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, when 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 follows 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 becomes 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 places her captivating historical fiction stories in New York City's most iconic locations. In The Stolen Queen, she selected the Metropolitan Museum, a personal favorite of mine. If you love The Met and are interested in Egyptian history, this book will enthrall you. I have adored all of this author's 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.
Many thanks to Dutton for the advance.
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
Historical Fiction.
Publication Date: January 7, 2025.
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