Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

What Historical Mystery books are you reading in 2020

I am not reading a mystery right now but I am reading a historical fiction
by Julie Kibler.

I enjoy this author's writing style. Makes you want to read more

I have finished by Diana Gabaldon. It is listed as mystery. I love the outlander series and wanted to read this spin off series. Greatly enjoyed it.

,I am having my usual difficulty of setting up my posting site. Could someone share how to set up individual Wheel of Mystery sites so I can post my spin results and what read. Thanks! Libby

Last night I started by Lindsey Davis. I haven't read her Didius Falco series in over a year. It is always a joy to go back and read the next one. Well written and good history.

I don't care for her second series as much with his daughter as the detective.

Alice wrote: "Last night I started by Lindsey Davis. I haven't read her Didius Falco series in over a year. It is always a joy to go back and read the next one. Well written and..."

I love Falco and am approaching the end. I hoped the daughter's series would be as good. The history is always excellent.

Libby wrote: ",I am having my usual difficulty of setting up my posting site. Could someone share how to set up individual Wheel of Mystery sites so I can post my spin results and what read. Thanks! Libby"

Hi Libby,
I answered your question in the Rules thread, but here it is again:

Click on this link https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Click "New Topic", fill in the information and create the first post. Goodreads will automatically create your thread for you in the folder.

Alice wrote: "Last night I started by Lindsey Davis. I haven't read her Didius Falco series in over a year. It is always a joy to go back and read the next one. Well written and..."

I've read all 20 (so far) and hesitate to start the series with his daughter, as I've heard many people don't like it as much. I think we were spoiled by Falco!

My mother gets so excited when browsing the "new arrivals" section at the library, and she sees a Davis. And then realizes that yes, it's another Falco's daughter book. And she sighs.

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "My mother gets so excited when browsing the "new arrivals" section at the library, and she sees a Davis. And then realizes that yes, it's another Falco's daughter book. And she sighs."

Oh, I can relate. LOL

In the Shadow of Gotham

I just started And Dangerous to Know. So far it's intriguing and true to the time period.

QNPoohBear wrote: "I just started And Dangerous to Know. So far it's intriguing and true to the time period."

I'm reading the same! Enjoying it.

Christy B wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "I just started And Dangerous to Know. So far it's intriguing and true to the time period."

I'm reading the same! Enjoying it."

Me too! I'm impressed with how well Darcie Wilde has kept to the period. The first book I felt was a little too Edwardian but this one feels right with all the etiquette, power plays and of course, scandals.

Reading Empire-Wounds of Honour by Anthony Riches. Mesmerizing read with a story within the story, and just enough humor to off set battles, set in Britain at Hadrian's wall in 190 AD.

And Dangerous to Know was really, really good. I was impressed with the historical detail and how the mystery made sense within the context of the time. I guessed it only at the same moment Rosalind did. This take on Caroline Lamb is interesting. I believe the treatments made her worse than whatever mental illness or non-conformity they were trying to treat. How sad!

I just finished The Art of Dying and really enjoyed it. I love how the authors work scientific history and discovery into the mystery!

I read A Dangerous Engagement last night. The mystery wasn't as interesting as some of the previous ones. Amory manages to be completely stupid about solving mysteries in this one but i enjoyed it for the most part.

It was a little darker than I normally prefer to read but I found the characters really compelling. I liked the romance better than the mystery but it still kept me up very late reading and skimming the end.

I love this series! I like all her mysteries but so far these are my favorites. I agree, the romance is great. The hero is a bit mysterious, which is fun.

Barbara wrote: "I love this series! I like all her mysteries but so far these are my favorites. I agree, the romance is great. The hero is a bit mysterious, which is fun."

Yes and he's pretty swoony too, when he isn't being cheeky. He very clearly loves and respects Kat and will be there for her whatever she decides she wants out of their relationship. I have the next one on my TBR list but haven't requested it yet.

Murder on Mulberry Bend by Thompson

I'm in the middle of Pilfered Promises by M. Louisa Locke. It's the fifth in the Victorian San Francisco mysteries. I like the characters in this series.

Jan wrote: "I'm in the middle of Pilfered Promises by M. Louisa Locke. It's the fifth in the Victorian San Francisco mysteries. I like the characters in this series."

I liked the characters too but they weren't popular enough for the library to carry the entire series. I found the author wasn't skilled enough at weaving the history into the story and as much as I LOVE history, it got boring being tole minute details about something in which I had no interest and didn't have much relevance to the story.

I am reading by Leighann Dobbs. Very enjoyable mystery series set in 1816 London. Our main character, Lady Katherine, is trying to remain an independent woman not be forced to be married. Good supporting characters, especially her pug, Emma.

