Book Reviews
More than 700 book reviews appear on this site, ranging in setting from prehistory and the ancient world to World War II. Novels for young adults are marked YA - full-fledged adults enjoy some of these as much as teens do. Click on the title to go to the review.
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Review of:
Sarah L. Johnson's Historical Fiction II: A Guide to the Genre
James Alexander Thom's The Art and Craft of Writing Historical Fiction
Prehistoric and Time-Sweep Novels
Ancient History: Greece
Ancient History: Rome
Ancient History: Britain and Ireland
Ancient History: Egypt
Ancient History: Biblical and Middle East
Medieval Europe
The Renaissance and Tudor England
The Seventeenth Century
The Eighteenth Century
The Napoleonic Era
Nineteenth Century North America and the Old West
Nineteenth Century Europe
The Twentieth Century
Africa
Asia and India
Australasia: Australia and New Zealand
Latin America
The Middle East
Over the next month or so, I will be transferring reviews on this site to a new Substack series on historical novels, which you can find at https://margarettomlinson.substack.com/publish/posts. During this process, I am no longer accepting review books. I hope to begin afresh when the Historical Novels Substack is complete.
Prehistoric and Time-Sweep Novels
Daughter of Kura by Debra Austin
The Dawn Country by Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear
The Inheritors by William Golding reviewed by Annis
New York by Edward Rutherfurd
Ancient History
Ancient Greece
See the list of The 36 Best Historical Novels for a Survey of Ancient Greek History
Achilles by Elizabeth Cook
The Afghan Campaign by Steven Pressfield reviewed by David Maclaine
Alcestis by Katharine Beutner
Antigone's Wake by Nicholas Nicastro reviewed by David Maclaine
The Arrows of Hercules by L. Sprague de Camp reviewed by David Maclaine
Besieger of Cities by Alfred Duggan reviewed by David Maclaine
A Bloodline of Kings by Thomas Sundell reviewed by David Maclaine
The Bull From the Sea by Mary Renault reviewed by David Maclaine
Circe by Madeline Miller
Creation by Gore Vidal reviewed by David Maclaine
Destroyer of Cities by Christian Cameron reviewed by David Maclaine
The Double Tongue by William Golding
Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault reviewed by David Maclaine
The Fox by M.N.J. Butler reviewed by David Maclaine
Funeral Games by Christian Cameron reviewed by David Maclaine
Funeral Games by Mary Renault reviewed by David Maclaine
Gate to the Sea by Bryher reviewed by David Maclaine
Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield reviewed by David Maclaine
God of War by Christian Cameron reviewed by David Maclaine
The Golden Fleece by Robert Graves reviewed by David Maclaine
The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyon
The Great King by Christian Cameron reviewed by David Maclaine
Heather, Oak and Olive by Rosemary Sutcliff YA
House of Names by Colm Tóibín
The Iliad by Homer reviewed by David Maclaine
The Isle of Stone by Nicholas Nicastro reviewed by David Maclaine
Killer of Men by Christian Cameron reviewed by David Maclaine
The King Must Die by Mary Renault reviewed by David Maclaine
King of Ithaka by Tracy Barrett YA
King of the Bosporus by Christian Cameron reviewed by David Maclaine
Last of the Amazons by Steven Pressfield reviewed by David Maclaine
The Last of the Wine by Mary Renault reviewed by David Maclaine
The Laughter of Aphrodite by Peter Green reviewed by David Maclaine
Marathon by Christian Cameron reviewed by David Maclaine
The Mask of Apollo by Mary Renault reviewed by David Maclaine
Memnon by Scott Oden reviewed by David Maclaine
Pericles the Athenian by Rex Warner reviewed by David Maclaine
The Persian Boy by Mary Renault reviewed by David Maclaine
Poseidon's Spear by Christian Cameron reviewed by David Maclaine
The Praise Singer by Mary Renault
Ransom by David Malouf
Salamis by Christian Cameron reviewed by David Maclaine
The Sand-Reckoner by Gillian Bradshaw reviewed by David Maclaine
Storm of Arrows by Christian Cameron reviewed by David Maclaine
The Sun's Bride by Gillian Bradshaw
The Ten Thousand by Michael Curtis Ford reviewed by David Maclaine
Tides of War by Steven Pressfield reviewed by David Maclaine
Tyrant by Christian Cameron reviewed by Annis
Tyrant by Valerio Massimo Manfredi reviewed by David Maclaine
A Victor of Salamis by William Stearns Davis reviewed by David Maclaine
The Virtues of War by Steven Pressfield reviewed by David Maclaine
The Wreckage of Agathon by John Gardner reviewed by David Maclaine
Series: The Tyrant series by Christian Cameron reviewed by David Maclaine
Ancient Rome and its Empire
See the list of The 50 Best Historical Novels for a Survey of Ancient Roman History
Alexandria by Lindsey Davis
The Amber Road by Harry Sidebottom reviewed by David Maclaine
Antony and Cleopatra by Colleen McCullough reviewed by David Maclaine
