Best Mysteries With a Historical Setting

List of the Month
Maio 2024 (see all)
Descrição
May is Mystery Month, and in honor of the occasion our List of the Month this time around is devoted to the Best Mysteries With a Historical Setting. The books themselves can be published during any period, including contemporaneously. For the purpose of this list, "historical" is defined as anything set during or before the 1950s. Each participant may vote on ten titles. Please only downvote titles if they do not fit the theme, and are either not mysteries or not historical in setting.
1
The Name of the Rose
por Umberto Eco
19,659 membros
308 críticas
4.2
35 Members
Aquila, janoorani24, paradoxosalpha, EerierIdyllMeme, TedWitham, kleo, BooksPlease, abbottthomas, wdwilson3, Caesia, FAMeulstee, accessit, CarltonC, elenchus, birder4106, Stewdar, dallenbaugh, vwinsloe, zmeischa, Michael.Rimmer, MTCDBIBLIO, Boand, RODNEYP, CeskaDiana, NitinKhanna, Thelamon1, Monty_Grover, feanor451, MyFathersDragon, dkidwell, lovelybookishthings, Mnmwi7, fricksalad, hthacher, john654
Explicações
Boand: Fascinating history and a very twisted tale that keeps you guessing right until the end. Life in a European monastery and the process of writing books is beautifully described.
4
Murder on the Orient Express
por Agatha Christie
17,308 membros
420 críticas
4.1
19 Members
LadyUndomiel, TeresaInTexas, jeshakespeare, njtrout, merrystar, birder4106, perennialreader, zmeischa, SF_fan_mae, Dayclear, Andrew_Orange, Boand, RODNEYP, skid0612, Thelamon1, SaraElizabeth11, Mnmwi7, fricksalad, hthacher,andyl ,lilithcat ,Sarielle , , ,feanor451
Explicações
lilithcat : Not an historical mystery, as it was set during the era in which it was written.
merrystar: List description specifies that the story need only be set prior to the 1950s; publication date does not matter
: Not an historical mistery
Boand: Simply one of the best crime mysteries ever written with the most shocking denouement if you’re reading it for the first time. Set in 1934, the year it was written so qualifies for this list!
feanor451: Virtually no historical elements in the story. I think The Secret Adversary would have been a more fitting Agatha Christie novel for this list.
5
Os Porcos de Prata
por Lindsey Davis
2,406 membros
80 críticas
3.8
16 Members
andyl, lorax, janoorani24, MajorRakal, charl08, lizzy50usa, Caesia, CarltonC, nessreader, RBeffa, DidIReallyReadThat, Maddz, MTCDBIBLIO, srsrhs, JoeB1934, Bookladycma,CeskaDiana
Explicações
Maddz: The 1st of the Falco series - a hard-boiled detective in Vespasian's Rome.
6
The Beekeeper's Apprentice
por Laurie R. King
5,948 membros
292 críticas
4.1
14 Members
scriveling, karenb, Herenya, jeshakespeare, lizzy50usa, saskia17, DidIReallyReadThat, Tanya-dogearedcopy, nrmay, Dayclear, llarsson7, RODNEYP, SuSu2, rmaniel
7
Cocaine Blues
por Kerry Greenwood
1,799 membros
130 críticas
½ 3.7
14 Members
tardis, Euryale, lahochstetler, jeshakespeare, raidergirl3, lizzy50usa, Caesia, dallenbaugh, bookcookie1920, SF_fan_mae, Dayclear, JoeB1934, lovelybookishthings, john654
Explicações
lizzy50usa: The book that introduced the inimitable Phryne Fisher.
9
Dissolution
por C. J. Sansom
4,229 membros
196 críticas
3.9
13 Members
MajorRakal, BooksPlease, abbottthomas, raidergirl3, Caesia, CarltonC, Stewdar, RBeffa, Mweb, souloftherose, gypsysmom, al.vick, feanor451
10
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
por Alan Bradley
7,801 membros
656 críticas
3.8
12 Members
lorax, ReshiBec, lahochstetler, terran, nessreader, vancouverdeb, BonnieJune54, bookcookie1920, gypsysmom, robenc, llarsson7, CatotheElder
11
O Anjo da Morte
por Ariana Franklin
4,023 membros
252 críticas
3.9
11 Members
ReshiBec, charl08, raidergirl3, claire.rivers, DidIReallyReadThat, gypsysmom, al.vick, ccreads247, Abcdarian, Boand, CatotheElder
Explicações
al.vick: love that this one has a woman as the detective when it is set so long ago.
ccreads247: Enjoyed reading a well written medieval mystery featuring a woman sleuth. No shrinking violets here!
