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City of the Muse
For fans of The Lost Apothecary, a gripping dual-timeline novel about the mysterious death of an indomitable female papyrologist during an archaeological dig in the early 1900s and an aspiring young female researcher’s present-day quest to find out who killed her.
An ill-fated dig. An ancient city believed to be cursed. And a century-old mystery at the heart of it all.
Egypt, 1903: When renowned papyrologist Helen Gardiner arrives at an excavation site in the ancient city of Calliopolis, she learns that she has been given the job because her predecessor has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. One of the only women on the dig, Helen—tasked with restoring and cataloguing the thousands of papyrus fragments recovered at the site—soon discovers that there’s more to Calliopolis than meets the eye. The archaeologists on the dig, mostly men, all have not only their own towering egos, but their own agendas, including secrets they might kill to protect.
Toronto, 2019: Archivist Maddie Sloan is at a dead she feels like her academic career is stalled, and she’s still healing from her recent breakup with her former partner, Ben. To make matters worse, Ben still works with Maddie’s father, a famous archaeologist, and with whom Maddie has had a major falling out. It feels like her father has chosen Ben over her.
When famous TV archaeologist Peter Bahar arrives at the Toronto Archaeological Museum to verify the provenance of objects from their Egyptian collection believed to be from Calliopolis, Maddie jumps at the opportunity. After all, she has her own ties to the Cursed City of Calliopolis through her grandmother, Iris, who worked at the site. As Maddie and Peter begin digging into the objects and circumstances surrounding the excavation, they learn that two papyrologists seem to have abruptly disappeared from the dig without explanation. Suddenly, a search for providence becomes a quest to uncover a history shrouded in secrets and lies—and a murder that has been covered up for more than a century.
An ill-fated dig. An ancient city believed to be cursed. And a century-old mystery at the heart of it all.
Egypt, 1903: When renowned papyrologist Helen Gardiner arrives at an excavation site in the ancient city of Calliopolis, she learns that she has been given the job because her predecessor has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. One of the only women on the dig, Helen—tasked with restoring and cataloguing the thousands of papyrus fragments recovered at the site—soon discovers that there’s more to Calliopolis than meets the eye. The archaeologists on the dig, mostly men, all have not only their own towering egos, but their own agendas, including secrets they might kill to protect.
Toronto, 2019: Archivist Maddie Sloan is at a dead she feels like her academic career is stalled, and she’s still healing from her recent breakup with her former partner, Ben. To make matters worse, Ben still works with Maddie’s father, a famous archaeologist, and with whom Maddie has had a major falling out. It feels like her father has chosen Ben over her.
When famous TV archaeologist Peter Bahar arrives at the Toronto Archaeological Museum to verify the provenance of objects from their Egyptian collection believed to be from Calliopolis, Maddie jumps at the opportunity. After all, she has her own ties to the Cursed City of Calliopolis through her grandmother, Iris, who worked at the site. As Maddie and Peter begin digging into the objects and circumstances surrounding the excavation, they learn that two papyrologists seem to have abruptly disappeared from the dig without explanation. Suddenly, a search for providence becomes a quest to uncover a history shrouded in secrets and lies—and a murder that has been covered up for more than a century.
304 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2026
About the author
Kate Hilton
6 books302 followersKATE HILTON is a bestselling Canadian writer. Her fiction includes City of the Muse, The Hole in the Middle, Just Like Family, and Better Luck Next Time. She is also the co-author, with Elizabeth Renzetti, of the Quill and Packet mystery series, including Bury the Lead and Widows and Orphans. When not writing, Kate maintains an active psychotherapy practice, with a particular focus on personal reinvention and life transitions. She lives with her family in Toronto.
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April 26, 2026Easily my new favorite by Kate Hilton! This is a standout dual timeline historical fiction book about women archaeologists in early 1900s Egypt. In the present day we follow Maddie, a mostly unremarkable archivist whose only real claim to fame is her connection to her more famous archaeologist grandmother.
When she discovers an ancient Egyptian scroll that no one knew about, it leads her on a path involving shady academics, new friends and answers to what really happened to her grandmother's friend and fellow female archaeologist who was murdered while on a dig. Mysterious, suspenseful and utterly fascinating.
I loved the focus on women in academia and the struggles/challenges they've faced in the past and continue to face today. The structure of alternating timelines made for a propulsive read and left me wanting to know more at every turn. This story is well researched with reference material included at the end and it is sure to delight fans of books like Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
When she discovers an ancient Egyptian scroll that no one knew about, it leads her on a path involving shady academics, new friends and answers to what really happened to her grandmother's friend and fellow female archaeologist who was murdered while on a dig. Mysterious, suspenseful and utterly fascinating.
I loved the focus on women in academia and the struggles/challenges they've faced in the past and continue to face today. The structure of alternating timelines made for a propulsive read and left me wanting to know more at every turn. This story is well researched with reference material included at the end and it is sure to delight fans of books like Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
April 15, 2026
I had such a great time reading this novel and learning about the "golden era" of Egyptian excavation. And everyone knows I'm always down to read about women and their forgotten places in history!
City of the muse is a multi timeline historical mystery! In 1903 we follow Helen and iris, a papyrologist and an artist as they work and investigate a murder at an ancient Egyptian site.
In 2019 we follow Maddie, a modern day archivist, who is studying her grandmothers connection to Calliopsis and uncovering a centuries old mystery.
Thank you so much simonschusterca and kate Hilton for the gifted arc copy!
This story is not based on a real person, but a real moment of time in Egypt. It was really cool to read this book as you could tell how well the book was researched! I loved learning all about this time period, while solving the mystery alongside our characters.
I love the multi timeline multi POV, it kept me engaged as a reader and also the short chapters kept the book moving at a good pace!
I was really invested in the storyline, I loved the murder mystery aspect and I was surprised by a few of the twists, especially the ending I liked that.
I did feel like the dialogue between the characters needed a bit of work. It felt repetitive at times and I wasn't always engaged, especially in the modern POV. I think that would have made me feel more connected to the characters!
So glad I read this one and would definitely check something out by this author in the future!
City of the muse is a multi timeline historical mystery! In 1903 we follow Helen and iris, a papyrologist and an artist as they work and investigate a murder at an ancient Egyptian site.
In 2019 we follow Maddie, a modern day archivist, who is studying her grandmothers connection to Calliopsis and uncovering a centuries old mystery.
Thank you so much simonschusterca and kate Hilton for the gifted arc copy!
