I think Fiona Davis is one of the best storytellers around, and a new book is a cause for celebration.

The mixture of history, Egyptology, and suspense keeps the pages flying, and the clever details along the way, all come together for a satisfying conclusion. I’ve told everyone about this book and anxiously await the next book.

Fiona Davis’s “The Stolen Queen” is a mesmerizing fusion of historical allure, enigmatic suspense, and high-stakes drama. This novel sweeps readers from the opulent frenzy of staging the illustrious Met Gala to the sun-drenched sands of Egypt’s archaeological excavations.

With an array of unexpected alliances, shrewd treasure hunters, and a labyrinthine plot brimming with twists and turns, the narrative grips your imagination until the very last word. The richly layered backstories of the characters infuse their actions with profound emotional depth, creating a tapestry that is as heartrending as it is exhilarating.

This book is an essential indulgence for connoisseurs of adventure, intrigue, and evocative storytelling, promising a journey that lingers long after the final page is turned.

A fascinating read centered around Egyptian archeology and antiquities. Charlotte is working as an assistant curator at the famous Met Museum in New York while continuing her research that she started many years before. When a tragic event occurred in Egypt young Charlotte returned to the US and her life took a very different turn. Now she must return to Egypt to put her past at rest.

The Stolen Queen is a classic Fiona Davis novel. This time, the iconic NYC focus is the Metropolitan Museum and Davis weaves together both an ancient mystery of Egyptian antiquities and more classics of The Met (e.g., the gala). Set mostly in the mid-1970s, Davis chose a time period when museums were beginning to question their "right" to antiquities, but definitely not questioning enough!

I thought the various plotlines were woven together well, though the believability of some of it was a bit of a strain (e.g., the hiring by Vreeland, the whole gala sequence, and a 19-year-old taking off for Egypt at the drop of a hat). That said, I was in for the story and interested in the reveals about the past.

The Stolen Queen is a notable novel that highlights Fiona Davis’s skill in creating complex and emotionally impactful narratives. The book features robust character development, a captivating plot, and a refined writing style, making it highly recommended for enthusiasts of historical fiction. It offers a well-crafted and immersive reading experience

Dual timelines collide in this historical novel about a stolen Egyptian artifact. This book has ambitious women, friendships, tragedy and loss, adventure and mystery, but most intriguingly, it is set in 1930s Egypt at the height of discovery. I enjoyed this and its dual plots that were woven together. However, it did feel quite juvenile, and I would have liked to have seen more.

4.5 stars

In each of her books, Fiona Davis selects an iconic building in New York City as the setting, and The Stolen Queen takes place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This fast-paced dual timeline tale is set in 1936 Egypt where Charlotte Cross is participating in an archaeological dig. While there she discovers historical artifacts connected to an ancient female pharaoh, but when tragedy strikes, she leaves Egypt, planning never to return. In 1978 Manhattan, Charlotte is the associated curator of the Department of Egyptian Artifacts at the Met, tasked with working on the Met Gala, where things go awry when one of the museum’s most valuable pieces goes missing. Teaming up with Annie, a personal assistant to Diana Vreeland who is chairing the gala, Charlotte realizes she must return to the one place she swore she never would. Davis tackles numerous timely topics including how women have been marginalized in history, the importance of reclaiming their contributions, and the repatriation of stolen or looted artifacts and the issues that result. The behind-the-scenes glimpses into the Met’s operations and collections is fascinating, and the strong sense of place for both Egypt and the museum will transport the reader to both locales. Historical fiction fans and art lovers will thoroughly enjoy this one.

Fiona Davis is an automatic read for me. I always love the settings in her novels and her latest title is another gem.

In The Stolen Queen, Davis takes us from The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York during 1978 to excavation sites of 1936 Egypt. The dual timelines tell a story of Charlotte Cross, the associate curator at The Met, her experience on digs and her involvement int the process of authenticating art and artifacts. Through Annie Jenkins, we learn about legendary Diana Vreeland, former editor of Vogue and the detailed process behind planning the annual Met Gala. When you add in a mystery about one of the ancient Egyptian artifacts, you have both an entertaining and well researched novel.

If you love art history, architecture, mysteries, Egyptology or fashion, I highly recommend this historical fiction novel. Perfect for fans of Gill Paul’s The Collector’s Daughter or The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the advanced reader’s copy.

