The Readers' Advisory Interest Group

Historical Mysteries

"Murder in Retrospect" (Libraries Unlimited, 2005) defines historical mysteries as mysteries set more than 50 years in the author’s past. In “Guilty Parties: A Mystery Lover’s Companion,” Ian Ousby notes that mysteries traditionally had contemporary settings; that is, they were written in the author’s present day and their appeal “lay in their being up-to-the-minute in their settings and state-of-the-art in their plots.” These days there are many mysteries and mystery series deliberately set in the past. Credit for the growth of this subgenre is often attributed to the success of the “Brother Cadfael” series by Ellis Peters. Perhaps another reason for its success is the typical intellectual curiosity of the mystery reader, who not only wants to know whodunit but who loves to learn about procedure, arcane topics, other cultures, and in this case, other times. Popular periods for mystery stories are medieval England, Victorian England, and ancient Rome.

Mysteries that were contemporary when the author wrote them but are now set in our own past, such as those by Arthur Conan Doyle and many by Agatha Christie, also appeal to lovers of historical mysteries. Note that the danger of anachronisms is absent; and since the author is writing about his/her own time, the feeling of authenticity will be high. Also absent will be research-itis, which happens when an author is so proud of her/his historical research that too much of it gets into the book and bogs down the story.

	Harold Adams. Hatchet Job. 1996. In this thirteenth mystery in the series, Depression-era sign painter Carl Wilcox is hired as the town cop in Musterd, South Dakota after his predecessor is murdered. Wilcox doesn't lack for suspects as the murder victim managed to make many enemies due to his temper and womanizing.
	Rennie Airth. River of Darkness. 1999. The slaughter of a family in a small village in Surrey leads Inspector John Madden to a scene of carnage reminiscent of the war that has just ended: World War I. Several members of the household have been bayoneted. A small child survives too traumatized to speak. When Madden discovers the dugout from which the killer observed the family, he knows he must bring into play his military experience and pit himself against a criminal mind through which flows "the rivers of darkness."
	Carola Dunn. Death at Wentwater Court. 1994. Being the daughter of a viscount, Daisy Dalrymple is bold in her decision to have a career in the 1920s. Sent to a country manor house to write a feature on the famous Wentwater Court, she soon becomes involved in solving the mystery of the "accidental" death of scoundrel Lord Stephen. Where does one start looking for the murderer of a "gentlemen" everyone disliked Carola Dunn writes a cozy novel which hardly breaks ground in the mystery genre, but what Dunn lacks in originality she more than makes up for in refreshing naivety and language which reflects the 1920s. First in Diasy Dalrymple series
	Carola Dunn. Styx and Stones: A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery. 1999. When Seneca Falls librarian, Glynis Tryon discovers the body of Rose Walker, a young woman she has just recently met, she suspects foul play. Could it be that a new law just passed giving women the right to inherit property is the reason for such a heinous crime? Set in New York in 1848, this novel’s incorporates the themes of women's rights and the beginning of the suffrage movement. Glynis Tryon, a woman who chose a 'career as a librarian' over marriage, is 'deputized' by the town constable Cullen Stuart, to try and uncover any possible witnesses to the murder. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Douglas, and other famous faces of the period appear throughout the book Glynis soon becomes deeply involved in finding the murderer, to the point where her own life may be at risk. Author Miriam Grace Monfredo combines history, mystery, and a librarian protagonist into a enjoyable first novel. If you enjoy this book, you'll be delighted to learn that Glynis' adventures are continued in Monfredo's later novels.
	Anne Perry. Sins of the Wolf. 1994. When Nurse Hester Latterly took a job as a traveling companion to Mary Farraline ,a rich, amiable but sickly Scottish matron ,she expected to see the sites of Scotland. But when Mary died of a fatal dose of her heart medicine on the first night of their journey, Hester was charged with murder. Inspector Monk came on the scene trying to prove Hester's innocence. The book is set after the Crimean War.
	Ellis Peters. The Hermit of Eyton Forest. 1994. Richard Ludel dies and his ten-year-old son Richard, a pupil at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul becomes the new Lord of Eaton. The boys' grandmother wants him to make a marriage of convenience to join their neighboring lands together. But the girl is an old lady of 21 and he defies his grandmother. At this time a hermit, Cuthred has been patronized by his grandmother and becomes a resident of Eyton Forest with a companion called Hyacinth who befriends Richard. The Holy Man's arrival (the hermit) coincides with mishaps for the monks who are harboring Richard from his grandmother. Then the rogue Drago Bosie arrives, Richard disappears and a corpse appears. Brother Cadfael leaves his peaceful herb garden to track down a ruthless murderer. This is a well-told story with a fair amount of intrigue. Certainly a good read.
	Ellis Peters. A Morbid Taste for Bones. 1977. It is the year 1137 and Brother Cadfael of Shrewsbury Abbey has been sent on an expedition to Wales to acquire the remains of Saint Winifred. The village of Gwytherin, however, does not wish to give up it's saint. A strong opponent to moving the grave has been found dead and Brother Cadfael must find out who did it.