4.5/5 - I absolutely loved this book. I loved the journey that both Charlotte and Annie went on separately and then together. I always love learning new facts and history. Ms. Davis’ research was impeccable as usual.

This was a captivating book that was a little slow to start, but once it picked up, it was hard to put the book down. There are two main characters, Charlotte and Annie. Annie’s story seems to start from the day she is hired to work for Diana Vreeland, but Charlotte’s story goes back forty years to her days as an anthropology student in the Valley of the Kings.

Charlotte’s story jumps from present-day to the events of 1936 and back again, advancing the past timeline a bit more each time, until the story comes to its dramatic and traumatic end. I was both fascinated and appalled by much of what occurred in her past, and ultimately was thrilled with how things in her present day story concluded.

I have never read anything by this author before but have several of her books on my to-read shelf. Based upon my enjoyment of this book, I hope to read at least one of them at some point in 2025.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.</i>

In 1936, Charlotte, a young American anthropology student, joins an excavation in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. During the dig, she uncovers a burial chamber containing a stunning broad collar necklace believed to have belonged to a female pharaoh. But when tragedy strikes, Charlotte begins to suspect that the legendary curse said to haunt those who disturb a pharaoh's tomb might be more than just a myth...

Fast forward to 1978, and Charlotte is now an associate curator in the Egyptian wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, preparing for a major King Tut exhibit. There, she crosses paths with Annie, a newly hired assistant to former Vogue designer Diana Vreeland. Annie is thrilled to help Diana with the planning of something as iconic as the Met Gala, but when one of the museum's most prized artifacts, the Cerulean Queen, vanishes from the Egyptian wing during the event, everything takes a wild turn. Determined to recover the lost piece of art, Charlotte heads back to Egypt in search of answers. Desperate to clear her name after being questioned by security, Annie decides to join Charlotte in tracking down the piece. Together, the duo pairs up on a high-stakes mystery to uncover the truth!

This book was incredibly well-written and kept me intrigued from start to finish. The main characters were compelling, and the alternating timeline and perspectives added depth to the story. I love how Fiona Davis seamlessly blended real history with fiction in The Stolen Queen! It was clear throughout that she had conducted thorough research and made a complex topic approachable to her audience. The details and history included made the story extremely interesting. The author's note at the end provided additional context and resources for those wanting to explore the topic a little more, which gave the book extra flair. I highly recommend The Stolen Queen to all readers - whether or not you're familiar with ancient Egypt, you'll find this story enjoyable!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to Dutton and PRH Audio for the eARC and the ALC to review.

Ahhh, Fiona Davis has done it again, another five star read, my first of 2025. Told in two timelines and places - Egypt 1936 and New York City 1978, she has managed to create two worlds and time periods that I was transported to, and the focus was on Egyptian art. I DEVOURED this book in one day, loving how she tied how archaeologists worked together (or not) back then and then connected it to 1978 at the height of planning for the upcoming Met Gala, which also happens to cross paths with the curator of the Department of Egyptian Art. The night of the Gala, a key artifact goes missing, and we are transported back to Egypt to solve the mystery.

There is so much more going on than the above, which only enhances the story, and I really cannot do it proper justice. If you have read Davis before then you know what I mean. This might be my favorite Davis book yet, and when this publishes on Tuesday, you need to make sure it is on your list. Oh, and the audio is just lovely to listen to.

Charlotte works at the Met focusing on Egyptian Antiquities after a devastating tragedy takes her away from her desire to be an archeologist in Egypt. Through a series of events she learns that what she thought happened is not how it worked out.

I liked the dual timelines for the this novel but wish the one in the 30s had been more fleshed out. I didn’t understand the reason for Annie’s character and the ending just felt too wrapped up and HEA.

We follow a very unlikely duo as they travel to Egypt in search of an artifact that has been stolen from the Met. During their travels, many secrets and mysteries are uncovered. Fiona Davis is one of my favorite historical fiction writers and this book does not disappoint. Her characters, plots, and historical descriptions are wonderful.

Fiona Davis has done it again, weaving an epic historical fiction tale that at its heart is all about family! I loved the subject/time period she chose- Egyptology in the 30s and the Met in the 70s. The split timeline worked beautifully and the archeological aspect was engrossing.. I loved the ending- so satisfying. This is stellar historical fiction by the Queen of the genre herself!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the ARC.

The Stolen Queen is a must read historical fiction "that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back." The author wrote this so beautifully and I look forward to reading more books from this author. I was captivated from the beginning and was turning pages until the very end. All of the characters in this were amazing. The storyline I loved a lot especially the cursed aspect of this story. This one I loved a lot and would highly recommend to any reader and if you love historical fiction then don't miss out on this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for this amazing read in exchange of my honest review of The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.

If you, like me, have been fascinated by the life of Hatshepsut, the brave woman who made herself Pharaoh, you’ll enjoy the Stolen Queen. Based on a fictional version of her life and of the Egyptologist who ensured she would not be forgotten. A wonderful adventure story blended with family and friendship.