Boand: My favourite from this wonderful series set in medieval Europe describing medical practices and herbal healing as well as a cracking murder mystery.
12
Um crocodilo na duna
por Elizabeth Peters
4,617 membros
227 críticas
3.9
12 Members
tardis, lizzy50usa, Caesia, Sarielle, DidIReallyReadThat, BonnieJune54, Maddz, noveltea, llarsson7, MyFathersDragon, Bookladycma, Kalira
Explicações
Maddz: The first Amelia Peabody.
13
A Curious Beginning
por Deanna Raybourn
1,618 membros
118 críticas
3.8
10 Members
MajorRakal, navelos, Sarielle, perennialreader, bookcookie1920, janey9, llarsson7, JoeB1934, Ann_R, dkidwell
14
And Then There Were None
por Agatha Christie
21,493 membros
538 críticas
4.2
11 Members
LadyUndomiel, Euryale, lahochstetler, BooksPlease, Mweb, nrmay, SF_fan_mae, Dayclear, Andrew_Orange, Yuki-Onna, hthacher,feanor451
15
The Woman in White
por Wilkie Collins
12,915 membros
338 críticas
4.1
10 Members
ReshiBec, perennialreader, Mweb, Tess_W, Onilyn, RODNEYP, Carrieida, SuSu2, SaraElizabeth11, lovelybookishthings,Porua
Explicações
Porua: In my opinion, "The Woman in White" cannot be categorized as a "mystery" per se. Collins' "The Moonstone" fits more into this category but not this book.
16
The Thirteenth Tale
por Diane Setterfield
17,212 membros
911 críticas
4
10 Members
janoorani24, lahochstetler, raidergirl3, sturlington, perennialreader, vancouverdeb, msjudy, Dayclear, Lisa.Domke, Tosta
17
The Widows of Malabar Hill
por Sujata Massey
1,167 membros
70 críticas
3.8
9 Members
scriveling, karenb, Euryale, lahochstetler, crystal075, DidIReallyReadThat, zmeischa, MBAdams, Onilyn
18
Gaudy Night
por Dorothy L. Sayers
5,498 membros
149 críticas
½ 4.3
10 Members
Herenya, lizzy50usa, saskia17, Caesia, merrystar, robenc, Andrew_Orange, slimikin, Paulasmithy, SuSu2,andyl ,feanor451
Explicações
merrystar: Set before 1950; list description says that books can be published contemporaneously and need only be set before or during the 1950s.
19
Falsas Aparências
por Sarah Waters
7,862 membros
284 críticas
4.1
9 Members
anglemark, rarm, Stevil2001, raidergirl3, zmeischa, Onilyn, ManWithAnAgenda, RODNEYP, Paulasmithy
20
Rebecca
por Daphne Du Maurier
20,935 membros
614 críticas
4.2
8 Members
MajorRakal, BooksPlease, crystal075, BonnieJune54, nrmay, msemmag, SaraElizabeth11, CatotheElder
21
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
por Patrick Süskind
18,267 membros
452 críticas
3.9
8 Members
kleo, FAMeulstee, elenchus, nessreader, Stewdar, MTCDBIBLIO, Lisa.Domke, skid0612
22
Slippery Creatures
por KJ Charles
412 membros
21 críticas
4.1
8 Members
LadyUndomiel, gsc55, Sarielle, souloftherose, Onilyn, ManWithAnAgenda, slimikin, Bookladycma
23
A Free Man of Color
por Barbara Hambly
924 membros
38 críticas
3.9
8 Members
scriveling, tardis, Euryale, rarm, nessreader, BonnieJune54, RODNEYP, JoeB1934
24
The House at Riverton
por Kate Morton
5,462 membros
251 críticas
3.8
7 Members
dara85, raidergirl3, perennialreader, Hope_H, srsrhs, lsnrtn, CatotheElder
25
The Shadow of the Wind
por Carlos Ruiz Zafón
28,106 membros
1,040 críticas
4.1
7 Members
terran, Rommert, MTCDBIBLIO, Andrew_Orange, llarsson7, ManWithAnAgenda, jnsp13
26
Devil in a Blue Dress
por Walter Mosley
2,617 membros
99 críticas
3.8
8 Members
karenb, LadyUndomiel, Euryale, wdwilson3, sturlington, Onilyn, JoeB1934, skid0612
Explicações
skid0612: The first novel in the marvelous Easy Rawlins series starts with a bang in late 40s Los Angeles
27
Alias Grace
por Margaret Atwood
11,957 membros
258 críticas
3.9
7 Members
rarm, lahochstetler, BooksPlease, sturlington, Estramir, Hope_H, msjudy
28
The Alienist
por Caleb Carr
9,569 membros
249 críticas
4
6 Members
elenchus, Sarielle, llarsson7, Tosta, skid0612, hthacher
29
A virgem presa no gelo
por Ellis Peters
2,088 membros
48 críticas
4
7 Members
scriveling, TeresaInTexas, Caesia, gypsysmom, SF_fan_mae, Boand, JoeB1934
Explicações
Boand: Very hard to choose just one of Ellis Peters’ books, but this is a favourite set in a little known period of English history.
