Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Charlotte enjoys her job at the met. They have never been this busy. When an priceless item goes missing, Charlotte is not sure where to turn. A must read.

I think that The Stolen Queen is the first Fiona Davis novel that I have read. I love historical fiction, and so I kept wondering why this author was new to me. The Stolen Queen raises several important questions. Who owns the past? How important is a mentor to escape one's social class? What is the obligation in caring for a parent? Is creating a life free of obligation really the ideal? The actual stolen queen doesn't show up until most of the way through The Stolen Queen, which made the title seem less important than it should have been. By the end of Davis' novel, the opportunity to start over, to rewrite one's life seems to be what matters far more than the stolen queen of the title.

The Stolen Queen is set in two timelines, two locations, and two POV. Because the chapters are titled with name and date, keeping the two lives straight is actually easy. The locales in Egypt work best, since they are simply the most interesting. The streets and venders are nicely described. I have been to the Met many times and so could easily visualize the locations. Charlotte and Annie are likable characters. The actual history is fine, although the dates are inaccurate.

What doesn't work as well? The pacing is off. The Stolen Queen is slow to start and and too fast and far too contrived at the finish. Davis ties up every point, but life isn't like that. As a result, the end feels unbelievable and false. Even a novel needs truth. The possibilities in The Stolen Queen need to feel real. Unfortunately, much of the bias and discrimination described in the novel might be true, but it is off-putting. Museums in Egypt might be less wealthy than the Met, but that doesn't make them worthless. Everyone and everything in The Stolen Queen is categorized in some way, but to have archivists at the Met seem to embrace that notion is problematic. I doubt they will appreciate that view in The Stolen Queen.

For Davis fans, The Stolen Queen will likely be perfectly fine. I did enjoy this novel but with caveats, as noted above. I just wanted there to be more. Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. This review includes my honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses.

3.75 stars

This book follows two timelines; an Egyptian archaeological dig in the 30’s and a theft of an important artifact in the 70’s. This story had a lot of fun “historical” elements to it (based on real history but fictionalized to fit into the narrative) and I liked all the museum details and Egyptian locations. It had a little bit of an Indiana Jones meets heist movie vibe, which I thought was fun. There’s also some family drama/mystery involving some of the characters which added some intrigue to the storyline as well.
The plot just moved a little too slow for my liking. Not much happened in the first half of the book, especially in the 70’s story line. The 30’s plot added some good backstory but other than that I felt like it dragged a little bit. Since the book is called The Stolen Queen, I was expecting that to be a major plot point in the book but it kind of wasn’t. It doesn’t even happen until almost 60% into the book and even then it was overshadowed by other elements. So many things happen in the last half of the book which made the ending feel a little bit rushed and also made the story a little bit hard for me to follow.
However, if you are a fan of slower paced mysteries with lots of historical elements, especially relating to ancient Egypt, you might enjoy this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the ARC!

I requested this because I'm a fan of Fiona Davis.

I can't get into it. It's been on my nightstand for over a month now and I'm not even 25% of the way through. I'm in a grey area where yaybe it's my mood? Maybe it's just not a book for me. For now, I'm hitting the pause button and moving on without prejudice.

Charlotte Cross lives a simple life as a curator at the Metropolitan Museum in the Department of Egyptian Art. She moves through her days proficiently and spends off time conducting research on a lost female Pharoah. Charlotte is putting forth every effort to bring her importance to life. When an artifact from her past is brought into the museum, the tragedy from all those years ago come flooding back.

Annie Jenkins wants to find her place in the world. She finds herself as the assistant to Diana Vreeland for the upcoming Met Gala after a little help from a friend. Annie wants to take on the responsibilities and prove her worth, but when a mishap on her part serves as a distraction for a heist, Charlotte and Annie's worlds will collide.

Together the duo journey to Egypt on a hunt for the missing piece as well as find the truth about what happened the first time Charlotte was there. So much pain and hurt will resurface as the two take on mystery and resistance. Along the way, they even find out what they may really want in life.

