Scan barcode
A review by mhinnen
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
4.0
I love how Fiona Davis centers iconic NYC landmarks in her historical novels—and that she always clarifies which parts are fabricated. This time, she takes us into The Met’s Egyptian exhibition during the museum's final preparations for its famous gala.
I recently read, "All the Beauty in the World," which is also about the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "The Stolen Queen" dovetails nicely adding an air of mystery and reflections on different eras. We meet Charlotte, a young American archaeologist who builds a life in 1936 Egypt, only for it to end in tragedy. During her time there, she makes an exciting discovery that shockingly resurfaces in 1978 NYC. In a field dominated by men, Charlotte treads carefully to avoid threatening male egos. The story weaves between decades and across locations—NYC, Luxor, and Cairo—in an intriguing caper.
In 1978, 19-year-old, Annie, a born-and-raised New Yorker, is searching for a mentor to guide her. She finds herself at The Met, assisting with the gala, where her path crosses with Charlotte’s. Together, they form a team that surpasses societal and personal expectations. Annie’s storyline was touching, though I felt her separate POV wasn’t entirely necessary.
Davis raises compelling ethical questions about the repatriation of artifacts—who decides what’s displayed, and who has the right to access it, if anyone. I also loved the storyline around Charlotte’s research on the female Pharaoh Hathorkare.
I couldn’t put this down during the final third of the book, as decades (and even centuries!) of mysteries are solved layer by layer, with plenty of twists and turns. There were moments that I gasped and others that made me cry.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
I recently read, "All the Beauty in the World," which is also about the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "The Stolen Queen" dovetails nicely adding an air of mystery and reflections on different eras. We meet Charlotte, a young American archaeologist who builds a life in 1936 Egypt, only for it to end in tragedy. During her time there, she makes an exciting discovery that shockingly resurfaces in 1978 NYC. In a field dominated by men, Charlotte treads carefully to avoid threatening male egos. The story weaves between decades and across locations—NYC, Luxor, and Cairo—in an intriguing caper.
In 1978, 19-year-old, Annie, a born-and-raised New Yorker, is searching for a mentor to guide her. She finds herself at The Met, assisting with the gala, where her path crosses with Charlotte’s. Together, they form a team that surpasses societal and personal expectations. Annie’s storyline was touching, though I felt her separate POV wasn’t entirely necessary.
Davis raises compelling ethical questions about the repatriation of artifacts—who decides what’s displayed, and who has the right to access it, if anyone. I also loved the storyline around Charlotte’s research on the female Pharaoh Hathorkare.
I couldn’t put this down during the final third of the book, as decades (and even centuries!) of mysteries are solved layer by layer, with plenty of twists and turns. There were moments that I gasped and others that made me cry.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!