I just listened to this book fabulous narrator.Great read I love Gills books and this is exellent.Set is an I threshing time in history and love Egypt.

I’m always excited to read a new Gill Paul book, as I love being immersed in her wonderful mix of history and fiction. The Collector’s Daughter is her new book and features a remarkable young woman I never knew anything about, Lady Evelyn Beauchamp, daughter of George Herbert, the fifth Earl of Carnarvon. Carnarvon, together with Howard Carter found the tomb of Tutankhamun and were the first ones inside, but what I didn’t know was that Earl Carnarvon’s daughter was also there. With a split time line, we see Eve in 1972, now in her early seventies, and suffering from the effects of a stroke. The appearance of an Egyptologist sees her reminisce about her early life in Egypt and a secret she has kept for over fifty years, and one that could threaten her happiness and her legacy.

I have always had a fascination with Ancient Egypt, its civilisation and the pyramids and also with Howard Carter and the Earl of Carnarvon and their excavations. What I didn’t realise was that the Earl of Carnarvon’s daughter was also a keen archaeologist and there at the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb. I loved that Eve was not a conventional Earl’s daughter, something her mother despaired over, but was fascinated by all things Egypt like her father, an had dreams of becoming the first female archeologist. She didn’t want a marriage of convenience, she wanted more from life, to be in love, and she found that in Sir Brograve Beauchamp, whom she also met in Egypt after the First World War. Eve and Brograve’s love is what underpinns this book, it is Brograve who is there for her after her father’s death, during her very difficult pregnancy and is by her side throughout and after the strokes she is susceptible to after an accident. Through both Eve and Bogrove we see the devestating effect strokes can have not only on the patient but also on their family, especially the loss of memory, forgeting parts of their life, a wedding, friends, where they live, as well as the physical effects. In Eve’s story she may forget more recent parts of life but remebers the 1920’s, and her time in Egypt as clearly as if it was yesterday.

Gill Paul really brought this whole story vividly to life, capturing the emotions and character traits of her characters and the atmosphere of early twentieth century Egypt and the subsequent ferver around Tutankhamun’s tomb. Her beautifully descriptive prose and attention to detail captured the excitement and trepidation of Eve, with Carter and her father, as they opened the first seal of the tomb, and the anticipation that it may contain the tomb of Tutenkhamun. I loved the idea that they furtively entered the tomb illicitly at night, to see for themselves what was inside, and that Eve may have been the first person in three thousand years to enter the tomb; I was excited for her. I like the use of historical markers that Gill Paul includes to anchor the plot and set the scene, The Paris Peace Conference, the obsession of Seancès and the decimation of the Spanish Flu, all very much in the news of the time. In all her books Gill Paul invests a lot of time in historical research and it really shines through in her books.

The Collector’s Daughter is another fascinating and compelling read from Gill Paul. She seamlessly blends fact and fiction together weaving a multi layered and immersive read. I found Eve such an amazing character, her energy and passion for Egypt, of wanting to become an archeologist and her determination in life, with her husband always at her side. I can honestly say I adored this book, it fed my love of all things Egyptian and my history fascination, and had such an intriguing storyline, another stunning book and my new favourite from Gill Paul.