Fiona Davis’s The Stolen Queen is a captivating historical fiction novel set across two time periods: the 1930s and the 1970s. The story follows Charlotte and Annie, two women from different generations brought together under unusual circumstances. Their shared connection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art leads them on a journey filled with danger, intrigue, and unexpected joy.

I read this book shortly after returning from a trip to Egypt, which made the story even more vivid and immersive. With the memory of ancient wonders still fresh in my mind, I felt transported as the novel is based on the legacy of Queen Hatshepsut and the provenance of artifacts, albeit it's fictional. The narrative raises the compelling question of who truly owns antiquities, adding depth to the mystery at its heart, one that’s both personal and professional for the protagonists.

Charlotte and Annie are jaded yet passionate characters, and their mutual dedication to the Met becomes the foundation of a fascinating partnership. Their quest is richly layered, blending history, danger, and the possibility of new beginnings.

I devoured this book, thoroughly enjoying its intricate storytelling and historical depth. This book is for readers of dual-timeline mysteries and stories that explore the intersection of art, history, and identity.

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton for providing a digital copy of this novel.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis is a captivating read for fans of historical fiction, mystery, and adventure, who will be swept away by the author's vivid storytelling and transported to the glamorous world of 1930s Egypt and 1970s New York City, where art, history, and intrigue come alive.

Charlotte is an Egyptologist at the Met in New York City. She has spent years uncovering some monumental research on the queen Hathorkare, but is held back in her career advancement by her refusal to return to Egypt, where she suffered a major trauma as a young woman. Annie is a bright young woman who is motivated and hard-working but held back in life by her immature and needy mother. Annie is overjoyed when she is hired by the famous Diana Vreeland to help with the Met Gala, but her excitement (and employment) take a major hit when a priceless statue is stolen during the event. Charlotte and Annie’s worlds collide at this point, and they must work together to solve the mystery.

This book combined a lot of elements I’d usually complain about - unrealistic plot, stock characters, dialogue that could be improved upon - but somehow, they all worked together and I found this novel delightful! Reading this book was reminiscent of watching Murder, She Wrote with my grandma. The plot and characters were kind of silly, yet a lot of fun, and the time flew by. This was my first Fiona Davis, and I’ll keep her books in my back pocket for when I need a light, enjoyable read.

Read this if: you like Kristin Hannah, historical fiction, or the Hallmark channel.

Skip this if: you’re in the mood for complex character development.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis is the story of a young archeologist named Charlotte, who in 1938 boarded a ship to escape Egypt as WWII was erupting. Also on the boat was her husband and baby, and a friend. She never saw any of them again so was surprised to see an Egyptian collar she had seen fall out of a suitcase her husband was carrying all those years ago. She was now an assistant curator at the Met and more a workhorse than a person of stature. That same day she met a young woman named Annie who was the assistant to Diana Vreeland. It was the night of the Gala and her precious collar was being included into the costume event when Annie made a serious mistake,; one that derailed the entire Gala and assisted in the theft of the collar, as well as years of research Charlotte had compiled regarding a queen of Egypt: Hathorkare. She was bereft but after contacting a private investigator, she determined she had to go to Egypt and see for herself. When she was sitting onboard the plane, who should show up but Annie, who insisted she should come to help. She proved invaluable.

This was a convoluted and intense story of a woman’s life and career. She was sick after the loss of her husband and daughter and her parents were far from supportive. She became engaged to a man who dumped her after hearing the story and it was years before she trusted another man. At sixty she was now living with a man called Mark, but his young daughter had recently moved in and things were not going well. The characters in this book were well-crafted as was the plot. Despite the amount of history it contained, it was very readable. It was an uplifting story in the end with the message to never give up. I highly recommend it.

I was invited to read The Stolen Queen by Penguin Group Dutton. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #PenguinGroupDutton #FIonaDavis #TheStolenQueen

THE STOLEN QUEEN is the latest novel by Fiona Davis. I have loved every one of Fiona Davis’ books and this one is no exception. This dual timeline story is set in New York City in 1978 and Egypt in 1936. In 1936, Charlotte Cross is a young American anthropology student who has accepted a highly coveted spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. She is involved in the major discovery of an unknown burial chamber and a rare broad collar necklace thought to belong to Hathorkare, a female Pharaoh that ruled in 1600 AD. She also finds her first love while in Egypt, but an unthinkable tragedy changes her life forever. In New York City in 1978, Charlotte is now the assistant curator of the Met’s Department of Egyptian Art. In addition to her museum duties, Charlotte is doing exhaustive research on Hathorkare which could change how the world views the ancient leader. Eighteen-year-old Annie Jenkins is offered a position as an assistant to Diana Vreeland, renowned former Vogue editor and organizer of the famed Met Gala. Annie’s and Charlotte’s paths cross when, on the night of the gala, a valuable artifact from the Egyptian collection is stolen. The pair form an unlikely alliance to try to recover the missing antiquity. Their search leads them back to Egypt, where Charlotte has sworn never to return. As their investigation progresses, Charlotte and Annie find themselves in great danger. As with all of this author’s novels, the story has the perfect blend of fact and fiction, as well as engaging characters and an intriguing and suspenseful plot. Another winner from Fiona Davis that I highly recommend. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

3.75 stars


Charlotte Cross, a student of anthropology, enthusiastically agrees to work on an archeological dig in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt in 1936—until disaster strikes.