This story is not based on a real person, but a real moment of time in Egypt. It was really cool to read this book as you could tell how well the book was researched! I loved learning all about this time period, while solving the mystery alongside our characters.
I love the multi timeline multi POV, it kept me engaged as a reader and also the short chapters kept the book moving at a good pace!
I was really invested in the storyline, I loved the murder mystery aspect and I was surprised by a few of the twists, especially the ending I liked that.
I did feel like the dialogue between the characters needed a bit of work. It felt repetitive at times and I wasn't always engaged, especially in the modern POV. I think that would have made me feel more connected to the characters!
So glad I read this one and would definitely check something out by this author in the future!
May 9, 2026
3.75 STARS rounded up City of the Muse is a mystery for lovers of Egypt history.
Told in dual timelines in the early 1900's and 2019, I loved the story's brief Toronto connection and how it centres on the perspectives of two strong female characters who are connected to a 120-year-old murder at an ancient Egyptian site.
Egyptology is fascinating but the extent of my knowledge is visiting the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. I was eager to learn more and through this story I now know about papyrology (the study of ancient papyrus) and have a greater understanding of the experience of female archaeologists and papyrologists who worked in the very male-dominated business of unearthing and preserving Egyptian history and its relics.
The mystery was more of a slow-burn kind that simmers in the background before revealing itself later on. What shines is Hilton's passion for Egyptian history as she creates a very atmospheric story, bringing her readers to dig sites to witness power struggles and the flippancy of the wealthy elite who fund excavations for their own greedy benefit with little regard to preserving history.
This is an atmospheric tale of buried mysteries, murder, stolen relics, Egyptian curses and women in STEM going up against the 'boys club' in the very male-dominated field of Egyptology.
Told in dual timelines in the early 1900's and 2019, I loved the story's brief Toronto connection and how it centres on the perspectives of two strong female characters who are connected to a 120-year-old murder at an ancient Egyptian site.
Egyptology is fascinating but the extent of my knowledge is visiting the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. I was eager to learn more and through this story I now know about papyrology (the study of ancient papyrus) and have a greater understanding of the experience of female archaeologists and papyrologists who worked in the very male-dominated business of unearthing and preserving Egyptian history and its relics.
The mystery was more of a slow-burn kind that simmers in the background before revealing itself later on. What shines is Hilton's passion for Egyptian history as she creates a very atmospheric story, bringing her readers to dig sites to witness power struggles and the flippancy of the wealthy elite who fund excavations for their own greedy benefit with little regard to preserving history.
This is an atmospheric tale of buried mysteries, murder, stolen relics, Egyptian curses and women in STEM going up against the 'boys club' in the very male-dominated field of Egyptology.
April 23, 2026
Kate Hilton has written an interesting historical mystery novel about an ill-fated Egyptian excavation/archaeological dig in the early 1900s. Told in dual timelines, the novel shifts between the 1900s and 2019, when the archivist granddaughter of one of the few women on the 1900s dig becomes involved in verifying ancient objects believed to be from the same dig. The granddaughter, Maddie, stumbles across a mystery, unsolved for 100 years, surrounding the murder of one of the female archaeologists.
The descriptive writing and the research that clearly underpinned the novel made the 1900s setting seem believable. I found it fascinating to read about the process of restoring and cataloguing the artifacts, the rampant theft and exploitation of these artifacts by the wealthy Western funders, the challenges female archaeologists experienced working in the male-dominated field, and the exploitative relationship between the archaeological funders and the local workers hired for the digs.
The plot unfolded with generally even pacing and the flow between the timelines was seamless. I thought the mystery was resolved well and brought the various elements together in a believable way. There were several red herrings along the way. I thought the ending was good but a bit abrupt.
This one reminded me of Fiona Davis’ The Stolen Queen, which I loved, but it had its own unique feel. Those who enjoy historical fiction and are interested in ancient Egypt artifacts and archaeological digs, will find this one interesting.
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
The descriptive writing and the research that clearly underpinned the novel made the 1900s setting seem believable. I found it fascinating to read about the process of restoring and cataloguing the artifacts, the rampant theft and exploitation of these artifacts by the wealthy Western funders, the challenges female archaeologists experienced working in the male-dominated field, and the exploitative relationship between the archaeological funders and the local workers hired for the digs.
The plot unfolded with generally even pacing and the flow between the timelines was seamless. I thought the mystery was resolved well and brought the various elements together in a believable way. There were several red herrings along the way. I thought the ending was good but a bit abrupt.
This one reminded me of Fiona Davis’ The Stolen Queen, which I loved, but it had its own unique feel. Those who enjoy historical fiction and are interested in ancient Egypt artifacts and archaeological digs, will find this one interesting.
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
April 11, 2026
Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for this advanced copy of City of the Muse.
This story is a dual POV set in Egypt in 1903 and in Toronto in 2019. Helen Gardiner is a renowned papyrologist and she begins working in a location named Calliopolis in 1903 while Maddie is an archivist in 2019 working with clues to figure out the mystery of what happened to Helen as well as finding some discoveries of her own.
As soon as you read the first chapter in this story, you’re immediately drawn in to the mystery of Helen’s story. I really enjoyed the format of going back and forth each chapter from past to present. And every chapter ended on some kind of cliffhanger, just begging you to continue.
The process of preserving literary material from history in archeological digs is so intriguing to me and I loved how this story delved into that. The descriptions of how fragile the paper would be and how they would bring it back to life was really neat. The author’s note did such good job of explaining even more too.
I found the chapters were short and engaging. When the story picked up, it really picked up and I definitely wanted to keep reading. There were 2 specific moments I can think of where I was surprised. I am always so happy when a book can shock me and I couldn’t predict what was going to happen. It was cleverly plotted.
If you enjoy historical fiction and anything about archeological work, with some mystery, this is the read for you!
This story is a dual POV set in Egypt in 1903 and in Toronto in 2019. Helen Gardiner is a renowned papyrologist and she begins working in a location named Calliopolis in 1903 while Maddie is an archivist in 2019 working with clues to figure out the mystery of what happened to Helen as well as finding some discoveries of her own.
As soon as you read the first chapter in this story, you’re immediately drawn in to the mystery of Helen’s story. I really enjoyed the format of going back and forth each chapter from past to present. And every chapter ended on some kind of cliffhanger, just begging you to continue.
The process of preserving literary material from history in archeological digs is so intriguing to me and I loved how this story delved into that. The descriptions of how fragile the paper would be and how they would bring it back to life was really neat. The author’s note did such good job of explaining even more too.