'The Collector's Daughter' by Gill Paul is sweeping historical fiction novel that is a dual timeline set in the 20's and late 70's. A poignant and well crafted story about the discovery of Tutankhamuns tomb in Egypt in 1922. I have read other books by Gill Paul so expected a lot as I opened the book to read. She has outdone my expectations with this book.
I know a little about the opening of Tutankhamuns tomb and the curse that affected anyone who entered it. I only knew about the men discovering the Tomb, funnily enough, but had never heard of Lady Evelyn Herbert being a part of this discovery. This is really not unusual as women have the habit of being brushed aside throughout history. The Collectors Daughter gives us Lady Evelyn's story from her point of view. This is such a refreshing change, I really was held by this story and this womans love for Egypt.
The book begins in 1972 with Eve having suffered a stroke which is not her first one by any means. She had an accident in 1930 and since then she never had good health. She is struggling to recollect memories that Brograve, her husband prompts. This is a man that is a loyal, loving and faithful husband even though he struggles to the end. Gill Paul, I am sure has either personal experience or has done so much research in the rehabilitation process. She clarifies the struggles that Eve has both physically and emotionally. The details are there as is the sensitivity towards this terrible event.
We are swept back to the 1920's and we follow Eve and her life from sharing her fathers passion for Egypt and actually being one of the first ever people to step into Tutankhamuns tomb, along with her father and Howard Carter. We keep moving in time and see her marry Brograve and all the other things that her life comprises off. Being a parent along with everything else. We bear witness to how the car accident altered her life from 1930 onwards.
The curse of Tutankhamun's Tomb is not really something Eve really believes but she does tend to wonder about the tragedy and death around her over the years. It really is still mystery that surrounds this particular curse and Gill Paul cleverly leaves it open which gives the reader the option of making their own decision and that becomes fascinating as the story unfolds.
I was captivated by this historical tale, with descriptions of both Egypt and London that took me right there and characters I really felt for, who felt so real. This is a book that reinforces my "I love to be educated and Entertained at the same time" saying. I started not knowing much and finished knowing a whole lot more.
If you have any curiosity about Tutankhamun and the curse and love historical fiction just try this. It will blow you away it did me!
So many thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours and Avon Books for my place on the tour and the copy of this delightful book.

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’m a huge fan of this author so you can imagine my excitement at being invited onto the blog tour for The Collector’s Daughter, her latest book. Once again the author has written an absorbing, emotional piece of historical fiction that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Firstly the author has clearly done her research and her vivid descriptions helped transport me to another time, often making me feel like I was actually there experiencing everything for myself. I didn’t know much about Egypt’s history before reading this so I eagerly drank in all the fascinating details about ancient Egypt and Egypt between the two world wars. It was especially interesting to see how archaeological digs were carried out at that time and how different they are compared with today. It was also great to experience the expat scene there and interesting to see the difference between how they lived compared with the locals.

The characters were all fantastic creations that I loved following throughout the book. They were all based on real historical figures and I so enjoyed researching more about them on the internet, especially when I discovered some photographs of them towards the end of the book which helped bring them to life. I absolutely loved Eve who was a very strong lady who is, even from a young age, determined to succeed. It was wonderful to see her fight against others expectations of her from a young debutant determined not to just get married and be a socialite to an older lady rehabilitating after a stroke, Eve wanted to do things her way! Her relationship with her husband was really beautiful to read about, especially how they complimented each other despite being so different.

Overall I adored this book and felt I was quickly drawn into the story which had a great pace to it. There was always something happening that helped keep my attention and I found I enjoyed both timelines equally which is unusual for me. The gradual revealing of secrets was cleverly done and I enjoyed the tantalising way in which the reader discovers what happened. If you are a fan of dual timeline historical fiction then I highly recommend this book.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Avon for my copy of this book.

An interesting story based on the finding of the tomb of Tutankhamen. A lot of the story is factual whilst a little is ‘fictional’ but nevertheless interesting and engrossing. Although it flipped between the 1920s and 1970s it flows well..

I have enjoyed many of this author's books but this one wasn't for me. I found it a little slow. It has been difficult to get into it.

Every account you’ll ever read of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb focuses on the work of archaeologist Howard Carter – and on the Earl of Carnarvon, who funded the search and the work that followed. Like many others, I hadn’t really heard of Lady Evelyn Herbert, the Earl’s daughter, present on the day the tomb was unsealed and (perhaps…) the first to enter the tomb and experience its treasures, she later became a renowned Egyptologist and lived a fascinating life – but, as so often happens, she’s a woman who’s been largely airbrushed out of the history. Much of this book is a work of fiction, the imagined life of this enigmatic and fascinating woman, built around the author’s painstaking research into the key moments in her life.

We first meet Lady Evelyn, known to those close to her as Eve, in the 1970s, as she struggles to recover from the latest of several strokes, grasping for her memories – recent events are less than clear, and she barely recognises her husband and soulmate Brograve or her daughter Patricia, but an image of a felucca on the Nile brings the memories flooding back of a unique experience she could never forget. As she fights to recover her mobility and power of speech, we revisit those memories with her – beginning with her life of privilege at Highclere castle back in the 1920s, her love for Egypt nurtured by her much-loved father, the events surrounding the discovery of the tomb and its treasures, her courtship and marriage to Brograve, her life as a wife and mother, and the car accident that made her prone to the strokes in later life.

