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I need help finding a new book. Any suggestions? I love historic fiction but will read just about anything.

I need help finding a new book. Any suggestions? I love historic fiction but will read just about anything.

Jessica #recommend #historical fiction

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171 Answers

Jessica

Have you read Ken Folletts Century Trilogy?

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JessicaQuestion author

I have and loved them!

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Jessica

Same here. Have you read Outlander?

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Jessica

Or Conn Igguldens War of the Roses series.

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JessicaQuestion author

I haven’t read either. I’ll definitely look those up.

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Jessica

Oh then you must read the Outlander series first by Diana Gabaldon. Also a tv series

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JessicaQuestion author

Thanks ma’am!

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Mickey

Outlander series

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Suzie

Definitely Outlander!

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Hanna

I also recommend Outlander!

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Heather

Me, too!!

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Hilary

Try C.J.Sansom’s Shardlake series.

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Chrissie

I love C.J.Samson!

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Kirsty

I would definitely recommend this series too.

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Chrissie

Try Philippa Gregory and Aliso Weir.

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Catherine

Try Edward Rutherford’s novels. Each one takes place in a different city from the beginning of its origins to the present, including multi generational characters. I’ve enjoyed, “New York,” “Paris,” and “London.”

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Alex

Augustus

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Albert

James Michener

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Mandy

Bella Andre is one of my favorite authors.

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Fatima

The Book of Lost Things, All The Light we Cannot See & The Nightingale

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Jazzy

Flight of the Sparrow by Amy Belding Brown.

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John

You okay with violence? I have a series you might like

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JessicaQuestion author

Yes I am

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John

https://www.wattpad.com/story/44004639-the-venom-protocols Hope you enjoy it 🙂

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Bernith

The Diary of Anne Frank

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Bernith

Its not fic but its one of my favs, hope u like it

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Spyridoula

The shadow of the wind (Carlos Ruiz Zafon). such a great book! I couldn t stop reading! This literary mystery opens in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books…

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Alli

If you look at my most recent post I got some great recommendations!

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محمد

Pillars of the Earth. Thank me later.

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JessicaQuestion author

I’ve read this one. I love Ken and have preordered the next book.

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Magda

CJ Sansom – Shardlake series are good.

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Ashley

If you like historical fiction, I recommend Abraham Lincoln vampire hunter. So unexpectedly good! I’m reading the sequel now and just love it!

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JessicaQuestion author

Thanks y’all. I’m really excited about checking these books/authors out.

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Jeanette

At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen is good.

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Philmore

Anna: Edward Marston, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, Kate Ellis, Arnaldur Indridason, Elly Griffiths?

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Rebecca

Jeffrey Archer’s The Clifton Chronicles.

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Nancy

Just finished the Lilac Girls. Great read

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Louise

Loved that one.

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Nancy

Try the Nazi General’s Wife

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Arjun

Try ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ by Amor Towles

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Louise

Anything by Allyson Richman, Susanna Kersley, Kate Morton, Katherine Webb.

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Ronald

The Authobiograpy of Henry VIII by Margaret George.

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Arjun

You could also give Hilary Mantel a go.

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Stacey

A discovery of witches. There are a ton of historic references.

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Melissa

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter is good historical fiction. I enjoyed it very much.

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Germaine

Historical fiction I enjoyed reading recently:
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier.
The Tsarina’s Daughter by Carolly Erickson.
The Darwin Conspiracy by John Darnton.
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky.

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Faya

Ruby Red trilogy. I just started reading this, and it’s about time travel and history

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Bethany

SHOGUN! I just finished it and it was awesome!

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Sanne

I don’t know if it counts as historical fiction (never been good at keeping genres apart) but The Gospel of Loki bij Joanne Harris is really good.