Fast forward to 1978-, and 19-year-old Annie Jenkins, is hired to work for Diana Vreeland, the former editor of Vogue, to assist her in organizing the renowned Met Gala in New York City.

As the associate curator of the Met's Egyptian Art Department, Charlotte now leads a quiet life and is deeply involved in studying Hathorkare, a little-known female pharaoh who is considered unimportant by many Egyptologists.

An important treasure from the collection disappears on the night of the Gala, and there are clues that Hathorkare's curse might be resurfacing. To locate the misplaced object, Annie and Charlotte travel back to Egypt, a country Charlotte has promised never to visit again. She will need to confront impending danger and her past demons to succeed.

Fiona Davis is an auto-read author for me. While I felt much of this book was predictable, I was still entertained. I especially enjoyed the description of the Temple of Dendur exhibit at the Met since it is one of my favorite parts of the museum.

I have always been interested in Egyptian history and this book allowed me to revisit some of that interest while adding an air of mystery and friendship. This was well thought out and I especially enjoyed the chapters in Egypt.

Fiona Davis- the queen of iconic historic landmarks of NYC based this historic fiction around the Metropolitan Museum. The Stolen Queen takes place in the Met Museum and in Egypt.
It is based on the finding of ancient Egyptian pieces in the 1930's which end up in the Met. One item is stolen in the 1990's and the story alternates in those two time frames.

Having previously read Fiona Davis's The Dollhouse and three starred it, I think I was persuaded to give this a shot based on the very intriguing plot summary. This was a gamble on my part as the only thing I vaguely remembered about The Dollhouse was that I found the prose kind of boring. It was a gamble, unfortunately, that I lost.

The plot was interesting, although it struggled at points with believability (the part in 1978 where a girl with some savings but by no means a lot of them buys a flight to Egypt leaving the next day really threw me), but good lord, the prose. It was boring in a way that felt as if the author was vaguely resentful she had to use words at all in order to communicate the story she wanted to tell, with a simplicity that was less Stephen King and more See Spot Run. There was also a weird emotional shallowness to it, wherein the MCs were multiple times treated very poorly by people but they only ever seemed to experience at worst a mild frustration about it before moving onto the next piece of plot action. If this was an attempt at showing vs. telling emotion-wise it ended up coming off more like these people were just low level sociopathic.

Note to self: no matter how interesting the plot sounds, do not give in with this author! YMMV but I am just not a match with this style.

My thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC.

Fiona Davis masterfully intertwines history and fiction in The Stolen Queen, a dazzling 5-star read that sweeps you between the sun-drenched sands of ancient Egypt and the bustling streets of New York. The novel's strong, resilient female protagonists navigate a web of intrigue and mystery across continents. As they uncover secrets of a stolen artifact, their reliability as narrators adds depth and complexity to the plot. Davis's fast-paced narrative and vivid descriptions make every page a delight. Perfect for lovers of historical fiction and mystery, this book enthralls and inspires with its powerful themes and unforgettable characters.

Thank you to Dutton publishers for my advanced reader copy.

Fiona Davis has done it again! I find myself googling the actual historical event in each of her books after finishing one. Her writing makes it come alive for the reader and while the fictional storyline is gripping and well executed it leaves her reader hungry to know more about the actual event.

Love, theft, mystery, betrayal, self discovery and of course the cool backdrop of Egypt and theme of art/antiquities. Phenomenal!

The journey of the two MFC was so different yet so similar.

Annie has been unable to move forward in her career, ambitions and life due to constraints placed on her in caring for her immature and irresponsible mother. What a joy to watch her shed that ill placed responsibility and move forward into all that life has to offer her!

On the other hand, at Annie’s age due to a tragic series of events Charlotte had no one to answer and throws everything into her career and building a life for herself. By the time we meet Charlotte in the current story line she is very successful yet gives it up to return to the responsibilities and ties that she had thought lost so many years ago.

Annie and Charlotte are traveling in different directions but find each other right there at the joining of both. In it they are both able to experience something with one another that each had been lacking. Charlotte the love and protectiveness for a grown child. Annie, motherly care and attention.

Because of this I was heavily invested in their relationship and slightly disappointed in the revelations at the end. The book concludes beautifully just not how I had envisioned.

I wasn’t able to predict the end which I love but oftentimes means that the conclusion pulls wild cards from way out of left field. These are usually a stretch and take away from the overall quality of the story. Not the case in The Stolen Queen. The conclusion, while surprising, was well executed and believable.

Highly recommend!