If You Like ... Historical Mysteries
These mysteries are set in the 17th, 18th or 19th centuries and provide an interesting peek into the past. All the same crimes abounded, but the laws were harder to enforce and police forces, such as they were, were ill trained, understaffed, and mostly unappreciated. (Some things never change, except the training part). This is history from a more domestic perspective.
Try some of the books and authors listed below.
- Watery Grave
- by Bruce Alexander
- Set in Georgian England in the mid 1700's and featuring Sir John Fielding, one of the founders of the Bow Street runners. Depending on where you lived justice could be fair or non-existant. In Watery Grave a grisly murder on one of His Majesty's frigates, the blind magistrate Sir John Fielding and his aide Jeremy Proctor discover that some secrets are better left alone.
- And Only to Deceive
- by Tasha Alexander
- Emily, a well off young widow in Victorian London is puzzled by the death of her husband in Africa. As she looks into his death, she hears a number of conflicting stories about him from people, especially two very different gentleman who seems to be courting her.....
- Death in the Age of Steam
- by Mel Bradshaw
- Closer to home, in Victorian Toronto, a young woman disappears. Her ex-suitor is the only one concerned about what happened to her. Thrust into the role of amateur detective he must struggle with the demands of his own job and deal with the fledgling city police.
- Snobbery With Violence
- by Marion Chesney
- Chesney is best known for her regency romances but also has a series of mysteries set in Edwardian England. Lady Rose Summer is a bright young women exploring women's social issues and longing for the independence an occupation would give her. Her parents think the whole woman's movement is dangerous. This series is a little lighter in tone than most of the preceding ones although the historical features are just as well researched.
- The Strange Files of Fremont Jones
- by Diane Day
- Fremont Jones is a young woman at the turn of the last century who moves from her parent's prosperous home in Boston to San Francisco to become a "lady typewriter" and earn her own living.
- The Devil in Bellminster
- by David Holland
- Reverend Tuckworth is a small town vicar in early 19th century England. Nearing retirement, Tuckworth struggles with doubts brought on by the loss earlier of his beloved wife. When someone murders his sexton, he must solve the case to keep from being blamed himself. An insightful look at rural England of the times and charmingly cozy.
- Under the Dragon's Tail
- by Maureen Jennings
- Jennings writes a fairly dark series about Victorian Toronto. In Under the dragon's tail a midwife is murdered. Murdoch suspects her murderer may be one of her patients. The period detail and language are very well done and when she describes the various patent medicines that people dose themselves with, you'll find yourself reflecting on all the "instant remedies" offered on the Internet today.
- The High Constable
- by Maan Meyers
- Set in the early years of the 19th century, a New-York city official and a cashbox vanish; bodies are found, and suspects are trailed, questioned and occasionally beaten before the story is gorily resolved, almost by accident. Each chapter begins with a reproduction of an actual newspaper ad from the times.
- The Cater Street Hangman
- by Anne Perry
- A young woman from a well to do family is brought up in an atmosphere of stifling propriety and confinement. Through a series of crimes in her neighbourhood she meets a police detective, someone from the lower classes, whom she would never encounter in her usual life. Through him learns a great deal about life, her family and herself. Her position in society helps her find clues that he would not have access to. They go on to solve many, many crimes together.
- Murder on Astor Place
- by Victoria Thompson
- As a midwife in turn-of-the-century New York, Sarah Brandt has seen pain and joy. Now she will work for something more--a search for justice--in a case of murder involving one of New York's richest families. Quite similar to Anne Perry, but faster moving and less gloomy.