This was such a beautiful book! Fiona has outdone herself with this one. dual timelines of 1930s Egypt and 1970s NYC. Family drama, mysterious curse and archaeological dig. My new favorite Fiona!

No one writes historical fiction like Fiona Davis and "The Stolen Queen" is no exception. If you've read her work before, you know she a master of her craft and if not, you are in for a sublime reading experience. I don't want to say anything that will make this book less of a surprise. Just read it!

THE STOLEN QUEEN by Fiona Davis

Fiona Davis has perfected writing immersive stories that center around iconic New York City landmarks. Her latest is a dual timeline story that takes place at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) during 1978 and in 1936 Egypt, in and around the Valley of the Kings excavation sites.

Through associate curator Charlotte Cross, we get a glimpse into the inner workings of The Met, the excavation process at dig sites, and how art and antiquities are authenticated. Alongside Annie Jenkins, we encounter the formidable Vogue fashion editor, Diana Vreeland, and witness the behind the scenes chaos of the Met Gala. On top of all that, there’s a mystery to be solved regarding a valuable, possibly cursed Egyptian artifact.

While there were quite a few convenient coincidences, as a whole the story was entertaining, well researched and well written. Recommend if you love mysteries, art, history, fashion, anthropology and Egyptology.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

**ARC courtesy of Netgalley & Penguin Group

This excellent historical novel is set in two different time periods. In 1938, student Charlotte is on an archaeological dig in Egypt; in 1979 we see Charlotte working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC where the Temple of Dendur has just recently opened; and in 1979 we also see Annie, an 18 year old who loves the Met and eventually gets a job there at the Costume Institute.

I’m a Fiona Davis super-fan, and have read all her books, but I’ve always maintained that her first book, The Dollhouse, was my favorite. Well, I think I now have a new favorite! I just loved everything about it! I always love the NYC settings in Fiona’s books, but I especially loved this one because I’ve been to the Met many times, plus I loved the Egypt setting which was new for her books! The Egyptology was so interesting without overwhelming the book, and the Costume Institute and Diana Vreeland brought the glamour. And I loved the little bits of mystery and romance and loved both characters. Great to start the year with a book that could end up being a favorite of the year!

4.5 stars

Fiona Davis is one of my favorite authors! I absolutely adore the way she masterfully blends history with drama, crafting stories that are both engaging and educational. Her clever use of diverse settings and richly developed characters makes each book an immersive experience. I was completely captivated by the opportunity to delve into a mystery while learning fascinating details about ancient Egypt and the Met Gala. It's a perfect combination of intrigue and discovery!

Fiona Davis is one of my must read authors. She takes an iconic New York City building and weaves a masterful story using the buildings past and present. Thank you to @fionadavisauthor @netgalley and @dutton books for the #gifted ebook.

THE STOLEN QUEEN takes place at the MET and their celebrated Department of Egyptian Art. Charlotte is an associate curator who in 1936 was on an archaeological dig at the Valley of the Kings when tragedy struck. She vows never to return to Egypt.

It is 1978 and Annie lands a job as Diane Vreeland's assistant as they prepare for the annual MET gala. Charlotte and Annie's path crosses on the night of the gala when one of the precious artifacts goes missing. The unlikely pair go to Egypt to find the missing artifact putting themselves in danger as Charlotte faces her past.

I loved the dual timelines and learning the behind scenes of what goes on at both the MET and MET gala. I found the archaeological dig and artifacts interesting. Going down the Nile and visiting the pyramids is on my bucket list and I would love to visit the Valley of the Kings. THE STOLEN QUEEN is historical fiction with mystery, suspense and a smidge of romance. It is one of my favorite books by Fiona

I loved this novel that dual timelines: 1936 and 1978. The book was historically fascinating with beautiful descriptions of both Egypt and The Met. I loved that the two main characters, who are completely different from one another, and become intertwined as they search for the truth. On a side note, this book reminded my 12 year old self in 1978 that it was all the rage to see King Tut in NYC!

The Stolen Queen was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The story beautifully explores intergenerational friendships and the journey of coming to terms with one's history. I loved the backdrop of archaeology, Egyptian curses, and the sense of mystery that enveloped the plot—it definitely gave me echoes of my obsession with The Mummy (minus Brendan Fraser, of course!).

