Bradshaw, Gillian. ISLAND OF GHOSTS.
In this tale of loyalties and betrayals, Ariantes becomes enmeshed in a clash of cultures and a plot to overthrow the Roman conquerors in second century Britain. Ariantes is a Sarmatian warrior prince who joins the Roman legion to save his people but is seen as a traitor to his own and a pawn of the enemy.

Carr, Caleb. THE ALIENIST.
An unusual crime novel that takes place in New York City in 1896. The historical details of the city and the start of forensic psychiatry used by the alienist (psychiatrist) adds to the excitement of finding a brutal serial killer. Author Caleb Carr has created the character of Dr. Kriezler (the alienist) who, with the help of others (including the Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt) draws a psychological profile of the killer and uses unproven scientific aides (such as fingerprints) to help catch the killer.

Cornwell, Bernard. SHARPE'S TIGER.
Cornwell writes exclusively about historical military events. His characters are fictional, but the events which frame the story are historically accurate and well researched. He has three different series, the first of which is the Sharpe novels. Sharpe is a lowly English infantryman in Wellington's army. The BBC have filmed four episodes of Sharpe's adventures starring Sean Bean. They follow many of the events of the books but they are not exact parallels. The second series are the Starbuck chronicles that trace the adventures of a Northerner caught in Savannah at the outset of the Civil War. The most recent series, the Warlord Chronicles, are about King Arthur. They start with THE WINTER KING and follow the legends of Arthur as seen through the eyes of his loyal warrior, Derfel Cadern.

Davis, Lindsey. SILVER PIGS.
He walks the mean streets of first-century Rome. He is Marcus Didius Falco, private informer, and the very Chandler-esque hero of Lindsey Davis historical mystery series that begin with SILVER PIGS. Falco's Rome is not the pristine togas and classical columns of a Masterpiece Theatre production, but a gritty, smelly, and utterly enthralling mess of seedy wine bars, steaming public laundries, and dank and twisty alleyways. The ferociously maverick and just-barely-respectable Falco fits perfectly in this setting, as he negotiates that fine line between the aristocratic rulers and the dregs of society. Falco's weakness for a pretty face soon involves him with the damsel-in-distress Sosia Camillina, a senator's niece, who unwittingly holds the key to a vast -- and vastly dangerous -- fortune in silver ingots. When Sosia disappears, Falco finds the case is more complicated than he expects, and ends up following the whiff of treason to the silver mines of ancient Britain. He is accompanied by Sosia's cousin, the aristocratic, intelligent, indomitable Helena Justina, with whom he forms a bickering partnership with undercurrents of attraction, delightfully reminiscent of Tracy and Hepburn. From the highest circles of palace intrigue to the truly hellish depths of the mines, Falco doggedly follows every clue as he interacts with a rich cast of friends, family, clients, and criminals to solve a baffling mystery that threatens the foundations of the Empire barely settled into a fragile stability under Vespasian. While her tone is light, and Falco's wry film-noir tone amusingly anachronistic, Davis's book is steeped in the sort of minute detail that will delight any fan of historical fiction. From the Emperor's accounting system to a laundrywoman's trade secrets, each fact is carefully researched and skillfully woven into the story, so that one is hardly aware of how much history is being taught. The subsequent books in the Falco series (SHADOWS IN BRONZE, VENUS IN COPPER, THE IRON HAND OF MARS, POSEIDON'S GOLD, LAST ACT IN PALMYRA, TIME TO DEPART, A DYING LIGHT IN CORDUBA, and the newly released THREE HANDS IN THE FOUNTAIN) vary between strictly Roman settings and the far-flung corners of the Empire, between comic romps and darker social commentaries, but always include a deft literary style, in-depth characterization, and a keen eye for the telling historical detail. More than many mystery series, this one is best read in order, especially to understand the complexities of Falco's and Helena's growing relationship. Davis is the president of The Classical Association of Britain and evidently knows her history. She frequently includes notes on sources and earns on the whole good reviews in the historical journals, although she is guilty of a few glitches here and there. She has also written a "straight" historical novel, THE COURSE OF HONOR, about the romance between the not-yet Emperor Vespasian and a slave named Caenis. Historical fiction readers who enjoyed Lindsey Davis may also enjoy the Gordianus the Finder mysteries by Steven Saylor, Colleen McCullough's novels about Julius Caesar, or Allan Massie's trilogy about Augustus, as well as Robert Graves classic I, CLAUDIUS and CLAUDIUS THE GOD.