I found the chapters were short and engaging. When the story picked up, it really picked up and I definitely wanted to keep reading. There were 2 specific moments I can think of where I was surprised. I am always so happy when a book can shock me and I couldn’t predict what was going to happen. It was cleverly plotted.
If you enjoy historical fiction and anything about archeological work, with some mystery, this is the read for you!
April 28, 2026
I really enjoyed this story! So much to unpack.
I usually like dual-timeline books and this was a good one. Both of the storylines were compelling and engaging, with excellent pacing ideally designed to keep one reading.
Most of the characters I liked and connected with, though I must admit to liking Iris and Helen more in the past than Maddie in the present. I couldn't help rolling my eyes at one point when Maddie signs an agreement put in front of her without reading all of it. I knew that would end up causing trouble. Still, overall I see why Maddie is who she is and came to like her more by the end of the book.
This is a wonderfully well-constructed story, which links the past and present plot lines smoothly and in an interesting and engaging way.
I would recommend this to readers who like: dual timeline stories, books with strong female characters, plots dealing with archeology, history and the machinations of colonialism.
I usually like dual-timeline books and this was a good one. Both of the storylines were compelling and engaging, with excellent pacing ideally designed to keep one reading.
Most of the characters I liked and connected with, though I must admit to liking Iris and Helen more in the past than Maddie in the present. I couldn't help rolling my eyes at one point when Maddie signs an agreement put in front of her without reading all of it. I knew that would end up causing trouble. Still, overall I see why Maddie is who she is and came to like her more by the end of the book.
This is a wonderfully well-constructed story, which links the past and present plot lines smoothly and in an interesting and engaging way.
I would recommend this to readers who like: dual timeline stories, books with strong female characters, plots dealing with archeology, history and the machinations of colonialism.
May 17, 2026
This book was a nice surprise. Prior to reading, I had very limited knowledge (or interest if I'm honest!) about papyri, archeological digs or archeology in general. This is a fascinating read that alternates between two interconnected stories/timelines both interesting in their own right. The ending pulls everything together. Overall an interesting and satisfying read for lovers of historical fiction.
April 27, 2026
Review based on an advanced reader copy provided by Simon Schuster.
The story is touted as being perfect for fans of The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. I am a fan of that book, I can see how that connection can be made but I am 26% in and mostly bored. I think fans of Penner and historical mysteries will definitely enjoy this book. I have always loved Egyptology, but at this moment in time, City of the Muse is not working for me.
We follow two timelines, the first is set in 1903 Egypt and follows one POV, a papryologist named Helen, in the days that lead up to her murder on an archeological dig in Calliopolis. The second is set in 2019 Toronto and follows an archivist, Maddie, as she begins a search to uncover the truth about what happened in 1903 and why a murder was covered up.
On paper, this all sounds right up my alley. In practice, I find the chapters set in 1903 to be incredibly dull and I am only moderately interested in the murder mystery.
This is a book that I would definitely recommend to the right reader. I may even come back to it in the future and give it another try.
The story is touted as being perfect for fans of The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. I am a fan of that book, I can see how that connection can be made but I am 26% in and mostly bored. I think fans of Penner and historical mysteries will definitely enjoy this book. I have always loved Egyptology, but at this moment in time, City of the Muse is not working for me.
We follow two timelines, the first is set in 1903 Egypt and follows one POV, a papryologist named Helen, in the days that lead up to her murder on an archeological dig in Calliopolis. The second is set in 2019 Toronto and follows an archivist, Maddie, as she begins a search to uncover the truth about what happened in 1903 and why a murder was covered up.
On paper, this all sounds right up my alley. In practice, I find the chapters set in 1903 to be incredibly dull and I am only moderately interested in the murder mystery.
This is a book that I would definitely recommend to the right reader. I may even come back to it in the future and give it another try.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
City of the Muse was a well-researched tale of archeology during the early 20th century in Egypt. I definitely picked up the book for the Egyptian setting, which I have always wanted to visit. Thank you to Kate Hilton for transporting me there through her novel! I feel this story really needed to be told, be it for highlighting the importance of female archeologists in the early 20th century, true pioneers in their field, the controversies surrounding excavations back then, including their funding and the ethical implications of foreign appropriation of cultural treasures, and academic misconduct.
The story is told from two different characters, Maddie in the 2000s and Helen in the early 1900s. It was very interesting to see the story develop like this, permitting the reader to try and solve the mystery through both timelines. The use of different persons and verb tenses for both POVs was a rare choice, but one I got used to fast.
This novel could have been slow, but the author did a great job to keep the pacing adequate and avoided to info-dump, which is very appreciated! It was a tightly woven book!! (papyrus pun intended!)
I will say there wasn't much that could have let us to guess the solution to the mystery as a reader, on one hand it's great not to be able to predict the ending, on the other hand I would have liked to be given a little more chance to solve it (To be fair there were some related clues but the way the crime was committed didn't permit much prior deductions.) However no questions were left unanswered at the end of the book, which I appreciate!!
Thank you to the publisher Simon & Schuster Canada and to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy! Please send me more Egyptian mysteries!
The story is told from two different characters, Maddie in the 2000s and Helen in the early 1900s. It was very interesting to see the story develop like this, permitting the reader to try and solve the mystery through both timelines. The use of different persons and verb tenses for both POVs was a rare choice, but one I got used to fast.
This novel could have been slow, but the author did a great job to keep the pacing adequate and avoided to info-dump, which is very appreciated! It was a tightly woven book!! (papyrus pun intended!)
I will say there wasn't much that could have let us to guess the solution to the mystery as a reader, on one hand it's great not to be able to predict the ending, on the other hand I would have liked to be given a little more chance to solve it (To be fair there were some related clues but the way the crime was committed didn't permit much prior deductions.) However no questions were left unanswered at the end of the book, which I appreciate!!
Thank you to the publisher Simon & Schuster Canada and to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy! Please send me more Egyptian mysteries!
April 21, 2026
A cursed city ✅
A missing scholar ✅
A mystery buried for over a century ✅
City of the Muse pulled me in with its rich dual timeline—1903 Egypt meets present-day Toronto, where secrets refuse to stay buried. I love when books are set in a city close to home!
From a female papyrologist navigating a male-dominated dig to a modern-day archivist chasing answers tied to her own past… I was instantly sold on the premise alone!
