Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

I did a quick search on groups discussing historical mysteries and didn't find one, so I decided to create one! I love mystery and thrillers in general, but historical mysteries are easily my favorite sub-genre. You can thank Ellis Peters for my obsession, as she got me started with Brother Cadfael all those years ago and my interest burgeoned from there. I'm partial to medieval England, and my least favorite time/place would be the US Civil War, but I will try anything once!

So please share--what are some of your favorite historical mystery series?

For me, it would begin with the aforementioned Ellis Peters and Brother Cadfael. Most of these others, I'm not 'caught up with' as I tend to space my series reads out with several months in between. So I'm somewhere in the middle of them, basically. I just listed the main character's name and author....

Matthew Bartholomew by Susanna Gregory
Catherine LeVendeur by Sharan Newman
Sister Fidelma by Peter Tremayne
Sir John Fielding by Bruce Alexander
Crowner John by Bernard Knight
"Gaslight mysteries" by Victoria Thompson
Hawkenlye Abbey by Alys Clare
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Molly Murphy by Rhys Bowen
Justin de Quincy by Sharon Kay Penman

There are also several newer ones out there that I've just started so can't really call them favorites yet.

Anyway...if anyone decides to join the group I hope we can get some good discusstion going!

Cheryl

I think this group will add very quickly to my "to read" pile. :)

My favorite is the Catherine LeVendeur series by Sharan Newman, though the most recent one I read was not up to the standards set by the first few. I love how Catherine is appealing and accessible while not feeling completely anachronistic.

Edited to add: I forgot to mention Elizabeth Peters!

Gordianus the Finder by Steven Saylor (the Roma Sub Rosa) is another that I've really enjoyed. It doesn't whitewash the sins of the Roman republic. I've only read the first three so far.

I've really enjoyed the few Dame Frevisse books by Margaret Frazer that I've read. Also a couple of Candace Robb books have been very interesting.

I was less excited by the Sister Fidelma books or one series set in ancient Egypt that I can't remember--PC Doherty's, perhaps?

I started a whole shelf a while back just for historical mysteries. It's mostly books I haven't read yet, so I'm hoping this group can help me give certain books priority.

Julie

Hi Julie, and thanks for joining. Tell your friends about the group too so we can get a little more action. :)

I've read the first one of the Steven Saylor series you mention and I did enjoy it--the problem is, there are SO MANY great series out there that it seems like a lot of them that I would likely enjoy get shoved to the back of the bookshelf because there's something ELSE I want to read more.

I agree with you about Paul Doherty's books--he's written several series using different pseudonyms, and I've tried several of them but mostly found them dry and a bit boring although very well-detailed historically.

Oh, and I TOTALLY forgot a couple series. How could I?? You mentioned Candace Robb--I actually have her Owen Archer series in hardcover--or most of it. (I've got a couple in the middle that I'm missing and trying to acquire.) That's pretty unusual for me as I mostly just trade mystery series off and get them in paperback. I love those books and it's one of the few series that I'm totally caught up with--though I don't have the newest one that's been released only in the UK so far. Oddly, I didn't much like her other 3-book series featuring Dame Margaret Kerr.

Another one I forgot is Alan Gordon's "Fool's Guild" mysteries--another series I'm collecting in hardcover. Those are just wonderful stories featuring a medieval jester named Feste and a spy ring that's based in the Fool's Guild.

I tried the Dame Frevisse books and didn't care for those at all. Although--that was several years ago, and I probably should give them another go--especially as Margaret Frazer is a local author to me here in the Minneapolis area.

Another of yours that you like that I don't is Elizabeth Peters. I just found the main character (Amelia Peabody, was it?) to be way too much of a stuffy prig for my taste and she annoyed the heck out of me. LOL But I think she's one of those characters that you either love or hate--not much in between room there. :)

I wonder if Sharan Newman is done with the Catherine LeVendeur series? I notice that The Witch in the Well is the most recent and that was published four years ago. I haven't completed that series, either--I've got four or five of them left, I think, but I've enjoyed each one so far.

Cheryl

My favorites are:

Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey (do these count as historical mysteries?)
Brother Cadfael
Steven Saylor's Gordianus the Finder
Catherine LeVendeur

I also like Dame Frevisse, and Justin de Quincy, and I liked the one Owen Archer book that I read.

The Lord John Grey novels, a spinoff of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, are getting better.

