In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I talk to the brilliant and bestselling author Fiona Davis about her new novel The Stolen Queen, a dual-timeline mystery that moves between 1936 Egypt and 1978 New York City.

Fiona shares the real inspirations behind the story (thank you Kim Kardashian), as well as her fascination with antiquities and the stories behind them. She looks at the ways history can be reshaped or lost over time. We explore the novel’s two vividly drawn protagonists, a serious and studious curator and her arch opposite, a young, inexperienced over-eager assistant to the Met Ball who have to work together to recover a stolen artefact.

We also talk about the lesser known women of history who spark Fiona’s imagination, the meticulous research that bring Fiona’s settings to life, the energy of NYC in the late 70’s and the busy world behind the scenes at the Met. Fiona likes to blend a good story with some fascinating history and page-turning mystery into her NYC-based novels. She also touches on her own career, from acting to journalism to writing historical fiction.

This episode is a rich, thought-provoking conversation with one of today’s most beloved voices in historical fiction. If you love stories that uncover hidden histories and spotlight remarkable women, this episode is for you

Episode Guide:00:00 Welcome to Elena Meets the Author00:20 Introducing Fiona Davis and The Stolen Queen01:37 Inspiration Behind the Novel03:45 The Ancient Queen Who Sparked the Story06:15 Forgotten Women in History06:37 Diana Vreeland and the Met in the 1970s10:24 Building Atmospheric, Authentic Settings12:28 Research and Story Development15:30 Blending Mystery with Historical Fiction17:19 What Fiona Is Working on Next17:52 New York’s Hidden Corners18:18 A Storied Mansion and Its Remarkable Resident19:29 From Acting to Journalism21:46 The Path to Becoming an Author24:13 Research Rituals and Writing Process29:38 Fiona’s Book Recommendations & Final Thoughts

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