30
The Cater Street Hangman
por Anne Perry
1,795 membros
66 críticas
½ 3.7
6 Members
jeshakespeare, RBeffa, DidIReallyReadThat, nrmay, mrswebster, llarsson7
31
The Nine Tailors
por Dorothy L. Sayers
4,425 membros
116 críticas
4
7 Members
scriveling, janoorani24, Caesia, CarltonC, Andrew_Orange, llarsson7, SuSu2,feanor451
Explicações
CarltonC: I keep saving Gaudy Night, so may change my opinion once I have read, but love Lord Peter Wimsey’s characterisation and the setting of winter in the fens.
32
The Unquiet Bones
por Mel Starr
533 membros
38 críticas
3.8
6 Members
MajorRakal, jeshakespeare, raidergirl3, lizzy50usa, DidIReallyReadThat, JoeB1934
33
The Hound of the Baskervilles
por Arthur Conan Doyle
15,488 membros
301 críticas
3.9
5 Members
LadyUndomiel, TedWitham, njtrout, Rommert, Andrew_Orange
34
Snow Falling on Cedars
por David Guterson
12,985 membros
189 críticas
3.8
5 Members
LadyUndomiel, EerierIdyllMeme, sturlington, BonnieJune54, vwinsloe
35
Girl Waits With Gun
por Amy Stewart
1,757 membros
148 críticas
3.8
5 Members
scriveling, charl08, raidergirl3, robenc, Carrieida
36
Lavender House
por Lev AC Rosen
347 membros
22 críticas
3.9
4 Members
LadyUndomiel, noveltea, Onilyn, KeithChaffee
37
The Bottoms
por Joe R. Lansdale
1,120 membros
42 críticas
4.1
4 Members
yoyogod, mrswebster, srsrhs, SuSu2
38
A Peculiar Combination
por Ashley Weaver
228 membros
14 críticas
3.8
5 Members
bookcookie1920, robenc, MBAdams, Carrieida, Paulasmithy
39
The Queen's Man
por Sharon Kay Penman
1,300 membros
32 críticas
3.8
5 Members
scriveling, Mweb, al.vick, SF_fan_mae, JoeB1934
40
Once Upon a River
por Diane Setterfield
2,530 membros
163 críticas
4
4 Members
lahochstetler, RBeffa, vancouverdeb, msjudy
41
The Essex Serpent
por Sarah Perry
3,220 membros
172 críticas
½ 3.6
4 Members
libraryfan, Lisa.Domke, ManWithAnAgenda, Boand
Explicações
Boand: Wonderful mystery set in Victorian England, full of mists, magic, myths and murder.
42
An Instance of the Fingerpost
por Iain Pears
5,268 membros
137 críticas
3.9
4 Members
Imprinted, libraryfan, cbl_tn, Paulasmithy
Explicações
Imprinted: An elegantly constructed mystery novel about a murder in 17th century Oxford, England, told from conflicting points of view.
43
Arthur and George
por Julian Barnes
4,923 membros
175 críticas
½ 3.7
4 Members
Stevil2001, TedWitham, kleo, zmeischa
44
Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor
por Stephanie Barron
1,328 membros
47 críticas
½ 3.6
4 Members
scriveling, jeshakespeare, lizzy50usa, MBAdams
45
March Violets
por Philip Kerr
1,208 membros
54 críticas
½ 3.6
4 Members
EerierIdyllMeme, charl08, FAMeulstee, elenchus
46
Farthing
por Jo Walton
1,592 membros
114 críticas
3.9
5 Members
andyl, Aquila, anglemark, sturlington, JoeB1934,lorax
Explicações
lorax : This is an alternate history, not set in the actual historical past.