I've read the first two of the SPQR series, by John Maddox Roberts, but I didn't like them as well as Saylor's books. I have the first of Lindsey Davis' Marcus Didius Falco mysteries to read, since I hear those are good.

I didn't like Sister Fidelma - I didn't finish the first book I picked up.

A new shelf for historical mysteries sounds like a good idea. I have mine under both mysteries and historical fiction.

Sayers was writing about her own time, so I wouldn't consider those historical mysteries, Eleanor, just fantastic ones!

Owen Archer. That was the name I was trying to think of for Candace Robb. Obviously, I was too lazy to look it up. I should start the series from the beginning. I remember feeling like I was missing a lot of the story, though I still enjoyed it.

Yep, I am a big believer in reading series in order, in fact I'm almost fanatical about it. LOL Occasionally I'll make an exception, especially if the first book is hard to locate, but it doesn't happen too often. The backstory is quite often essential to understanding the character and their development--at least if a series is done the way I like them. I'm not a fan of the type of mystery where the author transplants a never-changing character from one situation to another so that each book stands totally on its own and you might never even know or realize it's a series book. People change--I like my fictional characters to change, too!

Anyone reading any historical mysteries now? I'm in the middle of one of Bruce Alexander's Sir John Fielding books, Smuggler's Moon, and really enjoying it. While that time period (1790's) is a little 'late' for it to be my favorite, I love this author's writing style and have come to know and love the characters. I've only got three more left til the end of the series and I'm almost hoarding them...since the author died a few years ago, I know there will be no more. :(

I've also got an ARC of David Liss's The Whiskey Rebels here to read and review, though I'm not sure if it's a mystery or straight historical fiction. I guess I'll find out soon, as I'm planning to start it tonight after work.

Cheryl

My series favorites are:

Brother Cadfael - Ellis Peters
Justin de Quincy - Sharon Kay Penman
Magdalene la Batarde - Roberta Gellis
Matthew Shardlake - C. J. Sansom

I haven't read the Catherine LeVendeur books by Sharan Newman, but I read The Shanghai Tunnel (set in Portland, OR in the 1860s) and I wasn't impressed - very slow going. Maybe her medieval era books are better.

Looking forward to more recommendations!

Welcome, MBP! I forgot about C.J. Sansom--I've read the first two of his Shardlake books and really liked them, too. I've got Sovereign here waiting in the wings. ANd I've read all the Magdalene la Batarde books, too and enjoyed them. I stayed away from them for a long time because I know Gellis is also a romance author and I was afraid there'd be too much spill-over into the mysteries, but there wasn't too much. (I'm allergic to romance novels. LOL)

I have The Shanghai Tunnel here; sometimes slow-going can be okay, depending on the author's writing style. Other times not so much. The LeVendeur books are among my favorites.

Cheryl

My favorites:

Matthew Shardlake - C. J. Sansom
Gordianus the Finder - Steven Saylor
Benjamin Weaver, "The Lion of Judah" - David Liss
Brother Cadfael (especially the earlier ones) - Ellis Peters
Justin de Quincy - Sharon Kay Penman

Saylor writes good novels, but I especially like him at the short story length.

I adore Dorothy Sayers, but I don't think it quite qualifies.

I've read the first few of the Falco books, and liked them OK. My mother adores them, though. Of the ones I've read, I liked Silver Pigs best - it is the first one.

Susanna, thanks for reminding me about Saylor's series. I did read the first one a few yearss ago and have meant to get back to it, but just haven't. I've got so many series going I'm just dizzy at the moment. LOL

And yes, I agree about the Benjamin Weaver books, too. I'm really looking forward to Devil's Company, which is due out in the spring, I think.

And welcome to you and the other new folks who joined the group recently, too. :)

Cheryl

Maisie Dobbs was a great book! ANd I like the Margaret Frazer seriesfeaturing Sister Frevisse and The SPQR sereis by John Maddox Roberts set in ancient Rome.

Oh and the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters... so many...

I know these are Young Adult but I think that the Sally Lockhart mysteries by Philip Pullman (he of His Dark Materials fame) are a very worth ready if you love a bit of Victorian mystery! The Ruby in the Smoke is the first one, followed by The Shadow in the North, The Tiger's Well and The Tin Princess.

