Historical fiction has always held a special place in my heart, and I do love a dual time line especially. This year has been full of incredible reads that have transported me to different times and places. In today’s post, I’m excited to share my top historical fiction picks from 2024—books that seamlessly blend the past with compelling stories and unforgettable characters.
Why Historical Fiction?
There’s something truly magical about historical fiction. It allows us to explore real historical events through the lens of creative storytelling, offering a unique way to connect with the past. These novels don't just teach us about history—they bring it to life, showing us the human side of key moments in time. I love how historical fiction weaves fact with imagination, giving readers both an emotional and intellectual experience.
Top Historical Fiction Books of 2024
Here’s a list of my favourite historical fiction reads this year. Each of these books stood out for its storytelling, rich historical setting, and personal impact.
Title: Imagine Living
Author: Deborah Morgan
Genre: History, mystery, suspense, thriller
Series: Disappearing Home series book 2 of 2
Publisher: Summer Seat Press
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 218
Format: Paperback provided to me by the author in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: It's 1980, Liverpool, Robyn is happy living with May, her nan. She is safe and well cared for. When her nan dies, sixteen-year-old Robyn finds herself homeless. She dreams of finding her father and finding a home. But she has no idea where to begin her search. Imagine Living opens as Robyn is working in her first job, in Waterford's Bakery. It is here she meets an array of characters who befriend her, but some of the characters are dangerous, searching for the most vulnerable in society to exploit. Robyn must find ways to escape them, as she is forced into navigating her own way in the world, doing her utmost to stay alive. Throughout Imagine Living, readers are jolted with unexpected surprises, through the kindness of strangers and heart warming moments of joy. How can Robyn be both living on the streets, where violence and poverty prevail, and own a Dior dress? And how will she handle being blackmailed and bullied? Robyn is in possession of an unstoppable sense optimism and loyalty to those she loves. Her kindness is seen by some as a weakness. But don't cross her, as she's formidable at protecting herself, described by many who meet her as a survivor.
My Thoughts: Imagine Living by Deborah Morgan is book 2 in the Disappearing Home series but can be read as a stand-alone book. It is based in 1980 and I really enjoyed reading about the people in this period and felt Deborah Morgan captured the vibrant essence of the 1980’s seamlessly weaving a narrative that immersed me in the cultural tapestry of the era. With meticulous attention to detail, bringing the streets, people and period to life evoking a sense of nostalgia and authenticity that transported me back to the atmosphere of the 1980’s. The book had humour and wit, but periods of fear and hope all of which made me love the main protagonist Robyn more and more. The relationship between Robyn and her Nan was heart warming and testament to the enduring power and love of family portrayed with authenticity, in the period enriching the narrative.
I laughed at the wit and humour of the time and cried at the loss and despair as if I were taking every step with Robyn. She was resilient and vulnerable all at the same time.
In conclusion, the book is about love, loss and trying to find your way along with family, friends, and foes. A great read that had lost of emotion and a cultural tapestry of the 1980’s that I recommend if you love books about family, friends, and the past.
Title: Munich Wolf
Author: Rory Clements
Genre: Historical, Murder Mystery
Publisher: Zaffre
Date Published: 2024
Book Length: 400
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** A great book I cant recommend highly enough
About Book Munich, 1935 - The Bavarian capital is a magnet for young, aristocratic Britons who come to learn German, swim in the lakes and drink beer in the cellars. What they don't see - or choose to ignore - is the brutal underbelly of the Nazi movement which considers Munich its spiritual home. When a high-born English girl is murdered, Detective Sebastian Wolff is ordered to solve the crime. Wolff is already walking a tight line between doing his job and falling foul of the political party he abhors. Now Hitler is taking a personal interest in the case. Followed by the secret police and threatened by his own son, a fervent member of the Hitler Youth, the stakes have never been higher. And when Wolff begins to suspect that the killer might be linked to the highest reaches of the Nazi hierarchy, he fears his task is simply impossible - and that he might become the next victim.
My Thoughts: Munich Wolf by Rory Clements is based in Germany 1935. It is a book full of emotion with the disparate opinions between families during this historical time along with the love and fear of a parent and grandparent.
