This was an excellent historical fiction mystery with suspenseful action as well- I enjoyed learning about Egyptology. It had a couple of weak plot points- I found it a bit implausible that the FMC would not attempt to locate her husband and infant daughter when their boat initially sank or that she’d just go on without searching, and that loose end rankled me- I suppose this kept some tension and drama…overall the characters won me over and the history of the Met, Met Gala and the fun facts about the exhibits and the history of Egypt won me over - an action packed thrilling HF!

Fiona Davis is a must read author for me, I absolutely love historical fiction and her novels feature prominent buildings in NYC, a unique basis for novels. The Stolen Queen combines an archaeological dig in Egypt as WWII builds, the MET gala 40ish years later, and an ancient Egyptian pharaoh whose legacy was destroyed (and the curse surrounded her tomb)--what's not to love!

The mystery and drama of The Stolen Queen is interwoven into the plot throughout the dual timelines. I had a hard time putting the book down, the suspense was so strong. There are several things the women are searching for, both artifacts and personal motives, and I was rooting for Charlotte and Annie to be successful in all of their pursuits. Charlotte and Annie are strong female characters, and I enjoyed seeing the growth in Annie's character particularly throughout the book.

Through this novel, Ms. Davis made me consider again the issue concerning rightful ownership of a civilization's artifacts. The conflicting points of view are clearly laid out, with respect to all sides of the controversy. It is an interesting conundrum!

The ending wrapped everything up neatly, though it felt a little unsatisfactory to me; it was not quite how I hoped things would end. It didn't stop me from enjoying the book, however, and I recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially if you have a fascination with archaeology, Egyptian artifacts or the MET Gala, which plays a prominent role in the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the digital ARC of The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis. The opinions in this review are my own.

Fiona Davis is a master at historical fiction and her latest only adds to that belief for me. She regularly combines her own imagined narrative with a usually fairly obscure piece of the real in a vivid and enthralling way.

Like many others, I had a period of fascination with Egyptian history when I was younger, but it stayed rather surface level with only the well-known pieces when there is a truly endless amount to discover. This book fed that interest while also creating tense stakes to recover a theft, new discoveries, and long unsolved mysteries of family and lost love.

The first half of the book took me some time to really sink myself into, but the second half hooked me and had me flying through the pages to get all my questions answered. There were so many trails to follow and history to uncover. It was an adventure up to the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fiona Davis's many fans will be thrilled to read this, combining Egypt, antiquities and New York City museums and glamorous fashion. A great book to start the New Year!

Thank you to Netgalley, Fiona Davis, MacMillan and MacMillan Audio (#MacAudio2024) for the ARC/ALC!

Fiona Davis is my favorite historical fiction author and I love every book I’ve read of hers! I admittedly don’t know much about Egypt but I was eager to learn more. Told over dual timelines, our first FMC, Charlotte, explored Egyptian archaeological digs in the late 1930s. But in the late 1970s, Charlotte works for the Met museum in New York, unwilling to visit Egypt anymore. It’s here where she crosses paths with Annie, our other FMC, who is helping at the Met Gala. Davis seamlessly tied together the storylines while also building the tension of what happened in Charlotte’s past that keeps her from Egypt.

I also really enjoyed the women’s unlikely friendship and getting both of their perspectives. Charlotte’s deep appreciation of another culture was beautiful, and I found Annie, young and just starting out, to be very relatable. They made a great team, against all odds.

Not only does this book explore a part of history, and delve into the artifacts of that time, but it also explored the themes of love and loss. I found myself getting choked up while listening to the audiobook. Davis painted such a vivid picture throughout the entire story, it truly played out like a movie.

“The Stolen Queen” releases January 7, 2025!

I really enjoyed this book! I enjoyed learning about Egyptian history. The main characters were likable and I didn’t know how it was going to end up until the last few pages.

Fiona Davis has done it again, this taking on both the Met museum in NYC and the ancient ruins in Egypt. How she got these two time lines to connect was really interesting. I loved learning about the historic aspects of the museum as well as archeologic digs. Well done!