The Stolen Queen is told in split timelines, bouncing between 1936 and 1978, as well as from both Annie and Charlotte's point of view. I adored this book from the start. It has a beautiful blend of history, fashion, and mystery while still remaining very character driven. So many fine details are interlaced throughout expanding on Fiona Davis' time spent researching. This was fast paced, heart wrenching at times, and overall a joy to read. Highly recommend to readers of all genres. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book as well as the team at Dutton.

I cannot think of the last time I had a chance to read a book for fun, which is saying a lot. I was fortunate enough to land a galley for this one with the promise that I’d write about it just before its official publication, which is January 7, 2005—so go bookmark it on Amazon or wherever you prefer to buy your books. Why am I posting a review about a book that has nothing to do with the guitar? Well, it does have to do with The Met, whose guitar events we’ve covered here many times on this website so I couldn’t help but feel intrigued by the plot line, which feels like a grown-up version of The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis (Dutton, 349 pages) is an entertaining novel that deftly weaves together two timelines: the sun-drenched archaeology of 1930s Egypt and the gritty glamour of late 1970s New York. The story follows young anthropologist Charlotte Cross from her early days excavating in the Valley of the Kings to her later role as the Met's Egyptian Art curator, where she crosses paths with Annie Jenkins, a teenage fashion aspirant working alongside the legendary Diana Vreeland on the nascent Costume Gala. When an artifact vanishes and whispers of an ancient pharaoh's curse surface, these two women must navigate both the Met's marble halls and Egyptian sands to uncover the truth.

The novel shines in its meticulous research and vivid sense of place, whether capturing the backstage drama of the Met or the dangerous allure of archaeological digs. While both heroines prove compelling in their respective quests for professional recognition, Charlotte's later-life tendency to over-justify her past decisions occasionally undermines an otherwise self-assured character. Nevertheless, the book transcends simple period drama through its sharp exploration of ambition, mentorship, and the prices women pay for success in male-dominated fields.

Tailor-made for a film adaptation, this atmospheric thriller combines museum politics, fashion history, and archaeological intrigue into a satisfying adventure. Recommended.

THE STOLEN QUEEN is another winner from Fiona Davis! Fans of Davis' prior work know what to expect: an engaging dual timeline historical. The reader is immediately immersed in both storylines and along for the journey. THE STOLEN QUEEN delivers on every front, and I especially enjoyed how the novel explores the issue of stolen art/artifacts. Given the subject matter I was a bit concerned about this issue going in, but I was satisfied with how it was handled. The internal politics/workings of the Met are also fun to read about.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

Set in 2 different time periods and two different locations, this book delves into Egyptian history and artifacts and the lengths people are willing to go to in order to protect them or possess them. This book is iconic Fiona Davis, so if you're a fan of her other books, you are sure to enjoy this new one as well.

Thank you Penguin books and Netgalley for providing The Stolen Queen in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fiona Davis is a masterful storyteller. Using famous landmarks to tell intriguing stories. Told in a dual timeline, 1936 and 1978, It was never hard to follow along with the stories. Fiona Davis uses excellent detail without making it too wordy. The story follows an anthropology student on a dig in 1936 and a Met curator in 1978. How their stories become intertwined is amazing.

I absolutely loved The Stolen Queen, just as I knew I would. Fiona Davis is a master of historical fiction, weaving well-rounded characters and crafty mysteries into beautiful stories that are as educational as they are entertaining. I am enthralled from the first word to the last every time I pick up one of her books. The Stolen Queen’s dual storylines between late 70s New York and 1930s Egypt are fascinatingly descriptive. I love the inclusion of archaeology and the Met Ball details. The supporting characters are delightful and Charlotte and Annie are a wonderful duo. What a treat!

It's 1978 in New York City and Charlotte Cross is associate curator of the Metropolitan Museum's Department of Egyptian Art. While everyone is preparing for the King Tutankhamun exhibition, Charlotte is focused on the history of another pharaoh, the ancient Egyptian woman Hathorkare whose likeness is on display in a statue known as the Cerulean Queen. A gold necklace believed to belong to Hathorkare arrives as a loaned artifact, triggering memories of Charlotte's time in Egypt. The narrative shifts to 1936 as archaeologist Charlotte gets her big chance to be part of a dig in the Valley of the Kings. She finds treasures, romance and tragedy.

