Egypt, 1936: When anthropology student Charlotte Cross is offered a coveted spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, she leaps at the opportunity. That is until an unbearable tragedy strikes.

New York City, 1978: Nineteen-year-old Annie Jenkins is thrilled when she lands an opportunity to work for former Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who’s in the midst of organizing the famous Met Gala, hosted at the museum and known across the city as the “party of the year.”

Annie is such an adorable character. She is smart as a whip! I could just picture her when she made her big mistake…you will have to read this to find out. But let me tell you, this just made her stronger and almost invincible.

Then there is Charlotte. Even though she is one of the first female architects, she let life beat her down (don’t get me wrong, it would have beaten me down too!). Her life turned out a lot different than she expected. It takes her a while, but she eventually realizes where she needs to be!

The dual timelines in this tale are expertly done! No doubt about it. I loved both sections of the past and the present.

This is not my favorite Fiona Davis novel. It just did not keep me as captivated as some of her other books. However, it is still 4.5 stars, rounded up! She is just an amazing writer. She always has a great story, with strong women characters surrounded by wonderful history.

Need a unique archeological tale….THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

The Stolen Queen is an engaging historical mystery standalone by Fiona Davis. Due out 7th Jan 2025 from Penguin Random House on their Dutton imprint, it's 352 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is a well written character driven historical mystery with enough Egyptology, history, exotic locations, and intrigue to satisfy, along with a dual timeline mystery/tragedy and lots of high-end NYC glamour centered around the Metropolitan Museum and the wildly successful Tutankhamen artifact exhibit in 1978.

The author is adept at characterization and setting and they are rendered realistically. Main character Charlotte is likeable, intelligent, driven, and haunted by tragedy from decades earlier. The mystery itself is full of interesting Egypt history, archaeology, and well paced (with the possible exception of the denouement and resolution, which were a trifle rushed and tied-up-in-a-perfect-bow).

The guilty parties are suitably loathsome and awful, and the ending is satisfying. It's a standalone, without any suggestion of a follow up, which is refreshing in the current publishing climate which generally requires two follow-up books in the bag before publishing the first.

It would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, or possibly a nice buddy/group read. The author/publisher have included an interesting afterword as well as an abbreviated bibliography for further reading.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

I recently discovered Fiona Davis and love her books! This one doesn’t disappoint. After returning from an amazing vacation to NYC, her books take me back to all my favorite landmarks. Stolen Queen has the right combination of historical fiction, mystery, and relatable characters to make it a fantastic read! Eager fans are in for a treat! Highly recommend! 5 stars!

In The Stolen Queen, Fiona Davis masterfully combines history, mystery, and romance into one compelling tale. Charlotte and Annie are the two main characters who are at different points in their lives. The story allows reader’s to traverse between the 1930s and the 1970s with the point of view alternating between Annie and Charlotte. I enjoyed the picturesque descriptions of the artifacts as well as the art in the museum and the costumes (and fashions). The author brought the scenes to life for me (I could envision them in my head). There were a couple of interesting side characters in the story. One of my favorites was Annie’s landlady, Mrs. Hollingsworth. There were intriguing surprises along the way while other plot points were expected. The pacing was good throughout the story, and I like how it ramps up near the end as discoveries are made. The ending ties everything up neatly with a bow (a little too neatly). There was one part of the ending that I wish had been done differently, but that is my personal preference. I enjoyed getting a glimpse of the work archaeologists do at a dig sites and in museums. I would love to attend the exhibition that Diana Vreeland created. She had creative ideas. The author brought The Met and The Met Gala to life with her vivid word imagery (the beautiful fashions worn by the attendees). The Stolen Queen is a fascinating tale with an archaeological dig, fascinating fashions, a unique collar, a sinking ship, Hathorkare’s curse, an enigmatic donor, and uncovering the facts.

Summary:
Hathorkare was a rare find in Egyptian history: she was a female Pharaoh. Her history isn't free from scandal and mystery. Theories. Mysteries. Questions. A supposed curse. So how does she become involved with two women alive centuries after her death? For Charlotte, the Pharaoh was a passion that came too close to home. For Annie, a fascination from her past becomes a key figure in her present and future.