Doctorow, E. L. RAGTIME.
E. L. Doctorow's fiction is noteworthy for the imaginative and poetic way historical events and personages are woven into stories that refashion myths of American life and culture. In RAGTIME, his most famous and acclaimed work, Doctorow uses as focal points an immigrant peddler and a Harlem musician in order to reclaim turn-of-the century America from historians who tended to present only the viewpoint of the dominant white middle class. While raising political issues and provoking critical thought, E.L. Doctorow maintains a strong hold on readers through his mastery as a storyteller.

Frazier, Charles. COLD MOUNTAIN.
Charles Frazier's debut novel is the story of a very long walk. In the waning months of the Civil War a wounded Confederate veteran named Inman gets up from his hospital bed and begins the long journey back to his home in the remote hills of North Carolina. Along the way he meets rogues and outlaws, Good Samaritans and vigilantes, people who help and others who hinder, but through it all Inman's aim is true: his one goal is to return to Cold Mountain and to Ada, the woman he left behind. The object of his affection meanwhile has problems of her own. Raised in the rarified air of Charleston society, Ada was brought to the backwoods of Cold Mountain by her father, a preacher who came to the country for his health. Even after her father's death, Ada remains there, partly to wait for Inman, but partly because she senses her destiny lies not in the city but in the North Carolina Blue Ridge. Cold Mountain is the story of two parallel journeys: Inman's physical trek across the American landscape and Ada's internal odyssey toward an understanding of herself. What makes Frazier's novel so satisfying is the depth of detail surrounding both journeys. Frazier based this story on family history, and in the characters of Inman and Ada he has paid a rich compliment to their historical counterparts. COLD MOUNTAIN is quite simply a wonderful book. I would recommend it highly! Charles Frazier was born in 1950 Asheville, North Carolina. He is a writer, university professor (University of Colorado at Boulder instructor in Early American Literature), and horse breeder. He has written a nonfiction travel novel, ADVENTURING IN THE ANDES (1985), an informative book on vacationing near the South American mountain range for people who want either strenuous exercise or merely staying at a comfortable hotel in an exotic location. Hiking trails and cuisine are included; this book was reviewed as invaluable to readers. COLD MOUNTAIN is Charles Frazier's first novel. He got the idea from his great great uncle named W.P. Inman, who, after being wounded, deserted from the Confederate Army during the War Between the States. He walked a 300-mile journey to the woman and mountain he loved, evading all kinds of trouble along the way from troops from both the North and South. Inman's sweetheart Ada, a genteel Southern woman from, whose life had changed after her father died, and the war. Ruby, a more practical woman, helps Ada homestead a farm. The novel is filled with flavorful details and language, food, books, and Cherokee legends. The Civil War is in the background and historical facts are authentic. Frazier said growing up in the South, the Civil War was not such a noble war. Critics like the Publishers Weekly have said the novel is rich in evocative physical detail and timeless human insight. David A Berona from Library Journal called it a remarkable effort. I myself had enjoyed this book immensely. I read historical fiction and really had liked it.

Golden, Arthur. MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA.
Arthur Golden has written a beautiful first novel about a Japanese girl who rises from slavery to become a renowned geisha of the 1930's and 40's. Through the eyes of Chiyo (who later changes her name to Sayuri) the life of a geisha unfolds. Sayuri vividly describes her arrival to the Nitta okiya (a geisha house), her apprenticeship as a geisha, and her sadistic treatment by granny, mother, and Hatsumomo, the beautiful geisha of the house. As an apprentice, Sayuri learns about the intricacies of applying make-up, styling hair, and the elaborate kimono attire. Golden, a Japanese scholar, has meticulously researched Japanese tradition and culture providing readers with a wonderful story that is well-documented in historical fact.