…this story was layered, atmospheric, and kept me reading late into the night. Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for my gifted copy🇨🇦📚🐛🤓
A missing scholar ✅
A mystery buried for over a century ✅
City of the Muse pulled me in with its rich dual timeline—1903 Egypt meets present-day Toronto, where secrets refuse to stay buried. I love when books are set in a city close to home!
From a female papyrologist navigating a male-dominated dig to a modern-day archivist chasing answers tied to her own past… I was instantly sold on the premise alone!
…this story was layered, atmospheric, and kept me reading late into the night. Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for my gifted copy🇨🇦📚🐛🤓
April 19, 2026
Book rating: 4.25/5 ⭐️
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: murder mystery, archeology, female pioneers, poetry, antiquity
📖 Read if you like: Daughter of Egypt, The Lost Apothecary
This dual timeline historical mystery unravels the murder of a talented female papyrologist at an archeological dig over a century later through the discovery of a rare literary find within a family heirloom. It combines obscure branches of archeology, poetry, working women in the field, and modern day antiquities dealing. It had a lot going on and was vocal on several issues regarding colonial impacts on excavation, and the rights to cultural items within museums.
Papyrologist Helen Gardiner arrives in Egypt in 1903 to restore and catalogue thousands of papyrus from the ancient city of Calliopolis. While the search for a scriptorium is thrilling and Helen enjoys the companionship of other women and locals, she soon realizes dig site is also mired in politics, the ego of men, and a sordid past.
Flash forward to 2019 in Toronto where archivist Maddie Sloan is thrilled at the discovery of a hidden relic within a jewelry box belonging to her grandmother. Floundering in her life, Maddie jumps at the opportunity to resuscitate her career and be part of something larger.
I found the historical elements and scientific methods well researched, and the plot was exciting if a little chaotic with so many concurrent themes and points of address. It is not based off of a real place, but the setting integrated many existing excavations sites within Egypt at the time, which was a clever way of grounding the story, but allowing for something new to flourish.
I thought there were a few too many characters that drew away from the central storyline and that the villains could have been a little more nuanced. I wanted to understand the motivations and rational behind Calvin and Peter’s actions, besides ego and power. That being said, there was so much I learned about lesser known topics within archeology and restoration that my academic mind was thrilled. The mystery ended with a killer I did not expect and I always enjoy reading about women lost to history. It was well written and this shorter chapters kept the story flowing.
On a personal note, it bothered me that Maddie was from Toronto, but all the investigation took place elsewhere. It implied that Canadian universities would not have the skill set to conduct this type of research. I am being entirely hypocritical given that I did my PhD and research abroad, but I was excited to have a narrative that at least partly took place in my home city and I was disappointed to find that that wasn’t the case.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for an eARC for review.
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: murder mystery, archeology, female pioneers, poetry, antiquity
📖 Read if you like: Daughter of Egypt, The Lost Apothecary
This dual timeline historical mystery unravels the murder of a talented female papyrologist at an archeological dig over a century later through the discovery of a rare literary find within a family heirloom. It combines obscure branches of archeology, poetry, working women in the field, and modern day antiquities dealing. It had a lot going on and was vocal on several issues regarding colonial impacts on excavation, and the rights to cultural items within museums.
Papyrologist Helen Gardiner arrives in Egypt in 1903 to restore and catalogue thousands of papyrus from the ancient city of Calliopolis. While the search for a scriptorium is thrilling and Helen enjoys the companionship of other women and locals, she soon realizes dig site is also mired in politics, the ego of men, and a sordid past.
Flash forward to 2019 in Toronto where archivist Maddie Sloan is thrilled at the discovery of a hidden relic within a jewelry box belonging to her grandmother. Floundering in her life, Maddie jumps at the opportunity to resuscitate her career and be part of something larger.
I found the historical elements and scientific methods well researched, and the plot was exciting if a little chaotic with so many concurrent themes and points of address. It is not based off of a real place, but the setting integrated many existing excavations sites within Egypt at the time, which was a clever way of grounding the story, but allowing for something new to flourish.
I thought there were a few too many characters that drew away from the central storyline and that the villains could have been a little more nuanced. I wanted to understand the motivations and rational behind Calvin and Peter’s actions, besides ego and power. That being said, there was so much I learned about lesser known topics within archeology and restoration that my academic mind was thrilled. The mystery ended with a killer I did not expect and I always enjoy reading about women lost to history. It was well written and this shorter chapters kept the story flowing.
On a personal note, it bothered me that Maddie was from Toronto, but all the investigation took place elsewhere. It implied that Canadian universities would not have the skill set to conduct this type of research. I am being entirely hypocritical given that I did my PhD and research abroad, but I was excited to have a narrative that at least partly took place in my home city and I was disappointed to find that that wasn’t the case.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for an eARC for review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the free e-ARC to review.
This book is told in alternating timelines - a story from 1903 and one from 2019 with the link being that someone from the 1903 timeline was related to the FMC in the 2019 timeline. I generally am a fan of these, and I was here as well, since I found myself wanting to read through to find out what happens next in the next timeline. There is also a murder in the 1903 timeline that someone in the present day wants to solve. The 1903 timeline is narrated by the ghost of that murder. This isn't a spoiler - it's established in the first lines.
A little over half way through, there is a few pages of diary entries from the 1903 timeline being read in present day. But they're literally all just written out, in a row. It's pages of these "old" diary entries instead of being integrated through the text. I couldn't bring myself to care about them. It would have been more impactful if woven into the text.
This happens again around 80% with a transcript of a cassette recording. This one works better. And normally, I like examples of mixed media in books. However, this book has these 2 just plopped in full at these 2 points of the book. There are a couple other examples of reading letters throughout.
I don't know much about Egypt or archeology, but I'll assume it was accurate and well researched. There are research notes at the end and a list of further reading, should one be inclined.
Overall, it wasn't a bad story, but I just didn't care about the characters. I would say that this is a suitable read for YA audiences as well.
This book is told in alternating timelines - a story from 1903 and one from 2019 with the link being that someone from the 1903 timeline was related to the FMC in the 2019 timeline. I generally am a fan of these, and I was here as well, since I found myself wanting to read through to find out what happens next in the next timeline. There is also a murder in the 1903 timeline that someone in the present day wants to solve. The 1903 timeline is narrated by the ghost of that murder. This isn't a spoiler - it's established in the first lines.
