The Golden Hour by Kate Lord BrownSynopsis: “The Golden Hour is an epic dual timeline story which interweaves glory-seeking desert archaeologists, priceless treasures, Nefertiti’s tomb and the decadent cabarets of WW2 Cairo with restless expat lives in bohemian Beirut. Archaeologist Lucie Fitzgerald’s mother is dying – she’s also been lying. As her home, the ‘Paris of the East’, Beirut, teeters on the brink of war in the ‘70s, Polly Fitzgerald has one last story to tell from her deathbed. It’s the story of her childhood best friend Juno and their life in 30s Cairo. Lucie travels home to be with her dying mother and discovers the truth about her family, Juno’s work and their shared search for the greatest undiscovered tomb of all – Nefertiti’s. From the cities to the deserts, this transporting and moving story of a lost generation transformed by war is a study of great love and sacrifice in all its forms, the perfect novel for fans of Santa Montefiore, Lucinda Riley and Victoria Hislop. 

My Review

This really was an epic dual timeline audiobook, with a wonderful sense of place.

Set in the Middle East just before WW2, and just as the Lebanese Civil War began in 1979. I thoroughly enjoyed the locations and both timelines, especially the 1979 one as I’ve been to Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, so could image some of the places mentioned. I loved being transported to Egypt in the the late 1930s and enjoyed the descriptions of the places that the main characters lived and visited. 

I must admit that I really struggled with Juno and her career ambitions. I really liked Polly, Fitz, Lucie, and Max, they made the story more palatable for me, as it’s really Juno’s story about her lifelong desire quest to find Nefertiti’s tomb in the 1930 story.

I loved the 1970s timeline when Lucie discovers more about her past, as her mother tells her stories about her Godmother, Juno, and their enduring friendship.

I loved the narration by Avita Jay, a new -to-me narrator, who I’ll definitely be looking out for in the future.

Recommended if you enjoy dual timeline historical fiction full of drama and secrets.