Best Mysteries With a Historical Setting
- List of the Month
- May 2024 (see all)
- Description
- May is Mystery Month, and in honor of the occasion our List of the Month this time around is devoted to the Best Mysteries With a Historical Setting. The books themselves can be published during any period, including contemporaneously. For the purpose of this list, "historical" is defined as anything set during or before the 1950s. Each participant may vote on ten titles. Please only downvote titles if they do not fit the theme, and are either not mysteries or not historical in setting.
1
by Umberto Eco
21,733 members
335 reviews
4.2
Score 156.64
Added 2024-05-06, 09:36 AM
- 42 Members
- Aquila, janoorani24, paradoxosalpha, EerierIdyllMeme, TedWitham, wolfepack, kleo, BooksPlease, abbottthomas, wdwilson3, Caesia, airgid, FAMeulstee, accessit, CarltonC, elenchus, birder4106, Stewdar, dallenbaugh, vwinsloe, Dorritt, zmeischa, Bookwomble, MTCDBIBLIO, Boand, RODNEYP, CeskaDiana, NitinKhanna, Thelamon1, Monty_Grover, feanor451, yeshis, MyFathersDragon, dkidwell, RHeli, WPC1947, Mnmwi7, fricksalad, stupidfresh, john654, ervisd, Nigellicus
- Explanations
- Boand: Fascinating history and a very twisted tale that keeps you guessing right until the end. Life in a European monastery and the process of writing books is beautifully described.
2
6,630 members
252 reviews
3.9
Score 101.22
Added 2024-05-06, 09:59 AM
- 28 Members
- scriveling, lorax, Cecilturtle, janoorani24, TeresaInTexas, EerierIdyllMeme, BooksPlease, abbottthomas, wdwilson3, merrystar, nessreader, kleh, perennialreader, Mweb, DidIReallyReadThat, zmeischa, noveltea, awwolfe1, Dayclear, janey9, ManWithAnAgenda, RODNEYP, feanor451, yeshis, SaraElizabeth11, dkidwell, Bookladycma, RHeli
3
by Ellis Peters
4,421 members
117 reviews
3.8
Score 80.05
Added 2024-05-06, 08:48 AM
- 26 Members
- lorax, tardis, TeresaInTexas, MajorRakal, abbottthomas, raidergirl3, Caesia, FAMeulstee, CarltonC, sturlington, Stewdar, DidIReallyReadThat, JohnChic, BonnieJune54, eclbates, al.vick, Bookwomble, AbigailAdams26, awwolfe1, SF_fan_mae, Abcdarian, llarsson7, feanor451, yeshis, MyFathersDragon, RHeli, ,zmeischa
4
- 20 Members
- andyl, lorax, janoorani24, MajorRakal, charl08, lizzy50usa, Caesia, CarltonC, nessreader, Matke, RBeffa, DidIReallyReadThat, Maddz, eclbates, Dorritt, TerriLenhart, MTCDBIBLIO, srsrhs, JoeB1934, Bookladycma,CeskaDiana
- Explanations
- Maddz: The 1st of the Falco series - a hard-boiled detective in Vespasian's Rome.
5
6,476 members
303 reviews
4.1
Score 60.56
Added 2024-05-06, 04:03 PM
- 18 Members
- scriveling, karenb, Herenya, jeshakespeare, lizzy50usa, saskia17, DidIReallyReadThat, Tanya-dogearedcopy, DAPoalillo, nrmay, TerriLenhart, Dayclear, llarsson7, RODNEYP, yeshis, SuSu2, rmaniel, AranelST
6
20,572 members
470 reviews
4.1
Score 57.43
Added 2024-05-06, 09:35 AM
- 21 Members
- LadyUndomiel, TeresaInTexas, jeshakespeare, njtrout, merrystar, birder4106, perennialreader, Dorritt, zmeischa, SF_fan_mae, Dayclear, Andrew_Orange, Boand, RODNEYP, skid0612, Thelamon1, yeshis, SaraElizabeth11, Mnmwi7, fricksalad, stupidfresh,andyl ,lilithcat ,Sarielle , , ,feanor451
- Explanations
- lilithcat : Not an historical mystery, as it was set during the era in which it was written.merrystar: List description specifies that the story need only be set prior to the 1950s; publication date does not matterBoand: Simply one of the best crime mysteries ever written with the most shocking denouement if you’re reading it for the first time. Set in 1934, the year it was written so qualifies for this list!feanor451: Virtually no historical elements in the story. I think The Secret Adversary would have been a more fitting Agatha Christie novel for this list.
