I am a fan of Fiona Davis’ historical fiction and I love how she focuses each book on a different building in New York City. This time it’s the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Egypt.

This is a dual timeline book that follows Charlotte cross, a young anthropology student, in Egypt in 1936, and then again in 1978 when she is an associate curator of the Met’s celebrated Department of Egyptian Art right before the King Tut exhibit is going to come through. Part of the 1978 timeline is also told through eighteen-year-old Annie Jenkins, who is helping Diana Vreeland with the Met Gala.

I loved the focus on female power throughout this novel, especially Cross’ study of a female pharaoh and how she was so discredited over time, in part because it was men who wrote down history. The book also tackles who should own pieces of history – should all Egyptian pieces stay in Egypt or is it okay for museums throughout the world to have them?

I loved the writing, the story and the very strong sense of place Davis captured with this story and would absolutely recommend it to others who enjoy historical fiction. It also made me want to visit the Met again, it’s been too long since I’ve last been there.

Overall, The Stolen Queen is an engaging and thought-provoking read, ideal for fans of historical fiction and anyone who appreciates a masterfully told mystery rooted in history.
The novel intertwines two stories: one occurs in early 1970s New York City and the Met, focusing on an art historian determined to uncover the fate of a missing artifact. At the same time, the other explores the life of a queen in 1930s Egypt. The author brilliantly depicts both periods, allowing readers to visualize the work taking place within the tombs. Through skilled narration, the author conveys each era's tension, beauty, and intricacies, drawing readers into the captivating realm of museum politics and the dangerous court intrigues of medieval Europe.
The alternating timelines complement each other beautifully, gradually building suspense as the layers of history and mystery are peeled away.
What prevented me from giving it a full five stars was the lack of depth in some of the characters, the drawn-out chapters, and the ending that wrapped up quickly, resolving all loose ends. However, none of these issues took away from the book’s strengths.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the early copy in exchange for my review! #TheStolenQueen #NetGalley

Master storyteller @fionadavisauthor does it again! If you are an Egyptian history buff like me, you will absolutely love this gem of a story! I devoured it in 3 days! It has the perfect mix of fiction, history, and suspense. Based on the actual discovery of one of Egypt’s most powerful and often dismissed female pharaoh’s, Hatshepsut, the story bounces back and forth between Cairo and the Metropolitan Museum of art in New York City in the 1930’s and 70’s. Charlotte is trying to not only put together the pieces of Egyptian history discovered deep in the Valley if the Kings, but also the pieces of her own traumatic past. Pick this one up if you like… ✅Dual timelines ✅A Strong female protagonist ✅Met Gala intrigue ✅Archeological digs ✅Stolen antiquities ✅An Egyptian curse ✅Mystery and Suspense Thank you to @netgalley and @duttonbooks for the E-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Fiona Davis is an automatic purchase for me. Her novels, taking one NYC landmark and building a story around it, usually in a dual timeline, is absolutely brilliant. I've lived in NYC almost my entire life and I learn things from every book of hers that I read!

This story is set at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, with an earlier timeline set in Egypt as well as NYC. I found this whole story intriguing from start to finish. It's about two women, one is an older archaeologist and the other is a young woman just starting her career at the museum. The join forces to find a stolen artifact that they believe was taken during The Met Ball and taken back to Egypt. As much as I loved the parts where they were back in Egypt, I very much enjoyed both of their backstories.

In my opinion, Fiona Davis can do no wrong. Her books are excellent - every single one of them.

Thank you for this ARC! I appreciated the idea of the stolen queen and love a duo of strong women in charge. I actually really liked how this dual timeline and POV wrapped together - that was skillfully done. But something about Davis’ dialogue is just off for me and it all wrapped too neatly in a bow. While I couldn't have predicted the ending too soon, I did feel like I could see what was coming at each turn. The clues were not at all subtle and the descriptions heavy handed. I have one more Fiona Davis book on my shelf to try when I'm in a historical mood, otherwise she just might not be a writer for me.

I enjoyed this book very much. It has a dual timeline, alternating between 1936 and 1978 and also alternating points of view between the two main characters. Often, I find this narrative format distracting, but the author handled this approach very well. I especially enjoyed the locations and background-- Egyptian cities and archeological digs combined with NYC, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, exhibits and the costume gala. I also liked the two main characters and their relationship. However, the ending seemed a little rushed and too tidy.