Augustus by John Williams reviewed by David Maclaine
Blood and Steel by Harry Sidebottom reviewed by David Maclaine
Caesar by Colleen McCullough reviewed by David Maclaine
Caesar's Women by Colleen McCullough reviewed by David Maclaine
Captain of Rome by John Stack reviewed by David Maclaine
Carthage by Ross Leckie reviewed by David Maclaine
The Caspian Gates by Harry Sidebottom reviewed by David Maclaine
Claudius the God by Robert Graves reviewed by David Maclaine
The Coin of Carthage by Bryher reviewed by David Maclaine
The Conquered by Naomi Mitchison reviewed by Annis
The Conspiracy by John Hersey reviewed by David Maclaine
Conspirata (titled Lustrum in the U.K.) by Robert Harris
The Corpus Conundrum by Albert A. Bell, Jr.
The Death of Attila by Cecelia Holland reviewed by David Maclaine
Dictator by Robert Harris
The Druid King by Norman Spinrad
The Eagle and the Wolves by Simon Scarrow reviewed by David Maclaine
Eagle in the Snow by Wallace Breem reviewed by David Maclaine
The Eagle's Conquest by Simon Scarrow reviewed by David Maclaine
The Eagle's Prey by Simon Scarrow reviewed by David Maclaine
Empire by Steven Saylor
Enemies at Home by Lindsey Davis
Family Favourites by Alfred Duggan reviewed by David Maclaine
Fire in the East by Harry Sidebottom reviewed by David Maclaine
The First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough reviewed by David Maclaine
The Forgotten Legion by Ben Kane
Fortune's Favorites by Colleen McCullough reviewed by David Maclaine
Founding Fathers by Alfred Duggan reviewed by David Maclaine
The Gladiators by Arthur Koestler reviewed by David Maclaine
Gladiatrix by Russell Whitfield
The Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough reviewed by David Maclaine
Hannibal by Ross Leckie reviewed by David Maclaine
Helena by Evelyn Waugh reviewed by David Maclaine
I, Claudius by Robert Graves reviewed by David Maclaine
The Ides of March by Thornton Wilder reviewed by David Maclaine
Imperium by Robert Harris reviewed by Annis
Iron and Rust by Harry Sidebottom reviewed by David Maclaine
The Jew of Rome by Lion Feuchtwanger reviewed by David Maclaine
Josephus by Lion Feuchtwanger reviewed by Annis
Josephus and the Emperor by Lion Feuchtwanger reviewed by David Maclaine
Julian by Gore Vidal reviewed by David Maclaine
The Key by Benita Kane Jaro
King of Kings by Harry Sidebottom
The Legate's Daughter by Wallace Breem reviewed by David Maclaine
Lion of the Sun by Harry Sidebottom reviewed by David Maclaine
The Love-Artist by Jane Alison reviewed by David Maclaine
Master and God by Lindsey Davis reviewed by David Maclaine
Master of Rome by John Stack reviewed by David Maclaine
Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar reviewed by David Maclaine
The October Horse by Colleen McCullough reviewed by David Maclaine
Pride of Carthage by David Anthony Durham reviewed by David Maclaine
Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz reviewed by David Maclaine
Render unto Caesar by Gillian Bradshaw reviewed by David Maclaine
Roma by Steven Saylor reviewed by David Maclaine
Roman Wall by Bryher reviewed by David Maclaine
Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert reviewed by David Maclaine
Scipio Africanus by Ross Leckie reviewed by David Maclaine
Ship of Rome by John Stack reviewed by David Maclaine
Three's Company by Alfred Duggan reviewed by David Maclaine
The Triumph of Caesar by Steven Saylor
Under the Eagle by Simon Scarrow reviewed by David Maclaine
When the Eagle Hunts by Simon Scarrow reviewed by David Maclaine
Winter Quarters by Alfred Duggan reviewed by David Maclaine
The Wolves of the North by Harry Sidebottom reviewed by David Maclaine
Series: The Eagle series by Simon Scarrow reviewed by David Maclaine
The Josephus Trilogy by Lion Feuchtwanger reviewed by David Maclaine
The Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCullough reviewed by David Maclaine
The Masters of the Sea trilogy by John Stack reviewed by David Maclaine
The Warrior of Rome series by Harry Sidebottom reviewed by David Maclaine
Ancient Britain and Ireland
The Changeling by Rosemary Sutcliff preteens
Confessions of a Pagan Nun by Kate Horsley
Roman Britain
A Bitter Chill by Jane Finnis reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Caveat Emptor by Ruth Downie reviewed by Annis
Chariot of the Soul by Linda Proud
Dark North by Gillian Bradshaw reviewed by David Maclaine
The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff YA
Get Out or Die by Jane Finnis reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Imperial Governor by George Shipway reviewed by Annis
Persona Non Grata by Ruth Downie
Arthurian Britain
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve YA, reviewed by Annis
In Winter's Shadow by Gillian Bradshaw
The Killing Way by Tony Hays
The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick
Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff reviewed by Annis
Twilight of Avalon by Anna Elliott