Heyer, Georgette. ARABELLA.
Young Arabella Tallant, the beautiful daughter of a poor clergyman, comes to London to debut socially and immediately crosses paths with wealthy aristocratic Robert Beaumaris. Beaumaris suspects Arabella of engineering a carriage accident in order to meet him. An enraged Arabella leads him to believe that she is an heiress and quite uninterested in him or his fortune. Arabella's warm heart and strong principles lead her to befriend an abused apprentice chimney sweep, a stray dog, and a fallen woman known as "Leaky Peg", giving the reader insight into some social issues and conventions of Regency London. The reluctant but gallant Mr. Beaumaris can't help but get involved.

Monfredo, Miriam Grace. THE SENECA FALLS INHERITANCE.
The year is 1848 and as the issue of women's rights is electric in the air, Glynis Tryon, town librarian of Seneca Falls, NY, unexpectedly begins investigating a series of murders. SENECA FALLS INHERITANCE is simultaneously a historical novel, a mystery, and a lively account of an independent woman who chose a career over marriage and a family in a time when women were regarded as mere accoutrements of society, possessing no thoughts or opinions of their own. The author is a former librarian and has written several mysteries featuring Glynis Tryon. Other books by the author include NORTH STAR CONSPIRACY (1993), BLACKWATER SPIRITS (1995), THROUGH A GOLD EAGLE (1996)and THE STALKING HORSE (1998). She is also the editor of an anthology of short mystery stories, entitled CRIME THROUGH TIME (1997). Monfredo's novels have been praised as being historically accurate, well-written, and an excellent blend of history and mystery. Other authors have bestowed compliments on her books as well, including mystery writer Sara Paretsky. A former librarian, Miriam Grace Monfredo has conducted extensive research on the women's liberation movement. Her first novel, SENECA FALLS INHERITANCE (1992), uses this topic, specifically the Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, as the background for the plot. Monfredo keynoted the 1986 anniversary celebration of the first Women's Rights Convention at the Women's Hall of Fame in New York. In addition to this honor, she has also been a speaker at Georgetown University, the Susan B. Anthony House, and the New York State League of Women Voters convention. She believes that women's history is a topic that is still neglected in the 20th century. "How can women know what they are entitled to today if they don't know what they've done in the past?" she asks. Monfredo lives in Rochester, New York.

O'Brian, Patrick. MASTER AND COMMANDER.
The first volume in Patrick O'Brian's acclaimed Aubrey-Maturin series (seventeen titles in all), this book is rich in detail concerning life aboard a man-of-war in Admiral Nelson's navy. The characterization and description are great; it is easy to see why this series has been evaluated as being among the best historical fiction ever written!

Simmons, Dan. THE CROOK FACTORY.
This is the fictionalized account of the creation of a U.S. government-sanctioned group led by Ernest Hemingway in Cuba in the 1930s. The members were a most assorted lot, including prostitutes, Hemingway's fishing buddies, and an FBI agent sent by J. Edgar Hoover. Throw in corrupt police officials, double agents, multiple murders, the appearance of Ingrid Bergman, Marlene Dietrich, and Gary Cooper, add a generous helping of local color, and you have a fun read. Perhaps a bit too long, but the intertwining of fact and fiction make it enjoyable, if not truly historical fiction.

Turner, Nancy E. THESE IS MY WORDS: THE DIARY OF SARAH AGNES PRINE, 1881-1901, ARIZONA TERRITORIES.
Sarah Agnes Prine was seventeen when her Pa got itchy feet and decided to move everyone from the Arizona Territories, through New Mexico, to San Angelo Texas. Reading her diary is tantamount to experiencing life on the frontier just 100 years ago. Tragedy, adventures, and love abounds for the Prine family and their friends. Based on the author's great-grandmother's diary, this book will delight grown-up fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Unsworth, Barry. MORALITY PLAY.

A tale of murder and deceit in fourteenth century England. Characters and settings are brought to life through Unsworth's research and use of language. Historical details set the scene for a troupe of traveling players including Nicholas Barber, a young monk on the run from his bishop, who narrates the drama and his part in it. If you like Ellis Peter's Brother Cadfael, or Eco's Name of the Rose, Unsworth should be your next choice. History dilettantes will appreciate the dilemma of the traveling players. Their audiences are dwindling due to competition from the plays put on by the local guilds. The day for poor traveling players with their spare sets and frayed costumes is in its twilight, since they cannot compete with the relatively lavish guild productions.

Updated on June 18, 2007