One thing – and it’s one of many – that I loved about this book was the way her story was told. It’s not a conventional dual timeline story, instead a fascinating series of scenes revisited through her memories, the story always looping and returning to the present day with that wonderful relationship between Eve and husband Brograve and her determined efforts to recover her health. There were long-hidden secrets around the opening of the tomb, artefacts that never found their way to the museums or exhibitions, and Eve is visited by a young woman from Cairo University, keen to uncover the facts and return them to their home – and that uncovers thoughts of the legendary curse of the Pharaohs and the possibility that Eve’s ill-health might just be part of its legacy.

The research that went into this book must have been immense – and, as always, the author’s afterword setting out the facts and the areas where she needed to employ her extraordinary imagination is a simply fascinating read – but she weaves it seamlessly into a compelling and emotionally engaging story, where all the characters and locations are brought vividly to life through impressive characterisation and a wonderful recreation of both time and place. While reading, you relive every significant event, the author making you feel as if you’re present – it’s quite superb writing.

And the author’s emotional touch is perfect too – Eve herself is exceptionally charismatic and sympathetic throughout, and I particularly enjoyed following the story of her courtship and marriage to Brograve, an enduring love affair that entirely engaged my heart. There’s a particular sensitivity too about the way Eve’s health issues are handled – the faltering recovery of her speech, her frustration at her limitations – and the book’s ending both took my breath away and broke my heart.

As a piece of hidden history, this book is a fascinating read – but the author builds the factual content into a riveting story that I found entirely compelling from beginning to end. Quite wonderful – and a book I’d recommend to all.

This book is well written but a little slow. I really enjoyed the historical content and also the way Eves deteriorating health is portrayed. I felt that the ending came somewhat abrupt but all in all a good read.

The Collector's Daughter is a compelling novel and I was gripped from the first pages. It's a love story spanning decades, a historical novel and the story of a remarkable woman: Lady Evelyn Herbert. I didn't know much about Eve, as she was known, and having visited the Egyptian exhibition at London last year, I really feel I should have known more. As is often the case, it is the men who claim the greater place in history. However, I deliberately didn't look her up before I finished reading, so I could learn about her through the novel.

Eve was one of the first people who entered Tutankhamen's tomb with her father Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter in the 1920s and the story moves between Egypt in the 1920s and London in the 1970s. In the 70s, Eve has suffered a series of strokes which have affected her memory. Nonetheless, much of what happened in Egypt remains vivid in her mind. She was a renowned Egyptologist in her own right and had ambitions to be an archaeologist in her youth.

I loved the way the story was told with Eve either relating stories of her past or just trying to recall certain memories. These memories and stories blended seamlessly into the past. We can sense that moment of excitement as Carter and Eve entered Tutankhamen's tomb for the first time. We can feel Eve's very real fear of the supposed curse of the tomb. Certainly many of those involved in the excavations did die either soon after or quite young. This haunts the older Eve who wonders if her strokes are related to the curse and some significant secrets she has kept about the first forays into the tomb.

Such obvious enthusiasm, passion and research has gone into crafting this fascinating story. The author has done a fantastic job of blending the historical facts about the exploration of the tomb and the characters' real lives into her fictionalised account of Eve's life. The Collector's Daughter is a richly detailed tale which will sweep you away to the Valley of the Kings and immerse you in the high society life of Lady Evelyn.

A very enjoyable and for me, educating read. I did not know much at all about the discovery of Tutankhamen so found myself looking up all the characters and the myth of the curse. This book is very well written and I found it engaging throughout.

I have read many of this author’s books and was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately it was a disappointment. Whilst the historical story was of interest I found the characters uninteresting and one dimensional and the writing boring. I ended up skipping through the final chap to what was a deeply unsatisfying ending.

Enjoyed reading this book. It was two stories in one, the story of the excavation in Egypt AND the love story of Eve and Brograve. I enjoyed both and will be sharing a full review on the blog tour

Gill Paul is a relatively new author to me, but having read and very much enjoyed The Second Marriage, I was delighted to have the opportunity to read this, And what a gem it proved to be. Paul’s skill lies in combining history with fiction to write an absorbing story that had me engrossed throughout – and afterwards sent me scurrying off to find out more about such a fascinating piece of history.

