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What are the best historical mystery books?

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  1. 1The Name of the Rose

    36
    The Name of the Rose is a novel by Umberto Eco about a friar who investigates and collects pieces of evidence with the series of historical murder mysteries in an Italian monastery. This book has won many international awards.
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  1. 2The Alienist (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler)

    36

    The Alienist is a mystery book by Caleb Carr that tells the story of Laszlo Kreizler and John Schuyler Moore as they attempt to solve a crime in 19th century New York. It is the first book of the Dr. Laszlo Kreizler trilogy.

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  3. 3The Historian

    31
    This is the story of a young woman that while exploring her father's library is plunged into a labyrinth where she will find out about her father's past and the fate of her mother, and she will learn about Vlad the Impaler, and his possible connections with her situation in the current days. 




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  1. 4The Beekeeper's Apprentice

    29

    The Beekeeper's Apprentice is a Sherlock Holmes pastiche fiction written by Laurie R. King as the first book in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. With over 300 pages, this book is published in 2002 by Bantam.

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  2. 5The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books)

    29

    The Shadow of the Wind is a historical novel by Spanish writer Carlos Ruiz Zafón. Published in 2001, it is the first book in The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. It tells the story of Daniel, the son of an antiquarian book dealer.

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  3. 6The Daughter of Time

    26

    The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey is a mystery detective novel originally published in 1951. This book follows the alleged crimes done by King Richard III of England in a modern police investigation setting.

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  4. 7The Thirteenth Tale

    25

    The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is a gothic historical fiction on how children allegorically think of their birth. It tells the gothic strange encounters of the protagonist throughout the story.

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  5. 8Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody)

    24
    Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody) is a historical fiction set in Egypt (Northern Africa) written by Elizabeth Peters, published in 1988 by Grand Central Publishing.
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  6. 9Dissolution (The Shardlake series)

    18

    Dissolution is a book by C.J Sansom that tells the story of Henry VIII. He proclaimed his self as the head of the Chruch during his reign, but not everybody will agree with him. 

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  7. 10Dark Fire (Matthew Shardlake)

    17
    Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom is the second novel in the Matthew Shardlake series. This historical mystery, set during the reign of King Henry VIII, narrates the searching of the formula for Greek fire, a weapon of mass destruction.
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  8. 11The Forgotten Garden

    14

    The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton was an inspiration to the author's own family history. The book is about the main character's discovery about her family history and her identity. It also highlights the overcoming of loved one's loss.

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  9. 12One Corpse Too Many (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael)

    13

    One Corpse Too Many is the second novel in the Cadfael Chronicles series. This book by Ellis Peters tells the story of how Brother Cadfael solves the mysterious death of the body that has been found on a battlefield.

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  10. 13Silent in the Grave (Lady Julia Grey)

    12

    Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn is the first novel in the Lady Julia Grey series. The book is about finding justice for the death of the husband of the main character, Julia. Julia uncovers truths as she investigates and gets her closer to the killer.

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  11. 14Armadale

    10

    Armadale is a classic mystery fiction novel written by Wilkie Collins. This Victorian era gothic fiction book is first published in 1866. 

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  12. 15An Instance of the Fingerpost

    9

    An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears is a historical mystery about a young woman who is accused of murdering a fellow of New College. Four witnesses claimed to tell what happened but everyone has different versions. 

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  13. 16The Figure In the Shadows

    7
    The Figure In the Shadows by John Bellairs is a classic fantasy and mystery novel published in 1975. This book tells the story of Lewis and his lucky coin that holds dark and evil secrets within.
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  14. 17Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

    6
    Jean-Baptiste Grenouille was abandoned as a child to the dirty streets of Paris, where he discovered he had a special talent: a unique sense of smell. Able to create the most exquisite fragrances, there is only one smell he hasn't been able to capture: the scent of a virgin.




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  15. 18The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

    5

    The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is the first book in the Flavia de Luce series written by Alan Bradley. This historical fiction mystery novel was originally published in 2009. The story is set in 1950 during summer time.

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  16. 19Speaks the Nightbird (Matthew Corbett)

    0

    Speaks the Nightbird is a mystery thriller fiction and the first book in Matthew Corbett series written by Robert McCammon. It is first published in 2002. 

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  17. 20The Romanov Conspiracy

    0

    The Romanov Conspiracy is a historical fiction mystery thriller fiction about the Romanov family of Russia written by Glenn Meade. With over 500 pages, this book is published in 2012 by Howard Books.

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  18. 21A Free Man of Color (Benjamin January)

    0

    A Free Man of Color (Benjamin January #1) by Barbara Hambly has a solid mystery plot with the well-incorporated balance of historical and social details that definitely makes it a fascinating read.

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  19. 22The Complete Jack the Ripper

    0

    The Complete Jack the Ripper is a historical true crime non-fiction book by Donald Rumbelow. This mystery novel is first published in 1975. 

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  20. 23Sold Down the River (Benjamin January)

    0

    Sold Down the River (Benjamin January #4) by Barbara Hambly is a thought-provoking historical fiction on slavery, hope, and fellowship. This book shows the complexities of Creole in Louisiana.

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  21. 24The Ape Who Guards the Balance (Amelia Peabody)

    0

    The Ape Who Guards the Balance is a historical fiction mystery and the tenth book of Amelia Peabody written by Elizabeth Peters. It is published in 1998. 

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  22. 25The House of Velvet and Glass

    0

    The House of Velvet and Glass is a standalone historical fiction novel written by Katherine Howe which centers on the life of Sibyl Allston following the death of her mother and sister aboard Titanic. 

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  23. 26Skinny Legs and All

    0

    Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins is a mystery suspense and speculative fiction novel originally published in 1990 by the Bantam Books. This epic narrative was the fifth book written by Robins.

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  24. 27The Woman Who Had Two Navels

    0
    The Woman Who Had Two Navels is a mysterious historical fiction novel written by Nick Joaquin. This classic book is first published in 1991 by Bookmark Inc. 


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  25. 28The Unquiet Dead

    0

    The Unquiet Dead is the spellbinding debut novel of Ausma Zehanat Khan. It's a complex and provocative story of loss, redemption, and the cost of justice. It will linger on readers long after the last page.

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  26. 29The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove (Pine Cove)

    0

    The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove by Christopher Moore is a horror fiction and mystery adventure novel originally published in 1999. This book belongs to Moore's Pine Cove series. It was followed by The Stupidest Angel.

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  27. 30Vicious Circle: A Novel of Complicity

    0
    Vicious Circle: A Novel of Complicity by Robert Littell is a mystery fiction and suspense-thriller novel originally published in June 2005 by The Overlook Press. This book tells the conflict between two countries among other political factors.

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  28. 31Baby Face Nelson

    0
    Baby Face Nelson: Portrait of a Public Enemy is a non-fiction historical book written by Steven Nickel and William J. Helmer. It is first published in 2002 by Cumberland House Publishing. 
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  29. 32The Iron Angel

    0

    The Iron Angel by David Fulmer is the fifth novel in the award-winning series of the author himself. This book depicts historical mysteries on the time and place of the New Orleans.

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  30. 33If the Dead Rise Not (Bernie Gunther)

    0

    If the Dead Rise Not is a historical mystery novel written by Philip Kerr. First published in 2009, it is the sixth book in the Bernie Gunther series. It follows the story of detective Bernie Gunther as he tries to uncover Nazi crimes.