Ancient Egypt
Child of the Morning by Pauline Gedge
Death Comes as the End by Agatha Christie
The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran
Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
Sphinx's Princess by Esther Friesner
Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter
Biblical Times and the Ancient Middle East
Delilah by India Edghill
The Legend of the Wandering King by Laura Gallego García YA
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
How Far to Bethlehem? by Norah Lofts reviewed by Annis
Mary Called Magdalene by Margaret George
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
Sarah by Marek Halter
The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks
Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher YA
The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín
The Triumph of Deborah by Eva Etzioni-Halevy
Medieval Europe
Medieval Celts, 500-1300 A.D.
Absolution by Murder by Peter Tremayne reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Behold a Pale Horse by Peter Tremayne
The Gospel of Mary by Philip Freeman
Brendan by Morgan Llywelyn
High Kings and Vikings by Nigel Tranter reviewed by David Maclaine
Kenneth by Nigel Tranter reviewed by David Maclaine
King Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett
The Kings in Winter by Cecelia Holland reviewed by David Maclaine
Lady Macbeth by Susan Fraser King
My Lady Judge by Cora Harrison
Ruan by Bryher
Saint Brigid's Bones by Philip Freeman
The Winter Serpent by Maggie Davis reviewed by David Maclaine
Tapestry of the Boar by Nigel Tranter reviewed by David Maclaine
The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill by an anonymous medieval author reviewed by David Maclaine
Anglo-Saxon England and Continental Europe, 6th-11th Centuries
The Angel and the Sword by Cecelia Holland
Bloodline by Katy Moran YA, reviewed by Annis
The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell reviewed by David Maclaine
Death of Kings by Bernard Cornwell reviewed by David Maclaine
The Emperor's Elephant by Tim Severin reviewed by David Maclaine
The Empty Throne by Bernard Cornwell reviewed by David Maclaine
The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick reviewed by David Maclaine
Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon reviewed by Annis
The Green Man by Henry Treece reviewed by Annis
Hawk Quest by Robert Lyndon reviewed by Annis
Hild by Nicola Griffith
The King of Athelney by Alfred Duggan reviewed by David Maclaine
The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell reviewed by Annis
The Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell reviewed by David Maclaine
The Pagan Lord by Bernard Cornwell reviewed by David Maclaine
The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell reviewed by David Maclaine
Paths of Exile by Carla Nayland reviewed by Annis
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
The Proud Villeins by Valerie Anand reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Raven's Wind by Victor Canning reviewed by David Maclaine
Shieldwall by Justin Hill reviewed by Annis
Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell reviewed by David Maclaine
Warriors of the Storm by Bernard Cornwell reviewed by David Maclaine
Series: The "Saxon Tales" series by Bernard Cornwell reviewed by David Maclaine
Norman England (1066-1133) and Norman Sicily (11th-12th Centuries) (including novels about the period immediately preceding the Norman Conquest)
Conquest by Stewart Binns reviewed by Annis
The Earl by Cecelia Holland reviewed by David Maclaine
The Firedrake by Cecelia Holland reviewed by David Maclaine
The Fourteenth of October by Bryher reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Godiva by Nerys Jones reviewed by Annis
Great Maria by Cecelia Holland
The King's Arrow by Michael Cadnum YA
The Morning Gift by Diana Norman reviewed by Annis
The Needle in the Blood by Sarah Bower
A Place Beyond Courage by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Rose Rent by Ellis Peters reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Ruby in Her Navel by Barry Unsworth
When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman
The Angevins and 12th-13th Century Europe
The Anchoress by Robyn Cadwallader
Angel Time by Anne Rice
Bohemian Gospel by Dana Chamblee Carpenter
Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman YA
Death and the Devil by Frank Schätzing reviewed by Annis
Down the Common by Ann Baer reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies by Laura Amy Schlitz and Robert Byrd YA and children
Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin, reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick
Hodd by Adam Thorpe reviewed by Annis
Illuminations by Mary Sharratt
Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine
The Lute Player by Norah Lofts
Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin
A Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Myself as Witness by James Goldman reviewed by Annis
The Parisian Prodigal by Alan Gordon
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Secret Eleanor by Cecelia Holland
The Sharp Hook of Love by Sherry Jones
Templar Silks by Elizabeth Chadwick
To Be Queen by Christy English
To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Unicorn Road by Martin Davies reviewed by Annis
The Crusades and the Inquisition
Crossed by Nicole Galland
Durandal by Harold Lamb reviewed by Annis
The King's Witch by Cecelia Holland
The Long Sword by Christian Cameron reviewed by David Maclaine
Pagan's Crusade by Catherine Jinks YA
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
The Templar Knight by Jan Guillou
The Waste Land by Simon Acland
Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran
The late 13th, 14th and 15th Centuries to the Wars of the Roses
Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell
Blood Red, Sister Rose by Thomas Keneally
A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury by Edith Pargeter
The Book of the Maidservant by Rebecca Barnhouse YA
By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan
Company of Liars by Karen Maitland
Court of Lions by Jane Johnson
The Demon's Parchment by Jeri Westerson reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Fairest of Them All by Carolyn Turgeon
Flint by Margaret Redfern
The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
The Green Popinjays by Eleanor Fairburn reviewed by Annis
Gutenberg's Apprentice by Alix Christie
Hugh and Bess by Susan Higginbotham
The Ill-Made Knight by Christian Cameron reviewed by Annis
Juliet's Nurse by Lois Leveen
Kabbalah of Stone by Irene Reti
Katherine by Anya Seton reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The King's Mistress by Emma Campion
The Lion Wakes by Robert Low reviewed by Annis
Lords of Misrule by Nigel Tranter reviewed by David Maclaine
The Lords of Vaumartin by Cecelia Holland
The Master of Verona by David Blixt reviewed by Annis
A Murdered Peace by Candace Robb
Muse by Mary Novik
The Raging Quiet by Sherryl Jordan YA
Serpent in the Thorns by Jeri Westerson
A Safe Conduct by Peter Vansittart
The Traitor's Wife by Susan Higginbotham
The Unquiet Bones by Mel Starr reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Vainglory by Geraldine McCaughrean reviewed by Annis
Veil of Lies by Jeri Westerson
The Venetian by Lina Ellina
World Without End by Ken Follett
The Wars of the Roses
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
The House of Lanyon by Valerie Anand
The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith
Royal Mistress by Anne Easter Smith
Stormbird by Conn Iggulden reviewed by David Maclaine
The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman
The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
Medieval Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire
Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett YA
The Belt of Gold by Cecelia Holland reviewed by David Maclaine
Count Belisarius by Robert Graves reviewed by David Maclaine
The Golden Horn by Poul Anderson reviewed by David Maclaine
Dark Angel by Mika Waltari reviewed by Annis
The High City by Cecelia Holland
Rogue Sword by Poul Anderson reviewed by Annis
Scandinavia and the Vikings
See the list of The 45 Best Historical Novels Set in the Viking Age
Blood Eye by Giles Kristian reviewed by David Maclaine
The Bridal Wreath by Sigrid Undset reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Crowbone by Robert Low reviewed by David Maclaine
The Deepest Sea by Charles Barnitz reviewed by Annis
Dragons from the Sea by Judson Roberts YA, reviewed by David Maclaine
Dubh-Linn by James L. Nelson reviewed by David Maclaine
Egil's Saga by Snorri Sturluson reviewed by David Maclaine
Fin Gall by James L. Nelson reviewed by David Maclaine
God of Vengeance by Giles Kristian reviewed by David Maclaine
Heimskringla by Snorri Sturluson reviewed by David Maclaine
Icefall by Matthew Kirby reviewed by Annis
Kings of the North by Cecelia Holland reviewed by David Maclaine
Legend of the Last Vikings: Taklamakan by John Halsted
The Long Ships by Frans Gunnar Bengtsson reviewed by David Maclaine
The Lord of Vik-Ló by James L. Nelson reviewed by David Maclaine
Mother of Kings by Poul Anderson
Njal's Saga by an anonymous medieval author, reviewed by David Maclaine
Odin's Wolves by Giles Kristian reviewed by David Maclaine
The Prow Beast by Robert Low reviewed by David Maclaine
The Road of the Sea Horse by Poul Anderson reviewed by David Maclaine
The Road to Jerusalem by Jan Guillou
The Road to Vengeance by Judson Roberts YA, reviewed by David Maclaine
The Saga of the People of Laxardal by an anonymous medieval author, reviewed by David Maclaine
The Sea Road by Margaret Elphinstone reviewed by Annis
The Serpent Dreamer by Cecelia Holland reviewed by David Maclaine
The Sign of the Raven by Poul Anderson reviewed by David Maclaine
Sons of Thunder by Giles Kristian reviewed by Annis
The Soul Thief by Cecelia Holland reviewed by David Maclaine
Styrbiorn the Strong by E.R. Eddison reviewed by David Maclaine
Varanger by Cecelia Holland
The Viking by Edison Marshall reviewed by David Maclaine
War of the Gods by Poul Anderson reviewed by David Maclaine
Viking Warrior by Judson Roberts YA, reviewed by Annis
The Whale Road by Robert Low reviewed by David Maclaine
The White Raven by Robert Low reviewed by David Maclaine
The Witches' Kitchen by Cecelia Holland
The Wolf Sea by Robert Low reviewed by David Maclaine
Series: The Oathsworn series by Robert Low reviewed by David Maclaine
The "Soul Thief" series by Cecelia Holland reviewed by David Maclaine
The Renaissance and Tudor England
A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay
Advent by James Treadwell
Amenable Women by Mavis Cheek reviewed by Annis
The Bones of Avalon by Phil Rickman
The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark
The Borgia Betrayal by Sara Poole
The Botticelli Secret by Marina Fiorato
The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andrić
Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau
The Chef's Secret by Crystal King
Checkmate by Dorothy Dunnett
City of God by Cecelia Holland reviewed by David Maclaine
The Concubine by Norah Lofts reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner
The Courier's Tale by Peter Walker reviewed by Annis
The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau
A Dead Man in Deptford by Anthony Burgess reviewed by Annis
The Devil's Queen by Jeanne Kalogridis
The Disorderly Knights by Dorothy Dunnett
Dissolution by C.J. Sansom
The Elephant's Journey by José Saramago
Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain by Margaret Irwin
Elizabeth, Captive Princess by Margaret Irwin
The Falcons of Fire and Ice by Karen Maitland
A Famine of Horses by P.F. Chisholm reviewed by Annis
The Favored Queen by Carolly Erickson
The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett
The Gentleman Poet by Kathryn Johnson
A Gift for the Magus by Linda Proud
Heresy by S.J. Parris
The House of Doctor Dee by Peter Ackroyd reviewed by Linda Proud
In a Treacherous Court by Michelle Diener
The Jewel Trader of Pegu by Jeffrey Hantover
Kathryn: In the Court of Six Queens by Anne Merton Abbey
The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner
The Lunatic, the Lover, and the Poet by Myrlin A. Hermes
Madame Serpent by Jean Plaidy
The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich
Mistress Shakespeare by Karen Harper reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Niccolo Rising by Dorothy Dunnett
Nonna's Book of Mysteries by Mary Osborne YA
Pallas and the Centaur by Linda Proud
Pawn in Frankincense by Dorothy Dunnett
The Player's Boy by Bryher
Poison by Sara Poole
Prophecy by S.J. Parris
Queen's Cross by Lawrence Schoonover
Queens' Play by Dorothy Dunnett
The Queen's Vow by C.W. Gortner
Race of Scorpions by Dorothy Dunnett reviewed by David Maclaine
The Raven's Heart by Jesse Blackadder reviewed by Annis
The Rebirth of Venus by Linda Proud
The Ringed Castle by Dorothy Dunnett
Rival to the Queen by Carolly Erickson
Scales of Gold by Dorothy Dunnett reviewed by David Maclaine
The Scarlet Contessa by Jeanne Kalogridis
The Secret of the Glass by Donna Russo Morin
Snared Nightingale by Geoffrey Trease reviewed by Annis
The Spring of the Ram by Dorothy Dunnett
The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley YA
A Tabernacle for the Sun by Linda Proud
Tell Them of Battles, Kings and Elephants by Mathias Énard
To Lie with Lions by Dorothy Dunnett reviewed by David Maclaine
Tombland by C.J. Sansom
The Tudor Secret by C.W. Gortner
The Unicorn Hunt by Dorothy Dunnett reviewed by David Maclaine
The White Princess by Philippa Gregory
The Witch's Trinity by Erika Mailman
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Young Bess by Margaret Irwin
The Seventeenth Century
The Anatomy Lesson by Nina Siegal
As Meat Loves Salt by Maria McCann
Astray by Emma Donoghue short stories
The Best of Men by Claire Letemendia reviewed by Annis
Black Robe by Brian Moore reviewed by David Maclaine
Bonnie Dundee by Rosemary Sutcliff YA, reviewed by Annis
Conceit by Mary Novik
Daughters of the Witching Hill by Mary Sharratt
The Daylight Gate by Jeanette Winterson
Ex-Libris by Ross King
The French Mistress by Susan Holloway Scott
Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland
Girl on the Golden Coin by Marci Jefferson
The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch
An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears
In the Name of the King by A.L. Berridge
John Saturnall's Feast by Lawrence Norfolk reviewed by Annis
Lady of the Butterflies by Fiona Mountain
The Lady's Slipper by Deborah Swift
Margaret the First by Danielle Dutton
Mary of Carisbrooke by Margaret Campbell Barnes
