Category Archives: Historical Fiction

The Accomplice by Joseph Kanon

Posted on July 28, 2023 by bseat

Joseph Kanon is one of those authors I go back to over and over again. His research is impeccable, his plots are unique and interesting and his characters aren’t necessarily heroic, but they do rise to the occasion when they … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Fiction, Spy/Covert Operatives, Suspense, Thriller, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz

Posted on July 21, 2023 by bseat

There are times when I long for a classic mystery by Agatha Christie or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The trouble is I used to read those books over and over growing up in Japan, since my access to English books … Continue reading →

Posted in Detective novel, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Series, Suspense, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

Posted on June 23, 2023 by bseat

I loved watching True Blood on TV. It had all the things I loved- romance, thrills, chills and great dialogue! There was also a sense that even has the plot lines got more and more outrageous, the show runners would often … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Mystery/Detective, Thriller | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Dangerous Business by Jane Smiley

Posted on May 5, 2023 by bseat

Jane Smiley is a Pulitzer Prize winning author who keeps surprising her readers with the depth and breadth of her writing abilities. In this novel Smiley takes on the murder mystery genre, sets her story in California during the Gold … Continue reading →

Posted in Detective novel, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra

Posted on March 10, 2023 by bseat

This was a fascinating and poignant book about the infancy of the movie industry, the plight of immigrants before and during WWII, and what women have had to do in order to succeed in a man’s world. Marra, who wrote one … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Five Decembers by James Kestrel

Posted on December 9, 2022 by bseat

This book was the winner of the 2022 Edgar Awards, and it certainly deserves that honor. Set in Hawaii in 1941, this is a hard knuckle thriller that takes you all across the Pacific on the trail of a brutal … Continue reading →

Posted in Detective novel, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery/Detective, Thriller | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

Posted on November 25, 2022 by bseat

Every year I evaluate the books I read and come up with my top two or three books for the year. I have to confess I was getting a bit worried about what I would put on that list this … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Magician by Colm Tóibín

Posted on November 4, 2022 by bseat

I was intrigued by all the hype about this book and decided to put aside some of my reservations and read it. This is a novel about Thomas Mann, the Nobel laureate and author of A Death in Venice and … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Prize Winner, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Prince of Darkness by Sharon Kay Penman

Posted on August 26, 2022 by bseat

Sharon Kay Penman is an impressive historical novelist. Her books are well researched, steeped in historic details, but are never dry or stagnant. She alway fills out the historic figures in her books so that you feel like they are … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Mystery/Detective, Series, Suspense, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Lioness by Chris Bohjalian

Posted on August 19, 2022 by bseat

It is 1964 and renowned actress Katie Barstow has married her childhood friend, David Hill, in Paris. They have invited their best friends to come with them on their honeymoon to the Serengeti for an African safari. The guests include … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Beach Read, Books to take on vacation, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment