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I love mysteries. But I am particular. Like most of what I like to read I want my mysteries historical. Like that surprises anyone. My favorite historical mystery authors include CJ Sansom, Laura Joh Rowland’s Sano Ichiro series, and now . . . an entirely new crop of wonderful sleuths.
The Lady Sherlock series
Oh, my goodness! How did I not find this earlier? There are already two books out, (with a third coming in
October!) and I had been meaning to read this new Holmes
, but always the other books and blah, blah, blah.
I’d even been on a panel with Sherry Thomas at a conference last year and came away entirely intrigued to read her take on Sherlock Holmes. So I packed A Study in Scarlet Women into my suitcase when we went on vacation and after I cracked it open, I kept sending encouraging the husband to go golf.
“No, No, I’ll be fine, dear. Yes, go golf. Have a great time . . .”
Yes, it is that good. How she weaves the original Holmes into her take on the story is nothing short of brilliant. Just go read it.
As for the next one, A Conspiracy in Belgravia, as soon as I get through a stack of reading I HAVE to do, that is the first one in the queue.
Veronica Speedwell
Deanna Raybourn is at it again, all wit and intellect and fast pace. I love her writing and Veronica Speedwell is a grand character–a butterfly hunting scientist—just wonderfully out of step in her era. I had read A
Curious Beginning (currently $2.99 on Kindle) last year and adored it–the story and characters move at the pace of a runaway train–and you just hang on and enjoy every bounce.
On a personal note, my larger-than-life grandfather was a rather famous lepidopterist (one who studies butterflies) so Veronica’s over the top personality fits my image of a butterfly hunter to a T. 
I didn’t even hesitate to pick up A Treacherous Curse — and found it even better than the first because Veronica and her reluctant partner in crime
, Stoker, just keep getting more and more . . . shall we say, interesting. Stoker alone is worth every page.
As it is, A Perilous Undertaking was just released, so my TBR is starting to groan again, but I cannot wait to go sleuthing again with Stoker.
I mean, um, Veronica . . . I suppose, if she has to come along…
So tell me, what historical mysteries do you love?
February 9th, 2018 at 8:41 am · Link
I just got both of the Lady Sherlock books and am excited to read them! I am glad to hear from you that you liked them! I might delve into them next. I am currently reading Joanna Bourne’s Beauty Like the Night. I have been reading the Maisie Dobbs books by Jacqueline Winspear too. I just finished A Dangerous Place. I love to read most genres!
February 13th, 2018 at 2:20 pm · Link
Tai, I was just blown away by Lady Sherlock. So good! Hope you love them.
February 9th, 2018 at 7:06 pm · Link
I’m currently reading Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley. I had to put aside “A Conspiracy in Belgravia” to read that one as the library has 0 renewals for the Ashley mystery. I’m also reading the Gilded Newport Mysteries by Alyssa Maxwell,and the Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries by C.S.Harris. I discovered the Rosalind Thorne mysteries by Darcie Wilde while perusing the library catalog. I’ve read the Lady Darby mysteries by Anna Lee Huber. My TBR list (non-library books)contains the Lady Arianna Regency mysteries by Andrea Penrose, Lady Emily mysteries by Tasha Alexander and the Royal Spyness mysteries by Rhys Bowen. The Maggie Hope mysteries by Susan Elia Macneal are set during WWII. If you’re interested in a female Indiana Jones, then I recommend the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries. They are not historical but contemporary.
February 13th, 2018 at 2:19 pm · Link
I find so many new reads at my library. They have at every branch a big separate shelf area with New Reads–all kinds of books that they are excited about. So it is always the first place I stop!
February 10th, 2018 at 10:58 am · Link
I love the historical mystery series too but I haven’t jumped into them in quite the numbers that you ladies have done. My favorite of course are the Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries by C. S. Harris.
I have the Jennifer Ashley Kat Halloway Victorian Mystery series on my BTB list but I do have the novella A Soupcon of Poison in my Kindle waiting TBR.
I’m also collecting the Captain Lacey Regency Mystery series by Ashley Gardner and finally, I’ve several (OK, lots) of books in the Gaslight Mystery series by Victoria Thompson.
I just don’t know if I have room on my shelves or time left in my life to add more to my ever groaning TBR shelves! There really does have to be limits! I know…wash my mouth…I said bad words in the presence of books!
Happy Reading one and all!
February 13th, 2018 at 2:18 pm · Link
New to me authors! I can’t wait. Thanks for the suggestions.