Dang!! Fiona Davis has done it again!!!! She has written, yet another, phenomenal story. One that will suck you in and have you not want to put it down. How does she do this?! Personally, she's accomplished a rare feet for me. I have a long, rather frustrating, history of DNFing previous attempts of Egyptian storylines. They always sound so good, but I lose interest or get overwhelmed with all the history. But, Fiona, has balanced the history of her characters and keeping the reader coming back for more.

Fiona took a rare figure in history- one that I bet few would have known existed- and introduced us. Not just introduced, but let us get to know her in a way that present day readers who aren't educated in Egyptian culture and history can understand. On top of all that, she made her relatable and human and someone the reader is rooting for.

Charlotte Cross is an employee of the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. Having been there for decades, she is heavily involved with the Egyptian section. During the late 1930s, Charlotte was given the opportunity to travel to Egypt and assist in a dig within the Valley of Kings. It's there, she discovers the underground tomb. The very tomb of a female Pharoah, Hathorkare. She learns the the history of her discovery and the scandal involving images of her being destroyed after she died. However, as Charlotte researched more into her Pharaoh, she disagrees with much of what has been told of her.

As you read more of Charlotte's time in Egypt, you learn she falls in love, gets married and has a child. All of this is taken from her during a horrendous storm on the Nile. While she survives the sinking of their ship, her husband and daughter do not. Along with her onboard were a coworker and stolen items from the digs done- including those belonging to Hathorkare. Has the curse caused the sinking? More importantly, can Charlotte ever recover from losing her husband and infant daughter?

Annie is 19 year old who should be establishing her own life. Instead, she's taking care of her narcissistic, selfish mother. A former model, too old to continue working, Jackie is a mentally delicate woman since her husband's death forced them to survive on their own. Jackie is left without her husband to take care of everything and Annie is left without the Father she loved so much. No more going to the Metropolitan Museum to stare at the Egyptian Art Collection.

Charlotte and Annie meet the night of the Met Gala when everything goes wrong and priceless Egyptian artifacts are stolen. The only two people who interacted with the mysterious thief, they end up teaming up to locate what was taken. Annie wouldn't mind clearing her name and that of a coworker friend. This mission takes them back to Egypt and uncovers so much more than either woman expected.

Run- don't walk- to buy this book. Clear your calendar and let Fiona take you on a journey like no other. Solve a mystery. Find love. Answer burning questions. Learn from the past and see how it can shape the present, as well as the future. You won't be sorry.

Although the study of Egyptology may not seem very exciting, Fiona Davis weaves it into this story and makes it very compelling. Told over a span of about 50 years, this is both a mystery and a story of love, loss and achievement.

Charlotte Cross is a respected curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art but many years ago she was a part of the discovery of a tomb of a woman Pharoah and found. Happily married with a child, her life is shattered when the ship she and her family are traveling on across the Nile collides with another ship and goes down. Years later, she still presumes her husband and daughter perished in the sinking. She had discovered amid the chaos that her husband was potentially involved in smuggling Egyptian artifacts out of the country which has always stayed in her mind.

Annie is a lonely 19 year old who is struggling to care for herself and her self-involved mother who is a fledgling model. She cleans the home of their landlady when she is given the opportunity to assist one of the highest members of society with the upcoming Met Gala. She notices, one of the "stolen" Egyptian artifacts and suggests it become part of the fashion exhibits at the Gala. This is where she meets Charlotte who insists that it is too valuable but Annie's high society boss strongarms the head of the museum to allow it to be used.

The night of the gala becomes completely chaotic as a plan to steal another artifact is set into motion involving both Charlotte and Annie who try to apprehend the thief. This leads them on a quest to find the thief because the theft seems related to the ones long ago by her husband and a colleague. They go to Egypt where they track down a smuggling organization that is determined to get artifacts back into Egypt, which is why the theft of the Cerulean Queen was carried out during the chaos of the Gala.

What ensues is a story filled with questions, travel, self actualization, reflection and so much more. This is a book not to be missed!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I was so excited to get approved for this book, Fiona Davis an excellent writer of historical fiction! Even though I really enjoyed this book and will be giving it 5 stars, I still think my favorite book of hers is The Lions of New York. Still, I would definitely read this book again.

I also enjoyed the audiobook narration by Linda Jones. I don't believe that I had listened to a book narrated by her before, but I would definitely consider it in the future.


If you love historical fiction, this is the book for you!!

