A Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis – Fiction Review

I cannot think of the last time I had a chance to read a book for fun, which is saying a lot.  I was fortunate enough to land a galley for this one with the promise that I’d write about it before its official publication, which is January 7, 2005—so go bookmark it on Amazon or wherever you prefer to buy your books. Why am I posting a review about a book that has nothing to do with guitar? Well, it does have to do with The Met, whose guitar events we’ve covered here many times on this website so I couldn’t help but feel intrigued by the plot line, which feels more like a grown up version of The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis (Dutton, 349 pages) is an entertaining novel that deftly weaves together two timelines: the sun-drenched archaeology of 1930s Egypt and the gritty glamour of late 1970s New York. The story follows young anthropologist Charlotte Cross from her early days excavating in the Valley of the Kings to her later role as the Met’s Egyptian Art curator, where she crosses paths with Annie Jenkins, a teenage fashion aspirant working alongside the legendary Diana Vreeland on the nascent Costume Gala. When an artifact vanishes and whispers of an ancient pharaoh’s curse surface, these two women must elude perilous intrigues inside the Met’s marble halls and Egyptian sands to uncover the truth.

The novel shines in its meticulous research and vivid sense of place, whether capturing the backstage drama of The Met or the dangerous allure of archaeological digs. While both heroines prove compelling in their respective quests for professional recognition, Charlotte’s later-life tendency to over-justify her past decisions occasionally undermines an otherwise self-assured character. Nevertheless, the book transcends simple period drama through its sharp exploration of ambition, mentorship, and the prices women pay for success in male-dominated fields.

Tailor-made for a film adaptation, this atmospheric thriller combines museum politics, fashion history, and archaeological intrigue into a satisfying adventure.  Recommended.

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