Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

This is the thread where members can suggest or recommend books for certain prompts.

Choose any book from this list for prompt #33:

Prompt #3:
Crazy Rhythm

Prompt #6:
The Honjin Murders
Murder on Waverly Place

Prompt #7:
Any Agatha Christie book
A Morbid Taste for Bones - any book in the series.
Death Comes to Pemberley
The Name of the Rose
Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates - any book in the series
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher
A Quiet Flame

Prompt #11:
Silent in the Grave

Prompt #14:
A Useful Woman
Death Comes to the Village - any book in the series

Prompt #16:
See post #26 in this thread for a list.
A Famine of Horses
Murder by Misrule
The Janissary Tree
The Murder of Patience Brooke
True Detective
A Borgia Daughter Dies - any book in the series

Prompt #21:
Any book in the following series:
A Witness to Murder
Death Comes to the Village


Prompt #22:
Jackaby

Prompt #27:
Any book from the Gaslight Mysteries by Victoria Thompson

Prompt #28:
A Plague on Both Your Houses

Prompt #32:
Medicus

Prompt #36:
The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne

Prompt #37:
A Plague on Both Your Houses

Prompt #38:
The Secret World of Christoval Alvarez - any book in this series.
Time's Fool
A Mask of Shadows

Prompt #39:
The Fressingfield Witch
A Seaside Mourning
Much Ado About Murder

Prompt #40:
Remedy For Treason - any book in the series
Mistress of the Art of Death - any book in the series

Prompt #43:
The Coronation - Coronation of Nicholas II
Capturing the Devil - The World Fair

Prompt #46:
Her Royal Spyness - any book in the series
Prompt #48:
The Barrakee Mystery
Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates - any book in the series
A Few Right Thinking Men

Prompt #51:
The Bookseller's Tale - any book in the series

This one could fit for category 32, but then again that one seems one of the easiest to fulfill (with something else); it doesn't seem to fit any others to me, and the start of an excellent series so am highly recommending it to fulfill slot 33:

Medicus

John wrote: "This one could fit for category 32, but then again that one seems one of the easiest to fulfill (with something else); it doesn't seem to fit any others to me, and the start of an excellent series ..."

John; Thanks for posting this recommendation as I can also use this title Medicus for a 2021 Winter Challenge in my historical fiction group!

#40 a book with a Muslim character


The Chronicles of Isaac of Girona series has a boy/young man who is Muslim.

set in Girona, Spain 1353

https://www.goodreads.com/series/4454...

Here's one that I'm recommending, or can be first in a new series for you (though there are only two books)

Trouble in Rooster Paradise

Sequel with lamp on cover

Crazy Rhythm

2 Suggestions for Prompt #16 real historical figure:

the Sir Robert Carey series by P.F. Chisholm; first book is A Famine of Horses

the Francis Bacon series by Anna Castle; first book is Murder by Misrule

Another recommendation for prompt #40 - a Muslim character:
Mistress of the Art of Death

Any book in this series will work.

Lauren wrote: "Another recommendation for prompt #40 - a Muslim character:
Mistress of the Art of Death

Any book in this series will work."

Thanks; it is a series I have meant to read especially now that it is 'completed'.

Lauren wrote: "Another recommendation for prompt #40 - a Muslim character:
Mistress of the Art of Death

Any book in this series will work."

Thanks for the suggestion. Great Help.

Lauren wrote: "This is the thread where members can suggest or recommend books for certain prompts.

Choose any book from this list for prompt #33"

I could lnot find the link for the book list. Could you pl. help? Thanks.

Thanks, John, Peggy and Lauren for the book suggestions.

Need book suggestions for the following prompts:

6. A locked room mystery
7. A book that has been made into a movie or television show
8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games
11. A book with an intriguing or inspiring first line
14. A book by an author who also writes in a different genre
43. A book that includes a major world event

Thanks.

Viji wrote: "I could lnot find the link for the book list. Could you pl. help? Thanks.."

Members will make recommendations in this thread and I will add them to a master list in the first post.

Viji wrote: "Need book suggestions for the following prompts:

6. A locked room mystery
7. A book that has been made into a movie or television show
8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games
11...."

London has hosted the Olympics, so that should be easy.