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

This book is okay but forgettable. The concept is great but the story moves too quickly to fully settle into it. Several major plot threads are introduced in the first 10 pages, giving me no time to absorb a sense of place or the characters’ personalities before the story has hit the ground running. The immediate stakes prevented me from forming an emotional investment in what was happening, and the story continues to move at a quick pace, often with barely any transitional language between scenes.

The sections that take place in Egypt in the 30s are the superior part of the book. There’s something so romantic and exciting about those archaeology digs and the wealthy people who traveled all that way to see ancient history in person. These chapters seem well-researched and do a wonderful job of conveying the setting, while the rest of the book that takes place in New York in the 70s is considerably less interesting, and gets more and more ridiculous as it goes.

There is no subtlety in the dialogue — the author explains everything so plainly without room for nuance or foreshadowing. All tell and no show. There are stretches of truly good writing and some memorable descriptive bits, which makes me think this could have been a really great novel with better editing, but some of the plot points make zero sense. Conveniences and contrivances abound.

Why is it a teenager’s sole responsibility to make sure nothing happens to a priceless Egyptian artifact? How did said teenager land a Devil Wears Prada sort of job with absolutely no experience or references? Why does Charlotte never try to find out what her mother’s cryptic last words meant? How does Annie get a passport literally overnight? And what do any of these people look like???

Underwhelming. The author could have done so much more with this material — but then again, maybe not.

As interesting as this story could be: the moral ambiguity of moving antiquities around the world for display (is this theft or preservation?)...the book missed a lot of opportunities to delve deeper and tried too hard to make this a mystery. The Stolen Queen was ok. It wasn't great but it also wasn't bad. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Stolen Queen

Not unlike all previous books written by Fiona Davis, she captures a strength and resolve in women that, in my opinion, is far too often understated.

In all eight books she has had published, there is a New York City historical landmark set as the novels centerpiece. These buildings are usually the start of most discussions regarding Davis’ work, and understandably so. Whether it is The Barbizon, The Dakota, or as in The Stolen Queen, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, they’re major players in our story. When she writes she turns brick and mortar onto something that lives and breathes. They are expressive characters that leave us with an indelible experience.

But she does so much more than that.

It’s the women. It’s how she writes them.

Davis writes women of strength and character. They are bright and resolute. They show us their vulnerabilities and not once would they be confused as a weakness. They are, and I say this in the most impressive of ways, capable. Capable of reaching heights they work toward.

In The Stolen Queen, Charlotte is our main protagonist and Annie becomes her assistant. These women, like so many she creates, are what I have just described. Both strong, they show their strengths in their own ways.

Charlotte, with her steadfast and determined nature, overcomes a devastating tragedy at a young age. She remained in her profession, in spite of the heartbreaking misfortune and loss she met with in that world. Her research continued and her passion renewed with a theft of an important artifact. After her loss she lived her life as she chose to. Considering she was 19 in 1938 is further testament to her strengths.

Annie, a young and inexperienced woman who played nursemaid to a perfectly healthy but emotionally defective mother, seeks to find her own path. But as she did so what I saw in her was a perseverance of someone beyond her years. She knows there’s something out there for her. Something big and she is relentless in chasing it down.

I have to admit, I went into this one intimidated. I know nothing of, nor have I had a working interest in, Egyptian history. However, to my delight, Davis deftly and easily made that a nonissue.

Throughout the story I was enveloped in her writing style and couldn’t wait to get the next page. Additionally, she continues to master two timelines and pulling them together seamlessly.

The Stolen Queen continues Davis’ terrific run of historical fiction set in New York City.

This woman could make a grocery list gripping.

The only downside I found was, after I finished it, it will feel like forever until her next one.

So appreciative of the publisher to front me a copy of this book prior to release.

I was very excited for this book, having worked in museum collections and studied looted art & cultural heritage law in grad school. However, while entertaining, this book needed an editor! Characters used words that were not used in 1978 (like “sucks”) and there was mention of Nazi looted art that just wasn’t widely acknowledged until the 1990s. The 1970s were a pivotal time for museums and recognizing the preservation of cultural heritage, so I appreciate the author’s attempt to bring this subject to a wider audience. However, there were just too many holes and unbelievable plot devices for me.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book. All options are my own.

