DAUGHTER OF EGYPT
Known for her “delightful blend of historical fiction and suspense” (People), New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict, returns with a sweeping tale of a young woman who unearths the truth about a forgotten Pharaoh—rewriting both of their legacies forever.
In the 1920s, archeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert—daughter of Lord Carnarvon—whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible.
Nearly 3,000 years earlier,
Known for her “delightful blend of historical fiction and suspense” (People), New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict, returns with a sweeping tale of a young woman who unearths the truth about a forgotten Pharaoh—rewriting both of their legacies forever.
In the 1920s, archeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert—daughter of Lord Carnarvon—whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible.
Nearly 3,000 years earlier, another woman defied the expectations of her time: Hatshepsut, Egypt’s lost pharaoh. Her reign was bold, visionary—and nearly erased from history.
When Evelyn becomes obsessed with finding Hatshepsut’s secret tomb, she risks everything to uncover the truth about her reign and keep valued artifacts in Egypt, their rightful home. But as danger closes in and political tensions rise, she must make an impossible choice: protect her father’s legacy—or forge her own.
Propelled by high adventure and deadly intrigue, Daughter of Egypt is the story of two ambitious women who lived centuries apart. Both were forced to hide who they were during their lifetimes, yet ultimately changed history forever.
- St. Martin's Press
- Hardcover
- March 2026
- 352 Pages
- 9781250280732
Buy the Book
$29.00
About Marie Benedict
MARIE BENEDICT 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 with Victoria Christopher Murray, the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian and the Target Book of the Year The First Ladies. All have been translated into multiple languages, and many have been selected for the Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List, and LibraryReads List. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.
Praise
“Marie Benedict once again brings a shadowed history to vibrant life. Daughter of Egypt unfolds a fascinating dual narrative of ambition, intrigue, and legacy across millennia. It’s lush, sweeping, and layered with the complexity of a deeply researched past.” —Ruta Sepetys, #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of I Must Betray You
“The narrative unfolds in rich, absorbing scenes that deliver history with imaginative punch. I am a huge fan of Benedict’s deft storytelling and expert eye for historical detail… her most ambitious novel yet.” —Beatriz Williams, New York Times bestselling author of Under the Stars
“What a thoughtful, fascinating dive into history, legacy, and the inevitability of powerful women finding themselves erased by time. Marie Benedict always shines when it comes to illuminating lost women of the past, and Daughter of Egypt is no exception!” —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club
“With dust-cloaked intrigue, sweeping adventure, and emotional depth, this novel excavates more than tombs—it restores lost legacies…You won’t be able to look away.” —Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Story She Left Behind
“In Daughter of Egypt, bestselling author Marie Benedict is at the top of her game, delivering a thoroughly absorbing story that takes place over two distinct time periods—in the early 20th century, and in the 15th century B.C.—as two very different women seek to leave their mark on a male-domainted world….. Daughter of Egypt is a riveting tale of heartache, love and triumph, by a true master of historical fiction.” —Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau
“A triumphant tale… you will be transported to the warm sands and pyramids of Egypt… Fascinating… Great escapist fiction.“ —NBC / Saturday TODAY, Allison Pataki
Discussion Questions
1. When Daughter of Egypt opens, the Great War—known to us now as World War I—has ended, and both England and Egypt are in a period of tremendous change. How much did you know about this time period in England and continental Europe? How familiar were you with the impact the Great War had on Egypt? Is this an era about which you needed to educate yourself?
2. Highclere Castle is famous as the real-life location of Downton Abbey. The castle and the family who own it, however, have a fascinating and important history. Had you heard of the Carnarvons, for whom Highclere Castle has been the seat since the 1600s? What, if anything, did you know about them and their realm?
3. For many people——their first introduction to ancient Egypt and its archaeology comes through the splendors found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankamun. Was this the case for you? Did you find the role of the esteemed Carnarvon family in unearthing this singular discovery—Lady Evelyn Herbert, in particular—surprising? Did their excavations and those of this time period differ from the way you envisioned them?
4. Egypt and its history are at the very core of the novel—not only ancient Egypt but also Egypt during this critical juncture. Did you have any specific reaction to the colonial nature of 1920s Egypt or the rise of the movement for independence?
5. Daughter of Egypt weaves together the story of Evelyn and her desire to uncover the tomb of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut with the story of Hatshepsut herself. Had you ever heard of Hatshepsut? Did the depiction of her in the novel shift any understanding you may have had about ancient Egypt? What legacy do you think Hatshepsut may have left behind?
6. Did you see any parallels between Evelyn and Hatshepsut, despite the fact that the worlds and times they inhabited were so very different? What similarities exist between their concerns and the issues faced by people of today?