My favorite first line is from Silent in the Grave. I could quote it, but it might be better to discover it yourself.

The author of A Useful Woman write in many genres, and under different names.

Here's a locked room one, set in 1930s Japan, that's not for everyone, and you need to stick with the first few chapters.

The Honjin Murders

Viji wrote: "Need book suggestions for the following prompts:

6. A locked room mystery
7. A book that has been made into a movie or television show
8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games
11...."

I recommend that I come back to this thread and see what others suggest throughout the challenge.

Sandy wrote: "My favorite first line is from Silent in the Grave. I could quote it, but it might be better to discover it yourself.."

I remember that one. It's a fantastic first line!

For southern hemisphere, I recommend a relatively unknown series that takes place in the Australian outback in the 1930's by Arthur W. Upfield. The first book is The Barrakee Mystery.

Prompt #28: Susanna Gregory,

# 7 made into movie or television show

1)Cadfael based on Ellis Peters Chronicles of Brother Cadfael - ITV production - takes place in 1137 UK and Wales

https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Ch...

2) Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
BBC Drama television mini-series Masterpiece Theatre PBS
-based on characters from Austen's Pride and Prejudice but its a mystery

3) The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco - movie - takes place 1327 Italy

Sandy wrote: "For southern hemisphere, I recommend a relatively unknown series that takes place in the Australian outback in the 1930's by Arthur W. Upfield. The first book is [book:The Barrakee..."

The Upfield series is very enjoyable, and as Sandy mentioned, not many Americans seem to have discovered Inspector Napoleon "Bony" Bonaparte. HINT: Some of the books have different titles based on their country of publication. I use this for reference: http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/U_A... I also had a difficult time obtaining these, as I was still reading paperbacks then. Now the books are available on Kindle and Audible. Perhaps it's time for me to get back to Bony!

Also, don't forget the Phryne Fisher mysteries by Kerry Greenwood, also set in Australia (and made into a TV series).

Robin wrote: "Prompt #28: Susanna Gregory, "

This one also works for prompt #37

Denise wrote: "3) The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth - movie - takes place 1963 Germany
"

Sorry but this one does not fit the definition of a historical mystery for the challenge. It is a spy thriller not a mystery.

Jan wrote: "Also, don't forget the Phryne Fisher mysteries by Kerry Greenwood, also set in Australia (and made into a TV series)."

Already added to the list :)

For #34 I'm going to throw out The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne. Reign of Queen Anne not an era that's familiar to many as opposed to the usual Regency, Victorian, etc.

Real historical figures:
Beau Brummell series by Rosemary Stevens
Miss Kopp series by Amy Stewart
Eleanor Roosevelt series by Elliott Roosevelt
Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens series by William J. Palmer
Glynis Tryon series by Miriam Grace Monfredo (includes real womens' rights characters)
Jack London series by Peter King
Mark Twain series by Peter J. Heck
Shakespeare & Smythe series by Simon Hawk (also counts for Shakespeare prompt)
Amrose Bierce series by Oakley Hall
Judge Dee series by Robert Van Gulik
Pliny the Younger series by Albert Bell
Jane Austen series by Stephanie Barron
Alexander the Great series by Anna Apostolou
Sir John Fielding series by Bruce Alexander
Beatrix Potter series by Susan Wittig Albert
Louisa May Alcott series by Anna Maclean

#38 Shakespeare: The Spy of Venice by Benet Brandreth

#43 1930's World Wide Depression or #48 Southern Hemisphere Australia:
A Few Right Thinking Men by Sulari Gentill

Jan wrote: "Real historical figures:
Beau Brummell series by Rosemary Stevens
Miss Kopp series by Amy Stewart
Eleanor Roosevelt series by Elliott Roosevelt
Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens series by William..."

Karen Harper wrote a series with Elizabeth I as the leader of an investigation "privy council"
Robin Paige uses real people as adjunct characters in the Kathryn Ardleigh/Charles Sheridan series. Many of the books in this series would also fit the "real place in the title" task.

Viji wrote: "Need book suggestions for the following prompts:

6. A locked room mystery
7. A book that has been made into a movie or television show
8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympic Games
11...."

43. Boris Akunin's The Coronation is set at the Coronation of Tsar Nicholas II and the panic at the public celebration now known as the Khodynka Tragedy

40. The Janissary Tree features the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire as a character
The rest of the series may as well, but I have only read the first.