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JessicaQuestion author

I read every genre really. I’ll check it out

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Wendy

I love anything by Joanne Harris

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Wendy

Anything by Tracy Chevalier is great historic fiction

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Dorothy

…set in Amsterdam in the 17 century…normally I really dont like historical fiction and avoid it, but my cousin gifted it to me and …I loved it..!!!! Beautiful… even one of my fav recent novels…<3

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Tavoulari

The Sword of Attila: A Novel of the Last Years of Rome by michael curtis ford and Shogun by james clavell ! Both are enjoyable readings and worth your time !!! ❤

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Cherri

the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Sarah’s Key, All the Light We Cannot See.

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Wendy

I just started reading All the Light we Cannot See….so far I love how they are introducing the setting and the characters

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Amanda

I processed ‘all the light’ this week, at a small library where I volunteer and a woman from my bookclub had read it (and discussed it) when it first came out.

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Bill

The Source, Michener

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Tollibab

The Eyre Affair !

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Ralph

visit your library ?

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Maha

Ken Follett’s Century trilogy, Edward Rutherford London, Paris, New York and Dublin.

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Cynthia

Aren’t the Rutherford books great?

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Maha

Loved them. Glad you feel the same. Can’t wait for his next city, next novel.

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Tanveer

Alex Rutherford

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Tori

Have you read Outlander??

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JessicaQuestion author

Not yet

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Gail

go back to the 70’s with The Kent Family Chronicles by John Jakes — a series from American Revolution to approximately 1900s or the North & South trilogy also by John Jakes. (North & South became a tv miniseries starring Patrick Swayze as Orry Main)

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Shaerry

I love that series !! I’ve read it 3 times !! I have all but the first one because I lent it to someone and she gave it away !!! I’m trying to find it again !!!

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Shaerry

I have the North and South too !!!

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Cynthia

Either “London” or “Paris” by Edward Rutherford.

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Shaerry

Have you read California Gold by John Jakes ??? I loved that book !!!

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Alli

Have you read The Eight by Katherine Neville? One of my favorite historic fiction novels of all time!

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Elizabeth

Have you read The Kitchen House by @Kathleen, and if so, have you read her second one titled Glory Over Everything? Two of the BEST books I’ve ever read!!!

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George

“Being There,” by Jerzy Kosińsk, for a rewarding experience in a different way :):):)i

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Maria

I suppose you’ve already read The Book Thief?

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JessicaQuestion author

Yes ma’am

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Maria

Have you read Kindred by Octavia E. Butler? The main character travels back in time.

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Gabrielle

Wolf hall

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Andrea

The Bronze Horseman trilogy – Paullina Simons 🙂

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Timothy

House of night series

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Keri

Have you read Fortunes Rock’s by Anita Shreve? It is historical fiction. I couldn’t put it down.

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Catherine

Goodnight, Mr. Tom. Historical fiction about the children sent from London to farms during WWII.

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Catherine

“The Girl You Left Behind” by Jo Jo Moyes. France during WWII.

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Christi

Ahab’s Wife

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Claire

Phillipa Gregory books are wonderful!

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Barbara

“A Man Called Ove”

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JessicaQuestion author

I read that one and loved it

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Maggie

I wonder if you might enjoy the Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries by Kerry Greenwood. Based in 1920’s Melbourne, Australia. Very enjoyable light reads with a lovely dash of history thrown in really well.

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Vera

I’m enjoying The Alice Network right now.

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Nancy

Have you read Ken Follett “The Pillars of the Earth” I loved it, It is a long book but kept my interest.

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Jamie

Maeve Binchy–Irish author of mainstream novels. The best characterization I’ve seen since John Steinbeck. Her books are long, but go amazingly fast because they’re so engrossing. And if you’re at all interested in Ireland, they’re great for that too.

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Kristyn

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber.

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JessicaQuestion author

This one was so good

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Faith

If you like historical fiction, maybe try “The Iron King” by Maurice Druon. I thought it was a little dry, but I’m not a big fan of historical fiction. I just tried it to read something different.

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Brenna

Killer Angels!!

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Jamie

Read it! I’ll have to add more of Michael Shaara’s books to my list.