Felicity Carrol and the Perilous Pursuit. I didn't like it that much. Felicity is beyond unconventional, there are too many dead bodies and descriptions of wounds and the plot is preposterously unrealistic. Five minutes of research would have shown the author a giant plot hole. She also should have done research on the difference between royalty and peerage, how to style a peer and in general what a peer is and does. I figured out who the murderer was pretty quickly but wasn't positive until something happened that clued me in.

I finished The Catiline Conspiracybby John Maddox Roberts

I didn't really like it. Lots of names and places and titles (There was glossary). More plot needed.

Have others read his books? I know they old

I'm reading Singapore Sapphire and enjoying it. The two main characters are both very likable and the setting is a new one to me.

Alice wrote: "I finished The Catiline Conspiracybby John Maddox Roberts

Have others read his books?..."

I've read the first three (some years ago now) and enjoyed them, but not as much as some other Roman historical mysteries. I do intend to continue this series eventually... (if eventually ever gets here!)

Veronica wrote: "I'm reading Singapore Sapphire and enjoying it. The two main characters are both very likable and the setting is a new one to me."

I liked this book a lot too

Last night I startedThe Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellows. I was looking for something different to read and this one jumped out at me. It is delightful. I am not that far into the story yet, but greatly enjoying it.

I just started Face Down in the Marrow-Bone Pie and so far it seems very promising.

Scandal Above Stairs
is the next historical on my nightstand and I have to go pick up
Death Comes to the Nursery. I'm glad they were finally able to have children but the title gives me chills!

I am reading on of my favorite HF Mysteries
by Cora Harrison.
Set in 1519, Ireland. I find Brehon Law fascinating. Our main character, Mara, is a strong woman character. Changing times in Europe infiltrate the novel. High recommend this service.

Alice, I´ve got the Mitford Murders on my list too, and Cross of Vengeance sounds good too!

I gave up on one of my sci-fi books and went to the audiobook of Secrets of Sloane House. So far, the story is okay, but the heroine is certainly a wimp! I hope she gets stronger soon.

I finished March Violets which had been recommended to me but sadly didn't connect with it. It is more of a pot-boiler than I usually read and I had trouble keeping track of the characters.

I just started A Divided Loyalty and am very much enjoying spending more time with Inspector Rutledge!

I like the Rutledge series quite a lot, as well.

I finished by Sherry Thomas. Nice book although I am bit tired of Sherlock Holmes books

Death Comes to the Nursery wasn't bad but Robert's excessive harshness turned me off as did the frequent use of the word "orphanage" when orphanages as we think of them didn't exist yet.

A Death in Vienna by Frank Tallis

Jan wrote: "Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "My mother gets so excited when browsing the "new arrivals" section at the library, and she sees a Davis. And then realizes that yes, it's another Falco's dau..."

Davis is so witty, though - and the cast lists are always funny!

I've read a couple of really good just before/early WW2 mysteries recently - A Shadowed Livery by Charlie Garratt and The Great Darkness by Jim Kelly. And I'm reading a few of Caroline Dunford's early 20th century mysteries which are quite light and mostly good. Anyone else reading these?

I just picked up The Body on the Train and Lady Takes the Case

Christine wrote: "A Death in Vienna by Frank Tallis"

Ooh, I love Frank Tallis! I keep hoping to see another from his series because it's been a while.

Lexie wrote: "I've read a couple of really good just before/early WW2 mysteries recently - A Shadowed Livery by Charlie Garratt and The Great Darkness by Jim Kelly. And I'm reading a few of Caroline Dunford's ea..."

How did you like the Jim Kelly? It looks interesting.

I've just started A Purely Private Matter, 2nd in the series and I'm already hoping the author writes #4 soon as I know I will be reading #3 shortly.

Meghan wrote: "Lexie wrote: "I've read a couple of really good just before/early WW2 mysteries recently - A Shadowed Livery by Charlie Garratt and The Great Darkness by Jim Kelly. And I'm reading a few of Carolin..."

Different, very atmospheric. The whole setting of the phoney war was very, very well done. I hope to carry on with both series. If you like them, Alex Walters also wrote a standalone called Winterman which has a similar setting and feel.

Sandy wrote: "I've just started A Purely Private Matter, 2nd in the series and I'm already hoping the author writes #4 soon as I know I will be reading #3 shortly."

It sure sounds like there will be a 4th. I hope so! I really like Rosalind.

I just finished Without a Trace by Mel Starr. Wonderful series, This book 12. Set in 1300's England. MR Starr does a great job capturing the time period. Excellent Glossary of old English terms in beginning of book.