Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

Come and tell us what you are reading this year!

The Abduction of Pretty Penny: A Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mystery

This will be released in June of this year.

I'm working my way through all the Brother Athelstan books by Paul Doherty. Don't know how I missed them the first time.

I am deep in Louise Penny, but sadly, catching up with her! Currently reading A Better Man, which I believe to be the last in paperback at present. Just finished Kingdom of the Blind.

Just finished Murder in the Crypt, first of the Redmond and Haze Mysteries, last night (before midnight!) and my review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just downloaded from the library A Necessary Evil #2 Sam Wyndham by Abir Mukherjee. Set in 1920's India. Loved #1 A Rising Man. This is my first book to read for the 2021 Go The Distance Challenge!

I just finished The Clerk's Tale by Margaret Frazer.

Currently reading . This one started off really good -- had me hooked from the beginning.

Next up Peril at Owl Park A series for tween readers based on the childhood of Agatha Christie (but with mysteries and a fussy Belgian boy). The first one was cute. I was hoping my nieces might like this series. Probably not but I enjoyed the first one. It's refreshing to read about a shy, bookish girl who feels awkward and lonely. Her best friend, before she meets Hector, is her dog. I can relate to that! Where was this series when I was 10-12?

Working on A Madras Miasma, first in a series set in 1920s India. Great setting and I'm invested in the story, but the book is rather long.

John wrote: "Working on A Madras Miasma, first in a series set in 1920s India. Great setting and I'm invested in the story, but the book is rather long."

John; Glad you posted this! I see it's available on Kindle Unlimited. My free trial is through Jan 23rd so will use this title for one of the prompts in the 2021 Go The Distance Challenge.

Finished A Necessary Evil #2 Sam Wyndham set in 1920's India by Abir Mukherjee. A fascinating, gritty series.
Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "John wrote: "Working on A Madras Miasma, first in a series set in 1920s India. Great setting and I'm invested in the story, but the book is rather long."

John; Glad you posted this..."

Muslim character!

I've started A Mortal Bane, which I'm finding interesting, though not sure I can say I "like" it exactly.

John wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "John wrote: "Working on A Madras Miasma, first in a series set in 1920s India. Great setting and I'm invested in the story, but the book is rather long."

..."

Thanks, John! Will be using that Prompt!

I'm currently reading Midnight at Malabar House . This is my first time reading a historical mystery set in India. I don't know anything, really, about the history of India but I'm finding it fascinating. It's definitely inspiring some internet research!

Veronica wrote: "I'm currently reading Midnight at Malabar House . This is my first time reading a historical mystery set in India. I don't know anythin..."

I read that one not long ago. Not completely sold on the main character, but overall the story held enough promise that I'm open to a sequel.

Recently finished Silver Shooter (Erin Lindsey) and Mortmain Hall (Martin Edwards). Next up Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante (Susan Elia MacNeal). I tend toward British settings or Regency New York - turn of the century stuff or post WWI with female sleuths.

I'd like to chat about these (or possible others). I find that I am seeking more contact virtually since this pandemic lingers on. Perhaps this will become part of my new normal.

John wrote: "I read that one not long ago. Not completely sold on the main character, but overall the story held enough promise that I'm open to a sequel."

Just finished it yesterday and I agree about the main character, John. I'm not sold on her yet either. She's competent but I just never warmed up to her. She doesn't seem to have any sense of humor so she comes off a bit wooden.

J wrote: "Recently finished Silver Shooter (Erin Lindsey) and Mortmain Hall (Martin Edwards). Next up Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante (Susan Elia MacNeal). I tend toward British settings or Regency New York - tu..."

I just purchased Gallows Court yesterday, which is the first book in the Rachel Savernake series. I haven't read Mortmain Hall yet, obviously, but hope to get to both soon.

J; Glad you posted your recent reads! I love the Maggie Hope series by Susan Elia MacNeal. Our library has Murder on Millionaires' Row #1 Rose Gallagher by Erin Lindsey. Will be adding it to my already very long TBR list :)

Veronica wrote: "J wrote: "Recently finished Silver Shooter (Erin Lindsey) and Mortmain Hall (Martin Edwards). Next up Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante (Susan Elia MacNeal). I tend toward British settings or Regency New..."