47
My Name Is Red
por Orhan Pamuk
7,065 membros
173 críticas
3.8
4 Members
rarm, kleo, FAMeulstee, msjudy
48
Sovereign
por C. J. Sansom
2,441 membros
90 críticas
4.1
4 Members
BooksPlease, CarltonC, cbl_tn, SuSu2
49
The White Lady
por Jacqueline Winspear
453 membros
25 críticas
3.9
4 Members
robenc, msjudy, Dayclear, CatotheElder
50
The Luminaries
por Eleanor Catton
5,079 membros
247 críticas
3.8
3 Members
Aquila, charl08, EMS_24
Explicações
EMS_24: During the goldrush in New Zealand. Each chapter from another protagonist's point of view, in each chapter a changing view on current days and the days around the crime; roles and what happened.
51
The Hangman's Daughter
por Oliver Pötzsch
2,884 membros
174 críticas
½ 3.6
3 Members
Euryale, ijustgetbored, al.vick
Explicações
al.vick: an excellent series, not sure which is my favorite.
52
The Moonstone
por Wilkie Collins
10,878 membros
248 críticas
4
4 Members
TeresaInTexas, CarltonC, Andrew_Orange, SuSu2
53
The Leper of Saint Giles
por Ellis Peters
1,983 membros
48 críticas
3.9
3 Members
cbl_tn, feanor451, AndreaLP
54
A Body in the Bath House
por Lindsey Davis
952 membros
23 críticas
3.8
3 Members
Stewdar, Boand, Paulasmithy
Explicações
Boand: SO hard to choose just one of Lindsey’s books but this one also makes me laugh and reminds me that the art of plumbers hasn’t changed in 2000 years!
55
Some Danger Involved
por Will Thomas
856 membros
45 críticas
3.8
3 Members
MajorRakal, lizzy50usa, llarsson7
56
Death Below Stairs
por Jennifer Ashley
271 membros
21 críticas
½ 3.7
3 Members
navelos, bookcookie1920, lsnrtn
57
The Corset
por Laura Purcell
425 membros
19 críticas
4
3 Members
sturlington, Ann_R, SuSu2
58
The Mask of Dimitrios
por Eric Ambler
1,855 membros
50 críticas
3.8
3 Members
janoorani24, Michael.Rimmer, feanor451
59
Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee
por Robert Van Gulik
788 membros
17 críticas
3.8
3 Members
FAMeulstee, Michael.Rimmer, SF_fan_mae
60
Absolution by Murder
por Peter Tremayne
933 membros
32 críticas
½ 3.5
3 Members
andyl, AbigailAdams26, SF_fan_mae
Explicações
andyl: First in the Sister Fidelma series. Future books in the series are probably better than this one, but listed because it is the first.
61
Roman Blood
por Steven Saylor
1,536 membros
42 críticas
3.8
3 Members
janoorani24, Stewdar, slimikin
62
Search the Seven Hills
por Barbara Hambly
166 membros
½ 3.4
3 Members
tardis, Maddz, Bookladycma
Explicações
Maddz: A kidnapping in 2nd century Rome.
63
The Samurai's Wife
por Laura Joh Rowland
509 membros
6 críticas
½ 3.6
3 Members
Euryale, SF_fan_mae, AndreaLP
64
Silent in the Grave
por Deanna Raybourn
2,266 membros
137 críticas
4
3 Members
navelos, perennialreader, MBAdams
65
Fortune Favors the Dead
por Stephen Spotswood
373 membros
20 críticas
3.9
3 Members
karenb, rarm, bookcookie1920
66
Medicus
por Ruth Downie
1,274 membros
70 críticas
½ 3.6
3 Members
MajorRakal, feanor451, AndreaLP
67
Saint Peter's Fair
por Ellis Peters
2,074 membros
48 críticas
3.8
3 Members
Caesia, cbl_tn, Mweb
68
A Beautiful Place to Die
por Malla Nunn
557 membros
39 críticas
4
3 Members
charl08, sturlington, SuSu2
69
The Murder of Mr. Ma
por S. J. Rozan
71 membros
3 críticas
½ 3.3
3 Members
tardis, karenb, slimikin
70
A Monstrous Regiment of Women
por Laurie R. King
3,134 membros
100 críticas
4
3 Members
wdwilson3, Tosta, SuSu2
71
Moord in Toscane : een monnik als speurder in de Middeleeuwen
por Hélène Nolthenius
89 membros
3 críticas
½ 3.5
2 Members
EMS_24, Rommert
72
The Janissary Tree
por Jason Goodwin
1,568 membros
67 críticas
½ 3.4
3 Members
charl08, FAMeulstee, zmeischa
73
A Plague on Both Your Houses
por Susanna Gregory
599 membros
24 críticas
½ 3.5
2 Members
andyl, MajorRakal
Explicações
andyl: First in the Matthew Bartholomew series set (mostly) in Cambridge University in the 14th century.