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "#38 Shakespeare: The Spy of Venice by Benet Brandreth"

Unfortunately, this one does not meet the definition of a historical mystery for the challenge. It is a spy thriller not a mystery.

Prompt #7:

Murder on the Orient Express
Death on the Nile
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher (This is realy, really good)

Lord Peter Wimsey - BBC TV series

Prompt 16:

J.C. Briggs has a series featuring Charles Dickens that is very good.
The Murder of Patience Brooke

The Nathan Heller series by Max Allan Collins features many historical characters: Al Capone, Frank Nitti, John Dillinger. If you like a good Chicago crime novel, Collins is the best.
True Detective

Lauren wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "#38 Shakespeare: The Spy of Venice by Benet Brandreth"

Unfortunately, this one does not meet the definition of a historical mystery for ..."

Sorry. it was marked as a Mystery on its page here so I thought it would be all right. My mistake.

Prompts 16 & 38:

Ann Swinfen's Cristoval Alvarez series includes William Shakespeare in several books. My current read is "The Play's the Thing" and includes him in helping to find the murderer.

Real life charcters : Josephine Tey series by Nicola Upson.

Lauren wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "#38 Shakespeare: The Spy of Venice by Benet Brandreth"

Unfortunately, this one does not meet the definition of a historical mystery for ..."

Oops! Thanks, Lauren! Will delete it from my challenge book list thread.

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "#38 Shakespeare: The Spy of Venice by Benet Brandreth"

Unfortunately, this one does not meet the
definition of a historic..."

Lauren; Do you want me to delete my original message #27 so as not to confuse members reading this thread for the first time?

Denise wrote: "Sorry. it was marked as a Mystery on its page here so I thought it would be all right. My mistake..."

No worries. The Goodsreads shelves are decided by readers and do not always reflect that contents of the story. That is why I put a definition of a historical mystery in the challenge rules.

In my time on GR, I have seen some of the weirdest shelves for some books like erotica for Animal Farm.

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Lauren; Do you want me to delete my original message #27 so as not to confuse members reading this thread for the first time?"

No need :)

I am creating a master list so it should be fine.

Dawn wrote: "Prompts 16 & 38:

Ann Swinfen's Cristoval Alvarez series includes William Shakespeare in several books. My current read is "The Play's the Thing" and includes him in helping to find the murderer."

Is this a historical mystery? From the synopsis, it seems that the character is a spy working for Francis Walsingham. Is there a crime committed that he investigates?

I am hoping for some suggestions of series or books for prompt 5. A bestselling historical mystery.


I also am wondering about prompt 22. A book with gothic elements. I was thinking of using Jackaby by William Ritter because it is listed as a paranormal historical mystery but was not sure if this met the definition of gothic.

Thank you so much Lauren for creating a master list. This will be so much easier later on!

For prompt #48 (Southern Hemisphere)

A Quiet Flame by Philip Kerr (Book #5 in the Bernie Gunther series) is set in Argentina

Lauren wrote: "Viji wrote: "I could lnot find the link for the book list. Could you pl. help? Thanks.."

Members will make recommendations in this thread and I will add them to a master list in the first post."

Thanks, Lauren.

Thanks, John and Sandy, for the help. I also thank all the members of the group who are sending in their book suggestions. It is really very helpful.

Sandy wrote: "Viji wrote: "Need book suggestions for the following prompts:

6. A locked room mystery
7. A book that has been made into a movie or television show
8. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olym..."

Thanks, Sandy. I have already read Silent nin the Grave. If you find some other books for this prompt, pl. post them.

Robin wrote: "Prompt #28: Susanna Gregory, "

Thanks, Robin.

Denise wrote: "# 7 made into movie or television show

1)Cadfael based on Ellis Peters Chronicles of Brother Cadfael - ITV production - takes place in 1137 UK and Wales

https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Ch......"

Thanks, Denise.

Jan wrote: "Real historical figures:
Beau Brummell series by Rosemary Stevens
Miss Kopp series by Amy Stewart
Eleanor Roosevelt series by Elliott Roosevelt
Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens series by William..."

That's an impressive list, Jan. Thanks.