Merivel: A Man of His Time by Rose Tremain reviewed by Annis
Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland
The Noble Assassin by Christie Dickason reviewed by Annis
The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
Rebels and Traitors by Lindsey Davis
The School of Night by Louis Bayard
Secrecy by Rupert Thomson
The Shadow Queen by Sandra Gulland
Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather
A Want of Kindness by Joanne Limburg
The Wilding by Maria McCann
The Winter Prince by Cheryl Sawyer
The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare YA
The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston
With Fire and Sword by Henryk Sienkiewicz reviewed by David Maclaine
The Eighteenth Century
An Accomplished Woman by Jude Morgan reviewed by Annis
The Age of Ice by J.M. Sidorova
An Appetite for Violets by Martine Bailey
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson YA/Adult
The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer
The Book of Fires by Jane Borodale reviewed by Annis
Bound by Sally Gunning
The Cavalier of the Apocalypse by Susanne Alleyn
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson YA
The Châtelet Apprentice by Jean-François Parot reviewed by David Maclaine
The Constable's Tale by Donald Smith
The Daughter of Siena by Marina Fiorato
Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Executioner's Heir by Susanne Alleyn
The Fair Fight by Anna Freeman
The Fountain of St. James Court; or, Portrait of the Artist as an Old Woman by Sena Jeter Naslund
The Glass Harmonica by Dorothee E. Kocks
Island of the Swans by Ciji Ware
Just Deceits by Michael Schein
Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors
The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
Original Death by Eliot Pattison
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Palace of Justice by Susanne Alleyn
Pirates! by Celia Rees YA
The Raven's Seal by Andrei Baltakmens
The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman
The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner YA, reviewed by Annis
Ross Poldark by Winston Graham
Sally Hemings by Barbara Chase-Riboud
Savage Lands by Clare Clark
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Thorn in My Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs
The Turncoat by Donna Thorland
The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss
The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak
The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt Och Dag
The Napoleonic Era
The Admiral's Daughter by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
Artemis by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
Betrayal by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
Caribbee by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
Casca: Napoleon's Soldier by Tony Roberts (series originated by Barry Sadler)
Clisson and Eugénie by Napoleon Bonaparte
Command by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
Conquest by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
Death to the French by C.S. Forester reviewed by Annis
For the King by Catherine Delors
Invasion by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
Kydd by Julian Stockwin reviewed by Annis
The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland
Mutiny by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
The Officer's Prey by Armand Cabasson
Now We Shall Be Entirely Free by Andew Miller reviewed by Annis
The Passion by Jeanette Winterson
The Privateer's Revenge by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
Quarterdeck by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
Rapscallion by James McGee reviewed by Annis
Seaflower by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
Tenacious by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
Victory by Julian Stockwin reviewed by David Maclaine
Nineteenth Century North America and
the Old West
Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner
Across the Endless River by Thad Carhart
Addie Slaughter by Susan L. Krueger pre-teens
The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin
Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker reviewed by Annis
The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin
The Blood of Heaven by Kent Wascom
Blue Asylum by Kathy Hepinstall
Brilliance by Anthony McCarten
Cherokee America by Margaret Verble
Courting Mr. Lincoln by Louis Bayard
Deep Creek by Dana Hand
Devil's Dream by Madison Smartt Bell
Doc by Mary Doria Russell
The Ghost of the Mary Celeste by Valerie Martin
Hallam's War by Elisabeth Payne Rosen
The Illusion of Murder by Carol McCleary
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Louisa and the Missing Heiress by Anna Maclean
Magic Words by Gerald Kolpan
Middle Passage by Charles Johnson
The Open Door by Elizabeth Maguire reviewed by Nancy Klingener
The Organ Grinder by Maan Meyers
Parlor Games by Maryka Biaggio