A little over half way through, there is a few pages of diary entries from the 1903 timeline being read in present day. But they're literally all just written out, in a row. It's pages of these "old" diary entries instead of being integrated through the text. I couldn't bring myself to care about them. It would have been more impactful if woven into the text.
This happens again around 80% with a transcript of a cassette recording. This one works better. And normally, I like examples of mixed media in books. However, this book has these 2 just plopped in full at these 2 points of the book. There are a couple other examples of reading letters throughout.
I don't know much about Egypt or archeology, but I'll assume it was accurate and well researched. There are research notes at the end and a list of further reading, should one be inclined.
Overall, it wasn't a bad story, but I just didn't care about the characters. I would say that this is a suitable read for YA audiences as well.
March 28, 2026
As someone with a long time fascination with Egypt and paleontology I was excited to see so many books centered around the topic releasing this spring. And even happier to receive an advanced copy of City of the Muse.
The book is told in two timelines, 1900's Egypt from the perspective of Helen and modern day US via Maddie. Helen is a papyrologist helping to excavate the fictional city of Calliopolis. Whereas Maddie is working as an archivist at the Toronto Archeological Museum and has her own tie to Calliopolis.
Hilton does a great job of transporting the reader to and early 1900's archeological dig site. You feel the heat and the minimalistic living conditions. This may have also been my favorite of the two timelines. What I loved so much was the highlight the author puts on the contributions of women in the field. Something history often glosses over. I also really enjoyed the mystery aspect. And how it connects the two timelines together. Even better is you really don't see the end result coming. Though I did wish there had been some bread crumbs to give you a bit of a clue.
You can tell Hilton did her research on the times and I liked how she delved into the ethics around the removal of so many artifacts and antiquities from the dig sites by the western world. If I had one critique it would be the pacing. At times the book just moved very slow and was a bit of a struggle to push through. That aside I really enjoyed the book and definitely recommend it for historical fiction and Egypt lovers alike.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Schuster for my copy in return for an honest review.
The book is told in two timelines, 1900's Egypt from the perspective of Helen and modern day US via Maddie. Helen is a papyrologist helping to excavate the fictional city of Calliopolis. Whereas Maddie is working as an archivist at the Toronto Archeological Museum and has her own tie to Calliopolis.
Hilton does a great job of transporting the reader to and early 1900's archeological dig site. You feel the heat and the minimalistic living conditions. This may have also been my favorite of the two timelines. What I loved so much was the highlight the author puts on the contributions of women in the field. Something history often glosses over. I also really enjoyed the mystery aspect. And how it connects the two timelines together. Even better is you really don't see the end result coming. Though I did wish there had been some bread crumbs to give you a bit of a clue.
You can tell Hilton did her research on the times and I liked how she delved into the ethics around the removal of so many artifacts and antiquities from the dig sites by the western world. If I had one critique it would be the pacing. At times the book just moved very slow and was a bit of a struggle to push through. That aside I really enjoyed the book and definitely recommend it for historical fiction and Egypt lovers alike.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Schuster for my copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love historical fiction especially ones set in Egypt among the pyramids and excavations. So this book immediately caught my attention (thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this ARC). I fell in love with the story immediately.
Alternating between past (1993-1904) and 2019, the novel takes us on journey into a fictional dig in Egypt, set in a fictional city, Calliopis, to Canada and San Francisco to uncover a 100 year old murder and a newly discovered papyrus. The two times are masterfully interwoven and the suspense can be “killing” (no pun intended) at times.
Maddie Sloan is an archivist in a Canadian museum when she’s assigned to help an American TV archeologist, Peter Behar, work on papyruses from an ill-fated dig her great grandmother, Iris Wentworth, participated in. In their work they discover an ancient papyrus that could significance both to the ill-fated dig at Calliopis and an ancient poetess. Using excerpts from journals discovered in various libraries, a video and modern technology, a story emerges of greed, ego and deceit (both in the past as well as the present.)
I loved Maddie and Iris. But there were so many other good characters that bolster and enrich the book. The plot was cleverly done and the murderer revealed was a surprise.
This is such a well done book and for readers who like The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis or Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict this is a must read.
Alternating between past (1993-1904) and 2019, the novel takes us on journey into a fictional dig in Egypt, set in a fictional city, Calliopis, to Canada and San Francisco to uncover a 100 year old murder and a newly discovered papyrus. The two times are masterfully interwoven and the suspense can be “killing” (no pun intended) at times.
Maddie Sloan is an archivist in a Canadian museum when she’s assigned to help an American TV archeologist, Peter Behar, work on papyruses from an ill-fated dig her great grandmother, Iris Wentworth, participated in. In their work they discover an ancient papyrus that could significance both to the ill-fated dig at Calliopis and an ancient poetess. Using excerpts from journals discovered in various libraries, a video and modern technology, a story emerges of greed, ego and deceit (both in the past as well as the present.)
I loved Maddie and Iris. But there were so many other good characters that bolster and enrich the book. The plot was cleverly done and the murderer revealed was a surprise.
This is such a well done book and for readers who like The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis or Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict this is a must read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.25/5
City of the Muse artfully blends historical fiction with murder mystery in such an interesting way! Through this story, we see two timelines; one following Helen Gardiner as she aids in the excavation of Calliopolis, and the other following Maddie Sloan, who is working to unravel the mystery of her death. I love ancient history so the prospect of an Ancient Egypt archeological exploration book had me so intrigued, and throwing a murder mystery in and I knew I had to try! I was so interested in the history and excavation process that we delved into through Helen's perspective. Hearing about the dynamics at an excavation site, the ethics of collecting, and the methods of excavation was fascinating, and I enjoyed learning more about this process! I also really enjoyed the dual timelines, and how it highlighted both similarities and developments in the process of excavation. However, I found the murder mystery plot a little lackluster. It was not a major focus in the story, and while I understand its purpose in the plot, I did not find it overly compelling. Parts of it felt a little too easy, and while I did not see the reveal coming, I was not overly invested in this aspect of the story. Overall this was an interesting read, I loved the history behind it and the amount of research the author put in (I loved the little drops of real historical figures in the story!), I just did not feel overly connected to the story.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for the eARC!
