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asab27's review against another edition
4.0
I was excited to receive this book through a giveaway. Overall I liked the book, it was interesting to learn about the earlier days of archaeology in Egypt. The only aspect that was confusing at time is that the focus would shift between the main character or her husband and it usually took a little bit to realize the shift had happened. I also thought it ended a bit abruptly and some ends were left loose. But overall an interesting read
mandylovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
How have I not read a Gill Paul book until now. I love learning about ancient Egypt and King Tutankhamun’s tomb. I listened to this on audio and I just loved it.
Dual timelines of the 1920's and the discovery of the tomb in Egypt with Howard Carter and forward to the present where Eva is the lone surviving member of the expedition. Was there really a curse on the people who entered the tomb? She is getting older and has suffered a stroke and memory loss. With her husbands help, she starts to remember her time in Egypt at one of history's most exciting discoveries.
It was sad, it was interesting and was a lovely change from the usual serial killer books that I read. I will absolutely be checking out more books from this author.
Dual timelines of the 1920's and the discovery of the tomb in Egypt with Howard Carter and forward to the present where Eva is the lone surviving member of the expedition. Was there really a curse on the people who entered the tomb? She is getting older and has suffered a stroke and memory loss. With her husbands help, she starts to remember her time in Egypt at one of history's most exciting discoveries.
It was sad, it was interesting and was a lovely change from the usual serial killer books that I read. I will absolutely be checking out more books from this author.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I've always been fascinated by Egyptology and was wanted to read this book that features Evelyn, Lord Carnavon's daughter.
I found it a compelling and enjoyable read that made me appreciated this woman, so unusual and strong willed.
The dual timeline works well and we get to know the young Evelyn and how she was in the 70s, ill and frail.
The author is a talented storyteller, the historical background is well researched, the characters are fleshed out and interesting
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I found it a compelling and enjoyable read that made me appreciated this woman, so unusual and strong willed.
The dual timeline works well and we get to know the young Evelyn and how she was in the 70s, ill and frail.
The author is a talented storyteller, the historical background is well researched, the characters are fleshed out and interesting
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
luckyliza13's review against another edition
4.0
I truly enjoyed this book, a bit of a different vein of historical fiction for me. I was enthralled by Eve’s story, all the more so because she was a real person. The author includes photographs in the back of the book and I flipped back to those multiple times. Of course, the chapters dealing with the opening of King Tut’s tomb were really fascinating.
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
5.0
Meet Gill and her characters in Luxor and Tutankhamun's Tomb
Visit the locations in the novel
Transports the reader to Tutankhamun’s tomb via Downton Abbey!
Gill Paul is a genius in my eyes. She has only gone and taken one of the most fascinating stories in history and brought it to life. Not only that, she has taken an overshadowed character and made her centre stage. What other author could breathe fresh air into a well-known story but make it unique, compelling and quite unlike anything else you have read before!
I’d read a fair bit about Tutankhamun like everyone else and thought I knew the story quite well. Nope. This story really shines the light on the whole affair and I was fascinated to read the detail and history surrounding it. You can tell Gill has taken a great deal of care and attention to get this right as the novel shines with authenticity and an immersive quality that you will really feel as if you’ve travelled back in time.
The leading lady of this story is Lady Evelyn Herbert who lived at Highclere Castle ie Downtown Abbey. She wanted to be an archaeologist and has traveled to Egypt numerous times with her father. They both work with famous archaeologist Howard Carter who is desperate to search for the most elusive of treasures – the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun.
To bear witness to such a historic event must have been indescribable. I honestly felt I was there thanks to the author and her careful crafting of the characters and their stories. Just wait until the day comes in November 1922 when the party find the tomb. The moment when they open it and the second they see the treasures before them. Breathtaking in more ways than one. The events itself must have been quite something and Gill Paul gifts you this moment across the pages for the reader. Stunningly brilliant.
That’s just the start of this amazing novel as we are then transported several years after that grand event. An event that was celebrated and much discussed in the media of the time. It got so much coverage but so too did its dark side – the fact that there was supposed to be a “curse of Tutankhamun” and anyone who visited his sacred burial place or had entered the tomb would be forever tainted by having entered the tomb.
Gill takes this story further by introducing an Egyptian academic who starts asking Evelyn about what was in Tutankhamun’s tomb. Having suffered illness and strokes since, history has faded and certain memories might be coloured. However, could it be that there are just some things that Evelyn never wants to reveal?
A fascinating story. Immersive and so well crafted. I enjoyed reading about Evelyn and her husband traveling to Egypt and the build up to the moment when they all enter King Tutankhamun’s tomb with Howard Carter. This is a cinematic read and gives a fresh take on a infamous story. This is by far the most interesting angle on this historical event that I have ever read.
maddyb001's review against another edition
2.0
It was interesting but I struggled with the jumping timelines. The story was just too slow for me.
keepingyouonread's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed The Lost Daughter by Gill Paul, so I was excited to find The Collector’s Daughter on my library’s lucky day shelf.
The Collector’s Daughter details the life of Evelyn Herbert, who was with Howard Carter when he opened Tutankhamun’s tomb. Detailing her life and some of the mysterious events that occurred after the tomb was opened. Was the tomb cursed?
What I liked: I liked how Paul combined Evelyn’s past and present (ending in the 80s) but let the reader decide if there was a curse.
In a relatively short book, Paul manages to give the reader a good glimpse of Evelyn’s rich life. She had an interest in archeology and in the book is the first person in the tomb.