Fiona Davis is royalty (see what I did there?) in the historical fiction genre, and her latest skillfully combines fact and fiction in a compelling adventure featuring The Met Gala, antiquity theft, an ancient curse and family. While I thought the ending was a bit abrupt and too tidy with all the loose ends, it was still quite enjoyable. I'll continue to read her future work.

Although I’m a huge fantasy reader, my obsession with historical fiction runs just as deep—probably why historical fantasy is my sweet spot! That said, I’ll read anything Fiona Davis writes, and The Stolen Queen only reinforced my obsession. I’m utterly in awe!

From the bustling streets of New York to the rich and vivid landscapes of Cairo, this book was an unforgettable journey. Fiona Davis masterfully transports readers between Egypt in 1936 and New York in 1978, weaving together a lush tapestry of history, mystery, and deeply emotional storytelling.

The story takes off with a missing art piece during a dazzling gala, setting in motion a thrilling quest to uncover its secrets. Davis’s ability to blend historical depth with an intricate mystery kept me riveted—I couldn’t put this book down! Her characters are so nuanced and compelling, each thread adding emotional weight to a plot rich with layers and meaning.

One of the standout aspects for me was how gracefully the book navigates the ethical debate around art ownership: who truly owns these cultural treasures, and how should history remember them? It’s a topic that lingers long after the final page, giving readers much to reflect on.

This novel’s layers are mesmerizing. I found myself bouncing between my love for the evocative settings, the pulse-pounding mystery, the unforgettable characters, and the poignant themes explored throughout. It’s rare for a book to balance all these elements so effortlessly, but The Stolen Queen absolutely does.

I think it’s safe to say this is my new favorite Fiona Davis novel! If you love historical fiction (or even if you don’t yet), The Stolen Queen is a must-read. Fiona Davis continues to prove she’s a master of her craft, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

This is another fascinating historical fiction by Fiona Davis. The dual timeline set in the 1970s NYC at the Met and in 1930s Cairo was a creative, but seemless transition. The characters in the book are intersting and likable. The mystery kept me wanting to read all the way until the end. I had a hard time putting this one down. It was a very quick read because I wanted to keep finding out what was going to happen next. I enjoyed reading more about the Met Gala and what goes into the preparations. Mentioning Diana Vreeland was a fun touch. It added a bit of authenticity. This was probably my favorite book of hers because of the locations. Egypt isn't one that has been taken on much in historical fiction, but it's such a fascinating and mysterious place. It makes for an amazing setting. And I love the Met, so having not only it as a backdrop but also the Met Gala as a setting was a lot of fun. If you're a fan of historical fiction, do not miss this one!

Fiona Davis never disappoints. This takes place in another historic NYC landmark, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1978, as well the archeological digs of Egypt of the 1930s. Charlotte Cross, an associate curator at the Met, is focused on her research of Hatorkare, a rare female pharaoah that has been largely ignored by history. Meanwhile, young Annie Jenkins has been hired to assist iconic former Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland with the Met Gala. On the night of the gala, there's a robbery that draws the two women together to solve the crime and also takes them back to Egypt and to a mystery that has been haunting Charlotte her entire life. Fiona Davis brings to life the locations as well as the characters. Highly recommended.

Author Fiona Davis has the amazing ability to take landmarks, based in NYC, and craft entire books about the people who engaged with them at different points in time. And these books are, without a doubt, compelling page-turners that remain in readers’ imaginations long after the book has been finished. I always look forward to new books by Davis; I am never disappointed. THE STOLEN QUEEN manages to create multiple mysteries across 2 historic periods related to Egyptian artifacts: the mid-1930s and 1978. The characters are believable and engaging but the real star of the book is The Met and its contents. While I thought the beginning a bit slow, I suddenly found myself fully immersed in the plot and read until late into the night to finish it. Now, I wish I hadn’t finished it yet. I really wanted to spend more time with the characters and the location. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis is exactly the type of book I’ve been searching for and unable to find. It’s a true action-adventure mystery full of unexpected surprises, unique characters, well-written settings, a cursed ancient object, and heartbreaking tragedy.

This book is actually exciting! It transports the reader from 1938 Egypt Valley of The Kings, to the Met Gala in 1978, the halls of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and back to the seedy streets of Cairo.