In 1922, Lady Evelyn Herbert’s dreams are realised when she is the first to set foot inside the lost tomb of Tutankhamun for over 3,000 years. But the months after the discovery are marred by tragedy, when Eve’s father suddenly dies and her family is torn in two. Desperate to put the past behind her, Eve retreats into a private life with her new husband. But she is harbouring a dark secret about what really happened in Egypt. And when a young woman comes asking questions years later, the happiness Eve has finally found is threatened one more.

Beautifully written, the book switches between Egypt and England and has dual timelines – Egypt in the 1920s when the tomb was discovered and England in the 1970s after Eve has suffered a stroke and her memory has been affected. The two timelines are skillfully woven together as we revisit events in Egypt as Eve pieces together her memories of that time. It is clear that Paul has done extensive research and she evokes 1920s Egypt in a way I found truly immersive. It’s a story of mystery and superstition combined with a compelling love story – Eve is a truly fascinating character, not afraid to defy expectations, and her enduring relationship with Brograve is at the heart of the story.

The Collector's Daughter by Gill Paul

Evelyn’s long life has been extraordinary. The daughter of the Earl of Carnarvon, she grew up at Highclere Castle, but, just like her father, Lady Evelyn Herbert had no interest in high society. Her dream was to travel and be an archaeologist, a dream that came true when Howard Carter found the tomb of Tutankhamun while working for Lord Carnarvon. Evelyn was the first person to crawl inside the tomb. It was the defining moment of her life, the greatest moment. But it was followed by a series of tragedies that would shape the rest of Evelyn’s life, despite her long and happy marriage to Brograve Beauchamp. And now, over fifty years later, Egyptian academic Ana Mansour is determined to discover what really happened all those years ago in the tomb and what it is exactly that Evelyn has determined to forget.

I am a huge fan of Gill Paul’s novels. I adore them. She manages to focus on women at the heart of events that are irresistible to me and now, with The Collector’s Daughter, she’s done it again. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 is so utterly fascinating, glamorous, dangerous – I could not wait to read it! Evelyn Beauchamp is a wonderful character, in the scenes where she’s young and in those chapters where she’s old and ill. This is the story of her life and the people she filled it with, both living and dead, and they are all so vividly portrayed along with the world in which they lived.

There is a darkness to the novel. We are aware of the curse and Evelyn was closer to it than most and the character of Ana Masour haunts the pages. She haunts Evelyn. It’s as if she’s there every way Evelyn turns. The past is not escapable. It doesn’t die. It just decays like Tutankhamun in his desert tomb. The atmosphere is constant and heavy. You can feel the heat of Egypt, the mustiness of the tomb, the light of Highclere Castle, the love in Evelyn’s heart.

The Collector’s Daughter is completely engrossing. As always, Gill Paul combines absolutely fascinating historic events with the most interesting and fully realised people, adding an air of mystery, a hint of something menacing, a curse, as well as the joy of living.

Other reviews and features
Guest post: Gill Paul, author of No Place for a Lady, ‘on feminism, bereavement and squeamishness’
The Secret Wife
Another Woman’s Husband
Guest post: ‘Historical Sources for Another Woman’s Husband’
The Lost Daughter
The Second Marriage

I found this book difficult to get into at first but could have been my fault as I was on holiday at the time. However on my return home and found the story based on facts quite interesting

The Collector’s Daughter by Gill Paul is a great dual timeline historical fiction novel that kept me entertained from beginning to end.

I have been a fan of Ms. Paul for a while now, so I was excited to read a new book. I have read quite a bit about Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon and the events leading up to, and after, the infamous 1922 discovery. It was interesting to read a novel in the narrative of the Lady Evelyn Herbert as the daughter of the Earl of Carnarvon (yes of Highclere Castle) that was included in the archeological events that unearthed the tomb of Tutankhamun.

The dual timeline exists as present day (1970s) Evelyn being interviewed regarding the history, events, and questions that surrounding it…and her memories and flashbacks to her past involving said events. The story was beautifully woven with a few twists, turns, and surprises.

