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. But after an unbearable tragedy strikes, Charlotte knows her future will never be the same.
New York City, 1978: Nineteen-year-old Annie Jenkins is thrilled when she lands an opportunity to work for iconic 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.” Though Annie soon realizes she’ll have her work cut out for her, scrambling to meet Diana’s capricious demands and exacting standards.
Meanwhile, Charlotte, now leading a quiet life as the associate curator of the Met’s celebrated Department of Egyptian Art, wants little to do with the upcoming gala. She’s consumed with her research on Hathorkare—a rare female pharaoh dismissed by most other Egyptologists as unimportant.
That is, until the night of the gala. When one of the Egyptian art collection’s most valuable artifacts goes missing . . . and there are signs Hathorkare’s legendary curse might be reawakening.
As Annie and Charlotte team up to search for the missing antiquity, a desperate hunch leads the unlikely duo to one place Charlotte swore she’d never return: Egypt. But if they’re to 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.
PRAISE
“A taut ravishing work by a master storyteller. The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis is a riveting historical novel of rare insight and grace that brings to life secrets of ancient Egypt, and explores complex changing dynamics of women and power.”
“With its themes of antiquities repatriation, personal loss, and women’s resilience, The Stolen Queen is a captivating exploration of identity and strength, with twists that will compel readers till the very end.”
“Alluring…The action-packed novel brims with Davis’s customary meticulous research and adds insight to debates over whether artifacts should remain in their country of origin. There’s plenty of substance to this rousing adventure.”
“In this tantalizing latest from New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art takes center stage in a fast-paced tale that spans from 1936 Egypt to 1978 Manhattan. Davis is known for framing stories around New York City landmark buildings, and in The Stolen Queen, the Met comes to life on the page with her trademark touch. But she also delves into Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, and into some fascinating mysteries related to both ancient Egypt and to a 20th century tragedy. You’ll fall in love with the strong Charlotte and the plucky Annie as they face the reawakening of a legendary curse and the surfacing of long-buried secrets, all to the chaotic and fascinating backdrop of Diana Vreeland’s famed Met Gala in its 1970s heyday. The Stolen Queen is a powerful ode to both the magic of New York City and the resilience of the human spirit, set both in the storied Met and in the rock-cut pharaohs’ tombs of Egypt.”
“In Fiona Davis’s latest gem of a novel, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art takes center stage, spotlighting stolen Egyptian artifacts, a trailblazing woman pharaoh unfairly maligned by male archaeologists, and an intrepid Met curator, also the target of male prejudice, who’s determined to win justice for the pharaoh and herself. An enthralling behind-the-scenes look at America’s most fabled museum, The Stolen Queen raises vital questions about the rightful ownership of some of the priceless antiquities on display in it and other museums around the world.”
“Absolutely spectacular! Davis has done it again in this compulsively readable, unforgettable historical mystery. The Stolen Queen perfectly captures the nuances and challenges facing women in this century and thousands of years ago. It reminds us of the power and strength in the forgotten stories of women that history has forgotten.”
“Moving, suspenseful, and entirely vivid, The Stolen Queen is Fiona Davis at her absolute best, balancing history and mystery with her consummate artistry.”
“In her latest stunner, Fiona Davis sweeps readers from the sun-baked sands of Egypt to the inner sanctum of the Met Museum and a world full of art, intrigue, and heart-stopping secrets. While crafting a vivid picture of two fascinating eras, Davis also dives deeply into the vibrant inner worlds of her complex and compelling lead characters, Charlotte and Annie. Inspired by the unearthing of an incomparable ancient queen, this book solidifies Davis’s place as a reigning queen of historical fiction, and a master storyteller at the height of her craft.”
“I thoroughly adored Fiona Davis’s THE STOLEN QUEEN, which represents the best in historical fiction. It’s the engrossing and heartfelt story of two compelling female characters, an expert Egyptologist at the Met Museum and a young intern to fashion diva Diana Vreeland, who together uncover a mystery that takes them back to the days of an amazing female pharaoh, but also delves deep into family ties and human identity. Davis’s dual timeline switches expertly back-and-forth between two storylines until they converge beautifully, producing a brilliantly plotted and riveting novel that I couldn’t put down.”