The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green

For years her explorer father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she'd accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations.

The first is her repentant father's offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a new expedition. The second is a chance to enter the world of New York's wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud.

With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut's tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York's high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him track the criminal. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger's identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.

In this rich 1920s tale, bestselling author Jocelyn Green invites you into one of New York City's most esteemed museums, where a young woman discovers secrets, betrayal, and romance.

Paperback, 384 pages

Published March 14, 2023

 by Bethany House Publishers

4/5 stars

Taking place in the 1920's,  The Metropolitan Affair follows the life of Dr. Lauren Westlake, an Assistant Curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Told from both Lauren's perspective and that of her old friend, Joe, one of New York's finest.

As the first book in Jocelyn Green's On Central Park series, The Metropolitan Affair takes place just after the discovery of King Tut's tomb. The city's elite are scrambling to get their hands on relics from Egypt, but when forgeries start popping up Lauren and Joe team up to track down the culprit.

This book is not just a historical story, but also delves into Lauren's relationship with her father, who has been absent for most of her life, as well as her complicated past with Joe. The story weaves through politics, women in the workforce, police procedures, family, and grief, making for a truly entertaining read.

The Metropolitan Affair even features cameos from historical figures, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the story. With enough Egyptology to satisfy this history buff, this well-written book kept my attention with a mystery that twisted and turned kept me on my toes.

My thanks to Graf-Martin Communication for a print copy in exchange for a honest review.