Formal review to come!

In the 1930s, young archeology student Charlotte Cross went on a life-altering dig in Egypt. Shortly after making a significant discovery, she realized she was pregnant, which at that time, relegated her to a life totally constrained by marriage and motherhood. Then she experiences a shattering tragedy. Forty years later, she is working at the Met, planning for the touring exhibition of King Tut. She has never returned to Egypt, believing her visits and attempted visits to be cursed.

Young Annie Jenkins is trapped, supporting her widowed mother who views her as an impediment to making a good marriage that will save her from having to work as her modeling career peters out. Due to unexpected (and totally unrealistic) circumstances, Annie first stumbles into a job with Diana Vreeland, then becomes completely embroiled in international antiquities theft and repatriation.

Although the rehashing of the plot makes this novel seem totally implausible, the utterly captivating characters of Charlotte and Annie totally work within the story and make the reader care deeply both about the fate of the priceless artifacts but also the futures of Charlotte and Annie. I've worked in a museum-adjacent field for thirty years and can be very critical when authors don't get their facts right, but Fiona Davis skillfully integrates accurate details about museums and exhibitions (and the difficult politics involved in working in one). #TheStolenQueen #NetGalley

Some books pull you into an adventure so immersive that you don’t just read them—you live them. The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis was that kind of book for me.

This isn’t your typical thriller. Sure, there’s suspense (and plenty of it), but it’s so much more. It’s a journey—a sweeping tale that follows Charlotte Cross, a sixty-year-old associate curator at the Met who once chased mysteries in the sands of Egypt as a young archaeologist in the 1930s. Her fascination with the enigmatic Egyptian pharaoh Hathorkare leads her on a lifelong quest for answers. And when the legendary broad collar of Hathorkare resurfaces decades later, Charlotte is forced to confront the secrets of her past and the truths she’s been avoiding.

The dual setting of Egypt and New York’s Metropolitan Museum felt so vivid and atmospheric. It’s the kind of story that demands patience—the pace is slow, but it allows you to fully connect with Charlotte’s life and the people around her. I found myself deeply invested, not just in the mysteries but in her emotional journey.

If you love stories that linger with you, that make you reflect on life, identity, and legacy, then this book is for you. The adventure, the intrigue, and the layers of suspense kept me hooked, but it’s Charlotte’s resilience and determination that left the biggest impact.

This book is perfect for you if you love historical fiction, slow-burn mysteries, and character-driven stories.
This book has already included in many lists featuring the most-anticipated reads of 2025 and I am so thankful to @netgalley , @duttonbooks and @fionadavisauthor for providing me with an e-arc 🧡
☺️

4.5/5 ☆

Cassandra Cross is a young student who travels to Egypt in 1936 on an archeological dig. She discovers an unknown tomb containing a possible mummy of a female pharaoh and an artifact called a Broad Collar. Fast forward to 1978, and Cassandra works as an assistant curator of the Egyptian Antiquities Department at The Met.

In 1978, Annie is an 18-year-old woman who excitedly gets a job as an assistant to Diana Vreeland, and works with her as they prepare for the Met Gala.

Cassandra and Annie’s paths cross on the night of the Met Gala, when a beautiful and rare artifact of the Cerulean Queen is stolen. They soon embark on a journey to Egypt to investigate claims that the artifact was smuggled there.

I loved this book so much! The dual timelines are done exceptionally well, and each character had so much depth to them. I never found myself excited about one timeline and bored by the other, as sometimes happens. There are themes of sisterhood and found family, all interwoven through a captivating slow-burn mystery. The Egyptian historical facts throughout the novel are fascinating! It never feels like I’m back in a boring college lecture. I couldn’t get enough. This is my first novel by Fiona Davis, and it won’t be the last. If you’re a historical fiction fan and love a good mystery, this is a must-read!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the gifted eARC!