The attention to detail in the period made the book more riveting and Clements masterfully weaves a tale of intrigue and danger centering around the main protagonist, Wolfs quest to solve the extremely high-profile murder. The narrative skilfully explores the difficult complexities of navigating the investigation with Wolf facing both personal and political threats. As the plot moved on at pace the stakes got higher keeping me fully engrossed. It evoked fear, for the time and I wondered whether morality could be lost against saving one’s own skin. The book gave me a strong sense of the atmosphere, tension and fear that gripped the people in this tumultuous time, enabling me to immerse myself in the unsettling experience of living in historical uncertainties as the book had a deep sense of foreboding most of the way through.
In conclusion Munich Wolf is a riveting thriller that captivated me right from the start, right through to the very end and I recommend this book to lovers of mystery and history.
Title: House of Dreams
Author: Mark Stibbe
Genre: Romance Historical
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 436
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Tony Lawson is a world-famous dream therapist, but he hasn’t dreamed in years, and he needs more therapy than he can give. On the day his divorce is finalised, he is driving past a village when he sees a large old house for sale. Walking through the gates, he is captivated by its history and mystery. That night, he starts dreaming again. Drawn by its magic, Tony buys the property and discovers it once belonged to Queen Catherine Parr. As the house tells more and more of its story in Tony’s dreams, Tony is led by both the living and the dead to a startling and seismic discovery – one that will transform both the house of his soul and the soul of his house. House of Dreams is a magical tale about a 500-year-old Tudor house - its ghosts, its traumas, its treasures, and its secrets. It may only have two storeys, but it tells many tales. After reading House of Dreams, you will never see houses in the same way again.
My Thoughts: The House of Dreams by Mark Stibbe starts of in a glorious manner by introducing people slowly. I loved Rakesh the neighbour in Chelsea who seemed so calm you almost felt it oozing of off the page.
The descriptive verse is exquisite the way Stibbe bounces words around makes them sing on the pages and draws you in.
The main protagonist Tony Lawson is a well thought out character, while reading you can almost feel his pain, angst, and insecurities a testament to Stibbes writing prowess.
The House of Dreams has everything, humour that tickles your funny bone, love that tugs at your heart strings, sadness that will make you want to weep and drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat and characters that leap of the page and into your heart. I loved the switches between past and present woven seamlessly through dreams it added a captivating layer of depth and intrigue to the narrative. I laughed and cried throughout; it was an emotional roller coaster that I wanted to rush through to the end but I also wanted to savour every page.
In conclusion a 5***** star book that has it all and I highly recommend.
Title: Blood Among The Threads
Author: David Ebsworth
Genre: Historical, Crime, Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Silverwood Books
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 335
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: He only sought the truth. But some truths are best left buried. Wrexham, 1876. Meet Alfred Neobard Palmer, an unlikely hero. "It was a death which had brought him here. Death by snake venom, of all things." Palmer – and his more courageous sweetheart, young Ettie Francis. A series of accidental deaths which increasingly seem – well, more than simply accidental. Deaths luring Palmer and Ettie, slowly but surely, towards a terrifying climax through the treacherous waters of the North Wales coast. But can those deaths truly be linked to the huge coverlet on display at Wrexham's magnificent Art Treasures Exhibition? A patchwork of images both Biblical and bewitching. And is there, literally, blood among the coverlet's threads?
My Thoughts: Blood Among The Threads by David Ebsworth is an historical, mystery, crime thriller and as I read through the first thing that struck me is the writing style. It felt true to the time period and so easily transported me back to Victorian England, I could almost feel I was there from the beginning as Ebsworth draws you in with each page moving through layers of intrigue and mystery. I loved the backdrop of the Art Treasures exhibition it added a depth to the mystery and for all of her faults and foibles I loved the character Bethan Thomas. Ebsworth made her come alive with his vivid description and at times she even made me chuckle although I was not sure I was meant to.
The descriptions of the time Ettie and Alfred Neo moved along the streets of Wrexham made the journey come alive a testament, I think again to Ebsworth’s writing. I also enjoyed the character Ettie she was a formidable female and in the backdrop of 1857 she captivated me with her strength breathing life into the pages with her determination and unbelievable spirit, I just wished that Alfred Neo would stop dithering at times, but it just showed how involved in the story line I was.