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Jonathan

Apologies for the self promotion, but please consider my historical time-travel fantasy, The Witchfinder’s Well. https://www.amazon.com/Witchfinders-Well-Jonathan-Posner-ebook/dp/B019X3WEUS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478731104&sr=1-1&keywords=the+witchfinder%27s+well

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Traci

Some great historical murder mysteries are the Sister Fidelma mysteries by Peter Tremayne (mid-7th century Ireland) and the Maisie Dobbs mysteries (World War I and its aftermath). Some of the best I’ve ever read!

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Karen

Love Maisie Dobbs!!!

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Lise

Shell Seekers

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Megan

Wintersong is great!!!

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Sarah

I’m reading unbroken right now and it’s been fantastic!

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Amanda

Between Shades of Gray, Salt to the Sea, and Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys are historical fiction and they are all great!

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Riddhi

The kiterunner

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Trish

Cut of the cross or dead to rights – both by Robert L Gold

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Steve

The Inner Eye of Love- William Johnston

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Susan

The long walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela??

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Siri

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Brenna

You don’t just snap a picture of your book- you build it a hallowed nest. It’s beautiful!

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Paul

I’ve just finished this one – cover to cover in 2 nights. It’s got a Jack Reacher flavour with the added bonus of a ton of potent sensuality. Definitely well worth reading. ?

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Yannie

Lauren Willig’ flower spy books. Amazing series “Secret History of the Pink Carnation” is book one and the book series is done. There are like 8 or more books. So much fun!

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JessicaQuestion author

Y’all are all so awesome! My TBR list is huge now

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Germaine

Victoria Thompson’s gaslight mysteries are engrossing and have just the right atmosphere of that time period.

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Germaine

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.

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Keri

I really liked the Orphan Train! Great book!

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Germaine

I loved it! And it was good to learn about this part of history that no one mentions.

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Eric

A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss ????

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Allison

Gentleman from Moscow

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Cheryl

If you like historical fiction I recommend anything by Philipa Gregory if you haven’t already read them!

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Stacey

I’m currently reading mrs. Lincoln’s dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini

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LaVonne

Immortal Life of Henreitta Lacks, The All Girl Filling Stations Last Reunion, The Kitchen House, Those Who Save Us, Prayers for Sale, Mudbound, Sarah’s Key, Birdsong,

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Catherine

“Those Who Saved Us,” and definitely, “Sarah’s Key”❤️

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Wendy

Seen Sarah’s key mentioned quite a few times. What is it about?

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Catherine

@Wendy
Historic fiction that tells the story of a young girl in occupied France during WWIl who locks her little brother in a secret closet to keep him safe from the family’s arrest, thinking that she will return home shortly. After the war, a journalist is asked to research this and find the missing pieces concerning the little brother and Sarah’s story.
This is a wonderful book!

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Wendy

@Catherine thanks for the good summary…without giving the mystery away….

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Catherine

@Wendy
??

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LaVonne

All the ones i listed are really good reads- and a large variety of areas in history.

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Jon

For historical fiction I would suggest Turtledove or Stirling. But, I heartily recommend ANYTHING by Joe Abercrombie!

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Tom

If you love Historic Fiction, I would highly recommend “La Sombra del Viento” (The Shadow of the Wind) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Hands down, one of the best books I’ve ever read. You can find it on Amazon.

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Caroline

Hi Jessica ~ I highly recommend these 2 books….both historical fictions.

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.
the Kitchen house by Kathleen Grissom

I loved both of them

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Wendy

Year of Wonders was a powerful book…good suggestion!

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Michelle

Deborah Harness. A discovery of witches. Is a trilogy. I loved it???

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Julia

Euphoria

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Wendy

Is that the one about the anthropologists?

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Julia

Yes, Margaret Mead and Geoffrey Bateson.

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Laura

Washington Spies

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Will

The Outlander series

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Jeannie

The Progeny by Tosca Moon Lee. A great read!

