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.

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Published Jan 7, 2025

352 pages

Average rating: 7.24

170 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

SherylStandifer
Sep 28, 2025
7/10 stars
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!
BookFairie
Aug 20, 2025
10/10 stars
This was a fantastic story. I loved how it was mysterious and sweet. The underlying story came to a beautiful end.
Harrietaspy
Jun 26, 2025
5/10 stars
It was fine but not really my cup of tea. Something about Egypt history doesn't draw me in like other things do and then the story was a bit convoluted.
MN/OK Book Club
Apr 24, 2025
Picked by Joy
vany1095
Apr 24, 2025
Great read. Took me back to my childhood years when I was enveloped in books about mystery and archeology.

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