All the stars!!!


Many Thanks again to NetGalley, Dutton Books, and PRH Audio for providing me with this book and audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

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First of all, a huge thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for the advance copy of the Stolen Queen. I’ve been reading Fiona Davis for years so I was thrilled to get my hands on an early copy. Anyway, I enjoyed this. I was a little afraid at first that the Egyptology would weigh the book down, but not to worry, it does not. I think Davis did a good job of balancing that with the plot. I do think it was a little unbelievable how things tied up, and maybe a little slower than I usually find her books, and for that, it wasn’t a 5 star read for me, but I still liked it.

Fiona Davis does it again. Her latest novel The Stolen Queen weaves Egyptian history along with the Met Gala in the perfect way. She balances history alongside fashion and family connections.

I really wanted to love this book, but it didn't really pick up until about 50% in and then so much happened. I wanted the plot to be a bit more focused. Enjoyed the Egyptian history!

Fiona Davis is one of my favorite historical fiction writers. I love her books, and this is another fantastic read!

Davis sets her books in iconic buildings in NYC, bringing beautiful landmarks to life. This time, it's The Met Museum, where Davis paints a richly atmospheric portrait behind the scenes at the museum. But she also takes us to Egypt and mixes in archaeology, missing artifacts, mystery, friendship, loss, and personal tragedy. The story has a lot of interesting historical details surrounding antiquities and women breaking into the field of archaeology.

We meet anthropology student Charlotte, who, in 1936, achieved her dream of joining an archeological dig, but tragedy sends her back home to New York. In 1970, working at The Met, her path crosses with 18-year-old Annie, who is helping organize The Met Gala. During the Gala, a valuable Egyptian artifact is stolen, and the two work together to try to retrieve it. The investigation will take them to Egypt, where Charlotte will face her painful past.

Both timelines are compelling, and I felt immersed in time and place. The characters are memorable and vividly depicted, especially the two strong female protagonists, Charlotte and Annie. I love reading about inter-generational friendships, and theirs was endearing. Supporting character Diana Vreeland, who was a real-life Vogue editor and columnist, leaps off the page in her fun cameo scenes. The mystery was intriguing, and I was invested in both the plot and the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton Books for the gifted ARC!

<i>The Stolen Queen</i> is the literary equivalent of mixing champagne with dust-covered hieroglyphs: sparkling, mysterious, and with just enough grit to keep things interesting.

We’ve got two timelines here, folks, and they’re both a ride. First, there’s Charlotte in 1936, who starts out as an eager anthropology student on a dig in Egypt. It’s all camel rides and ancient curses until—bam!—tragedy strikes, and Charlotte’s life does a total 180. Fast-forward to 1978, where Annie, an intern for the fabulously demanding Diana Vreeland, is juggling Met Gala chaos while getting crash courses in haute couture and how to survive on two hours of sleep. These two women? Totally different vibes. But when a priceless Egyptian artifact vanishes and whispers of a curse start swirling, they team up like the oddest buddy-cop duo ever to grace the Met’s Egyptian wing.

The plot is a wild mix of fashion, ancient curses, and the kind of secrets that make you go, “Wait, what?” The book flits between 1930s desert digs and 1970s NYC glam so seamlessly that I’m convinced Davis has a time machine hidden somewhere. The writing? Gorgeous. You can practically feel the grit of the Egyptian sand under your fingernails and hear the clink of champagne glasses at the Met. And the characters? Well, let’s just say Charlotte and Annie are flawed, fascinating, and totally relatable. Who among us hasn’t cried over a shattered dream—or a missing artifact with an alleged curse?

Honestly, the “curse” element felt a bit too Scooby-Doo for my taste. I half-expected someone to whip off a villain mask and cackle, “And I would’ve gotten away with it, too!” Plus, Annie’s storyline occasionally veered into melodrama territory. Like, we get it, Diana’s a diva.

Still, <i>The Stolen Queen</i> is a total page-turner, perfect for history buffs, fashion junkies, and anyone who secretly believes their local museum is hiding something cursed. I devoured it in two sittings, mostly because I needed to know if they’d recover the artifact—or if Hathorkare’s ghost would come screeching out of the Met’s basement. Spoiler alert: you’ll have to read it yourself to find out.

