The Stolen Queen: A Novel
*A New York Times Bestseller*
From New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis, an utterly addictive new novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back.
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.”
Meanwhile, Charlotte is now leading a quiet life as the associate curator of the Met’s celebrated Department of Egyptian Art. She’s consumed by her research on Hathorkare—a rare female pharaoh dismissed by most other Egyptologists as unimportant.
The night of the gala: One of the Egyptian art collection’s most valuable artifacts goes missing, and there are signs Hathorkare’s legendary curse might be reawakening. Annie and Charlotte team up to search for the missing antiquity, and a desperate hunch leads the unlikely duo to one place Charlotte swore she’d never return: Egypt. But if they have any hope of finding the artifact, Charlotte will need to confront the demons of her past—which may mean leading them both directly into danger.
From New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis, an utterly addictive new novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back.
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.”
Meanwhile, Charlotte is now leading a quiet life as the associate curator of the Met’s celebrated Department of Egyptian Art. She’s consumed by her research on Hathorkare—a rare female pharaoh dismissed by most other Egyptologists as unimportant.
The night of the gala: One of the Egyptian art collection’s most valuable artifacts goes missing, and there are signs Hathorkare’s legendary curse might be reawakening. Annie and Charlotte team up to search for the missing antiquity, and a desperate hunch leads the unlikely duo to one place Charlotte swore she’d never return: Egypt. But if they have any hope of finding the artifact, Charlotte will need to confront the demons of her past—which may mean leading them both directly into danger.
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Community Reviews
I feel torn about this book as I feel it dragged so long on the set up and build up of plot and then spend the last 10% really condensing twist, mystery, the folklore, and closure. The book bounces perspectives between 2 female leads and how they end up working at an riveting Egyptian exhibit at the Met. One deeply connected to the pieces by her history in archeological and the other getting a career break giving her a chance at a future life away from the troubles at home. I think if you describe the book solely based on folklore, a woman rebuilding her life after loss, or the search for a stolen artifact, you will be disappointed. I think this would be a great book on vacation if you don't get too invested or come in with high expectations.
Interesting look into the world of curators and art culture with a travel aspect that feels interesting yet at times detached from the core story line.
Interesting historical fiction about archaeology and discoveries in Egypt. It takes place in two time periods so you have the present when an ancient artifact, the Cerulean Queen, is stolen from a museum, and the past which involves a female archaeologist whose work and findings are discounted and she is not taken seriously. In the present day she discovers support for her theory about one of the female pharaohs of Egypt, only to have her work stolen. As she heads back to Egypt she uncovers far more than she bargained for.
A double-timeline story unfolding from 1930’s Egypt to 1970’s the New York museum scene. One character populates both timelines. It’s been months since I read this one and had forgotten to post my thoughts. But I remembered having to stop and research info about The Stolen Queen. No spoilers here, but the audacity of the character’s mother keeping her from her husband to make a more ‘suitable’ society match. Great story!
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