The Stolen Queen hooked me right away from the first few chapters. I’m fascinated with ancient Egypt and needed to know the truth about the female Pharaoh Hathorkare, the Valley of the Kings dig, her priceless stolen and cursed broad collar that was discovered by our main character Charlotte, and if Charlotte’s research about Hathorkare was true.

The book is told in third person alternating between two female main characters Charlotte and struggling, young Annie. Extremely different, they still connect over their deep love for The Met and are brought together when the broad collar is stolen during the Met Gala.

Charlotte, an Egyptologist and associate curator at Metropolitan Museum of Art is an outspoken person for her time. She lived an extraordinary life when women’s rights didn’t exist yet. Readers learn about her story, her struggles as a female in her field, her tragic loss, and how hard she is on herself. Unfortunately, we also see her history-changing research and discoveries get dismissed over and over again. because women’s contributions to ancient history and culture were mostly erased and credited to male archaeologists.

Fiona Davis focuses on the theme of women not getting the recognition they deserved during that time period. Charlotte is on a mission to change this. Themes of female friendships, mother/daughter relationships, and artifact theft and replication are also put in the spotlight. It’s one of the most informative historical fiction books I’ve read.

Each setting is described so well that I was wandering the halls of the museum filled with artifacts with Annie. In Luxor, Egypt I could smell the spices, feel the warmth of the desert sun, see the swirling sands, hear the waves of the Nile River. It felt like I was with both Charlotte and Annie, especially on the boat.

There is a lot going on in The Stolen Queen, but the side characters and stories are all necessary to the plot and themes of the book.

I highly recommend reading The Stolen Queen. It’s my first book by Fiona Davis and I plan to read many more of her fascinating stories.

I loved all the ancient Egyptian and archaeological references throughout the book, although the mummies, etc., were fictional, I still learned a lot. I found the characters to be engaging and interesting and the story was quite a different take on a mystery. The author actually had me feeling engaged with Annie and Charlotte and their very different backgrounds and stories; the storyline was quite unique. However, I felt like the end was too quickly and too neatly tied up in a package and delivered, as well as being a little bit contrived and off the mark. Beyond that I would have given this book 5 stars, but since the end left me disappointed (even though the rest of the book was thoroughly enjoyable) I will have to give this book 4 stars. I’ve read other books by the author and do enjoy her and will continue to read her books, but the ending of this one was just a bit lacking. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

Fiona Davis is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I love how she always chooses to craft her novels around an iconic NYC building and was thrilled that this time she chose the Met and its famous Egyptian Art department as the backdrop of her captivating story.

The story is first set in Egypt, 1936, where we meet 19 year old Charlotte Cross, an enthusiastic archaeology student who jumps at the chance to take a coveted spot on a dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.

Tragedy strikes, however, and the next time we see Charlotte, it is 1978 in New York City, and she is 60 years old, living a quiet life as a curator in the Met’s Egyptian Art department and spending most of her time researching Hathorkare, a rare female pharoah who has been dismissed by most other scholars.

Charlotte occasionally crosses paths with 19 year old Annie Jenkins, a determined young woman trying to find her path in life and who has landed a job as an assistant to Diana Vreeland, who is planning this year’s Met Gala.

When one of the Egyptian art collection’s most valuable artifacts is stolen the night of the gala and Annie ends up a suspect, she and Charlotte partner up to try to clear Annie’s name. Their journey to retrieve the artifact takes them all the way to Egypt and it’s filled with danger, intrigue, mystery, ancient curses. It’s also fraught with pain as Charlotte must relive the tragedy she experienced all those years ago.

The Stolen Queen is a beautifully written, addictive read with a seamless dual timeline that I couldn’t put down. I was fascinated by Hathorkare & her curse, captivated by these two strong female characters trying to solve this mystery on their own, and I found the book’s ending especially moving.

This dual timeline historical novel was really fun and readable. The narrative shifts between 1930s Egypt to 1970s New York, Main character Charlotte is a college student on an archeology dig in the earlier timeline and a Met Museum curator in the later one.

Incorporating things like the Met Gala, the Constume Institute, Diana Vreeland, and the King Tut exhibit, this entertaining book is perfect for book club.

Fabulous! The Stolen Queen has it all; History, Mystery and Conspiracy. A jewel of a book by the author Fiona Davis.