7
4,974 members
246 reviews
3.9
Score 45.33
Added 2024-05-06, 04:18 PM
- 15 Members
- tardis, lizzy50usa, Caesia, Sarielle, DidIReallyReadThat, BonnieJune54, Maddz, eclbates, noveltea, llarsson7, MyFathersDragon, Bookladycma, WPC1947, Kalira, AranelST
- Explanations
- Maddz: The first Amelia Peabody.
8
9
- 15 Members
- Herenya, lizzy50usa, saskia17, Caesia, merrystar, Dorritt, TerriLenhart, robenc, Andrew_Orange, lamplightweaver, slimikin, Paulasmithy, yeshis, SuSu2, ervisd,andyl ,feanor451
- Explanations
10
by Alan Bradley
8,502 members
684 reviews
3.8
Score 44.08
Added 2024-05-07, 04:42 PM
- 14 Members
- lorax, ReshiBec, lahochstetler, terran, airgid, nessreader, Matke, vancouverdeb, BonnieJune54, bookcookie1920, gypsysmom, robenc, llarsson7, CatotheElder
- Explanations
- airgid: Got in just under the wire and this is just hilarious and lovely.
11
25,361 members
613 reviews
4.2
Score 42.72
Added 2024-05-07, 10:40 AM
- 15 Members
- LadyUndomiel, Euryale, lahochstetler, BooksPlease, Mweb, DAPoalillo, nrmay, TerriLenhart, SF_fan_mae, Dayclear, Andrew_Orange, Yuki-Onna, yeshis, Red-Hawk, stupidfresh,feanor451
12
- 14 Members
- MajorRakal, BooksPlease, abbottthomas, raidergirl3, Caesia, CarltonC, Stewdar, RBeffa, Mweb, souloftherose, Dorritt, gypsysmom, al.vick, feanor451
13
- 13 Members
- tardis, Euryale, lahochstetler, jeshakespeare, raidergirl3, lizzy50usa, Caesia, dallenbaugh, bookcookie1920, SF_fan_mae, Dayclear, JoeB1934, john654
- Explanations
- lizzy50usa: The book that introduced the inimitable Phryne Fisher.
14
18,309 members
930 reviews
4
Score 39.08
Added 2024-05-06, 09:53 PM
- 13 Members
- janoorani24, lahochstetler, raidergirl3, Matke, sturlington, perennialreader, vancouverdeb, TerriLenhart, msjudy, Dayclear, Lisa.Domke, Tosta, lamplightweaver
15
- 13 Members
- MajorRakal, BooksPlease, crystal075, Matke, BonnieJune54, Dorritt, nrmay, TerriLenhart, awwolfe1, msemmag, yeshis, SaraElizabeth11, CatotheElder
16
4,270 members
256 reviews
3.9
Score 36.63
Added 2024-05-06, 09:39 AM
- 11 Members
- ReshiBec, charl08, raidergirl3, claire.rivers, DidIReallyReadThat, gypsysmom, al.vick, ccreads247, Abcdarian, Boand, CatotheElder
- Explanations
- al.vick: love that this one has a woman as the detective when it is set so long ago.ccreads247: Enjoyed reading a well written medieval mystery featuring a woman sleuth. No shrinking violets here!Boand: My favourite from this wonderful series set in medieval Europe describing medical practices and herbal healing as well as a cracking murder mystery.
17
- 11 Members
- anglemark, rarm, Stevil2001, raidergirl3, zmeischa, TerriLenhart, Onilyn, ManWithAnAgenda, RODNEYP, Paulasmithy, yeshis
18
- 11 Members
- ReshiBec, perennialreader, Mweb, Tess_W, TerriLenhart, Onilyn, RODNEYP, Carrieida, yeshis, SuSu2, SaraElizabeth11,Porua
- Explanations
- Porua: In my opinion, "The Woman in White" cannot be categorized as a "mystery" per se. Collins' "The Moonstone" fits more into this category but not this book.