There is an interesting point being made about who “owns” artifacts, which isn’t answered but would make a good book club discussion.
What didn’t work for me: The story jumps around which had me sometimes checking the dates listed to see when things happened.
It’s a bit of a slow-burn look at whether the tomb was cursed or if the bad luck was simply a coincidence.
I wish Ana was explained more, was she trying to get the artifacts back or tricking Evelyn for her own gain?
Who should read it: historical fiction fans with an interest in ancient Egypt. I felt like I learned a lot about how the tomb was discovered and the rules about who owned the artifacts.
Fun fact: the house in Downton Abbey is actually Evelyn’s childhood home.
The Collector’s Daughter details the life of Evelyn Herbert, who was with Howard Carter when he opened Tutankhamun’s tomb. Detailing her life and some of the mysterious events that occurred after the tomb was opened. Was the tomb cursed?
What I liked: I liked how Paul combined Evelyn’s past and present (ending in the 80s) but let the reader decide if there was a curse.
In a relatively short book, Paul manages to give the reader a good glimpse of Evelyn’s rich life. She had an interest in archeology and in the book is the first person in the tomb.
There is an interesting point being made about who “owns” artifacts, which isn’t answered but would make a good book club discussion.
What didn’t work for me: The story jumps around which had me sometimes checking the dates listed to see when things happened.
It’s a bit of a slow-burn look at whether the tomb was cursed or if the bad luck was simply a coincidence.
I wish Ana was explained more, was she trying to get the artifacts back or tricking Evelyn for her own gain?
Who should read it: historical fiction fans with an interest in ancient Egypt. I felt like I learned a lot about how the tomb was discovered and the rules about who owned the artifacts.
Fun fact: the house in Downton Abbey is actually Evelyn’s childhood home.
travelsalongmybookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
The Collectors Daughter - Gill Paul
This is a fictionalised story of Lady Evelyn Herbert who was present at the opening of the tomb of Tutenkhamun at The Valley Of The Kings in 1922.
Her father Lord Carnarvon bankrolled the dig led by Howard Carter. Some mystery surrounds this iconic King’s burial chamber, missing artefacts and the ‘curse’ thought to be responsible for many tragic events of people linked to the event.
There is a dual timeline with Eve in the 70’s struggling to recover from a stroke and the 1920’s as a debutante and in Egypt, part of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb.
This is part love story, part mystery. It mainly concentrates on Eve and her husband, Brograve’s love story. I loved this part, it felt intimate and their story was really touching and tender. We learn how they meet, with confident Eve, taking the lead with Brograve, quiet and shocked by the tragedy and losses endured during the Great War. We follow their marriage, which was a real partnership and ends with Brograve having to take the lead and caring for Eve. It explores how we love someone, how memory plays such a part in out lives and what happens when those shared memories are gone. I felt that even though that shared past was not at times remembered, their love shone from the page and became a real strength to them both.
It is also part mystery, Eve is approached by Ana, an Egyptologist to try to unravel some of the anomalies with the 1920’s discovery - this really piqued my interest as we are all aware of the ‘curse’ of the tomb and I loved how this was dealt with and moved along. Darker secrets are unravelled and also highlights how people with memory issues can be taken advantage of.
The book also dug down into family relationships, how they can be stilted, difficult and how the decisions we make impact so greatly on our futures.
I simply adore ‘re-imaginings’ of real life historical figures and mysteries, they really make you think ‘what if?’
The unravelling of secrets, amazing discoveries, family tragedy and love - this book really hits the mark!
✩✩✩✩
[AD PR-PRODUCT]
Thanks to Avon Books UK for my copy of this book.
This is a fictionalised story of Lady Evelyn Herbert who was present at the opening of the tomb of Tutenkhamun at The Valley Of The Kings in 1922.
Her father Lord Carnarvon bankrolled the dig led by Howard Carter. Some mystery surrounds this iconic King’s burial chamber, missing artefacts and the ‘curse’ thought to be responsible for many tragic events of people linked to the event.
There is a dual timeline with Eve in the 70’s struggling to recover from a stroke and the 1920’s as a debutante and in Egypt, part of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb.
This is part love story, part mystery. It mainly concentrates on Eve and her husband, Brograve’s love story. I loved this part, it felt intimate and their story was really touching and tender. We learn how they meet, with confident Eve, taking the lead with Brograve, quiet and shocked by the tragedy and losses endured during the Great War. We follow their marriage, which was a real partnership and ends with Brograve having to take the lead and caring for Eve. It explores how we love someone, how memory plays such a part in out lives and what happens when those shared memories are gone. I felt that even though that shared past was not at times remembered, their love shone from the page and became a real strength to them both.
It is also part mystery, Eve is approached by Ana, an Egyptologist to try to unravel some of the anomalies with the 1920’s discovery - this really piqued my interest as we are all aware of the ‘curse’ of the tomb and I loved how this was dealt with and moved along. Darker secrets are unravelled and also highlights how people with memory issues can be taken advantage of.
The book also dug down into family relationships, how they can be stilted, difficult and how the decisions we make impact so greatly on our futures.
I simply adore ‘re-imaginings’ of real life historical figures and mysteries, they really make you think ‘what if?’
The unravelling of secrets, amazing discoveries, family tragedy and love - this book really hits the mark!
✩✩✩✩
[AD PR-PRODUCT]
Thanks to Avon Books UK for my copy of this book.