The author was able to create a fresh, new, and engaging narrative to a subject that I have already read so much about. Quite enjoyable.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Avon Books UK for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, Waterstones, and B&N accounts upon publication.

This was an expertly written, poignant story about the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt during the 1920s. Paul is a thorough writer and I immensely enjoyed unravelling the mystery of Eve’s memories.

It does make for a difficult read, particularly if you have witnessed a relative or close friend who has suffered from a stroke. This is how the novel opens and we watch Eve’s confusion at trying to recollect memories that are prompted by her husband, Brograve. Paul vividly describes the rehabilitation process and it feels like the author has done a lot of research to demonstrate Eve’s difficulties – both emotional and physical – as she struggles to regain the person she was before being ill. The hurdle of trying to remember is a theme throughout the novel and I was heart-broken over how much Brograve struggled by Eve’s side; he is the faithful, loyal and loving husband to the very end.

However, let’s forget the key part of this story. With a love of history, I knew I would enjoy Paul’s exploration of Egyptian discoveries. The novel moves from the 1970s (present day for Eve) back to the 1920s where, post-war, Eve is experiencing the innocence of a young woman with privileges you expect from a family of money. Eve’s father is a known collector and, friends with Howard Carter, Eve soon develops a hunger for archaeological discoveries. Being present at the uncovering of Tutankhamun’s tomb, I could really grasp a sense of anticipation, mystery and even the supernatural. This continues throughout the story as, in present day, Eve attempts to remember what happened to some key artefacts.

What I loved most about this story was how thorough the writer is in their portrayal of such an interesting period of history. Not only do readers see the influence of class and wealth with Eve’s mother trying to make a tactical marriage for her daughter, but also the impact of colonisation in Egypt. We learn about the Egyptian government’s move to ensure archaeological finds remain in the country. Yet, often this was conflicting with the person who found it in the first place. The secrecy surrounding these findings was particularly fascinating and, even though museums were able to locate most items, I loved the mystery around Eve’s experiences.

Paul is a fantastic writer and I was immediately immersed in Eve’s story. A lot of research has been undertaken and, whilst it is based on historical fact, this was not a dense read. Eve is such a lovable character and, whilst it was difficult to read of her deteriorating memories, the love that comes through with her relationships is particularly endearing.

The curse of Tutankhamun’s tomb remains a mystery and one that delights fans of the supernatural. Paul lets the reader decide for themselves about this tale and I think this adds an extra layer to the story.

I really enjoyed my first read from Paul and this latest release did not disappoint either. I think this is a very talented author who can bring modern history alive in such an engaging way. For fans of historical fiction, I think Paul is an author you simply must consider.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fabulous! Another winner from Gill Paul!
I was absorbed from page one. The enthralling dual time slip gave such insight to the characters' personalities and the era they lived in. The switch between the younger and older Eve is flawless and the plot is very engaging.

If there’s a time period that absolutely fascinates me is Ancient Egypt, so I love reading stories about archaeology and egyptology and the discovery of the pharaoh’s tombs and so on. If you add some real life characters I can google and that they lived in Highclere Castle (the real Downton Abbey), you have a novel that has my name written all over it.

Lady Evelyn Herbert, daughter of the Earl of Carnavon, always wanted to be an archaeologist. Her father worked along and financed Howard Carter’s excavations so, when he discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings, Eve was one of the first people to enter.

Fifty years later she has suffered a stroke that has affected her memory when an Egyptian academic visits her asking questions about Tutankhamun’s tomb and her role in its discovery. Can she reveal the truth of what happened then? Was “the curse of Tutankhamun” real?

I found this story fascinating. The dual timelines worked seamlessly and the back and forth between Egypt and England made for some gorgeous scenarios. I had the pleasure of visiting Egypt a few years back so it was nice reading about places I could picture in my mind. I would hace loved the tomb discovery part to be longer cause I found it truly engaging.

The 70s timeline was equally interesting. Eve’s sequels after her stroke were really well portrayed and it was such a delight reading about her relationship with her husband Brograve. You could feel how much they loved each other.

There was also a bit of mystery in the figure of the Egyptian academic that added a nice touch to this historical fiction.

A story of intrigue, the past, curses and superstitions that will appeal to Egyptology fans and will discover you some fascinating characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.