The story also introduces nineteen-year-old Annie, who, in 1978, is navigating her path in life and becomes Diana Vreeland's assistant for the upcoming Met Gala. However, her dream job turns into a nightmare when a priceless item connected to Hathorkare is stolen during the event. Charlotte and Annie, an unlikely pair, head to Egypt to find the missing treasure, confronting danger and Charlotte's past. 

Fiona Davis sets her captivating historical fiction novels in New York City's most iconic locations. In The Stolen Queen, she has selected the Metropolitan Museum, a personal favorite of mine. If you love The Met and have an interest in Egyptian history, this book will enthrall you. I have adored all of Davis' work, and this well-researched, absorbing novel is now one of my favorites of hers. The bar has been set very high for 2025 reading.

This is my first Fiona Davis book and it didn’t disappoint. I loved leaning about the MET museum and Egypt. The dual timeline was great too, because we get to experience Charlotte in Egypt. When a missing antique goes missing, Charlotte is forced to return to each other, I think she promised she would never go back to. I really enjoyed this one! can’t wait to read Davis’ back list

Not sure how I have missed this author. This book was brilliant! Lots of adventure, tension and history to enjoy. I love the Met so the references to the Costume Institute were a real treat.
Fiona Davis evoked the smells, sounds and personality of Egypt so well both in the past and present. And weaved around the historical aspects was a mystery and tragedy of a night that changed Charlotte’s life forever.
Cannot wait to read all of the authors other books.
Thanks Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

The author cites Lynne Olson's EMPRESS OF THE NILE as inspiration. Since that was a fantastic story, I looked forward to this historical novel. It did not disappoint. Her sense of place was spot-on, both about Egypt and the annual Met Gala in new York. The politics of the Egyptian department and the issues of repatriation of stolen art were very well described. I could not put this book down!

“Bukra fil mish mish”……It means “Tomorrow when the apricots bloom”

Fiona Davis is a must read author for me!
I absolutely loved The Stolen Queen!!
This story is told in a dual timeline. It alternates between Egypt 1936 and New York City 1978 told from the views of Charlotte Cross and Annie Jenkins.

1936 Egypt…. As a college student Charlotte travels to Egypt to take part in an archeological dig at the Valley of the Kings. Charlotte discovers a burial chamber and the broad collar necklace. She falls in love. Events that will change lives of those she loves.

1978 New York City…..Charlotte is working as an associate curator at the MET in the Egyptian Art department.
Annie gets a job working with the former Vogue fashion designer Diana Vreeland as her personal assistant. She will be working on the MET Gala. This could be a life changing situation for Annie.
Art is stolen the night of the MET Gala and Charlotte and Annie are caught up in the chaos of that night.
A story of love, tragedy, an ancient curse.
There is something special about the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Fiona Davis taking me back to NYC is always a treat.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the opportunity to read this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy of The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis. I would consider Davis to be a solid historical fiction writer and have selected the books for book clubs and recommended them for years. This one, also set in New York, involves the theft of Egyptian Antiquities (thanks for the distinction between Egyptian Art and Antiquities). Its written in a trio of storylines - one being a back and forth in time of Charlotte Cross, curator of the Met, and Annie a young desperate assistant to a fashion editor. The two characters are introduced and backstory provided, before the collide and work together to solve a mystery.
The references to the Egyptian queen , based on a real pharaoh, the archeological sites, the description of the Met and of the antiquities were exquisite. Because of the trio of timelines, the story was bulky in the beginning while we tried to figure out who these two ladies were. I could have done without much of Annie's backstory and focused on Charlotte alone, as I think the first 30-35 percent of the book would have had better pacing and a clearer setup.
That being said, after that the book was a page turner and I really enjoyed it. I would still recommend the book to patrons who are interested in Davis' other books or in Egyptology and Historical Fiction in general.
4* - These opinions are my own and do not represent the opinions of my library.

