Author: Fiona Davis
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense
Publisher: Dutton
Book Release Date: 2025
Pages: 349
Source: Netgalley/ Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: 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.
My Review: In 1938, Charlotte was an anthropology student who was helping with an excavation in Egypt. However, her trip ended in unbearable tragedy. Years later in 1978, Charlotte is now an associate curator at the Met’s Department of Egyptian Art. She is currently working on a theory about the female pharaoh, Hathorkare. When one of the artifacts goes missing, Charlotte teams up with Annie to find it. However, their search leads to Charlotte seeking answers to her tragic past.
I found Charlotte to be a very fascinating character. When she was nineteen, she was very eager and hopeful. However, tragedy has turned her into a cold and vulnerable person. I found her to be a very fascinating figure, and I could not wait to discover the answers to her past. I was so invested in her story that I wanted to see if she would find any closure. Even though I liked Charlotte as a protagonist, I did not care for Annie’s storyline. Annie seemed to be a secondary character rather than a protagonist. She was not as fleshed out as Charlotte. Throughout the novel, Annie is in conflict with her mother. Her perspective did not add to the storyline, and she seemed to be Charlotte’s sidekick.
Overall, this book is about lost love, family, and secrets. Aside from Charlotte, I did not really care for the other characters. The villain was very stereotypical and did not have any depth. The story did not pick up until over halfway through the novel. Once it did pick up, it was very thrilling! I liked the setting of both New York and Egypt! I also liked that it hinted at ancient curses! Therefore, it was a very enjoyable read! The Stolen Queen is sure to please fans of historical thrillers! I recommend this book for favs of The Fortune Teller, Song of the Nile, and The Lost Sisterhood!
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
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