Tag: Historical fiction
+ art, audio book, austria, fiction, Historical fiction, Italy, review, World War Two, WW2
The Seeker of Lost Paintings by Sarah Freethy
An unforgettable story of love and betrayal across the decades from the author of The Porcelain Maker – perfect for fans of Christy Lefteri and Victoria Hislop. Rome 1939Arriving in Rome to work for the wealthy Montefalco family, Maddalena is homesick and alone. She finds solace – and love – in the beauty of the city, but as the war in Nazi-occupied Italy rages, she must … Read More The Seeker of Lost Paintings by Sarah Freethy
The Missing Wife by Donna Gowland (Mary Shelley Investigations 1)
A young aspiring writer finds romance and mystery in Paris! For fans of Mary Shelley, Daphne du Maurier, Diane Setterfield and Laura Purcell. A daring adventure or a foolhardy affair…? 1814, London It isn’t easy being the daughter of the great Mary Wollstonecraft, harder still to navigate life without her. Sixteen-year-old Mary Godwin is desperate for excitement and trapped in a family she feels … Read More The Missing Wife by Donna Gowland (Mary Shelley Investigations 1)
+ childhood, fiction, folklore, Historical fiction, List, Magical realism, review, supernatural, superstition, USA, whimsical
My Top 5 Books of 2025
I’m a bit late this year with my reflection on my favourite books of 2025. It’s always hard. There weren’t obvious instant standouts as in previous years. I have tried to include a mix of genres and although I read a lot of crime fiction, which occasionally make my quarterly selections, my top books of the year tend to be something a bit different, so … Read More My Top 5 Books of 2025
+ crime fiction, gothic, gothic horror, Gothic mystery, Historical fiction, List, murder mystery, mystery, supernatural, superstition, thriller, Victorian Britain
My Top 10 Books of 2025 – Part Four
Here are my favourite ten books of 2025 Part Four, including audiobooks, of which there are quite a few. As usual a disparate selection, though somewhat heavy on the Gothic. One Tiny Cry by Christina Delay This was crazy bonkers at times and I loved every minute. Anything to do with religious cults is up there with my favourite genres, and One Tiny Cry is one … Read More My Top 10 Books of 2025 – Part Four
+ 1940s, 1980s, family, gay, Historical fiction, nazi germany, poland, war, World War Two
The Last Orphan by Carly Schabowski
1939, Poland: Would you save a child in a warzone? Marcin is just hoping to keep himself safe during the Nazi invasion. But once he befriends his Jewish neighbors, his fate is sealed, and when their building is raided by the Nazis, Marcin finds himself hiding their son, Adam.Marcin vows to keep Adam safe at all costs. But as he starts an impossible journey … Read More The Last Orphan by Carly Schabowski
+ 1950s, 1960s, family, feminism, fiction, Historical fiction, literature, London, love, marriage, mental health, mental illness, music, obsession, psychiatrist, relationships, review, sisters, therapy, twins
The Crooked Little Pieces: Volume 5 by Sophia Lambton
Love thrives in hiding. Crowded by encroaching dangers, Anneliese confronts a range of hurdles in The Crooked Little Volume 5: a dive into unstopping problems. As Isabel disdains a figure from her past, the dastardly Charles Anthony keeps making his psychiatrist miserable – to nobody’s avail. Susanna stumbles amidst frayed attempts to get her youth back; toying with an unfazed Christopher. Dazed Isabel once more fears … Read More The Crooked Little Pieces: Volume 5 by Sophia Lambton
+ audio book, audio drama, family, family drama, fiction, Historical fiction, literature, review, siblings, sisters, Victorian Britain
The Household by Stacey Halls
In a quiet house in the countryside outside London, the finishing touches are being made to welcome a group of young women. The house and its location are top secret, its residents unknown to one another, but the girls have one thing in common – they are fallen. Offering refuge for prostitutes, petty thieves and the destitute, Urania Cottage is a second chance at … Read More The Household by Stacey Halls
A Bloody Banquet by Gail Meath Stone & Steele Mysteries #2
Now you see a murder, now you don’t… The Golden Age of Hollywood, 1938. It’s the annual Awards Banquet at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub, and Vivian Steele can’t wait for the star-studded event. She’s attending with her best friend, Carole Lombard, and several acclaimed actresses will be wearing her fashion designs. What she doesn’t expect is for the night to turn deadly. During the awards … Read More A Bloody Banquet by Gail Meath Stone & Steele Mysteries #2
+ audio book, audio drama, fiction, Georgian England, Historical fiction, magic, Magical realism, prostitution, review
The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar read by Juliet Stephenson
One September evening in 1785, the merchant Jonah Hancock finds one of his captains waiting eagerly on his doorstep. He has sold Jonah’s ship for what appears to be a mermaid. As gossip spreads through the docks, coffee shops, parlours and brothels, everyone wants to see Mr Hancock’s marvel. Its arrival spins him out of his ordinary existence and through the doors of high … Read More The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar read by Juliet Stephenson
+ crime fiction, dark humour, gothic, gothic horror, Gothic mystery, Historical fiction, List, murder mystery, mystery, supernatural, superstition, thriller, Victorian Britain
My Top 10 Books of 2025 – Part Three
Here are my favourite ten books of 2025 Part Three, including audiobooks, as I haven’t listened to enough to have their own post this quarter. As usual quite a disparate selection. The Empty Cradle by Lisa Rookes This was so good. I’m not sure how a story could be scary, creepy, and really funny at the same time. I think that’s because it’s so well … Read More My Top 10 Books of 2025 – Part Three
+ audio book, audio drama, fiction, Historical fiction, marriage, motherhood, review, witchcraft, witches
The Familiars by Stacey Halls
Young Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a noblewoman, is with child again. None of her previous pregnancies have borne fruit, and her husband, Richard, is anxious for an heir. Then Fleetwood discovers a hidden doctor’s letter that carries a dire prediction: she will not survive another birth. By chance she meets a midwife named Alice Grey, who promises to help her deliver a healthy baby. But Alice … Read More The Familiars by Stacey Halls
+ female friendship, fiction, friendship, Historical fiction, murder, murder mystery, revenge, review, secrets, spiritualism, supernatural, Victorian Britain
The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murder by Stephen Cox
London 1881. Can two crooked women stop a murder? Extravagant medium Mrs Ashton and her lover, blunt working-class Mrs Bradshaw, run a spiritualist scam. Mrs Ashton secretly reads minds. Believing that Mrs Ashton is genuine, grieving Lady Violet craves the truth behind her mother’s untimely death. #TheCrookedMediumsGuidetoMurder X/Twitter @stephenwhq @RandomTTours #bookX #booktwitter Instagram @stephencoxauthor @randomthingstours #bookstagram #blogtour#Victorianmurdermystery #historicalmurdermystery #spooky #paranormal #sapphic #LGBTQ #womensleuths #BritishDetectives But Lady Violet’s powerful husband Sir Charles hates spiritualists. … Read More The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murder by Stephen Cox
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