Historical Mystery

What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust

Another long-awaited return (also five years in the making, coincidentally) is that of Alan Bradley’s marvelously macabre, preteen detective, Flavia de Luce. This time out, Flavia is not only dealing with her exuberant, obnoxious cousin Undine, she’s trying to clear the name of her family’s beloved cook, Mrs. Mullet, who is accused of poisoning a local recluse with mushrooms.

Rough Pages

By Lev AC Rosen

Lev AC Rosen’s Evander Mills mysteries peer into under-explored corners of midcentury gay life in San Francisco, and his PI Andy’s next case is set in the world of queer bookshops. Bookstore owner Howard Salzberger sends titles to a carefully curated list of clientele (a la the real-life Cory Book Service), a list that’s kept secret to protect the people on it from being outed. But Howard disappears along with his address book, Andy will have to find him before everyone on the list, including some of his close friends, is put in danger.

Murder in Highbury

By Vanessa Kelly

Regency romance author Vanessa Kelly hops genres but not time periods for this series starter, which follows Emma Knightley (née Woodhouse) as she solves crimes in her little town of Highbury, England. Mysteries inspired by or starring Jane Austen are certainly common, but Emma is an inspired choice for a sleuth: She loves gossip, has a great deal of freedom thanks to her status as Highbury’s queen bee, and is in desperate need of a meaningful hobby so she doesn’t fall back into old habits and start matchmaking again. Equally inspired is Kelly’s choice of first victim: the detestable Mrs. Elton.

Death on the Tiber

By Lindsey Davis

Lindsey Davis’ brutally funny Death on the Tiber is a series high mark for the author’s ancient Rome-set mysteries starring Flavia Albia.

Lindsey Davis’ brutally funny Death on the Tiber is a series high mark for the author’s ancient Rome-set mysteries starring Flavia Albia.

Murder at the White Palace

By Allison Montclair

Murder at the White Palace sees Allison Montclair’s terrific Sparks & Bainbridge series continuing in fine fettle.

Murder at the White Palace sees Allison Montclair’s terrific Sparks & Bainbridge series continuing in fine fettle.

Agony Hill

By Sarah Stewart Taylor

With Agony Hill, Sarah Stewart Taylor kicks off a thoughtful, thought-provoking historical mystery series set in a time with shocking parallels to the present.

With Agony Hill, Sarah Stewart Taylor kicks off a thoughtful, thought-provoking historical mystery series set in a time with shocking parallels to the present.

A Ruse of Shadows

By Sherry Thomas

A Ruse of Shadows is an unmissable high point of Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock, a joyfully original historical mystery series with a romantic twist.

A Ruse of Shadows is an unmissable high point of Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock, a joyfully original historical mystery series with a romantic twist.

The Last Note of Warning

By Katharine Schellman

Katharine Schellman’s 1920s-set mystery will make you wish that you too had been a-struttin’ in the Jazz Age.

Farewell, Amethystine

By Walter Mosley

With Farewell, Amethystine, his 16th Easy Rawlins mystery, Walter Mosley proves he’s still better than almost anyone else in the mystery game.

With Farewell, Amethystine, his 16th Easy Rawlins mystery, Walter Mosley proves he’s still better than almost anyone else in the mystery game.

Death and Glory

By Will Thomas

Fans of Will Thomas’ Victorian mystery series will have their expectations repeatedly exceeded in Death and Glory.

Fans of Will Thomas’ Victorian mystery series will have their expectations repeatedly exceeded in Death and Glory.

Cast a Cold Eye

By Robbie Morrison

If you’re looking for action, history, brothers-in-arms camaraderie and a cracking good story, look no further than Robbie Morrison’s Cast a Cold Eye.

If you’re looking for action, history, brothers-in-arms camaraderie and a cracking good story, look no further than Robbie Morrison’s Cast a Cold Eye.

A Grave Robbery

By Deanna Raybourn

Fans of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries certainly won’t be disappointed with this latest, more gothic installment—and they’ll be thrilled to see Veronica and Stoker happily in love.