Fiona Davis has written another wonderful historical fiction novel centering around a New York City landmark. This one is a dual timeline that takes place in 1936 in Egypt and 1978 in New York, more specifically the Met Museum. The story centers around Charlotte, an archeologist who early in her career was overlooked in favor of the men on her team excavating in Egypt and Annie, a young woman trying to figure out her life in 1978 New York while dealing with a needy and manipulative mother. The two come together at the Met Museum and end up trying to solve the mystery of a stolen artifact. The story then takes them back to Egypt, a place Charlotte promised herself she'd never return to.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked both Charlotte and Annie and found them well-drawn and nuanced. I found the story interesting and it kept my attention. I thought the discussion of repatriation of artifacts was well done and did not provide an easy answer because there really isn't one.

My main criticism of the book is that I didn't get a really good feel for the time and place of 1978 New York. It just didn't feel detailed enough or specific enough to that particular time and place. My other complaint is that the ending felt a little too neat.

Overall, this is a fun and interesting historical fiction novel. I definitely recommend it if you like other Fiona Davis novels. Thank you to @netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC!

Fiona Davis writes a sweeping historical fiction epic that takes you from the archeology fields of Egypt to the magical Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This book is a must-read for historical fiction lovers as Davis weaves the life of Charlotte Cross, an Egyptologist at The Met whose tragic past catches up to her at the 1978 Met Gala. Davis unfolds Charlotte's life from 1938 through the 1978 timeline, and readers are taken on a suspenseful journey of romance, lost love, history, and thoughts about antiquities and museum practices in the modern age.

I absolutely loved this book and had a hard time putting it down. The intricate blend of historical intrigue and richly developed characters kept me hooked from the very beginning. Davis has a way of transporting readers to another time, immersing them in the vibrant world she so carefully crafts. This is the first of her books that I have read and I am definitely invested in her writing.

The dual timeline structure was masterfully executed, with each thread weaving together seamlessly to create a compelling and emotionally resonant story. The protagonist’s resilience and determination were inspiring, and the vivid settings brought history to life in such a beautiful way.

If you love historical fiction with strong, relatable heroines and a touch of mystery, then this is a must-read! Also, who wants to go to Egypt with me?

This is such a good book! I could not put it down! Like all Fiona Davis books it is the story of strong women trying to create a life of their own, there is a mystery set around an iconic New York City building, in this case the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and it has dual timelines, Charlotte is an aspiring archeologist with an internship in Egypt in the 1930's. It is everything she dreams of and so much more but after a tragedy she returns to New York City and never speaks of her time in Egypt. Flashforward to the 1970's and Charlotte is an assistant curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art helping with the King Tut exhibit and putting together research that would change long held beliefs when an Egyptian collar is loaned to the museum. Charlotte found it in Egypt and she thought it was lost in the tragedy that sent her back to New York City. Suddenly she is questioning everything she knows about what happened in Egypt. A theft of an object during the Met Gala has her returning to Egypt to find answers. Annie loves the Metropolitan Museum of Art and when she has an opportunity to work on the Met Gala she seizes it. When the theft during the Gala has the police questioning her she is determined to figure out what happened and forces her way to Egypt with Charlotte. The trip is filled with more questions and danger. Will they figure it out before it is too late? This is so, so good! The writing style pulled me into the world of Charlotte and Annie. I highly recommend this book.

Another fantastic story from Fiona Davis. This one takes place mostly in NYC like all of her previous novels, but the main character is an Egyptologist and spends some time in Egypt as well. Interesting story about a stolen artifact from the MET and some discussion about where the artifacts “belong” - where they will be properly preserved or where they came from.
Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the digital ARC.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis is another must read for fans for historical fiction. Through the character of Charlotte, the reader gets a look into the life of a female archeologist in Egypt during the 1930's. The main story line follows Charlotte Cross during her archeological discovery in the 1930's and decades later as an employee of the Met in NYC during the 70's. A young and naive Charlotte meets her husband while working on an excavation in the Valley of the Kings in the 30's. She gets pregnant, and so the couple weds. Charlotte, although, in love with her infant daughter, misses the excitement her career previously brought her. One afternoon, her husband rushes home and tells her they must pack a bag and leave immediately. They board an ill-fated voyage, and their lives are forever altered. Charotte, now 60, has refused multiple opportunities to return to Egypt. The question is why would a renowned Egyptologist refuse to further her career and return to the land she once proclaimed to love? What happened four decades ago that haunts her still?