Gallows Court has been on my TBR for a while, too!

John & Veronica: Yes, I try to read series books in order. Gallows Court is great. Very detailed and complex. Definitely helps to have read it first. Mortmain Hall is a little easier just because you have met the characters.

John wrote: "I've started A Mortal Bane, which I'm finding interesting, though not sure I can say I "like" it exactly."

Bumping this comment to say that the book is just too long for me. I'll finish it because it qualifies for a challenge, and I am curious as to the murderer. However, if any book cries out for an abridged edition, it's this one!

John wrote: "John wrote: "I've started A Mortal Bane, which I'm finding interesting, though not sure I can say I "like" it exactly."

Bumping this comment to say that the book is just too long for ..."

I started A Mortal Bane because it is by one of the only authors I can find with my initials but I didn't really get hooked so I was planning to try one later in the series for that prompt to see if I enjoy it more. I also figured I would save it for a time when I didn't have other books I would rather read.

J wrote: "John & Veronica: Yes, I try to read series books in order. Gallows Court is great. Very detailed and complex. Definitely helps to have read it first. Mortmain Hall is a little easier just because y..."

Thanks for the feedback! I look forward to reading it, maybe when I finish my current book.

I'm currently listening to Sweet Revenge on audiobook, which will suffice for the cozy historical prompt, I think.

And I'm also reading the physical book for Murder on Black Swan Lane .

I didn't realize when I started that they were both by the same author, lol.

Working my way through the third Miss Underhay book: Murder at the Playhouse. The first story held promise, while the second one left me on the fence. Unless things pick up later in the book, I'm seriously leaning in favor of dropping the series after finishing this one towards the 2021 Challenge category of historical cozy.

Veronica wrote: "I didn't realize when I started that they were both by the same author, lol..."

A comparison of the two Andrea Penrose series—and their reviews—brings up an interesting question: Why is it acceptable for darker themes in these mysteries to involve men, but not women? Or is it?

Do we, as modern readers, still expect these era books to center on mild-mannered, innocent women and strong-minded but dishonorable men?

I've read hundreds of historical mysteries and quite a few Regency romances, and there are very few where a female MC is not lily-white compared to the men. There are plenty of female supporting characters who are thieves, prostitutes or madams, even pirates. But the main characters are normally virtuous.

Just curious!

Jan wrote: "Veronica wrote: "I didn't realize when I started that they were both by the same author, lol..."

A comparison of the two Andrea Penrose series—and their reviews—brings up an interesting question: ..."

Good question, Jan. Out of all the historical mysteries I've read (I don't really read straight out romances of any time period so can't comment on those), I can only recall one off the top of my head where the female MC had a more colorful history than her male counterpart in the series. It was the India Black series and the female MC was a former prostitute who had risen to being the Madame (and owner) of her own brothel. Sadly the series only went four books (and two short stories). I always wondered if it was because India, the MC, was too unapologetic about practically everything to go down well with most readers.

I can add two more mystery series with prostitutes as the protagonists, although the series Veronica mentions, India Black, is my favorite of the three. Years ago Roberta Gellis wrote her Magdalene La Batarde mystery series (A Mortal Bane , for example) and there's a fairly new series (that seems a bit of a copycat of India) by Georgina Clarke, Lizzie Hardwicke, and the first book is Death and the Harlot.

Finished Madame Koska & the Imperial Brooch, a quick enough read that qualified for a challenge category. Otherwise, nothing really to recommend it (unless you're truly interested in fashion details).

Veronica Speedwell has quite the colorful past for a Victorian lady.

QNPoohBear wrote: "Veronica Speedwell has quite the colorful past for a Victorian lady."

Yes, I thought of her right away, too. But she's still a lady, correct? :-)

Jan wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "Veronica Speedwell has quite the colorful past for a Victorian lady."

Yes, I thought of her right away, too. But she's still a lady, correct? :-)"

Sort of. It's murky. Her butterfly hunting isn't just a passionate hobby, it's her livelihood and they are at the Earl's estate as employees.

Started Gallows Court which I can easily believe will be the wild ride promised in reviews.