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33 comments

  • #1
    A
    Anonymous
    April 22, 2018
    "This book is perfect for those who love history and is tired of reading non-fiction and want to jump into the novel itself. The story gives a sense of adventure but also draws your mind deep into the context thanks the the heavy research done on the historical fact that will allow the reader to greatly enjoy the details. The plot keeps you guessing and thinking while the main character explores deeper into the our historical relics of the past."
    Refering to:
    24
    The Ape Who Guards the Balance (Amelia Peabody)
  • #2
    A
    Anonymous
    March 17, 2018
    "This may be my favorite mystery of all time. There are no car chases, no gun battles and no amateur detective solving murders. This is a meticulous detective trying to solve a centuries old mystery using brains and research. I gave a copy to a friend and she made it required reading in her AP history classes. It also sparked a life long interest in Richard III for me. A must read for history and mystery buffs"
    Refering to:
    6
    The Daughter of Time
  • #3
    A
    Anonymous
    April 17, 2018
    "I love mystery novels, especially those involving Sherlock Holmes. What's unique and wonderful about this book is that Holmes has finally met someone who can match his intellect, and much to his chagrin, it happens to be a woman. There's great chemistry throughout the story between Holmes and Miss Mary, and even though it's somewhat predictable, it's impossible to put it down."
    Refering to:
    4
    The Beekeeper's Apprentice
  • #4
    A
    Anonymous
    May 5, 2018
    "If you enjoy mystery, and also historical, or early 1900's stories, then you will enjoy this book, taking place in 1934, in Berlin, I found the story and characters captivating, and very immersing, I found my self losing track of time while reading this. I have recommended this to a few friends, and they told me that they really enjoyed it too."
    Refering to:
    33
    If the Dead Rise Not (Bernie Gunther)
  • #5
    A
    Anonymous
    May 21, 2018
    "A great mix of drama, thriller and adventure. I also like how a lot of other books tend to use places like Egypt as some exotic backdrop, but this story makes it seem like just another place filled with normal people, but with its own interesting unique flavors. The dialogue felt clunky at times but still good."
    Refering to:
    8
    Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody)
  • #6
    A
    Anonymous
    March 9, 2018
    "This is a fun little historical mystery book a friend recommended to me. It's by no means mind blowing or anything, but overall it's a great book. Lots of fun plotlines, cool characters, intriguing mystery. The history part isn't skimped on either, unlike a lot of others that claim to be part of this genre."
    Refering to:
    15
    An Instance of the Fingerpost
  • #7
    A
    Anonymous
    April 22, 2018
    "This is an odd but engaging book; by fusing real history with a mysterious tale, Setterfield builds a world worth living in. The writing really draws you in--creepy in a really different and unusual way. I found it to be a real page-turner and loved tracking all the clues and hints along the way."
    Refering to:
    7
    The Thirteenth Tale
  • #8
    A
    Anonymous
    May 17, 2018
    "I love both mystery books alongside history. When a book can combine the two, like in The House of Velvet and Glass, I am not only treated to an interesting mystery to solve, but this book helped me imagine what life must have been like for the real people in their setting."
    Refering to:
    25
    The House of Velvet and Glass
  • #9
    A
    Anonymous
    March 17, 2018
    "This is a really interesting look at what could have happened during a murder investigation in 15th century England. I definitely appreciated the blurb about the history of that time period at the end. I'm not an Anglophile by any means, but I thoroughly enjoyed this read."
    Refering to:
    9
    Dissolution (The Shardlake series)
  • #10
    A
    Anonymous
    April 13, 2018
    "After taking a closer look at the plot of this story, it definitely strikes me a something I would not mind reading one day. I have always been a fan of a good mystery and with some thriller aspects thrown in, I feel this may be a novel I would like to check out!"
    Refering to:
    20
    The Romanov Conspiracy
  • #11
    A
    Anonymous
    April 2, 2018
    "I found it to be fairly entertaining overall, but I have to question some of the validity of some of the accounts. I'm also not too crazy about how the author tends to deflect blame from Nelson, which might or might not affect your believability of the book."
    Refering to:
    31
    Baby Face Nelson
  • #12
    A
    Anonymous
    April 13, 2018
    "Speaks the Nightbird was a great book. I could not put this book down until I had it finished. Not only is it the New York times best seller but you will find many good reviews about this book. This is a must read. You will be happy once you start this book!"
    Refering to:
    19
    Speaks the Nightbird (Matthew Corbett)
  • #13
    A
    Anonymous
    April 10, 2018
    "The Alienist (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler) is one of the best historical mystery books. It takes place in 19th century NY and is a great mystery novel. It is good for travel or the beach and you are sure to keep turning the pages until you've read the whole book."
    Refering to:
    2
    The Alienist (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler)
  • #14
    A
    Anonymous
    April 12, 2018
    "I recently ordered Vicious Circle from Amazon and I think it's one of the best historical mystery books that I have read. It kept me entertained the whole way through and I was sad when it was over. I don't know how I missed reading this book earlier."