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Jasmine

Anything by the author Kristen Ashley is amazing!!

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Anne

Anne Perry has three very good historical fiction mystery series going, ranging from about the 1850s to WWI.
Ellis Peters wrote the “Brother Cadfael (sp?) Series, set in England during the Crusades.
Carole Nelson Douglas’ “Irene Addler” series, that follows “the only woman who outwitted Sherlock Holmes.” ( S. H. is NOT a character in these books, and is only mentioned briefly in the books)
The “Freemont Jones” mysteries, by Dianne Day. Set in post earthquake San Francisco(1906? Or 1908)
The “Benjamin January” series, following “a free man, of color in pre-Civil War, New Orleans. By Barbara Hambly.

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Farida

Georgette Hayer is very good

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Sihl

I am saving this post and not reading any of these comments yet. Because I know I will be wanting to read all these great suggestions. I’ll be adding all these books to my TBR list!!

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Judy

If you read the first Outlander book, there are 8 in the series, #9 comes out, hopefully next year, I think you will find all the historical fiction you can handle. I have checked on the accuracy and found it to be spot-on. I’m a little crazy that way. This is not a typical read for me but I really love the entire series. I hope you will try it and enjoy it as much as I do.

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Riyaz

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

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Katrina

Killers of the Flower Moon

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Gottfrid

The classic science fiction horror novel “I Am Legend” by Richard Matheson from 1954.

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Rosie

A young adult historical fiction is The Carter Journals. It involves time travel to meet certain people.

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Sizwe

a SALEM KIRBAN entitled, 999

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ⴼⴰ

Jhon Connolly “The Book of The Lost Things ” I liked the imagination of the author so much especially when it was related to books themselves.

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Alexandra

A lovely trilogy with historical roots is The Languedoc Trilogy by Kate Mosse: Labirinth, Sepulcher and Citadel.

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Charmaine

Have you tried Lesley Pearse books, they are really great. Some of them are historical fiction like Remember me, and Belle trilogy (my favorite).

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JessicaQuestion author

I’ll check them out thank you

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Renee

Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series

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Michele

Have you read Dreamland Burning?

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JessicaQuestion author

No I haven’t

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Michele

I’m just starting it but I have heard it’s good! 🙂

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JessicaQuestion author

I’ll check it out. Thanks!

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Michele

It has 4.7 stars on Amazon, which is pretty good for Amazon.

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Alison

have you ever read the Rangers Apprentice series?

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JessicaQuestion author

No I haven’t

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Alison

It’s a good series, it has lots of adventure, and action.

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Fiona

Edward Marston has several different historical crime fiction series. He was a history teacher and works from his strength. Enjoy

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Barter

‘Under a Wide and Starry Sky, ‘story of Robert Louis Stevenson and his American wife.Or for something completely different try ‘Station Eleven’.

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Jason

I enjoyed these.

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Jason

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Jason

Don’t think they fall under the category of “historical fiction” but good reads Nonetheless.

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Angie

The Other Einstein- Marie Benedict
The Silent Land- David Dunham
Virgin of the Wind Rose- Glen Craney

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Anwesh

Pick any thing from The Sharpe Series.

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Allison

Pachinko

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Amy

I really like Sharan Newman’s medieval mysteries. Also if you want a deep, complex read (and yes these are books that you will want to reread!), Dorothy Dunnett’s Francis Crawford of Lymond series. Warning: it can take a bit to get into the first book, but it’s worth it. And Francis is the main protagonist. You can’t all him a hero because sometimes he does things that will make you want to smack his head against the wall! The period setting is the childhood and youth of Mary, Queen of Scots. But Francis ends up all over the place, even to Russia!

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Cynthia

My only credo for historical fiction is that it is accurate. So many state for fact something that is actually fiction….because they read it in a historical fiction book. Edward Rutherford (e.g. Paris, London, New York, Sarum) deals in fact. If he veers from it, he will explain where in the back of the book.

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