good historical fiction mystery books

One great mystery historical fiction book is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's set in a medieval monastery and involves a series of mysterious deaths. Another is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier, which has a sense of mystery in an old English estate. 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr is also a great one, set in 19th - century New York with a mystery surrounding a serial killer.

Good historical fiction mystery books often have a well - researched historical setting. For example, the clothes, the social norms, and the architecture of the time should be accurately depicted. In 'The Alienist', the details of 1896 New York, like the slums and the upper - class society, are vividly described. Another characteristic is complex characters. They should be believable and have motives that fit the historical context. In 'The Name of the Rose', the characters are complex monks with different beliefs and secrets.

'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr. This novel is set in 19th - century New York. It's a mystery involving a serial killer, and the suspense is high as the characters use the then - emerging methods of criminal psychology. The historical backdrop of the city, with its seedy underbelly and emerging modernity, makes it a great mystery suspense historical fiction.

Well, 'Gorky Park' by Martin Cruz Smith is a top pick. It's set in the Soviet Union and the mystery revolves around a triple murder in Gorky Park. The book gives a great insight into the Soviet society at that time. 'The Seven Per - Cent Solution' by Nicholas Meyer is another good one. It involves Sherlock Holmes and his struggle with drug addiction, set in a historical context. And 'The Historian' by Elizabeth Kostova is a great read. It weaves a story of mystery around the search for Dracula, with a lot of historical detail about different regions and time periods.

One characteristic is the blend of historical settings and mystery elements. They often use real historical periods like the Victorian era or the Middle Ages as the backdrop. For example, in 'The Alienist', the 19th - century New York setting is vividly described, and the mystery of the serial killer is intertwined with the social and cultural aspects of that time. Another is the use of historical figures or events. In 'The Name of the Rose', the monastery's life and the theological debates of the medieval period are important parts of the mystery.

One of the best is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's set in a medieval monastery and involves a complex mystery filled with religious symbolism and intellectual debates. The detailed description of the medieval setting makes it a classic.

Mystery historical fiction books often blend historical facts with fictional mystery elements. They typically have a setting in a specific historical period, like the Victorian era or the Middle Ages. The characters are usually influenced by the social norms and values of that time. For example, in a book set in the 1920s, the characters might be dealing with post - war issues while also trying to solve a mystery. The mystery itself can range from a murder case to a missing artifact. And the plot often unfolds slowly, revealing historical details along the way.

There are several excellent ones. 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond' by Elizabeth George Speare is a historical fiction that also has elements of mystery as the main character faces accusations. 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman has a bit of mystery and is set in a very unique historical - like setting. Also, 'The Secret of the Old Clock' by Carolyn Keene, where the young detective Nancy Drew solves a mystery related to an old clock and family history.

I'd recommend 'An Instance of the Fingerpost' by Iain Pears. Set in 17th - century Oxford, it has multiple narrators who each tell their version of a murder mystery. The different perspectives add depth and mystery. 'The Dante Club' by Matthew Pearl is also good. It's set in post - Civil War Boston and involves a group of scholars trying to solve a series of murders inspired by Dante's 'Inferno'.

One great historical mystery fiction book is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It is set in a medieval monastery and involves a series of mysterious deaths. Another is 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr, which takes place in 1896 New York City and follows the investigation of a serial killer. 'The Dante Club' by Matthew Pearl is also excellent, as it combines the mystery element with Dante's Inferno in a historical Boston setting.