The characters and their relationships were engaging, and the historical intrigue added a lot of depth to the story. While some readers may feel the ending tied up a little too neatly, I’m personally satisfied with such conclusions from time to time—it offered a sense of closure that felt earned.

Overall, The Stolen Queen is a captivating mix of history, friendship, and mystery, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

This book simultaneously tells the story of the Egyptian Gallery of the Met, the Met Gala (helmed by Diane Vreeland), and the discoveries of archaeological digs in Egypt.

In 1936, Charlotte Cross was an anthropology student working in the Valley of Kings when something happened that changed the course of her life. In 1978, Annie Jenkins is working for former Vogue editor, Diane Vreeland to organize the Met Gala.

When an ancient Egyptian necklace goes missing on the night of the Gala, Annie must work with Charlotte, now the associate curator in the Met’s Department of Egyptian Art, to recover the lost necklace.

Why Kirsten loves it
I loved both female leads – particularly Annie, who found the gumption to change her life circumstances. Davis‘s writing sucked me right in and I was fretting with nerves the night of the gala.

I loved each setting of The Stolen Queen, but Egypt really captured my heart. Another hit by one of my favorite authors.

Fiona Davis is back with a wonderful new novel. The settings are New York City, Metropolitan Museum, the Department of Egyptian Art and Egypt, starting in the Valley of the Kings.

Ms. Davis blends two time periods seamlessly together. An artifact from the past, supposedly lost in the Nile, mysteriously turns up at the Museum forcing our main character to return to Egypt in search of the knowledge of what really happened to her deceased husband and daughter.

As with all of Fiona Davis's books, you will be burning the midnight oil to learn the outcome.

Based on subject matter alone this should have been my favorite Fiona Davis book yet. It…was not.

Purely in terms of entertainment value this book is fine, but it lacks the really tight storytelling and excellent research-driven narrative I typically associate with Davis’ novels.

I loved the setting and that this book centered on the Met. While I was more interested in the Egyptian art part of the story than the Met Gala/Diana Vreeland content, the latter was actually better executed, and Davis did a good job of blending the two timelines.

Davis does a better job than most of addressing the nuances of repatriation and where objects should reside, avoiding the knee-jerk politically correct reactions while still acknowledging that there are instances where repatriation is actually the appropriate action.

I wish she hadn’t invented a fictional pharaoh, especially given that this is clearly based on an actual female ruler. Why not either fit the story to something that fits with the historical pharaoh, or use one of the other six female pharaohs (several of whom little is known about, making them easier to spin a fictional story around)? Davis mentions this in her author’s note, but it’s an unsatisfying sort of “for timeline reasons” or some such vagary.

I also wasn’t wild about the “your whole family is dead! Oh wait, maybe they’re not dead!” personal plot line for Charlotte, which felt manipulative and required a LOT of ridiculous coincidences to sort out in the end.

I liked the two principal characters, and of course, Davis always gives us excellent sense of place for the building which inspires the novel. This is fun and worth reading, but Davis has previously set the standard for her work very, very high, and this one doesn’t quite measure up.

The search for a stolen artifact takes two very different women to Egypt in this fascinating mix of mystery and historical fiction by Fiona Davis, told in two time periods. In 1936, 18-year-old Charlotte Cross goes to Egypt and makes the discovery of a lifetime. However, instead of fame, she finds tragedy. Could it be the curse of the ancient Egyptian Queen Hathorkare? In 1978, some 40 years later, Charlotte is not known as a celebrated discoverer of Egyptian antiquities; the men on her dig took credit for that, but simply as an aloof associate curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where she is responsible for an exhibit about Queen Hathorkare. It is there that she finds herself in a battle of wills with the famous Vogue magazine editor Diana Vreeland who demands that the prestigious Met Gala festivities be held in the Egyptian gallery. When an ancient figurine of Queen Hathokare is stolen from the museum during the gala, the unlikely duo of Charlotte Cross and Vreeland’s quirky 19-year-old assistant Annie Jenkins join forces in Egypt in a dangerous attempt to recover the stolen queen whose curse Charlotte has lived with for so many years. I really enjoyed this character driven story that also has lots of action. The author’s research of Egypt is evident, and the reader gets a true sense of what Egypt must have been like in both 1936 and 1978. I would highly recommend this book to historical fiction and mystery readers. I would like to thank Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.