Veronica (& others), Let me know how you compare the 2 Andrea Penrose series. I've kept up with the Wexford & Sloane series but not tried Lady Arianna series.
Regarding female MC I recently started one where in lead is a grifter who works her way out of the life by saving her money. But still gets involved in schemes that are turned back on those she finds are ripping off others.

Finished A Madras Miasma #1 Superintendent Le Fanu by Brian Stoddart. Rated this 3 stars. A gritty historical mystery set in 1920's India. Although the narrative and dialogue seemed stilted what I enjoyed most was the cultural and historical references. The murder mystery had potential but the big reveal at the end was predictable. This is the first in a series so it does have potential.

John wrote: "Started Gallows Court which I can easily believe will be the wild ride promised in reviews."

Good to hear! I'm hoping to start that one as soon as I'm done with my current reads.

J wrote: "Veronica (& others), Let me know how you compare the 2 Andrea Penrose series. I've kept up with the Wexford & Sloane series but not tried Lady Arianna series.
Regarding female MC I recently starte..."

Will do. I put Murder on Black Swan Lane on hold for a bit until after I finish Sweet Revenge. I was getting details mixed in my head. I will say that so far I like Saybrook from Sweet Revenge better than Wrexford. He's not the unpleasant snob that Wrexford seems to be...and without the womanizer reputation. Though I'm only through the first five chapters of Murder on Black Swan Lane so it's still early going so I'm trying to keep an open mind about him.

Veronica wrote: "J wrote: "Veronica (& others), Let me know how you compare the 2 Andrea Penrose series. I've kept up with the Wexford & Sloane series but not tried Lady Arianna series.
Regarding female MC I recen..."

Wrexford mellows as the series progresses!

Murder at the Mayfair Hotel
An enjoyable mystery set in 1899-to the first days of 1900.
I had a few quibbles. The London setting is not specific. I kept thinking New York until a Lord this or Harrod's was mentioned. The speech of the staff is indistinguishable from the family.
The mystery was engaging and I never guessed the whole truth. I suspected a few things but I was really surprised.

Finished the third Miss Underhay story this past weekend: Murder at the Playhouse. Read it as part of this year's annual challenge, but honestly don't think I'm going to buy the next one. The series is okay, but nothing special.

John wrote: "Veronica wrote: "J wrote: "Veronica (& others), Let me know how you compare the 2 Andrea Penrose series. I've kept up with the Wexford & Sloane series but not tried Lady Arianna series.
Regarding ..."

I hope so! :-)

Okay, wait! Sweet Revenge Murder on Black Swan Lane are set in the same world?? I had momentarily set Black Swan Lane aside so that I could focus on one book at a time. I finished Sweet Revenge, which I liked well enough for a cozy style mystery, and just now picked up Black Swan Lane again. I read two pages and suddenly Wrexford is asking a surgeon about how his old friend, Saybrook, is doing. Saybrook is of course the Earl in Sweet Revenge. lol
I hope the characters cross-over in person and not just by mention.

Sorry to read that Sharon Kay Penman has passed away. A giant in the historical fiction field, and if you like mysteries set in medieval times, if you haven't read The Queen's Man, you should. And her straight historical fiction (Here Be Dragons, for instance) is wonderful.

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that. I own quite a few of her books but haven't managed to read any of them yet. I'll definitely make it a point to read a couple this year in her memory. I've read snippets and really like her writing style. The hard part is picking an entry point into her backlist.

Helen wrote: "Sorry to read that Sharon Kay Penman has passed away. A giant in the historical fiction field, and if you like mysteries set in medieval times, if you haven't read The Queen's ..."</i>


Very sad to hear of Ms. Penman's passing. Tragic loss for her family, friends and fans. Think I have read all of her books except the latest [book:The Land Beyond the Sea. Loved reading her blogs; she was exceptionally generous in introducing her readers to other author's novels.

J wrote: "Recently finished Silver Shooter (Erin Lindsey) and Mortmain Hall (Martin Edwards). Next up Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante (Susan Elia MacNeal). I tend toward British settings or Regency New York - tu..."

I just finished Gallows Court - true roller coaster indeed!

Finished The Silver Pigs #1 Marcus Didius Falco by Lindsey Davis set in 1st Century Rome and Britain. Rated 3 stars. Enjoyed this although it seemed to drag in the middle. Not sure if I'll continue this series as I have so many other series on my TBR list.