Book Review for Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict

 

Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict

Published:  March 24, 2026 by St. Martin's Press

Genre: Historical Fiction, Egypt

Taken from Goodreads:  From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Benedict comes an extraordinary story of the woman who helped uncover Tutankhamun's tomb and the mystery behind Egypt’s first woman Pharaoh.

1920’s London was enthralled by the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Filled with priceless statues, jewels, and the gold-encased mummy of the boy Pharaoh himself, the burial site unleashed a fascination with the ancient world and revolutionized the world of archeology.

The discovery was made by Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle and his associate, famed archeologist Howard Carter. What no one knows is that without the pioneering spirit of Lady Evelyn Herbert, Carnarvon’s daughter, the tomb might never have been found. As a young woman, Evelyn was fascinated by the story of Hatshepsut, a woman who had to assume the guise of a man in order to rule Egypt. Although she brought peace and prosperity to Egypt, her male successors ruthlessly and thoroughly erased her name from history.

Lady Evelyn’s ambition to find the tomb of Egypt’s first woman ruler exposes her to life-threatening danger and pits her against archeologists who refuse to believe the tomb can be found―and certainly not by a woman. Refusing to give up, Evelyn is on the verge of success when she is suddenly forced to make an agonizing choice between loyalty to her beloved father and Carter and realizing the dream of a lifetime.

 

My Thoughts: Marie Benedict writes historical fiction books that are full of real history.  They are not always the BIG historical moments, but they are important historical moments.  This is the story of a woman, Lady Evelyn, that society only expects to become a wife, but she dreams of working beside her father excavating Egyptian sites looking for Pharaoh Hatshepsut.   Pharaoh Hatshepsut is the other timeline.  Sharing her rise to being a pharaoh and all the strength it took to be a woman pharaoh. 

The book is not a fast read, or it was not for me.  That was probably more on me as I wanted to read every single word, I did not want to miss anything.   Every part, both timelines, were written full of detail and attention that made the book come alive for me.  I felt like I was alongside Pharoah Hatshepsut and Lady Evelyn as their had their experiences and showed their strength.

 I love the dual timelines and how they intertwined perfectly.  Both timelines are based on strong woman stepping outside of what is expected of them and making a difference.  Each woman had a man beside them that supported them in their dreams and worked with them to help them achieve those dreams. 

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Meet the Author:   Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years’ experience as a litigator at two of the country’s premier law firms. She found her calling unearthing the hidden historical stories of women. Her mission is to excavate from the past the most important, complex and fascinating women of history and bring them into the light of present-day where we can finally perceive the breadth of their contributions as well as the insights they bring to modern day issues.

She is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Queens of Crime, The Mitford Affair, Her Hidden Genius, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, The Only Woman in the Room, Lady Clementine, Carnegie’s Maid, The Other Einstein, and the novella, Agent 355. With Victoria Christopher Murray, she co-wrote the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian and the Target Book of the Year The First Ladies.

With Courtney Sheinmel, she released the first book in a a middle grade historical adventure series, entitled The Secrets of the Lovelace Academy.

Her books have been translated into thirty languages, and selected for the Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List, and Library Reads List.

Up next is her March 24, 2026 release DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, a sweeping tale of Lady Evelyn Herbert of Highclere Castle who unearths in Egypt the truth about a forgotten female Pharaoh — rewriting both of their legacies forever.