Hi Everyone. A few that I've enjoyed...I like the Anne Perry books, especially the William Monk series. Also enjoyed a one off by Tess Gerritsen--The Bone Garden. Supporting role by Oliver Wendell Holmes. This one goes back and forth between past and present. The premise is kind of contrived but I've enjoyed quite a few of the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books by Laurie King. And a friend just recommended the Billy Boyle series. And I've enjoyed Barbara Cleverly's Joe Sandiland mysteries.

Another great one off--Ghostwalk by Rebecca Stott

Another series I love are the Miriam Grace Monfredo books set in Western NY at the time the women's movement was beginning

My favorite eras are the Regency, Victorian and Georgian periods. I especially like Kate Ross, Ashley Gardner, Hannah March and Deryn Lake, Deanna Raybourne and C.S. Harris. If you know of any authors or titles from these periods I am always looking for something new.

The Ian Rutledge series, by Charles Robb (WWI)
The black Tower by Louis Bayard
The savage Garden by Mark Mills
The Eight by Katherine Neville

I just bought the first Deanna Raybourne, am looking forward to that.

The Ian Rutledge series is great. Each book in the series gets better and better.
I was sad when Sharan Newman stopped writing in the Catherine LeVendeur series, but the new series she began about the Gold Rush era in Oregon is really good. I am anxiously awaiting the second book in that series (but I still hope she writes more in the old series).
I thoroughly enjoyed both books by Deanna RAybourne and hope she writes another.

Ifyou like suspense, Caleb Carr's Alienest(early term for psychiarist) and Angel of Darknessare great history on early New York. Phillipa Gregoery's series on the time period surrounding Henry VII is very good and entertaining. The first book is The Constant Princess. Harols Schechter has a great series about Edgar Allen Poe in a role similar toSherlock Holmes. The Dante Club and Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl are also gems.

Susan

I didn't think Gregory's were mysteries - just historical fiction.

I agree that Caleb Carr's The Alienist is excellent - haven't read Angel of Darkness.

Susanna wrote: "I didn't think Gregory's were mysteries - just historical fiction.

I agree that Caleb Carr's The Alienist is excellent - haven't read Angel of Darkness."

Yuo're right, I didn't read the first post therefor I didn't realise she was just looking for historical mysteries. (oops on my part)

hello there - I will weigh in with Sansom's Shardlake and Pullman's Lockhart - I have also enjoyed the joint author mystery writings such as The Tainted Relic and Sword of Shame. Does Karen Maitland hit the spot yet? I wonder - she has had one book Company of Liars and the second one is due out soonish. To my mind Maitland is teh biz.

Is the second Maitland also medieval?

The Owl Killers

oooh yes - next week. It's not so often that I pay top dollar for a nice new book bagginses hahaha

Hello, everyone. After finding this group, I see that I have mislabeled some of my books - they (and I) probably belong here, as well.

I have not read mysteries in some time; but, I absolutely love them and have gotten some good recommendations from this thread.

Oh, let's see . . . I enjoyed Dissolution very much. I have Veil of Lies and Rose Labyrinth to read. I am interested in the Medicus series - Medicus: A Novel of Ancient Rome and Terra Incognita and a new one due out in July - Persona Non Grata by Ruth Downie - has anyone read these?

Wanda wrote: "Hello, everyone. After finding this group, I see that I have mislabeled some of my books - they (and I) probably belong here, as well.

I have not read mysteries in some time; but, I absolute..."

I haven't read any of these but I just bought DISSOLUTION because everyone raves about it.

Been reading the Maisie Dobbs books this year, and they are first-rate.

Wanda - I've read Medicus and enjoyed it; haven't seen the other two.

Susanna wrote: "Been reading the Maisie Dobbs books this year, and they are first..."

Thank you, Susanna. I read the first Maisie Dobbs and she is great! She is packed away awaiting my arrival in GA.

I love ancient Rome and was wondering if the Medicus books (in my mind I think of the entire series by the name of the first book) would be something I would enjoy. I'll give the first one a try.

Wanda wrote: "Susanna wrote: "Been reading the Maisie Dobbs books this year, an..."
I have read all of the Masie Dobbs books. They are fascinating reads. I especially appreciate the insights into WWI.

Sharon wrote: "Wanda wrote: "Susanna wrote: "Been reading the Maisie Dobbs books..."

Sharon, I am so glad you enjoyed Maisie. What else have you been reading?

Wanda wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Wanda wrote: "Susanna wrote: "Been reading the [b:Maisie Dobbs|462033|Maisie Dobbs (Maisie Dobbs Mysteries)|Jacqueline Winspear|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174......"

