Historical Fiction recommendations please?

[jacksonlambsregulardisorder]

Good morning all,

I love historical fiction and am looking for recommendations, please. I'm not particularly committed to any time period but would probably not choose Ancient (never been particularly interested) or Tudor (which I do like but have read much too much of recently!). My favourite authors are Mantell, Harris, Boyd etc. What have I missed that you recommend?

Many thanks in advance.

The Cadfael books by Ellis Peters are one of my go-to comfort reads

I LOVE Cadfael and have them all - like you, for me they're a go-to comfort read and again, completely mad dramatic times, why do we see so little of The Anarchy?!

I came on to recommend Barbara Erskine Ive read Lady of Hay (which was her first novel) Kingdom of Shadows and Hiding From The Light. These are all set in two time zones , a historical one and the then present day. There was a 30th anniversary edition of Lady of Hay with a new chapter added. Its forty years next year since this was released.

Another one here fur Philippa Gregory and Norah Lofts. Also Jean Plaidy, who wrote as Philippa Carr and Victoria Holt, a prolific author of well researched and written historical novels

Pillars of the Earth is set in the Anarchy, which is fascinating. But it's soooo long and I found the pattern of "everything's a bit shit for a couple of chapters...things are starting to get better for everyone for a few chapters...oh,everything seems to be going well for everyone, that's nice....haaa no fooled you here's a big disaster and everything's a bit shit again" got a bit emotionally draining after the first five hundred pages or so.

For an unusual one SG MacLean has a series set during Cromwell’s protectorate which are excellent for period setting.

Minette Walters - her historical fiction books are amazing. Also another vote for Lisa See - I've been working my way through her catalogue.

David Penny. Thomas Berersford series.
Set in Spain during the reign of Isabella and Ferdinand - the story does then move to Tudor England (when Catherine of Aragon does)

I love a good viking story, so the last kingdom books by Bernard Cornwell fit that bill. There are a lot of them though, so you do get a bit incredulous that all this can happen to one person after a while. The tv series is good too.

I know you said not ancient. But I have to recommend the Boudica series by Manda Scott. Starting with Dreaming the Eagle. Amazing epic story telling saga of the fight between the local tribes of Briton and in invading Roman army. With a heavy dash of mysticism following the Gods of the tribes and the Romans. I love the series so much.

Katherine by Anya Seton set in reigns of Edward III and Richard II

Oh wow! How did I not know that about Jean Plaidy and her many pen names! I first knew of her from her children’s books. Just looked her up.

Y,Y to the Poldark novels (much better than the series) and Cadfael.
I've just discovered Andrew Taylor and would recommend. Also Sarah Waters. Especially Fingersmith and Tipping The Velvet.

I’ve just finished ‘The Square of Sevens’ by Laura Shepherd Robinson - it’s set in the 18th century and is a very enjoyable tour of the aristocracy and demi-monde. In a similar vein are ‘The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock’ by Imogen Gowar and ‘Golden Hill’ by Francis Spufford. I also love a bit of naval history - Patrick O’Brien’s Master and Commander series is a work of genius.

I've just remembered Mary Stewart's Arthurian novels starting with The Crystal Cave. They're fantastic. Why are women so good at these,?

We Speak No Treason by Rosemary Hawley Jarman. The story of Richard III as told by three women in his life. Superb and one of my absolute favorite books.

Also, another vote for Pat Barker's Troy trilogy and Edward Rutherford's family sagas, especially London and Sarum.

Agree! I also like The Puritan Princess and The Rebel Daughter by Miranda Malins which are from the perspective of Cromwell's daughters.

The Hornblower series.

Edward Rutherford writes massive single-volume novels covering the history of one city each. I've read London and Sarum, and enjoyed them both. He follows several fictional families over 20 or more centuries.

If you like the Cadfael books, you might like Ellis Peter’s historical novels, written under her real name of Edith Pargeter: A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury (set in the early 15th century); The Brothers of Gwynedd quartet; the Marriage of Megotta; and The Heaven Tree Trilogy - all set in the 13th century.

I saw someone recommended the Lymond Saga, and I’d also suggest Dunnett’s King Hereafter, a retelling of Macbeth.

Pillars of the Earth and the other 4 in the same series are brilliant

Ooh yes, I love these books, read them several times!

Agree Andrew Taylor's 'Ashes of London' series. Also Elodie Harper's Pompeii trilogy, the Wolf Den
Not seen mentioned here 'Nicholas Shelby' series by S.W. Perry (maybe because very end of the Tudor period)
Have discovered Diane Norman. The Vizard Mask a particularly good one of hers. Other notables Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten (Imperial Russia) and Shame the Devil - Donna Scott (Civil War)

I have just finished the Essex Dogs trilogy by Dan Jones, set in Edward the third reign.
Enjoyed Susanna Gregory, Matthew Bartholomew Books and Chaloner books are an easy read.
Also love Cadfael and not forgetting Shardlake.

C. F. Dunn's The Tarnished Crown series is wonderful. Also set during the Wars of the roses.

Liza of Lambeth by Somerset Maugham for some gritty, Victorian slum history. Short but powerful I thought.