Charlotte Cross has built a satisfying career as assistant curator in the Department of Egyptian Art at New York’s Metropolitan Museum. It’s 1978, the museum has just opened the Temple of Dendur and is preparing to become the last US stop for the King Tutankhamun exhibit, and Charlotte at sixty has almost completed her long-planned article on Hathorkare, one of ancient Egypt’s few female pharaohs. Between that and a steady romantic relationship with the playwright Mark Schrader, life looks pretty good.

But if things stopped there, the story would end before it began. And this novel has, as they say, “legs.” Davis nimbly juggles three threads and two narrators: Charlotte in 1978, Charlotte in 1936, and Annie Jenkins in 1978. What connects them, besides a shared interest in Egyptology, is the Cerulean Queen, part of an ancient statue of Hathorkare and the stolen queen of the title.

The theft of the Cerulean Queen and the mystery surrounding it presumably explains the publisher’s decision to describe the book as an Agatha Christie throwback and a heist novel. It is those things, but what drew me in and kept me reading was the rich characterization of both Charlotte and Annie as they struggle, independently and together, to come to terms with their own pasts and plot a sustainable and satisfying future.

I plan to interview this author for the New Books Network (link below) around the time of the book’s release.

The Stolen Queen is another hit from Fiona Davis!

Following two women in the 1970s (and one of them also during the 1930s), The Stolen Queen is a story filled with mystery, history, and female empowerment. Davis once again blends fact and fiction to create the story of Charlotte Cross, former archaeologist and current Egyptologist at the Met, and Annie Jenkins, an awkward eighteen-year-old trying to find her place in the world. When their paths cross at the famous Met Gala, what ensues is an adventure that uncovers long-forgotten secrets and painful truths. Both women are well-written and are natural foils of one another, yet their partnership works, and it's fun to see them both grow as they work together. It's also fascinating to read about the history of Egypt and the ins and outs of archaeological digs; Davis based her fictional female pharaoh Hathorkare off the real-life female pharaoh Hatshepsut, and I learned a lot about Egyptian history and the role and power of females in ancient times. Davis also speaks to the complexities of repatriation of artifacts, which was interesting to read.

The ending is a bit cliched, but frankly, it's exactly what I wanted, and it made perfect sense within the bounds of the story. As always, Davis's latest book is entertaining and educational, and I can't wait for her next one!

I appreciate NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of Fiona Davis' new book The Stolen Queen. I love, love, loved it. Davis slowly draws you into the story featuring two women who are stronger than they realize. Charlotte Cross works at the MET. She's in her 60s and has worked there for years. Few people know that she was able to travel to Egypt and help at an archaeological dig in the 1930s as a young college student. After tragedy strikes, she returns home and doesn't talk about what she found in Egypt and what happened there. Annie is a teenager who has an interest in fashion and gets hired by Diana to work as her assistant as she plans the Met Gala in 1978. This is the present time the novel takes place. An ancient artifact is stolen during the ball and the women must work together to figure out who is behind the robbery and clear Annie's name. I enjoyed this book so much, that I'm currently researching a Nile River Cruise to see all the wonderful places described.

Ancient Egypt is such an interesting topic, so when I found out Fiona Davis’s new book was centered around museum thefts and Egyptologists, I was really excited to read it!

I loved the scenes describing archaeological digs (though I have no idea how accurate they were!). I also really appreciated the discussions held around smuggling and repatriation of artwork. It’s a complex topic, and this book really made me want to learn more about the history.
This whole book felt very well planned-out and researched. I especially appreciated the author’s note at the end explaining the basis of the ancient queen in the story and which parts of the story were true or untrue.

The story itself was amazing. I was emotionally invested very early on. While the mystery element was important, the main focus was mostly on mother/daughter relationships. One main character, Charlotte, lost her daughter. The other main character, Annie, acted almost as the parent to her immature and dependent mother. I appreciated that the story showed different types of relationships, and the nuance that goes with family relationships. I found myself blinking back tears several times while I read, in the best possible way!