19
1,399 members
81 reviews
3.8
Score 30.86
Added 2024-05-06, 09:58 AM
- 10 Members
- scriveling, karenb, Euryale, lahochstetler, crystal075, DidIReallyReadThat, zmeischa, MBAdams, Onilyn, lamplightweaver
20
- 10 Members
- LadyUndomiel, gsc55, Sarielle, souloftherose, eclbates, TerriLenhart, Onilyn, ManWithAnAgenda, slimikin, Bookladycma
21
30,860 members
1,104 reviews
4.1
Score 28.66
Added 2024-05-14, 07:05 AM
- 9 Members
- terran, dancesports, Rommert, TerriLenhart, MTCDBIBLIO, Andrew_Orange, llarsson7, ManWithAnAgenda, jnsp13
22
2,031 members
132 reviews
3.8
Score 27.71
Added 2024-05-07, 03:56 PM
- 9 Members
- MajorRakal, navelos, Sarielle, perennialreader, bookcookie1920, janey9, llarsson7, JoeB1934, dkidwell
23
20,255 members
496 reviews
3.9
Score 26.89
Added 2024-05-07, 05:51 AM
- 9 Members
- kleo, FAMeulstee, elenchus, nessreader, Stewdar, TheLOFT, MTCDBIBLIO, Lisa.Domke, skid0612,Matke
24
- 9 Members
- scriveling, TeresaInTexas, Caesia, gypsysmom, awwolfe1, SF_fan_mae, Boand, JoeB1934, AranelST
- Explanations
- Boand: Very hard to choose just one of Ellis Peters’ books, but this is a favourite set in a little known period of English history.
25
1,003 members
41 reviews
3.9
Score 23.71
Added 2024-05-09, 10:39 AM
- 8 Members
- scriveling, tardis, Euryale, rarm, nessreader, BonnieJune54, RODNEYP, JoeB1934
27
by Kate Morton
6,016 members
264 reviews
3.8
Score 23.18
Added 2024-05-06, 11:47 AM
- 7 Members
- dara85, raidergirl3, perennialreader, Hope_H, srsrhs, lsnrtn, CatotheElder
28
1,361 members
49 reviews
3.8
Score 22.17
Added 2024-05-06, 07:55 PM
- 8 Members
- karenb, LadyUndomiel, Euryale, wdwilson3, sturlington, Onilyn, JoeB1934, skid0612
- Explanations
- skid0612: The first novel in the marvelous Easy Rawlins series starts with a bang in late 40s Los Angeles
29
30
17,813 members
341 reviews
3.9
Score 20.48
Added 2024-05-14, 07:03 AM
- 7 Members
- LadyUndomiel, TedWitham, njtrout, Rommert, Andrew_Orange, RHeli, AranelST
31
18,436 members
275 reviews
4.1
Score 19.5
Added 2024-05-19, 09:34 PM
- 7 Members
- dancesports, Porua, Dorritt, nrmay, treegardner, Andrew_Orange, AranelST
33
by Anne Perry
1,911 members
71 reviews
½ 3.7
Score 16.31
Added 2024-05-06, 10:13 AM
- 6 Members
- jeshakespeare, RBeffa, DidIReallyReadThat, nrmay, mrswebster, llarsson7
34
- 7 Members
- scriveling, janoorani24, Caesia, CarltonC, Andrew_Orange, llarsson7, SuSu2,feanor451
- Explanations
- CarltonC: I keep saving Gaudy Night, so may change my opinion once I have read, but love Lord Peter Wimsey’s characterisation and the setting of winter in the fens.
37
- 5 Members
- libraryfan, eclbates, Lisa.Domke, ManWithAnAgenda, Boand
- Explanations
- Boand: Wonderful mystery set in Victorian England, full of mists, magic, myths and murder.
38
by Iain Pears
5,740 members
141 reviews
3.9
Score 14.89
Added 2024-05-12, 11:34 PM
- 5 Members
- Imprinted, libraryfan, cbl_tn, eclbates, Paulasmithy
- Explanations
- Imprinted: An elegantly constructed mystery novel about a murder in 17th century Oxford, England, told from conflicting points of view.
