January 2025

I have been a passionate reader of Fiona Davis’ novels --- all eight of them. So when I tell you that I think THE STOLEN QUEEN is her best one, it’s really high praise.

As long-time readers know, Fiona sets her books in iconic New York City buildings. This time it’s the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As always, there are two time frames. This one takes place in 1936 and 1978.

In Egypt, the setting for the earlier chapters, Charlotte Cross is on a dig with a number of other archaeologists. Along the way, she finds a tomb that has not been completely researched. It belongs to Hathorkare, a female pharaoh who has not been given her due in history. Charlotte finds a broad collar in gold, which hints that this woman had been regal. Fiona has us entrenched in the ruins with the team, and we feel like we are dusting off the treasures found there.

While in Egypt, Charlotte marries and has a daughter. But global relations reach a point where they must hurriedly leave Egypt. On that trip abroad, a catastrophic boat accident leads to Charlotte losing both her husband and her daughter.

Flash forward to 1978, and Charlotte is working at the Met. The museum is all aflutter as the King Tut exhibit is opening. Much ado is made about this special offering and how the museum will be spotlighted for it.

At the same time, Diana Vreeland, the former editor of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, is chairing the Met Gala, styling the costume exhibit with her unique flair. She embraces a very unlikely young woman, Annie Jenkins, to be her assistant. Annie is completely out of fashion, and while she has none of Vreeland’s style, she has lots of spunk. She see this as her chance to really make a name for herself.

Charlotte and Annie are drawn together when a broad collar, which is one of Charlotte’s favorite pieces, is stolen from the museum. Still longing to figure out what happened with Hathorkare, Charlotte returns to Egypt with Annie in tow.

I am skimming here so I don’t give anything away, because I want you to enjoy unraveling this story yourself. Upon finishing it, I dare you not to want to visit the Met and read more about the collections there --- and maybe even travel to Egypt.

Enjoy watching or listening to my interview with Fiona. We give away no spoilers but talk in depth about her research and development of the storyline.