    Refering to:
    30
    Vicious Circle: A Novel of Complicity
  • #15
    A
    Anonymous
    April 12, 2018
    "Eh this book was not for me. I found it slow and boring. The writers prose is dismal, and lacking. I got this as a gift, and am glad I didnt pay for it, I would have been dissapointed. I didn't even finish this book, it was so boring. Deff not for me."
    Refering to:
    27
    The Woman Who Had Two Navels
  • #16
    A
    Anonymous
    April 22, 2018
    "Ms. Hambly does angood job of creating a believable setting and detailed characters that are interesting to read about. The Mississippi Delta region and its way of life in the early 1800's comes alive when reading this series of books."
    Refering to:
    23
    Sold Down the River (Benjamin January)
  • #17
    A
    Anonymous
    February 26, 2018
    "I was looking for the top historical dramas and this isn't it. Overall it seems to have potential, but i'm on the hunt for the best books in this category. I'm not looking for average or passable, im looking for the best."
    Refering to:
    13
    Silent in the Grave (Lady Julia Grey)
  • #18
    A
    Anonymous
    April 15, 2018
    "I like both historical novels and mystery books and The Iron Angel by David Fulmer is a great book that hits both genres. It's about a series of murders that occur in New Orleans in 1914. Awesome book, very entertaining."
    Refering to:
    32
    The Iron Angel
  • #19
    A
    Anonymous
    April 28, 2018
    "I feel that this book alone would make a great read, it has the elements of suspense and mystery! but sadly, it is a historical fiction and therefor would not make a good historical mystery book."
    Refering to:
    14
    Armadale
  • #20
    A
    Anonymous
    April 20, 2018
    "I have a odd fascination with true crime and serial killer history. I was looking for a new book to read and came across this. Very well written and I gained a lot of knowledge by reading this."
    Refering to:
    22
    The Complete Jack the Ripper
  • #21
    A
    Anonymous
    April 28, 2018
    "A fascinating novel and a great read! I couldn't put this one down and may have spent way too long into the night reading it more than once. Give it a try if you're a mystery fan."
    Refering to:
    1
    The Name of the Rose
  • #22
    A
    Anonymous
    March 6, 2018
    "A fine historical mystery and fantasy from an author who is often overlooked. It's not his best work, but it's well worth reading and I found it to be thoroughly engaging."
    Refering to:
    16
    The Figure In the Shadows
  • #23
    A
    Anonymous
    March 9, 2018
    "The Forgotten Garden is another reinforcement that everyone deals with loss, heartbreak, and instability. Not everyone is perfect, and this is a healthy reminder of that."
    Refering to:
    11
    The Forgotten Garden
  • #24
    A
    Anonymous
    April 23, 2018
    "This is a good children's book, but it doesn't offer anything for the adult reader. So if you are looking for something for your kids, this may be what you need."
    Refering to:
    26
    Skinny Legs and All
  • #25
    A
    Anonymous
    April 14, 2018
    "This is fiction written around a historical event. The first book by the author who her self traveled over three continents to finally arrive in America."
    Refering to:
    28
    The Unquiet Dead
  • #26
    A
    Anonymous
    March 9, 2018
    "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is an interesting story with a mysterious twist. I enjoyed it in about three days and you probably would too."
    Refering to:
    17
    Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
  • #27
    A
    Anonymous
    March 11, 2018
    "An intriguing mystery set in victorian era. I don't read much from that time period, but this is well written."
    Refering to:
    3
    The Historian
  • #28
    A
    Anonymous
    April 30, 2018
    "A book about a girl as she learns chemistry. This is part of a series and I can't wait to read more."
    Refering to:
    18
    The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
  • #29
    A
    Anonymous
    March 5, 2018
    "This is in my top 5 mystery books of all time. Very addicting and I finished it way too fast."
    Refering to:
    10
    Dark Fire (Matthew Shardlake)
  • #30
    A
    Anonymous
    March 4, 2018
    "The language from this book is antiquated and hard to understand i didnt enjoy it"
    Refering to:
    12
    One Corpse Too Many (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael)
  • #31
    A
    Anonymous
    April 19, 2018
    "Perfect fit for the genre. A classic tale for all ages. I enjoyed it very much."
    Refering to:
    5
    The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books)
  • #32
    A
    Anonymous
    April 19, 2018
    "The mystery comes to life in this book. It is sure a great read"
    Refering to:
    29
    The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove (Pine Cove)
  • #33
    A
    Anonymous
    April 15, 2018
    "a great mystery history"
    Refering to:
    21
    A Free Man of Color (Benjamin January)
This list is about What are the best historical mystery books
RankAnswersTypeVotesPrice
1The Name of the RoseBooks 36 Paid
2The Alienist (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler)Books 36 Paid
3The HistorianBooks 31 Paid
4The Beekeeper's ApprenticeBooks 29 Paid
5The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books)Books 29 Paid
6The Daughter of TimeBooks 26 Paid
7The Thirteenth TaleBooks 25 Paid
8Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody)Books 24 Paid
9Dissolution (The Shardlake series)Books 18 Paid
10Dark Fire (Matthew Shardlake)Books 17 Paid
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