40
13,918 members
199 reviews
3.8
Score 14.16
Added 2024-05-07, 03:47 PM
- 5 Members
- LadyUndomiel, EerierIdyllMeme, sturlington, BonnieJune54, vwinsloe
43
- 6 Members
- Stewdar, dancesports, BonnieJune54, Dorritt, slimikin, RHeli,andyl
- Explanations
- Dorritt: great mystery + window on culture of early Los Angeles
46
by Eric Ambler
2,145 members
62 reviews
3.8
Score 12.65
Added 2024-05-19, 08:16 PM
- 4 Members
- janoorani24, Bookwomble, feanor451, Nigellicus
51
1,433 members
48 reviews
½ 3.6
Score 11.81
Added 2024-05-06, 09:57 AM
- 4 Members
- scriveling, jeshakespeare, lizzy50usa, MBAdams
53
54
901 members
26 reviews
3.8
Score 11.21
Added 2024-05-08, 01:56 PM
- 4 Members
- FAMeulstee, Bookwomble, SF_fan_mae, RHeli
57
58
3,463 members
102 reviews
4
Score 9.9
Added 2024-05-10, 09:16 AM
60
by John Buchan
5,972 members
205 reviews
½ 3.5
Score 9.79
Added 2024-05-06, 01:00 PM
- 5 Members
- CarltonC, Stewdar, perennialreader, dancesports, AndreaLP,Porua ,themulhern
- Explanations
- CarltonC: Although certainly a great adventure yarn, I have always thought of it as a mystery as well, and although only slightly historical when written (1915) about pre-WW1 Britain, it is now historical, as allowed in the description for the list.Porua: In my opinion, "The Thirty-Nine Steps" cannot be categorized as a mystery. It's more of an adventure/spy novel.themulhern : I'm pretty sure this is contemporary with the time it was written.
62
63
3,127 members
182 reviews
½ 3.6
Score 9.67
Added 2024-05-07, 01:31 PM
- 3 Members
- Euryale, ijustgetbored, al.vick
- Explanations
- al.vick: an excellent series, not sure which is my favorite.
64
1,025 members
27 reviews
3.8
Score 9.5
Added 2024-05-06, 09:30 AM
- 3 Members
- Stewdar, Boand, Paulasmithy
- Explanations
- Boand: SO hard to choose just one of Lindsey’s books but this one also makes me laugh and reminds me that the art of plumbers hasn’t changed in 2000 years!
67
1,006 members
33 reviews
½ 3.5
Score 8.59
Added 2024-05-06, 08:48 AM
- 3 Members
- andyl, AbigailAdams26, SF_fan_mae
- Explanations
- andyl: First in the Sister Fidelma series. Future books in the series are probably better than this one, but listed because it is the first.
71
527 members
32 reviews
3.9
Score 7.96
Added 2024-05-07, 04:45 PM
- 3 Members
- karenb, rarm, bookcookie1920
72
3,006 members
93 reviews
½ 3.7
Score 7.76
Added 2024-05-14, 02:44 PM
- 3 Members
- lahochstetler, BonnieJune54, Dorritt
74
5,039 members
120 reviews
3.8
Score 7.54
Added 2024-05-19, 12:08 PM
- 3 Members
- Porua, DAPoalillo, stupidfresh
- Explanations
- stupidfresh: Set at the time of publication in the thirties, which is clearly in accordance with the rules.
76
94 members
4 reviews
½ 3.5
Score 7.36
Added 2024-05-14, 06:46 AM
79
662 members
24 reviews
½ 3.6
Score 6.83
Added 2024-05-08, 05:15 AM
- 2 Members
- andyl, MajorRakal
- Explanations
- andyl: First in the Matthew Bartholomew series set (mostly) in Cambridge University in the 14th century.
80
82
83
85
86
- 2 Members
- BooksPlease, Dave_Perry
- Explanations
- Dave_Perry: Remarkable account of the aftermath of the fire of London. Mystery solved by pair with exquisite detail of living conditions at the time.
91
284 members
8 reviews
½ 3.5
Score 6.04
Added 2024-05-08, 05:16 AM
- 2 Members
- andyl, MajorRakal
- Explanations
- andyl: Thomas Chaloner series set just after the restoration of Charles II.
93
2,159 members
49 reviews
3.9
Score 5.87
Added 2024-05-10, 09:15 AM
94
95
- 2 Members
- Maddz, Nigellicus
- Explanations
- Maddz: First of the Sir Robert Carey series, set in Elizabethan England. Sir Robert Carey was a courtier and cousin to Elizabeth I.Nigellicus: The first in a witty, clever, sharply written series, the Border is a fantastic setting, and Carey is a great character with a fantastic supporting cast of untrustworthy Bordermen and clever women.
96
1,911 members
89 reviews
½ 3.6
Score 5.74
Added 2024-05-06, 09:56 AM
- 2 Members
- perennialreader, MBAdams
97
4,423 members
102 reviews
½ 3.7
Score 5.71
Added 2024-05-07, 09:07 PM
- 2 Members
- TeresaInTexas, themulhern
- Explanations
- themulhern: A mystery set in Victorian England, clearly inspired by "The Sign of Four".
98
100