I've been reading David Dickinson, the Francis Powerscourt series. VANISHING POINT by Sharratt, really good. SILENT ON THE MOOR by Raybourn, the third book in a series, very mysterious, very romantic. A POISONED SEASON BY ALEXANDER, readable but just fair. All of the Barbara Cleverly books, they start out in India and then switch to England.
As you can see, I read far too much but reading is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Thanks for asking.

What book by Barbara Cleverly is the first book in the series? I wanted to start the series, but was unsure which was the first.

I am enjoying Silent On The Moor - I love this series, but I don't like the new book covers.

Waht is the Francis Powercourt serie all about?

The first of Barbara Cleverly I believe, is The Last Kashmiri Rose in the Joe Sandilands series. She has another series where the detective is a female Laetitia something that I did not like as well.

Some of my favorite authors in the Historical Mystery genre are:
CJ Sansone - Matthew Shardlake
Charles Todd - Ian Rutledge
Arturo Perez Reverte - these are generally standalones but are all wonderful
Iaian Pears - standalones
Tasha Alexander - Emily Ashton
Deanna Raybourn - Lady Julia Grey
Jacqueline Winspear
Margaret Miles - Charlotte Willett

Denise wrote: "What book by Barbara Cleverly is the first book in the series? I wanted to start the series, but was unsure which was the first.

I am enjoying Silent On The Moor - I love this series, but I d..."

Yes! What is with the new covers? They make the books look like a romance and that is not what they are. The original covers were so much better.

I am going to pick up The Last Kashmiri Rose.

What is the Margaret Miles series about?

Yes - on Silent On The Moor - I guess Deanne Raybourne got a new publisher or something and that is why they changed the covers. I don't really read romance novels - so the cover is a little odd to see. The old covers were more intriguing looking for a mystery series and I picked up the first one in the series based soley upon that cover. However, I will stick with this author as she really does write a great story!

Margaret Miles - takes place in 1763 (I think that's the time period). The first is "A Wicked Way to Burn." They were called the Bracebridge series and the detective is an "uppity woman" of the type that usually ended up accused of witchcraft in those days. I liked them because the time period was one not often found in mysteries with female detectives. Margaret Lawrence was the only other one I could think of writing about a female detective in the 1700s. There are only 3-4 of them and I wish she'd write more but I think she may be now known as Margaret R. Miles and an ecclesiastical non-fiction writer so I don't expect to see anymore - more's the pity :-)

New member here. My favorites in historical mystery are:

Peter Tremayne (Fidelma)
Laura Joh Rowland (Sano Ichiro)
Sharan Newman (Catherine LeVendeur)
Ellis Peters (Brother Cadfael)
C.J. Sansom (Matthew Shardlake)
Margaret Lawrence (Hannah Trevor)
Steven Saylor (Gordianus The Finder)
Dianne Day (Fremont Jones)

Shomeret

Cheryl wrote: "Margaret Miles - takes place in 1763 (I think that's the time period). The first is "A Wicked Way to Burn." They were called the Bracebridge series and the detective is an "uppity woman" of the typ..."

There's a brand new non-mystery historical by Margaret Lawrence called Roanoke. I ordered it as soon as Amazon told me it was being released.


Shomeret

Also a new member. Here are some of my favorites not mentioned by others:

Fidelis Morgan (Countess Ashby de la Zouche series, c1700 London- only 4 bks)
Lydia Robinson (Lord Meren, King Tut era Egypt)
two juvenile hist-myst series that I love:
Caroline Lawrence (Roman mysteries) & Nancy Springer (Enola Holmes, Sherlock's younger sister)

And, of course, I meant *Lynda* Robinson, not Lydia above...

Hi - just found your group & had to join! I just finished Will Thomas' 2nd book 'To Kingdom Come' & am starting the 3rd - 'The Limehouse Text'. It was great to discover Will Thomas - though I don't remember where I got the recommendation.

I've enjoyed many of Anne Perry's books, but especially love the 1st of the Monk books, 'The Face of a Stranger' - mostly because of the idea of losing your memory & the process of discovering who you were. I found that with most of the Monk series Perry has taken on social issues that are relevant to today. So not only do I get a dose of Victorian England, a mystery & the relationship between Monk & Hester, but there's some thought provoking story line. A very satisfying read.