Prairie Avenue by Arthur Meeker
Race for the Dying by Steven F. Havill
Raven's Bride by Lenore Hart
The Richest Hill on Earth by Richard S. Wheeler
The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen
Ship Fever by Andrea Barrett
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Son by Philipp Meyer
The Sound of Building Coffins by Louis Maistros
Time and Again by Jack Finney
The Trees by Conrad Richter
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver
The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell YA
Woe to Live on by Daniel Woodrell reviewed by Annis
Nineteenth Century Europe and Europeans
Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
All This, and Heaven Too by Rachel Field
Arabella by Georgette Heyer
Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer
Beautiful Lies by Clare Clark
Beloved Poison by E.S. Thomson
The Black Tower by Louis Bayard reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Blood by E.S. Thomson
The Bride of Newgate by John Dickson Carr
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent reviewed by Annis
Cézanne's Quarry by Barbara Corrado Pope
Charlotte and Emily by Jude Morgan
A Christmas Promise by Anne Perry reviewed by Annis
Claude and Camille by Stephanie Cowell
Cotillion by Georgette Heyer
Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters
A Curable Romantic by Joseph Skibell
Death at Glamis Castle by Robin Paige
The Desert Crop by Catherine Cookson
Drood by Dan Simmons
The Empty Mirror by J. Sydney Jones
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey YA
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
Immortal Franz by Zsolt Harsanyi
The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet by Colleen McCullough
The Innocents by Bridget Walsh
In the Company of Sherlock Holmes edited by Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger
Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch reviewed by Annis
Knight of Love by Catherine LaRoche
The Leopard and the Cliff by Wallace Breem reviewed by Annis
Longbourn by Jo Baker reviewed by Annis
May 1812 by M.M. Bennetts
The Mistress of Nothing by Kate Pullinger
The Mulberry Empire by Philip Hensher
Murder Most Welcome by Nicola Slade
The Observations by Jane Harris
The Poisoning Angel by Jean Teulé
Postscript from Pemberley by Rebecca Ann Collins
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier reviewed by Annis
Requiem in Vienna by J. Sydney Jones
The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman YA
Rustication by Charles Palliser
The Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue
The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë by Laura Joh Rowland
Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh
Servants of the Map by Andrea Barrett
Sherlock Holmes, The Missing Years: Timbuktu by Vasudev Murthy
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Solitary House by Lynn Shepherd (also titled Tom-All-Alone's)
Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Stone's Fall by Iain Pears
The Strings of Murder by Oscar de Muriel
Sunflowers by Sheramy Bundrick
The Tea Lords by Hella Haasse reviewed by Annis
Tears of Pearl by Tasha Alexander
The Tumbling Girl by Bridget Walsh
The Twelve Rooms of the Nile by Enid Shomer
The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee
The Wet Nurse's Tale by Erica Eisdorfer
What Alice Knew by Paula Marantz Cohen
Where Shadows Dance by C.S. Harris
The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Twentieth Century, Europe and North America
North Americans Before and Between the Wars:
The Doctor and the Diva by Adrienne McDonnell
The Edge of Ruin by Irene Fleming
The Flying Circus by Susan Crandall
The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland
The Last Illusion by Rhys Bowen
The Last Nude by Ellis Avery
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan reviewed by Mudqueen
Mary Coin by Marisa Silver
The Muralist by B.A. Shapiro
Murder on Union Square by Victoria Thompson
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Percival's Planet by Michael Byers
The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich
Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas
Private Life by Jane Smiley
The Promise by Ann Weisgarber
Quakertown by Lee Martin
Sloane Hall by Libby Sternberg
Titanic: The Untold Story by W. Mae Kent
The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows
Twain's End by Lynn Cullen
The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig
Europeans Before and Between the Wars:
Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald
Bear No Malice by Clarissa Harwood
A Bloom in Winter by T.J. Brown
Death on the Ice by Robert Ryan reviewed by Annis
The Dig by John Preston
Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier
The Fetch by Laura Whitcomb YA
Heart of Lies by M.L. Malcolm
Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen reviewed by Susan Gillmor