The reader is also given a peek inside the operations of the Met through the story of Annie, who unexpectedly becomes an assistant to the woman in charge of fashion at the Met. A series of events will transpire that will lead Annie to Charlotte, and even overseas to Egypt. The two women's lives from different generations will merge in a fascinating edge-of-your-seat mystery.

If you loved other Fiona Davis mysteries, this one is another hit. I did not love it quite as much as her last novel, but it still kept me turning the pages. Thanks to Penguin Group and Netgalley for this ARC. I'll be recommending this one for sure!

This is a dual perspective, dual timeline historical fiction novel that takes place in the 1930’s and in the 1970’s. This is the second novel that I have read by this author and I enjoy how she tells a story. This book is fiction but heavily rooted in historical fact. I am not well versed in Egyptian history or art but found the information in this book to be fascinating. I thought the storyline unraveled a little slowly and the ending a little predictable. I pretty much knew how things were going to end just not how it was going to play out. With that being said, I was fully invested in figuring out what happened to Charlotte and what happened to the stolen queen. I loved the character development and the relationship that developed between Charlotte and Annie. I think the relationship that each woman had with her parents was something that connected them in a way that they didn’t understand. I also think that they each needed something in the other that life had unfairly robbed them of. Overall a good story with strong female characters and a history rich plot that was intriguing to watch unravel. My only complaint is that the lead up to the action was a little slow and the ending a little predictable. This is definitely something that I would recommend to historical fiction lovers.

I know I say this with every new Fiona Davis release, but I’m going to say it again. The Stolen Queen is my new favorite. I absolutely loved Charlotte, Annie, and all things Egyptian. After finishing, I want to curl up and watch National Geographic documentaries about Egyptian antiquities, and I was glad that Fiona’s author’s note cleared up my lingering questions about whether Hathorkare was based on an actual female pharaoh. (Spoiler - yes). The Stolen Queen’s conclusion was everything I wanted it to be, I wish I knew how to give this book all the stars in hieroglyphics, but five regular stars will have to do.

In 1936 Egypt, a tragedy alters Charlotte’s life. Decades later, in 1978 New York, a missing artifact and a possible ancient curse force Charlotte and a young assistant to revisit Egypt and confront a dangerous past.

This is a fascinating and entertaining book. I might try reading the it again after it’s released to see if it changes at all from the ARC. The climax and ending are a bit facile and don’t feel like they were set up effectively. Overall, though, the story is gripping and emotional.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I love how Fiona Davis centers iconic NYC landmarks in her historical novels—and that she always clarifies which parts are fabricated. This time, she takes us into The Met’s Egyptian exhibition during the museum's final preparations for its famous gala.

I recently read, "All the Beauty in the World," which is also about the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "The Stolen Queen" dovetails nicely adding an air of mystery and reflections on different eras.We meet Charlotte, a young American archaeologist who builds a life in 1936 Egypt, only for it to end in tragedy. During her time there, she makes an exciting discovery that shockingly resurfaces in 1978 NYC. In a field dominated by men, Charlotte treads carefully to avoid threatening male egos. The story weaves between decades and across locations—NYC, Luxor, and Cairo—in an intriguing caper.

In 1978, 19-year-old, Annie, a born-and-raised New Yorker, is searching for a mentor to guide her. She finds herself at The Met, assisting with the gala, where her path crosses with Charlotte’s. Together, they form a team that surpasses societal and personal expectations. Annie’s storyline was touching, though I felt her separate POV wasn’t entirely necessary.

Davis raises compelling ethical questions about the repatriation of artifacts—who decides what’s displayed, and who has the right to access it, if anyone. I also loved the storyline around Charlotte’s research on the female Pharaoh Hathorkare.

I couldn’t put this down during the final third of the book, as decades (and even centuries!) of mysteries are solved layer by layer, with plenty of twists and turns. There were moments that I gasped and others that made me cry.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!