreaking story. It was a wonderful ending, with revelations slowly being revealed.

The Stolen Queen was a terrific story about the two unforgettable women, filled with history, mystery, tragedy, emotional, secrets of the past and an Egyptian curse. The Stolen Queen was very well written by Fiona Davis.

I adored Fiona Davis's last release, The Spectacular, and I was eager to read about Egyptian archeology adventures in her newest release, The Stolen Queen. 

And I did enjoy the story's flashbacks to Egypt in the 1930s, as well as the descriptions of the Met and the Met Gala in the 1970s. The characters were interesting, as well. 

Overall, however, I felt that the narrative moved too slowly, and the ending was underwhelming.

I really enjoyed Fiona Davis’ latest historical fiction The Stolen Queen. Davis is known for setting her novels in iconic New York City locations. This one begins in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1978 where Charlotte Cross works as an associate curator in the Department of Egyption Art. The story flashes back to 1936 where Charlotte began her career in Egypt as an anthropology student. Secrets from her past prevent Charlotte from returning. She crosses paths with Annie Jenkins, a determined eighteen year old who has just landed a dream job as the assistant fashion editor at the Met. The two women end up on an unexpected mission that takes Charlotte back to Egypt to uncover two mysteries.

After I got through the first few chapters of the book I couldn’t put it down. The story really has it all: romance, historical context, mystery, suspense, while also being heartwarming at times.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I see anything related to history, archaeology and adventure and I will be there immediately. I loved the setting for this novel and I had fun reading it, but where it fell short for me was that it is quite predictable. If you are looking for a fun and easy read, The Stolen Queen is for you, unfortunately I finished this novel feeling a bit disappointed.

The beginning hooked me. I absolutely loved the setting of The Met and getting to read about the exhibitions and everything leading up to the Met Gala. However, as well as the beginning was written, it left the second part of the book feeling very rushed and a bit lackluster. The ending felt quite rushed as well, and the solution for the "lost family" just wrapped itself up very conveniently in the last third of the book. There is no subtlety in the dialogue — the author explains everything so plainly without room for nuance or foreshadowing. All tell and no show. I also felt like no one had to struggle to solve mysteries, they just immediately figured things out.

The Egyptology was super engaging without feeling like a history lecture, and I loved how it subtly explored the dark underbelly of the art world, including the shady trade and theft of priceless artifacts. It's a touchy subject regarding antiquities, and I felt that Davis dealt with it well.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Fiona Davis, she is my favorite Historical Fiction writer. I love her stories about women and how life for some women could have been in the past. I also have always been interested in Egyptian history so I was very excited to read her newest novel.
The story started a little slow for me. I pushed through and at about 25% it started getting good. By 50% I was hooked. It became a “one more page” turner. It was exciting to read about a woman who had the courage to explore Egypt in 1936 and how she could have possibly done so. I loved how Annie and Charlotte found each other and helped each other in different ways.
Fiona Davis is the master at peeking into women’s lives at different times in history and showing the love, compassion, and heartbreak they have faced. She has once again left me feeling proud to be a woman. I will recommend this book to many library patrons!

A rather preposterous book with chapters dedicated to specific characters. While the Egyptian history is interesting the story itself is true escapism.

Fiona Davis’s The Stolen Queen is an engaging read that takes you from the glitz and glamour of New York City’s Met Gala to the fascinating world of Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. The story unfolds through two timelines—1936, where anthropology student Charlotte Cross gets the chance of a lifetime to join an archaeological dig, and 1978, where Annie Jenkins lands a job working with former Vogue editor Diana Vreeland as she prepares for the iconic gala.

Once again, Davis does a fantastic job weaving together fact and fiction with strong female leads at the heart of the story. The historical details, references to famous figures, and descriptions of costumes and events really brought the story to life. As a sixth-grade social studies teacher, I loved the nods to ancient Egypt—while the pharaoh mentioned is fictional, I could see the clear connection to Hatshepsut, which made it even more fun to read.

The mystery kept me turning pages, eager to uncover the secrets of the past and how they shaped the present. I found myself cheering for Annie to step out of her mother’s shadow and create her own future, while hoping Charlotte would stay true to herself and move on from Mark and Lori. Davis’s storytelling makes it easy to get lost in the time periods and root for the characters as they navigate their own journeys.

Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for my ARC of this novel.

#netgalley #thestolenqueen #fionadavis