An Irish Country Girl by Patrick Taylor
The Language of Bees by Laurie R. King
The Last Waltz by G.G. Vandagriff
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
The Little Russian by Susan Sherman
Mephisto Waltz by Frank Tallis
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Murder on the Cliffs by Joanna Challis
The New Countess by Fay Weldon
Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer
Relief by L.E. Butler
A River in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters
River of Darkness by Rennie Airth reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Sheer Folly by Carola Dunn
The True Memoirs of Little K by Adrienne Sharp
Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett
The World War I Period:
Across the Blood-Red Skies by Robert Radcliffe
Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear
The Cats in the Doll Shop by Yona Zeldis McDonough preteens
The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan
A Duty to the Dead by Charles Todd reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Gifts of War by Mackenzie Ford
The Jewel and the Key by Louise Spiegler YA
My Brother's Shadow by Monika Schröder YA
The Turtle Catcher by Nicole Helget
Underground by June Hutton
Why the Whales Came by Michael Morpurgo preteens
Nazi Germany and the World War II Period:
Annexed by Sharon Dogar YA
Berlin Noir by Philip Kerr reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Blackout by Connie Willis
Children and Fire by Ursula Hegi
Chrysalis by Richard Romanus
Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce
Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer
Guernica by Dave Boling reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Heidegger's Glasses by Thaisa Frank
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer
Killing Rommel by Steven Pressfield reviewed by Annis
Lisette's List by Susan Vreeland
The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys
The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean reviewed by Susan Gillmor
My Enemy's Cradle by Sara Young reviewed by Annis
Ordinary Heroes by Scott Turow reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Second Son by Jonathan Rabb reviewed by Stacey Krepel
Studio Saint-Ex by Ania Szado
The Thirty-One Kings by Robert J. Harris
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum reviewed by Susan Gillmor
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell reviewed by Susan Gillmor
Tin Sky by Ben Pastor
Transcription by Kate Atkinson
Tuscan Rose by Belinda Alexandra
The Wages of Desire by Stephen Kelly
Wandering Star by J.M.G. Le Clézio
What Is Left the Daughter by Howard Norman
White Gardenia by Belinda Alexandra
Winter in Madrid by C.J. Sansom
Yours Cheerfully by A.J. Pearce
Africa
The Fire of Origins by Emmanuel Dongala
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Strange Gods by Annamaria Alfieri
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Asia and India
The Binding Chair by Kathryn Harrison
The Convict's Sword by I.J. Parker
Daughter of Xanadu by Dori Jones Yang YA
The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye
The Fox Woman by Kij Johnson
Go Ask the River by Evelyn Eaton
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade by Diane Lee Wilson YA
Nanjing Requiem by Ha Jin
A Necessary Evil by Abir Mukherjee
Passing Under Heaven by Justin Hill reviewed by David Maclaine
Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran
Saigon by Anthony Grey reviewed by Bill Bradley
The Scent of Sake by Joyce Lebra
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
Smoke and Ashes by Abir Mukherjee
Until the Sun Falls by Cecelia Holland reviewed by David Maclaine
Australasia: Australia and New Zealand
Evergreen Falls by Kimberley Freeman
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton reviewed by Susan Gillmor
The Gentleman's Garden by Catherine Jinks reviewed by Annis
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
Rifling Paradise by Jem Poster
Latin America and the Caribbean
The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder
City of Silver by Annamaria Alfieri
Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende reviewed by Annis
Josefina's Sin by Claudia H. Long
The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire by C.M. Mayo
The Secret History of Costaguana by Juan Gabriel Vásquez
The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
The Well of Sacrifice by Chris Eboch YA
The Middle East
Alamut by Vladimir Bartol
The Bellini Card by Jason Goodwin
The Book of Saladin by Tariq Ali
The Dervish by Fraces Kazan
The Desert of Souls by Howard Andrew Jones
The Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones
Land of Marvels by Barry Unsworth reviewed by Annis
The Lion of Cairo by Scott Oden reviewed by Annis
Mother of the Believers by Kamran Pasha
Shadow of the Swords by Kamran Pasha
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