Hysterical historicals

Sharon Wheeler

One of my Saturday jobs when I was at school was working in a public library. The obvious perk was being able to take out as many books as I wanted. The downside of the job was breaking up fights between the blue rinse brigade.

The little old dears – who all had scarily sharp elbows – used to sidle up to you and whisper conspiratorially: "Got any new Catherine Cooksons, dear?" And if they happened to spot one being put on the returns trolley, it was every woman for herself . . .

I read one Cookson and never cared to try any more. But I did fall for the other writer they used to scuffle over – Jean Plaidy. In fact, during my teens I devoured more historical fiction that I've read since. I remember fondly Rosemary Hawley Jarman's We Speak No Treason series, set during the time of Richard III, and DK Broster's Jacobite Trilogy (The Flight of the Heron, The Gleam in the North and The Dark Mile).

The Broster books, which I now have the urge to re-read 30 years on, has special significance for me, as my late and much adored Scottish grandmother gave me her copy of it, and confided that it had been her favourite book when she was younger.

For some reason, though, historical crime fiction has never much interested me. Nope, no idea why not, especially since I do read historical non-fiction occasionally, particularly if it's medieval history.

I do like two widely differing series – RS Downie's delightful Medicus series, where a beleaguered Roman quack finds the Brits more than a tad troublesome, and CJ Sansom's dark, intense books set during Henry VIII's tumultuous reign and featuring lawyer Matthew Shardlake.

Both of these writers are natural storytellers. Downie's books whisk along on a tide of snappy dialogue and throwaway lines, and sometimes the mystery is actually the least interesting part of them. Sansom's strength is his incredibly vivid world-building, and the breadth of his research. Often you feel that writers clobber you over the head with what they've found out while they were writing the book, but Sansom integrates it so smoothly – for some reason the reference to wooden false teeth has stuck in my mind from his new book, Revelation.

I've tried other authors who write about those same periods, but none have grabbed me. And more recent history hasn't been any more successful, which why I was interested by Abby's post on Sunday when she referred to the current fad for setting books in the 1950s. I'm currently reading Benjamin Black's Christine Falls, and it's not doing a lot for me, despite the fact I'm usually a sucker for books set in Dublin. And I can take or leave Andrew Taylor's Lydmouth series, despite people whose views I trust raving about it.

So what other good historical series would you recommend to lure me into that side of the genre? I'll pass on any with Elvis Presley or William Shakespeare as sleuth, thanks!

Comments

[Kitty]

I waded through Christine Falls with the same feeling as you're having.

Although not historical, I just read Denise Mina's trilogy -- Garnethill, Exile, Resolution -- which I liked, especially Garnethill. I read them for the Glasgow, Scotland, setting. And they're hardly hysterical.

My mother was a librarian, first in the public library in Rochester, NY, during the WWII, and then in my high school for 23 years. The students gave her grief -- that's what dudes do, right? -- but they couldn't top a couple of the teachers.

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[Sharon Wheeler]

Hi Kitty! I'm a great fan of Denise Mina. Have you read her Paddy Meehan series which kicks off in the 1980s?

One of my colleagues in the public library always claimed the place would run so much more smoothly without members of the public! I had a very short stint in a library in an art college before training as a journalist, and I think the students and staff were neck-and-neck for weirdness. "I read a book once . . . it was green. Do you know the title?" :o)

[Kitty]

I've been thinking about historical books, ones I might have read. However, the chances that I have are pretty low since I hated history in school, or at least the way it was taught. (I loved ancient Roman history I learned while taking Latin) A

And then I recalled The Diary of Ann Frank as a kid. So I had proof that I had read at least one historical book. Then I recalled three more: 1) Anya, by Susan Fromberg Schaeffer; 2) When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit (child's book but very good), by Judith Kerr; and 3) Haven, by Ruth Gruber.

I like WWII stories -- how people survived in the face of adversity.

I know you asked about historical FICTION, and #2 fits that definition. It's just that I'm amazed I've ever read anything with any historical relevance!

As to Mina -- I have The Dead Hour I've yet to read. How do the Paddy Meehan books measure up to the Maureen O'Donnell series?

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[Sharon Wheeler]

I loved history at school, but that seems to have translated into reading non-fic instead of fiction! Thanks for the recommendations -- I've read Anne Frank's diary, but not familiar with the others.

I prefer the Paddy Meehan series to the Garnethill books, but then that might be partly because I like the newspaper setting. But it's a good series spread across several decades.

[Kitty]

I love the Net. While googling for something entirely different, I stumbled across a book about Cooperstown. I lived near Cooperstown, so my interest was piqued.

"The Monsters of Templeton," by Lauren Groff, might be historical fiction.

I found it at B&N, but for some strange reason, it's not listed on Amazon.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Monsters-of-Templeton/Lauren-Groff/e/9781401322250

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[House 6]

I have a set of antholgies, Historical Whodunits and Ancient Whodunits, both a grouping of short stories set in older eras. I'd recommend starting there and seeing if any of those authors grab your attention.

For me, I love the Brother Cadfel (spelling?) series and the Roma Sub Rosa series, although I've forgotten the authors names. For slightly more modern whodunits I like Hercule Pirot stories.

[Robin Agnew]

While I LOVE the Paddy Meehan books I wouldn't consider them historicals. Since you like Sansom, you might also enjoy the writing of Rennie Airth, the second book (Blood Dimmed Tide) being even better than the first(River of Darkness). Airth doesn't hit you over the head with detail, it's just another part of the story. And I can't help but recommend one of my favorite mysteries, historical or no, THE DEVIL IN MUSIC, by Kate Ross. It's great on so many levels, the writng the story, the characters, the Italian setting thd the musical theme that winds through the whole book and brings it together. It's lovely.

[Sharon Wheeler]

Hi House! And the anthology is a really good idea -- I'll see if I can track them down. That shoul give me a taste for writers I might like.

And Robin, you're right -- the Paddy series isn't really history. I think we got a bit sidetracked! And thanks for the recommendations for Ross and Airth -- I'll look out for them.

[Gary Corby]

The Roma Sub Rosa series is written by Steven Saylor and features Gordianus the Finder. He and Lindsay Davis' Falco stories would probably be the top two for popularity. I'd recommend the early books of the SPQR series of John Maddox Roberts. The Lestrade stories of MJ Trow are definitely worth a read and very funny. For historical but non-mystery, read Mary Renault's stories of Ancient Greece, and George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman stories.

[Sharon Wheeler]

Thanks for the recommendations, Gary. I need to try Saylor and Davis, given how much I enjoyed Downie's books.

I've read some of the Flashman books, but aeons ago and barely remember them.