Historical Fictionistas discussion
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What are you reading in 2021?
I'm sadly nearing the end of Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. Number 15 is A Better Man. Freezing spring floods threaten Three Pines and Montreal. 
4.5★ Link to my review of A Better Man
Summer Brother by Dutch author Jaap Robben was a good read and has just been longlisted for the 2021 International Booker Prize. 
4★ LInk to my Summer Brother review
Finishing up HERE BE DRAGONS by Sharon Kay Penman
I have been reading The Viennese Candidate or, to be more accurate, re-reading it.I find it a fascinating take on how Hitler came to power with the help of an organisation devoted to population control.
I love a good conspiracy theory although I doubt most of them. I doubt this actually happened either but the author gets you thinking it might be possible that something similar did.
It also got me thinking about the current pandemic which was interesting.
Even without all this, the book works superbly as a thriller. It reminded me a bit of Robert Harris's Fatherland for some reason.
Finished Pardonable Lies #3 Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. A historical mystery set in 1930's England and France. Maisie is investigating 3 different cases that seem to be connected. Eventually she must travel to France where she confronts her tormented memories of WWI. Rated 4 stars.
I just finished the The Lost Apothecary
by Sarah Penner. It is a duel time book. The connection between was well done but a bit unrealistic. My problem with the book is I just didn't like the characters thus difficult to really like the book.
I finished Martha Peake: A Novel of the Revolution by Patrick McGrath recently. Wasn't in love with it; I usually enjoy McGrath's books more. Story within a story set during the American revolution, setting alternates between England and America.One historical fiction novel I was really impressed with last year was At Night All Blood is Black by David Diop. Fantastic read. Senegalese soldier in the French army during WWI unraveling psychologically...
I am currently reading many books... some of which are on hold because of how bulky they are (mostly classics), but I am actively reading City of Crows by Chris Womersley.It's a historical fiction set in 17th century France, during the height of Louis XIV's power and during what I presume to be the notorious 'Affair of Poisons' that caused a blight on Louis XIV's reign.
Louis XIV is an interesting historical figure, but I don't believe he even plays a role in this story. Regardless, I am excited because I can recognize many names of historical figures that were contemporaries to Louis.
Currently reading The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman, about Richard III of England. Trying to hang in but it’s a lot of mayhem for my taste.
I've juts finished
What the Devil Knows, #16 in C.S. Harris's excellent Regency period crime series. review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Abigail wrote: "Currently reading The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman, about Richard III of England. Trying to hang in but it’s a lot of mayhem for my taste."I got a used copy of When Christ and His Saints Slept in the mail a few months ago based on all the good feedback I've heard about Penman but I haven't read it yet. Good luck with Sunne, Abigail!
She’s a good writer, Ashley Marie, I’m just finding the subject matter hard to take.
Abigail wrote: "Currently reading The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman, about Richard III of England. Trying to hang in but it’s a lot of mayhem for my taste."Sharon Kay Penman is one of my favorite authors and The Sunne in Splendour is my favorite of her novels. But I have to be in the proper frame of mind to read her as her books are emotionally draining.
Finished The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis. Rated 4 stars. I really enjoyed this dual timeline historical novel set in the early 1900's and 1990's at the iconic New York City Library.
Butterfly Blink: A Book Without Words is another colourful conversation-starter for children by Karl Beckstrand. As the title suggests, no words are necessary - except for the person answering the inevitable questions!
4★ Link to my Butterfly Blink review with several pictures
I just enjoyed the thought-provoking second book of the Monkeewrench mystery series, Live Bait by mother-daughter duo P.J. Tracy. As if the concentration camp hadn't been bad enough, a Holocaust survivor is murdered. I'm glad there are more of these to look forward to!
4.5★ Link to my Live Bait review
I've just finished
The Vanishing Children by Graham Brack, the fifth in a historical mystery series set in 17th century Holland during the period that William of Orange was Stadhouder (National leader). my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am reading The Mystery of Mrs. Christie
by Marie Benedict. Set in 1912 and 1926. Focus on Agatha Chrisite disappearance in 1926. I am about a third of the way through and it is just okay. It seems choppy to me and not connecting with the plot or story line.
I've just finished the first in a cozy mystery series set in 1930s Ceylon (as it was then) 
Trouble in Nuala by Harriet Steel review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am reading The Last Garden in England
by Julia Kelly. Set in Warwickshire England in 3 time periods. Restoring and building gardens. Very well written so far. Love the charactes.
Walk Two Moons – Sharon Creech – 5*****
I was completely drawn into the book from the beginning, as I learned that Sal was forced to move from her beloved Kentucky farm some 300 miles north to a town where there wasn’t even a tree in her yard. I liked the multi-generational aspect of the novel, as well as the story-within-a-story way Creech revealed what had happened. As Sal told the story of Phoebe and the lunatic, she was peeling back the layers of her own story, and finding ways to process her loss. Though I cried at the ending, I was left with a feeling hope. A marvelous book.
My full review HERE
I know he's not little now but he will always be Little Stevie Wonder to me. Another inspiring Little People BIG DREAMS book for all families and schools.