City of the Muse artfully blends historical fiction with murder mystery in such an interesting way! Through this story, we see two timelines; one following Helen Gardiner as she aids in the excavation of Calliopolis, and the other following Maddie Sloan, who is working to unravel the mystery of her death. I love ancient history so the prospect of an Ancient Egypt archeological exploration book had me so intrigued, and throwing a murder mystery in and I knew I had to try! I was so interested in the history and excavation process that we delved into through Helen's perspective. Hearing about the dynamics at an excavation site, the ethics of collecting, and the methods of excavation was fascinating, and I enjoyed learning more about this process! I also really enjoyed the dual timelines, and how it highlighted both similarities and developments in the process of excavation. However, I found the murder mystery plot a little lackluster. It was not a major focus in the story, and while I understand its purpose in the plot, I did not find it overly compelling. Parts of it felt a little too easy, and while I did not see the reveal coming, I was not overly invested in this aspect of the story. Overall this was an interesting read, I loved the history behind it and the amount of research the author put in (I loved the little drops of real historical figures in the story!), I just did not feel overly connected to the story.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was very excited to receive this e-arc because I am traveling to Egypt this summer and I wanted to learn more about Egyptian culture, history, and art. This book gave me some of that, but it was a disappointment to learn that it really was not based on an actual place in Egypt, nor is it based on an actual dig. Perhaps this is my error, and I should have read the description more carefully, but I thought there were certainly enough places of antiquity in Egypt and enough interesting digs and discoveries that it must be somewhat true. That being said, there are some connections to history = the way that Western civilization stole from and destroyed Egyptian cultural sites, mummies, and other antiquities is certainly presented in this novel.
I love dual timeline novels, which this was, and I did like the way the characters were connected. But the information from the past, the letters, etc., could have been woven better into the present-day story. The plot could have been developed more, and the murder was not easy to solve since there were no real clues given throughout the novel to help the reader figure it out.
All this being said, it was an enjoyable story, and I give it 3 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I love dual timeline novels, which this was, and I did like the way the characters were connected. But the information from the past, the letters, etc., could have been woven better into the present-day story. The plot could have been developed more, and the murder was not easy to solve since there were no real clues given throughout the novel to help the reader figure it out.
All this being said, it was an enjoyable story, and I give it 3 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Alternating between the past and present, City of the Muse by Kate Hilton delves into the discovery of some ancient papyrus scrolls, the women who were and are instrumental in their valuation and translation, and the solving of a century-old mystery of the death of one of the female papyrologists, Helen Gardiner, who is the narrator of the early section. Helen's discovery of a fragment of writing by Sappho in the fictional Egyptian city of Calliopolis, an early "scriptorium" or literary capital, propels the story, which explores the male-dominated field of archeology in the early 1900s, with repercussions in the present day. Contemporary archivist Maddie Sloan's great-grandmother Iris was an artist on that early dig and through her paintings and writings, Maddie tries to piece together what happened back then. The novel is a fascinating glimpse into the world of deciphering ancient scrolls with many intersecting points between the past and present: photos, memoirs, diaries, and a mysterious jewelery box. Hilton, along with Elizabeth Renzetti, is the author of the Quill and Packet mystery series, including Widows and Orphans and Bury the Lead.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have been a fan of Kate Hilton's work for over a dozen years. What is most remarkable about Hilton as an author is that she offers fantastic reads across so many genres. She has written 3 clever and funny novels, and co-authors a gripping and witty cottage country cozy mystery series. And now, Kate has offered what could be her most sophisticated and interesting novel in the form of City of the Muse, a dual timeline historical mystery. City of Muse explores a little known area of archaeology - paparolygy. Intrepid but stifled expert Maddie is brought into a mystery involving her own forebears who were involved in a dig in Egypt just after the dawn of the 20th century. Concurrently, we are taken back to 1903 when Helen Gardiner is brought to an excavation site to unlock the mysteries of the script scraps that are found. Using letters, news articles, a cast of well-drawn secondary characters, and lots of surprises, Kate unspools a wonderful story that kept me guessing until the very end. Highly recommend to historical fiction fans. Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the DRC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Simon and Shuster and Netgalley for the E-ARC.
City of the Muse is a dual POV set around the fictional Eygptian city Calliopolis during the Greco-Roman occupation as the past and present converge on a murder mystery and the untold secrets around the ancient papyrus found.
This story follows Maddie Sloan an Archivist, currently working at the Toronto Archaeology Museum and Helen Gardiner in 1903/4 a Papyrologist and friend to Maddie's Grandmother Iris.
As someone who enjoys Archaeology and considered it as a career path once upon a time this book was fascinating and constantly kept me engaged. I loved each woman in there story and thought it was interesting and frustrating because of the misogyny they had to face through out the story. I wanted to beat up every man except for Gareth and Brett.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and I absolutely love that their is a bibliography at the end. I do think the pacing and writing could have been cleaned up a little bit but I'm at least glad they didn't dwell on certain reveals that could have been drawn out.
If you love Archaeology and historical fiction I highly recommend checking this out when it comes out on the 14th.
City of the Muse is a dual POV set around the fictional Eygptian city Calliopolis during the Greco-Roman occupation as the past and present converge on a murder mystery and the untold secrets around the ancient papyrus found.
This story follows Maddie Sloan an Archivist, currently working at the Toronto Archaeology Museum and Helen Gardiner in 1903/4 a Papyrologist and friend to Maddie's Grandmother Iris.
As someone who enjoys Archaeology and considered it as a career path once upon a time this book was fascinating and constantly kept me engaged. I loved each woman in there story and thought it was interesting and frustrating because of the misogyny they had to face through out the story. I wanted to beat up every man except for Gareth and Brett.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and I absolutely love that their is a bibliography at the end. I do think the pacing and writing could have been cleaned up a little bit but I'm at least glad they didn't dwell on certain reveals that could have been drawn out.
If you love Archaeology and historical fiction I highly recommend checking this out when it comes out on the 14th.
April 11, 2026
In books with scholarly or historical components it can be easy for the plot to drag a bit, but this was not the case at all for City of the Muse. The plot was paced so well that it kept me up too late reading one more chapter because the last ended in suspense. Somehow the author has captured the thrill of discovery (or more accurately rediscovery, in this case) and I think that is a remarkable thing to be able to experience on page.
Alternating between an early 20th century archaeological dig site and a modern day team of scholars studying said dig, we are fed a tale of ambition, greed, passion, and betrayal. It pokes holes in the colonial systems that allowed for both legal and black market flow of artifacts out of Egypt and reminds us of the important issues of provenance and repatriation which historians and museums must face today. Additionally, this is a tale of resilient women and the stories of theirs that have been erased.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to a broad audience as I believe it has something for nearly everybody. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.
