Historical semi-fiction like Philippa Gregory?

[Trills]

Any recommendations?

I'd like semi-true scandalous stories please - with real historical characters so I can Wikipedia them afterwards and feel like I've learned something.

Oh, Arthur and George by Julian Barnes is good as well, about Arthur Conan Doyles real life involvement in a murder case.

Apparently Mrs Bernard Cornwell is a huge Phillipa Gregory fan while Mr Phillipa Gregory likes Bernard Cornwell's novels.

So the authors always send the other author's spouse copies of their new books!

Oh yes, Arthur & George was very good. True story, real characters, one of whom is Arthur Conan Doyle.

I love that, shergar.

Restoration by Rose Tremain and its sequel Merivel

I've remembered another one - Crown in Candlelight by Rosemary Hawley Jarman.

I second Ladies Maid, excellent. Also would suggest Fingersmith (Sarah Waters) and The Observations by ? Harris is very good.
The best historical novelist ever, imo, was Norah Lofts, sadly unappreciated now.
I read the Earthly Joys series years ago and thought they were disgusting.and not in a good way.

What about Dorothy Dunnett? I loved the Lymond series. Less keen on Nicholas, but not bad.

Seconded Josephine Tay.

I thought Wolf Hall turgid.

I don't know of you can get them, but D K Broster the Flight if the Heron, The Gleam in the North and the Dark Mile, wonderful and weepy.

and Margaret Irwin.

If you want a bodice ripper, the Angelique series are good for a giggle.

Restoration's wonderful. I listened to it on audiobook. Have just got Merivel also on audiobook. I'm going to be working my way through Rose Tremain's other novels. She is a fabulous writer.

I read Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle recently. Was rather good. Lots of historical detail. A little lightweight in places but hugely entertaining pageturner.

Have also got John Saturnall's Feast (sorry can't remember author's name) waiting on kindle and a couple of Sharon Penman's novels.

Sarah Dunant's historical novels are good. I would recommend both Sacred Hearts and In the Company of the Courtesan.

I like Game of Thrones so have no problem with some early French Kings :)

Catherine Baileys The Secret Rooms. It is about the Duke of Rutland primarily during WW1, well written and plenty of scandal!

Not quite the same but Daphne du Maurier's The King's General is set during the civil war and incorporates real life characters

I adored Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies

Was coming in to suggest Dorothy Dunnett. Love love love the Lymond saga, and like like like Nicholas's saga

Has anyone mentioned Susan Howatch, Wheel of Fortune - definitely based on historical stuff, but as I've forgotten I can't tell you what it is exactly. A big thick book to get completely lost in.

Conn iggulden, his Ghengis Khan books are some of the most amazing books I've read, never had any interest in Ghengis at all, purely from a friend, 5 books in total all make you feel you are there!! Please try them you won't be dissapointed !

Ooh those Genghis Khan books look good. Thanks for the recommendation

cynthia Harrod Eagles has written a huge number of books following 1 family from the war of the roses to present time. Said family is very influential so lots of court intrigue etc following historical fact

Fever by Mary Beth Keane is absolutely amazing. Based on a real person but it doesn't feel fake like some RP fiction can. Alias Grace by Margaret Attwood is another one although I didn't realise Grace was a real person until the end.

I absolutely loved Company of Liars which was. MNet recommendation. It's set during the plague and very gripping.

Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue (another historical fiction based on a true story, a bit shocking and sad).

I am currently reading the Boleyn King - totally fictional but has real people in it.

I second Katherine by Anya Seton. Best historical novel ever. I also liked these two books about Mary Queen of Scots. Immortal Queen. And the Gay Galliard. Both probably out of print for years but not scarce.

I loved Edith Pargeter (the woman who wrote the Cadfael books' real name) books about Llewellyn the Great of Gwynedd, and A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury, about Henry IV and V (basically the same story as the Shakespeare Henries but without Falstaff). They were written a fairly long time ago but that doesn't matter with historical fiction. She's ace.

Agree Katherine, didn't like the others so much.

I enjoy Daphne du Maurier's historic ones, eg The Glassblowers. Rosemary Sutcliff's The Rider of the White Horse about Thomas Fairfax, Cromwell's General of Horse, is excellent.

I.found Pargeter lacking in humour, the lighter stiff, but perhaps that was just the age I read it.

If you like the navy, then obviously the Hornblowers and also what's his name, about Maturin.

For sentimental but charming, The Dean's watch by Elizabeth Goudge, ditto The White Witch. And the one about New Zealand .

If you like the army, the The Spanish Wife and An infamous army by Georgette Heyer. The latter used to be used ny Sandhurst to describe the Battle if Waterloo.

Another recommendation for Sharon Penman here. 'The Sunne in Splendour' about Richard III (sympathetic) is wonderful, and she's written lots of others. Far superior to Philippa G really who tends to sensationalise and twist facts a bit too much, although I have enjoyed a lot of hers.