I have also enjoyed the Amelia Peabody books by Elizabeth Peters. The first in the series, 'Crocodile on the Sandbank', is my favorite. I love the Egyptology that is such an integral part of the story. I feel like I'm learning about the latest archeological find (in the 19th century) & enjoying the discovery along with a nice mystery.

I enjoy books that are okay for just about anyone to read - meaning relatively clean. Does anyone have suggestions?

Laura wrote: "Hi - just found your group & had to join! I just finished Will Thomas' 2nd book 'To Kingdom Come' & am starting the 3rd - 'The Limehouse Text'. It was great to discover Will Thomas - though I don't..."

The Catherine LeVendeur series by Sharan Newman has been mentioned a few times here, and I can recommend it highly. It takes place in France in the 1140's and is about Catherine, a young novice, and her family. The mysteries are really good and it's so interesting to follow her family down through the years. There is a big surprise near the end of the first book, Death Comes As Epiphany, which I won't reveal here, but it drives the whole series.

Laura wrote: "Hi - just found your group & had to join! I just finished Will Thomas' 2nd book 'To Kingdom Come' & am starting the 3rd - 'The Limehouse Text'. It was great to discover Will Thomas - though I don't..."


Hi Laura! We seem to have similar reading DNA! I absolutely loved the first two Will Thomas books. I haven't started the third book yet. Am sort of drawing them out to savor them.

I also enjoy Anne Perry's books, although I haven't tried teh Monk series yet. I have yet to purchase them actually. They are on my wish list. I plan on enjoying her Charlotte & Thomas Pitt books as well. I think I've only read the first one, but I loved it too.

You might try the St. Cyr books by...by...C.S. Harris. Had to look it up. I've only read the first one but thoroughly enjoyed it.

I read the first Powerscourt mystery recently and found that to my liking as well. It was a little more 'realistic' than I usually like, but it wasn't overdone. There wasn't graphic sex in it or anything, but plenty of sexual overtones. I usually don't like books like that, but it was a good historical mystery.

I can highly recommend the Mozart mysteries by Bernard Bastable. There's only two books int he series, but the good news is that Bernard Bastable is a pseudonym of Robert Barnard, who was a prolific writer.

I have simply oodles of books in my TBR mountain. I have over 1200 books in my bedroom, most of them waiting to be read and I have another couple hundred in my Amazon wishlist.

But keep the recommendations coming!

Powerscourt is the character. I failed to include the author's name, sorry. It's David Dickinson.

Christine, how funny to find someone enjoying the same books! My circle of family & friends aren't really into the same kind of books, so I'm excited to find someone with similar tastes!

I love the suggestions! I'll have to add to my Mt TBR! (actually I have a Kindle, so my tbr's are not really gathering dust!) It's exciting seeing others' recommendations - like hearing about treasure out there that I have to find. Or maybe Easter eggs I'm searching for.... Such a thrill!

About the Mozart books, I looked them up on Amazon and discovered that they're set in an alternate universe and the protagonist is Wolfgang Gottleib Mozart rather than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Hmmm...

I was reminded of goodreads today on another board I visit and figured I'd be more active here. And of course since my new found reading addiction is currently historical fiction - mostly mysteries, this seemed like a good place to hang out.

I fear that this place, like my other board will only serve to increased my already daunting TBR list! lol!

In the past year or so, I've been reading the other kind of historical mysteries--the ones written long ago that were set in their present day. Like Dorothy Sayre, Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, Dashiell Hammett . . . I find these novels meatier, if you will, more substantive, more challenging, than some of the fluff that passes for mysteries today (I refer to mysteries solved by cats or ones that involve cake recipes). Not that I don't read current authors, too; I especially like Laurie King (Mary Russell series) and Lindsey Davis (Falco series).

Mary, I agree. I dislike the current glut of formulaic mysteries that take a current trend (baking, knitting, cats, etc) and develop an entire series of mysteries in which the mystery itself seems secondary to promoting the trend. I do believe these books have a place and serve a need, just not for me.

My current pet peeve is series that start as mysteries and transform into romance novels. These tend to have female heroines that start as the strong, independent type and transform into the heaving-breasts type. I feel betrayed when I read these. I tend to favor medieval clerics (Margaret Frazer's Dame Frevisse and Susanna Gregory's Matthew Bartholemew) to avoid these.

I have not read the Falco series. I'll check it out. Laurie King's Kate Martinelli (not historical) series is also worth checking out.