Tag: Historical fiction
+ 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
+ Edinburgh, fiction, folklore, gothic, gothic horror, Historical fiction, mythology, review, Scotland, superstition, witchcraft, witches
The Witch, The Seed and The Scalpel by Scott O’Neill
Edinburgh 1841. ‘Reaching out like a hungry white worm it twisted and spiralled, tasting the air. Then, evidently attracted by the flow of warm blood, it squirmed its way under the surface of my skin.‘ Every autumn without fail, a strange seed appears on the chestnut tree that marks the spot where the witch Margaret McKay was murdered. Legend states that anyone who catches … Read More The Witch, The Seed and The Scalpel by Scott O’Neill
+ audio book, audio drama, childhood, family, family drama, fiction, gothic, gothic horror, Gothic mystery, Historical fiction, literature, review, secrets, siblings, sisters, Yorkshire
Mrs England by Stacey Halls
West Yorkshire, 1904. When newly graduated nurse Ruby May takes a position looking after the children of Charles and Lilian England, a wealthy couple from a powerful dynasty of mill owners, she hopes it will be the fresh start she needs. But as she adapts to life at the isolated Hardcastle House, it becomes clear there’s something not quite right about the beautiful, mysterious … Read More Mrs England by Stacey Halls
The Betrayal of Thomas True by A J West
It is the year 1710, and Thomas True has arrived on old London Bridge with a dangerous secret. One night, lost amongst the squalor of London’s hidden back streets, he finds himself drawn into the outrageous underworld of the molly houses. Meanwhile, carpenter Gabriel Griffin struggles to hide his double life as Lotty, the molly’s stoic guard. When a young man is found murdered, … Read More The Betrayal of Thomas True by A J West
+ crime fiction, dark humour, feel-good, gothic, gothic horror, Gothic mystery, Historical fiction, humour fiction, List, Magical realism, murder mystery, mystery, supernatural, superstition, thriller, Victorian Britain
My Top 10 Books of 2025 – Part Two
Here are my favourite ten books of 2025 Part Two, including audiobooks, as I haven’t listened to enough to have their own post this quarter. Again quite a disparate selection. The Cure by Eve Smith I’m so out of my comfort zone here. Firstly, I don’t usually read speculative fiction, sci-fi or dystopian future novels. And secondly, I don’t think this is entirely fiction, … Read More My Top 10 Books of 2025 – Part Two
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