5★ Link to my Stevie Wonder review with lots of pictures
I just enjoyed The Old Men Who Row Boats and Other Stories, a collection of stories that take place in Spain and Portugal. Author David Joseph has a good feeling for his people and the places where we meet them.
3.5★ Link to my Old Men Who Row Boats review
Finished A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder #1 Countess of Harleigh by Dianne Freeman. Charming historical mystery set in 1899 London. Rated 3 stars.
Graham Brack is a favourite author of mine. The Vanishing Children is the latest Master Mercurius mystery set in the Netherlands in the 17th century. I'm very fond of this gentle, witty cleric whom William of Orange keeps dragging away from his comfortable university post to work for him. History, mystery, and humour - love it!
4★ Link to my review of The Vanishing Children
Based on a real event in Poland in 1941, Winter Journey by Aussie author Diane Armstrong is a reminder of what we are capable of, both good and bad. 
3.5★ Link to my review of Winter Journey
I recently reread Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray. It's about what happens to Cleopatra's youngest three kids after she commits suicide.
Finished Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce. Historical fiction set in WWII 1940 London. This is a charming and sweet novel that also shows how horrific it was to live in London during some of the worst bombing. Rated 4 stars. Looking forward to the sequel which is due to be published in August.
Finally finished The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman. I am so glad that tastes in historical fiction have moved away from this sort of thing! Taking a break from HF and doorstoppers with two shorter books, Tether's End by Margery Allingham and Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them by Francine Prose.
I have just finished the The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn, I enjoyed it more than The Duke & I. I'm looking forward to continuing with the series.At the moment, I have returned to Alexandra Walsh's The Marquess House series. I'm currently reading The Elizabeth Tudor Conspiracy and thoroughly enjoying it!
Aussie B Michael Radburn is a reliable, go-to author for thrilling mysteries. The Reach is the third featuring Park Ranger Taylor Bridges in a beautiful (though terrifying!) Australian bush setting.
4.5★ Link to my review of The Reach
Abigail wrote: "Finally finished The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman. I am so glad that tastes in historical fiction have moved away from this sort of thing! Taking a break from HF and doorstoppers with two shorter books, Tether's End by Margery Allingham and Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them by Francine Prose..."
I have to say, Abigail, that The Sunne in Splendour has been such a popular book that I keep being tempted to tackle it. On the other hand, I also keep meaning to read Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them, so I'll be interested to see what you think.
Aussie B Michael Radburn is a reliable, go-to author for thrilling mysteries. The Reach is the third featuring Park Ranger Taylor Bridges in a beautiful (though terrifying!) Australian bush setting.
4.5★ Link to my review of The Reach
Thanks, Patty. The Penman book is quite an amazing achievement, it’s just not the sort of thing I like to read.Reading Like a Writer is an assignment for a workshop I’m taking, and I am enjoying it quite a bit. I like reading about what other people see in favorite passages of writing, and the author is very articulate about ways to see what an author is trying to do.
Abigail wrote: "Thanks, Patty. The Penman book is quite an amazing achievement, it’s just not the sort of thing I like to read.Reading Like a Writer is an assignment for a workshop I’m taking, and I am enjoying ..."
I hope the workshop goes well, Abigail. I really enjoyed Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, which I read years ago (before I was reviewing). I enjoy his non-horror books (not a horror fan, generally), and he is certainly a compelling writer, so I thought it would be interesting to see his thoughts. I think I'll read it again soon, although I have no plans to become a writer myself. :)
Open Water, a novella by British-Ghanaian author Caleb Azumah Nelson, is a poetic, complicated, lyrical love story, some of which I loved.
3.5★ Link to my review of Open Water
I bought the Stephen King book at the same time as Reading Like a Writer! Others have recommended it highly. In the past I’ve mostly read books about screenwriting, not because I have screenplay aspirations but because plotting was a weakness of mine, so these books are a departure for me.
I am reading The Rebels of Ireland. This is the second in a duology. I was always afraid of Rutherfurd, but decided to conquer my fear and dived in last year. I am hooked now and will surly read more of his books.
I am reading The Easter Sepulchre
by Mel Starr. I have read every book in the series and enjoy them greatly. Book is set in 1347, in Bampton England. Excellent glossary in the front to help us with unfamiliar terms. I recommend starting with book 1.
Alice wrote: "I am reading The Easter Sepulchre by Mel Starr. I have read every book in the series and enjoy them greatly. Book is set in 1347, in Bampto..."Alice; Thanks for recommending this series and that you posted author's name as Mel Starr. Library & Hoopla show author as Mel Starr but here on Goodreads he's listed as Melvin R. Starr :)
I have started Band of Sisters
by Lauren Willig. Set in 1917, Smith alums go to help France during WWI. Here books are always well written with good character development. Enjoying the book so far.
My May picks are Churchill's Secret Messenger by Alan Hlad. The Titanic Sisters by Patricia Falvey. Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford (that might be nonfiction).
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American Spy – Lauren Wilkinson – 4****
What an interesting and inventive debut. Told as a letter to her young children, Marie relates the events that led to her meeting their father and her career in counterintelligence. Wilkinson uses some events from history – particularly the assassination of Thomas Sankara – to frame this story of personal responsibility, family dynamics, and loyalty: to family, to country, to social ideals.
My full review HERE