74
Wings of Fire
por Charles Todd
874 membros
36 críticas
3.8
2 Members
terran, saskia17
75
The Thirty-Nine Steps
por John Buchan
5,437 membros
188 críticas
½ 3.5
4 Members
CarltonC, Stewdar, perennialreader, AndreaLP,Porua ,themulhern
Explicações
CarltonC: Although certainly a great adventure yarn, I have always thought of it as a mystery as well, and although only slightly historical when written (1915) about pre-WW1 Britain, it is now historical, as allowed in the description for the list.
Porua: In my opinion, "The Thirty-Nine Steps" cannot be categorized as a mystery. It's more of an adventure/spy novel.
themulhern : I'm pretty sure this is contemporary with the time it was written.
76
Morality Play
por Barry Unsworth
1,309 membros
42 críticas
3.8
2 Members
Stevil2001, CarltonC
77
The Paris Daughter
por Kristin Harmel
300 membros
25 críticas
4.2
2 Members
dara85, Carrieida
78
The Dante Club
por Matthew Pearl
7,562 membros
171 críticas
½ 3.4
2 Members
Euryale, knerd.knitter
79
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
por James McBride
1,891 membros
95 críticas
4.1
2 Members
msjudy, mrswebster
80
The Ashes of London
por Andrew Taylor
575 membros
29 críticas
½ 3.7
2 Members
BooksPlease, Dave_Perry
Explicações
Dave_Perry: Remarkable account of the aftermath of the fire of London. Mystery solved by pair with exquisite detail of living conditions at the time.
81
Curious Toys
por Elizabeth Hand
239 membros
16 críticas
3.8
2 Members
anglemark, sturlington
82
The Gods of Gotham
por Lyndsay Faye
1,345 membros
121 críticas
4
2 Members
sturlington, msjudy
83
Fires of London
por Janice Law
40 membros
4 críticas
4
2 Members
claire.rivers, gsc55
84
A Conspiracy of Violence
por Susanna Gregory
259 membros
9 críticas
½ 3.5
2 Members
andyl, MajorRakal
Explicações
andyl: Thomas Chaloner series set just after the restoration of Charles II.
85
Misterio em shrewsbury
por Ellis Peters
1,721 membros
34 críticas
3.9
2 Members
SF_fan_mae, msjudy
86
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide
por Rupert Holmes
907 membros
22 críticas
3.9
2 Members
Tosta, lsnrtn
87
And Only to Deceive
por Tasha Alexander
1,775 membros
81 críticas
½ 3.6
2 Members
perennialreader, MBAdams
88
The Ruby in the Smoke
por Philip Pullman
4,155 membros
100 críticas
½ 3.7
2 Members
TeresaInTexas, themulhern
Explicações
themulhern: A mystery set in Victorian England, clearly inspired by "The Sign of Four".
89
Shrines of Gaiety
por Kate Atkinson
1,028 membros
49 críticas
3.9
2 Members
CarltonC, Tosta
90
Murder Most Unladylike
por Robin Stevens
814 membros
38 críticas
½ 3.7
2 Members
Sarielle, bookcookie1920
91
Death of a Nationalist
por Rebecca Pawel
267 membros
8 críticas
3.8
2 Members
zmeischa, skid0612
92
Death in the Spires
por KJ Charles
67 membros
7 críticas
½ 4.4
2 Members
souloftherose, Bookladycma
93
Child 44
por Tom Rob Smith
4,792 membros
292 críticas
3.9
2 Members
vancouverdeb, skid0612
94
Even Though I Knew the End
por C. L. Polk
410 membros
19 críticas
4.1
2 Members
LadyUndomiel, ReshiBec
95
Lady Audley's Secret
por Mary Elizabeth Braddon
2,720 membros
83 críticas
½ 3.7
2 Members
lahochstetler, BonnieJune54
96
A Study in Scarlet Women
por Sherry Thomas
1,284 membros
84 críticas
3.8
2 Members
nrmay, MBAdams
97
Cards on the Table
por Agatha Christie
4,387 membros
95 críticas
3.8
2 Members
Porua, hthacher
Explicações
hthacher: Set at the time of publication in the thirties, which is clearly in accordance with the rules.
98
Murder on Astor Place
por Victoria Thompson
1,052 membros
53 críticas
½ 3.7
2 Members
navelos, Carrieida
99
The Frangipani Tree Mystery
por Ovidia Yu
175 membros
13 críticas
½ 3.7
2 Members
tardis, karenb
Explicações
tardis: Set in Singapore before WW2. The series continues on through WW2.
100
A Duty to the Dead
por Charles Todd
1,310 membros
94 críticas
½ 3.7
2 Members
BonnieJune54, Carrieida