Recommended for: fans of historical fiction, anyone who’s been personally victimized by a boss like Diana Vreeland, and readers who love a good dash of ancient mystery with their NYC glamour.

Told in alternate timelines- 1930's Egypt and 1970's New York City. Charlotte is a curator and the Metropolitan Museum of Art and her quiet life changes dramatically when an artifact belonging to Egypt's female pharaoh, Harthokare disappears during the Met Gala. Annie is a young assistant and her job is working on the Met Gala in NYC. The theft of this artifact takes both of them to Egypt where Charlotte has to come to terms with what happened to her in the 1930's. I enjoyed this book a lot.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Dutton for an ARC of this book.

As a huge fan of mythology—especially Egyptian mythology—and someone who has always dreamed of being an archaeologist, The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis was one of my most anticipated reads this month, and it didn’t disappoint! The novel masterfully blends historical intrigue with modern-day mystery, weaving together the story of a lost royal artifact and the secrets surrounding it.

Set across two timelines, the book brings to life the fascinating world of an ancient queen struggling to protect her legacy and the modern-day historian racing against time to uncover the truth. Davis’s writing is richly atmospheric, capturing the allure of both the historical and contemporary settings. The queen’s narrative is especially compelling, with themes of sacrifice and resilience that resonated deeply with me.

While some twists were a bit predictable, the vivid storytelling and well-researched details kept me hooked. The archeological aspects, in particular, felt like a love letter to those of us who grew up imagining ourselves uncovering buried treasures and lost histories.

If you’re drawn to stories steeped in mythology, history, and a touch of mystery, The Stolen Queen is a rewarding and immersive read. It’s a novel that satisfies both the history lover and the dreamer in me!

This was my first book by Fiona Davis and I enjoyed it! I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

I love Fiona Davis’s historical fiction, and her newest book, The Stolen Queen, is no exception.

Told across two timelines (Egypt 1930s and New York City 1970s), the novel focuses on the intertwining lives of Charlotte Cross, an archaeologist grappling with a tragic past, and Annie Jenkins, an ambitious young assistant, as they navigate the glittering world of 1970s New York and the mysteries of ancient Egypt. When a priceless artifact vanishes during the Met Gala, the two must join forces to uncover the truth, confronting curses, secrets, and the shadows of Charlotte's past in a journey that spans decades and continents.

This book was incredibly well-written and kept me turning pages long into the night. I love the way Fiona Davis blends real history with fiction. She does extensive research, and I always walk away having learned something new while still being entertained. I enjoyed reading the author’s note at the end, explaining that the fictional female Pharoh, Hathorkare is actually based on the life of Hatshepsut, a female Pharoh who reigned for nearly twenty years.

I highly recommend The Stolen Queen. This book is out this week– make sure it’s on your TBR!

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

A great blend of storytelling and rich historical context, this book offers an engaging experience for readers with an interest in Egyptian history. Davis crafts an intriguing and adventurous narrative that follows the characters' journeys of self-discovery, as they strive to improve their lives by pursuing their passions. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply in search of a thought-provoking story with well developed characters, travel and archeology, this book is a wonderful addition to your reading list.

This amazing book by Fiona Davis takes the reader from a gala event at The Met to the mysteries of ancient Egypt. Like all of Fiona Davis’s books this is a well written historical fiction novel. The characters are well developed.

Coming out January 7, 2025, The Stolen Queen is another fabulous Fiona Davis novel that I highly recommend.

The book features strong female characters and a craftful blending of fact and fiction, which Davis fans will recognize, appreciate and devour.

I loved how Charlotte and Annie's dual timelines eventually converge as I enjoyed these characters together!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for an advanced copy. I am looking forward to hosting Fiona Davis in Fairfield, CT for an event celebrating The Stolen Queen in May, 2025!

Bookish thoughts: This was my first read for 2025 and it did not disappoint! I was immediately drawn into an adventurous story that took me on a wild ride from Egypt to New York, told using a dual POV and timeline. I enjoyed learning about Egyptian art, specifically Pharaohs and famous relics. This book was more than a historical fiction novel about a mysterious art theft from the Met museum but also included elements of tragedy, loss, mother/daughter relationships, women’s resilience and ultimately finding ones own identity. I highly recommend this book!

I received an advanced electronic copy from publisher Penguin Group Dutton and Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview this book.