Alternating between an early 20th century archaeological dig site and a modern day team of scholars studying said dig, we are fed a tale of ambition, greed, passion, and betrayal. It pokes holes in the colonial systems that allowed for both legal and black market flow of artifacts out of Egypt and reminds us of the important issues of provenance and repatriation which historians and museums must face today. Additionally, this is a tale of resilient women and the stories of theirs that have been erased.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to a broad audience as I believe it has something for nearly everybody. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was lucky enough to be given this ARC from Simon & Schuster Canada, as I am part of their official Influencer Program, and I was given early access to the book in exchange for my honest review. So first, thank you to Simon & Schuster, Kate Hilton and NetGalley!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
My thoughts: This is a cool story, and I’m glad that even within the greater novel itself, as I saw the two storylines of Helen and Maddie mesh together, they were still held distinctly apart by Hilton clearly stating what time and place I was in at the beginning of each chapter. There are a lot of books that frustrate me because I don’t know what time I am “in”, so I’m glad that I clearly knew here.
I wish that Maddie’s story was given a bit more time, because by the end of the book, I cared little about her in comparison to Helen. Maybe that was the idea Hilton had when writing the book—that it was truly Helen’s story and Maddie was just there to finish it—but as a reader, I wished for a little more balance.
But putting that aside, I really did enjoy the story and I think a lot of you will as well!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
My thoughts: This is a cool story, and I’m glad that even within the greater novel itself, as I saw the two storylines of Helen and Maddie mesh together, they were still held distinctly apart by Hilton clearly stating what time and place I was in at the beginning of each chapter. There are a lot of books that frustrate me because I don’t know what time I am “in”, so I’m glad that I clearly knew here.
I wish that Maddie’s story was given a bit more time, because by the end of the book, I cared little about her in comparison to Helen. Maybe that was the idea Hilton had when writing the book—that it was truly Helen’s story and Maddie was just there to finish it—but as a reader, I wished for a little more balance.
But putting that aside, I really did enjoy the story and I think a lot of you will as well!
April 13, 2026
I really enjoyed my time with this one; the dual timeline with both an academic/research and archaeological was interesting to read. The amount of research that went into creating a believable story is quite evident. I felt like I was on site with the characters in the past and the researches in the present. The character development was well done and I was captivated by the underlying mystery. While the reader ultimately knows Helen’s fate, the way events unfold is engaging and there are a number of surprises along the way. It was also easy to be invested in Maddie’s journey. In short, I liked the manner in which the story is told. I’m actually very surprised at how much I enjoyed reading about papyrus restoration.
I recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction and is looking for an interesting adventure into archaeology and Egyptian history.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book. The opinions expressed are given freely and are honestly and my own.
I recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction and is looking for an interesting adventure into archaeology and Egyptian history.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book. The opinions expressed are given freely and are honestly and my own.
April 14, 2026
Resonant dual-timeline historical whodunit for people who like intellectually curious women and ancient artifacts.
An archaeologist in Toronto stumbles on a scroll that brings her to the top papyrus restoration lab in the world and the mixed motivations of Egyptologists. The past comes to life with similar conflicts at a dig in Egypt in 1904. The story is propelled by her quest for the truth about long-ago deaths on the site.
This well-paced and researched book spoke nostalgically to my childhood era of reading similar woman-archaeologist books and imagining myself there.
Comps, which are really "further reading" are from the bibliography at the back of the novel. Women in the Valley of the Kings by Kathleen Sheppard; If Not, Winter, a book of fragments of Sappho poetry, by Anne Carson, poet and translator; and one from my tween exposure to ancient river civilizations, Agatha Christie's first Poirot-in-the-middle-east, Murder in Mesopotamia.
Thanks to author, publisher Simon and Schuster Canada and Netgalley for this advance e-copy.
An archaeologist in Toronto stumbles on a scroll that brings her to the top papyrus restoration lab in the world and the mixed motivations of Egyptologists. The past comes to life with similar conflicts at a dig in Egypt in 1904. The story is propelled by her quest for the truth about long-ago deaths on the site.
This well-paced and researched book spoke nostalgically to my childhood era of reading similar woman-archaeologist books and imagining myself there.
Comps, which are really "further reading" are from the bibliography at the back of the novel. Women in the Valley of the Kings by Kathleen Sheppard; If Not, Winter, a book of fragments of Sappho poetry, by Anne Carson, poet and translator; and one from my tween exposure to ancient river civilizations, Agatha Christie's first Poirot-in-the-middle-east, Murder in Mesopotamia.
Thanks to author, publisher Simon and Schuster Canada and Netgalley for this advance e-copy.
April 16, 2026
I absolutely love historical fiction, and throw in a mystery like City of the Muse? I was all in.
This story is told through a dual POV and dual timeline, which kept things moving and made it hard to put down. In the present, Maddie is an archivist determined to uncover the truth behind her great-grandmother Helen’s murder. Back in 1903 Egypt, Helen is a papyrologist on an excavation, preserving and translating ancient scrolls—and slowly getting pulled into something much darker.
I really loved how the timelines connected and built on each other. Helen’s storyline especially stood out for me—the historical detail and archaeological setting felt rich and immersive.
That said, the pacing wasn’t perfect. There were a few spots where it slowed down more than I wanted, which kept it from being a full 5 stars for me.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable mix of history and mystery with strong dual timelines. Definitely worth picking up if that’s your kind of read!
**Received ARC through NetGalley and Simon & Schuster. Voluntarily reviewed. **
This story is told through a dual POV and dual timeline, which kept things moving and made it hard to put down. In the present, Maddie is an archivist determined to uncover the truth behind her great-grandmother Helen’s murder. Back in 1903 Egypt, Helen is a papyrologist on an excavation, preserving and translating ancient scrolls—and slowly getting pulled into something much darker.
I really loved how the timelines connected and built on each other. Helen’s storyline especially stood out for me—the historical detail and archaeological setting felt rich and immersive.
That said, the pacing wasn’t perfect. There were a few spots where it slowed down more than I wanted, which kept it from being a full 5 stars for me.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable mix of history and mystery with strong dual timelines. Definitely worth picking up if that’s your kind of read!
**Received ARC through NetGalley and Simon & Schuster. Voluntarily reviewed. **
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is an intriguing book, from the characters, Egyptology, and the true crime aspects. This also tackles difficult conversations regarding women's treatment and the treatment of the Egyptian people during the "golden era" of Egyptology. This was engrossing the entire time, and I loved seeing how the characters handled what they faced. I do think the historic POV was more compelling though. The modern character Maddie seemed extraordinarily naive and far too trusting. I was not surprised by the fallout in her timeline. Meanwhile, the 1903/04 timeline had me feeling emotional for the characters and hoping I could change the ending!
