Historical Fiction Recommendations

[RCohle]

I've just finished the last of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series and I'd love some recommendations for what I should read next.

I've read (and enjoyed!) some of the usual suspects like Dorothy Dunnett, the Shardlake series, Ken Follett and C.S. Forester. I also really enjoy books more in the historical romance line like the Outlander series and Georgette Heyer.

Very grateful for any suggestions.

Thanks very much for the additional recommendations.

I like the sound of The Beginning of Spring. I loved the Bronze Horseman trilogy set in WWII Russia but haven't read any other Russian-set historical fiction.

BakingDemon I'm so glad you're enjoying it! There is something so lovely about someone trying your recommendation and liking it

shamelessly marking for ideas....

They're a bit lightweight but there is a whole series of books called the Dynasty series by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles. They follow one family starting in around the Tudor times up as far as the 1920s (she seems to have got bored and not finished them). The key events of the times are seen through the eyes of the family members.

Absolutely second the Chronicles of St Mary’s, fabulous series.

I’m a Georgette fan as well, have you read her mysteries? Her histories are also good (pretty much only available second hand or on Kindle).

Cadfael is such a joy, the descriptive language is just a pleasure.

I’ve also loved picking up Rosemary Sutcliffe novels on Kindle. I know they were originally YA but they have stood the test of time due to the immensely high quality of the research.

I was coming on to say Sharon Penman. You can easily get her books on amazon. She is fantastic.

Elizabeth Chadwick is also good. Both she and Sharon really do their research.

I'd give Phillipa Gregory a huge body swerve. Her earlier stuff was okay, but she appears to have given up on research and is just intent on churning out books at a rate to match Danielle Steel with just as much depth and content.

The Shardlake series is good. I haven't got into the last book, but in my defence, I hurt my thumb so am struggling even more than usual to hold such a large book and we got a puppy at the same time and daren't take our eyes off him...

Anne O'Brien is quite goo, too. I also really like Susanna Kearsley. Barbara Erskine lost her way a bit for a while, I felt, but Sleeper's Castle was excellent.

Dippy, thanks for the recommendation for Cynthia Harrod-Eagles. I loved her Bill Slider crime series. She has a weakness for awful puns! Memorable characters and good plots. I would imagine she spins an engaging story.
It's funny how one's taste changes with age, though. I read and re-read Dorothy Dunnett in my teens, but can't abide them now. Her hero annoys me.
I love Aubrey/Maturin, St Mary's, and the wonderful Georgette Heyer. I have tracked down hardback copies of most of her books, after my paperbacks disintegrated!
Will look out for the Temeraire stories. I recently read a fantasy novel by Naomi Novik and really enjoyed it.

Iain Pears "An Instance of the Fingerpost". Charles II has returned to England and his throne. Religion is still in turmoil. This is a beautifully written book, his best.

Alison Weir’s fictionalised biographies of Henry VIII’s queens (she has published the first three so far) are great.

I also love Phillips Gregory’s books - the Cousins’ War series, and The Constant Princess, The Other Boleyn Girl, and the Boleyn Inheritance are particular favourites.