In This Edition of
The BookBrowse Review
The BookBrowse Review
Published December 4, 2024
ISSN: 1930-0018
The BookBrowse Review
Published December 4, 2024
ISSN: 1930-0018
Contents
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Literary Fiction
Historical Fiction
Essays
Poetry & Novels in Verse
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Thrillers
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Biography/Memoir
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True Crime
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Literary Fiction
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| Critics: | |
| Readers: |
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.
"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." —Publishers Weekly
"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." —Booklist
"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." —Lynne Olson, New York Times bestselling author of The Empress of the Nile
"Moving, suspenseful, and entirely vivid, The Stolen Queen is Fiona Davis at her absolute best, balancing history and mystery with her consummate artistry." —Lisa Grunwald, author of The Evolution of Annabel Craig
"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 the complex changing dynamics of women and power." —Dawn Tripp, bestselling author of Jackie
Rated 
of 5
by
PhyllisE
Page-turning mystery
Thanks to Edelweiss and Dutton for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own.
Fiona Davis is an auto-read for me, so I was excited to have the opportunity to read an advance copy. Like so many of her books, this one is historical fiction and starts out in New York. The story alternates between New York in 1978 and Egypt in the 1930s, featuring Charlotte Cross who in the 1970s is an associate curator at the Metropolitan Museum’s Department of Egyptian Art.
Another major character is 18-year-old Annie Jenkins, who crosses paths with Charlotte at the Museum. Annie is a survivor who seems to be getting a big break as she becomes an assistant to quirky and iconic former Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who’s in the midst of organizing the famous Met Gala, hosted at the museum.
This is a well-written story of hope and family, past and present, combining art, anthropology, fashion, and feminism. It’s a page-turning mystery with history and danger from a possible Egyptian curse.
Fiona Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of six historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings, including The Magnolia Palace, The Dollhouse, The Address, and The Lions of Fifth Avenue, which was a Good Morning America book club pick. Her novels have been chosen as "One Book, One Community" reads and her articles have appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal and O the Oprah magazine.
She first came to New York as an actress, but fell in love with writing after getting a master's degree at Columbia Journalism School. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages and she's based in New York City.
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