Overall, this book was mysterious and educational! I loved the further reading at the end; clarifying where the author took liberties with the facts and where she didn't!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!
Overall, this book was mysterious and educational! I loved the further reading at the end; clarifying where the author took liberties with the facts and where she didn't!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!
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April 16, 2026I loved this historical mystery story!
Told in dual time lines, in 1909, Helen is a papyrologist who gets a chance to go on an excavation to a mysterious part of Egypt called Calliopolis. Archeologists believe this might be the home of literature, and Helen helping make amazing discoveries. But some of the men start acting weird, and things go missing. Helen ends up in the middle of stolen artifacts and the corrupt side of archeology.
In 2019, Maddie, with a history Phd and having grown up on an archeology dig in Mexico, discovers papyrus in an old case, that may be from Helen and Calliopolis. She is thrust into a world of discovery and deception as she also learns the corrupt side of archeology. She is determined to figure out how Helen died and what exactly happened in Calliopolis.
This story kept me wondering right until the end. It was well written and interesting. Definitely recommend!
Told in dual time lines, in 1909, Helen is a papyrologist who gets a chance to go on an excavation to a mysterious part of Egypt called Calliopolis. Archeologists believe this might be the home of literature, and Helen helping make amazing discoveries. But some of the men start acting weird, and things go missing. Helen ends up in the middle of stolen artifacts and the corrupt side of archeology.
In 2019, Maddie, with a history Phd and having grown up on an archeology dig in Mexico, discovers papyrus in an old case, that may be from Helen and Calliopolis. She is thrust into a world of discovery and deception as she also learns the corrupt side of archeology. She is determined to figure out how Helen died and what exactly happened in Calliopolis.
This story kept me wondering right until the end. It was well written and interesting. Definitely recommend!
May 1, 2026
Thank you for this complimentary copy of City of the Muse.
City of the Muse follows the story of Helen & Iris, working at an excavation at the ancient (imaginary) city of Calliopolis as well as the current day story of Maddie, great granddaughter to Iris. Maddie is stuck in a dead end job and is unknowingly in possession of a papyrus manuscript. This takes her down a rabbit hole that winds up with her investigating the death of her great grandmother's friend, Helen.
LOVED: the thought process behind who really 'owns' pieces of our history, from jewelry to manuscripts. Women pushing into new and different fields, even when they weren't always welcomed. Women supporting other women.
DIDN'T LOVE: That in 1900 and 2020, both women were painted as naive and in need of the men in their life to intervene and save them or teach them about the real world. Oof. We can do better in 2026.
Overall, definitely recommend this book. It is engaging and a fun, thoughtful read.
City of the Muse follows the story of Helen & Iris, working at an excavation at the ancient (imaginary) city of Calliopolis as well as the current day story of Maddie, great granddaughter to Iris. Maddie is stuck in a dead end job and is unknowingly in possession of a papyrus manuscript. This takes her down a rabbit hole that winds up with her investigating the death of her great grandmother's friend, Helen.
LOVED: the thought process behind who really 'owns' pieces of our history, from jewelry to manuscripts. Women pushing into new and different fields, even when they weren't always welcomed. Women supporting other women.
DIDN'T LOVE: That in 1900 and 2020, both women were painted as naive and in need of the men in their life to intervene and save them or teach them about the real world. Oof. We can do better in 2026.
Overall, definitely recommend this book. It is engaging and a fun, thoughtful read.
March 12, 2026
first, thank you simon & schuster for the advanced copy!
historical fiction isn’t my immediate go to but throw in a little murder mystery and i’ll give it a shot.
i was excited for this story! but it was almost immediately a struggle for me. i’m not familiar with archeology at all and there was a lot of technical terms that i had to look up which really took me out of the story. the author flips between present day and early 20th century to let the reader piece together what happened, which is an approach to storytelling i love, but i found the early 20th century parts a bit uninteresting and hard to follow at times. i did really enjoy the present day characters and the subtle reveal was still very satisfying.
overall, it wasn’t terrible but i think this will be a great book for someone else!
historical fiction isn’t my immediate go to but throw in a little murder mystery and i’ll give it a shot.
i was excited for this story! but it was almost immediately a struggle for me. i’m not familiar with archeology at all and there was a lot of technical terms that i had to look up which really took me out of the story. the author flips between present day and early 20th century to let the reader piece together what happened, which is an approach to storytelling i love, but i found the early 20th century parts a bit uninteresting and hard to follow at times. i did really enjoy the present day characters and the subtle reveal was still very satisfying.
overall, it wasn’t terrible but i think this will be a great book for someone else!
April 20, 2026
Fabulous book! Historical fiction, powerful and inspiring women characters, art, artifacts, mystery and crime — and handled with genuine reverence and respect for the cultures at its heart. Kate Hilton's knowledge of ancient Egypt, early Christianity, and archaeology is impressive, as is her portrayal of academia and the modern scientific methods used in the field. Everything is woven together perfectly into a page-turning story. Even as someone with limited background knowledge, I finished the book inspired to learn more about ancient Egypt. The multigenerational storyline adds so much — there's something deeply moving about a protagonist piecing together history through the women in her own family.The poetry and literary threads running through the story add a layer of beauty that lingers.
April 10, 2026
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Simon and Schuster Canada and the author for the advanced e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This one is out April 14!
My interest ebbed and flowed with this one. I think I expected it to be more engaging. I thought it was a bit wordy and there were a lot of characters.
I loved the discoveries and adventures in both timelines and working up to figuring out the how, why and who behind the murder. I liked how the earlier timeline was the pov of the ghost of the victim.
In each timeline the characters have different motives, mostly to do with money, status and preservation/accomplishment. While I don’t know much about ancient Egypt or archaeology, it is clear this was well researched.
My interest ebbed and flowed with this one. I think I expected it to be more engaging. I thought it was a bit wordy and there were a lot of characters.
I loved the discoveries and adventures in both timelines and working up to figuring out the how, why and who behind the murder. I liked how the earlier timeline was the pov of the ghost of the victim.
In each timeline the characters have different motives, mostly to do with money, status and preservation/accomplishment. While I don’t know much about ancient Egypt or archaeology, it is clear this was well researched.
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