In conclusion, a great Victorian Mystery with the writing allowing me to immerse myself in the period, vivid characters with some humour along the way. A must for lovers of a good Victorian Mystery that is filled with intrigue and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Title: The Pieces Of Us
Author: Caroline Montague
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Orion
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 440
Format: Paperback supplied by the author in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Marina and Hugh were once madly in love. But after the loss of their beautiful little daughter, grief has created a distance between them that feels impossible to bridge. Marina knows leaving Italy is the only way they will be able to move on, but Thorncliffe Hall, Hugh's family home in England, is so grey and unwelcoming. Just when life feels like it may never regain colour, Marina and Hugh come across a striking china coffee pot in a London shop window, adorned with a fox flying through the night sky. The coffee pot comes attached with a mystery, one that is connected with Hugh's own family many years ago. By digging into the past, Marina is about to discover a story far beyond her wildest dreams. But will the past help her heal the present?
My Thoughts: Caroline Montague is a wizard with words. The Pieces Of Us begins with a poignant and impactful start, setting a tone that truly resonated with me. The intense descriptions made me feel as If I was actually there as a bystander.
The book moves back and forth in time making both timelines come to life.
The characters are well developed with flaws and secrets. I particularly liked where the character of the past was able to start healing a character in the present.
The book moved like a flower opening from bud one petal at a time. Just giving enough but leaving you knowing there is much more to come until everything is revealed.
The pieces of us truly had it all emotion in spades, secrets untold, a mystery unfolding. I was invested in the past and the present right until the very end where the book still had the ability to make me cry. A 5-star book for lovers of history, romance and for books with dual points of view and one I highly recommend.
Title: The Mark Of The Salamander
Author: Justin Newland
Genre: Historical
Series: The Island Of Angels series Book 1 of 2
Publisher: The Book Guild Ltd
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 256
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: 1575: Nelan Michaels is a young Flemish man fleeing religious persecution in the Spanish Netherlands. Settling in Mortlake outside London, he studies under Queen Elizabeth’s court astrologer, conjuring a bright future – until he’s wrongly accused of murder. Forced into the life of a fugitive, Nelan is dramatically pressed into the crew of the Golden Hind.
Thrust into a strange new world on board Francis Drake’s vessel, Nelan sails the seas on a voyage to discover discovery itself. Encountering mutiny, ancient tribes and hoards of treasure, Nelan must explore and master his own mystical powers – including the Mark of the Salamander, the mysterious spirit of fire.
My Thoughts: The Mark of the Salamander by Justin Newland is book 1 of The Island of Angels duology and the first book I have read by Justin Newland. I love a historical novel and as soon as I saw the description, I knew it was a book for me.
Nelan the main protagonist and his epic journey through the book just jumps of the page at you a testament to Newlands writing as it draws you in. To me, although Nelan has had a difficult time since having to run away, he comes across as someone older than his years and very confident with his ability to manage as well as he does is astounding. I was rooting for his character all the way through the book.
I loved the elements of the book when Nelan was on board ship, the descriptions often felt eerie, as if you were watching the actions take place. Newland weaves the historical elements with the mystical along with integrating elements of Queen Elizabeth's court and the famous Sir Francis Drakes voyage making The Mark of the Salamander an unforgettable read. I could feel the tension building as the book progressed through the twists and turns of the book.
A great 5 ***** read and one I highly recommend to lovers of historical fiction.
Title: Love Lottie
Author: Mel Higgins
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Dear Lottie Series book 2 0f 2
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 377
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Cathleen longs for a child to complete her family so when her parents send her sixteen-year-old sister Lottie to London after secretly giving birth to a daughter, could this new bundle be the answer to her prayers? lives a good life in the city of Paris with a close knitted family around her, but when her uncle turns up the night before her wedding, family secrets are exposed, leaving her to decide where she belongs. Grace promised her unborn child that she would be a better mother than her own but while her husband Henry shows her little affection and hides away in his shed, she struggles to keep her promise. Sarah is used to her parents being different. her mum is always ill, and her dad works around the clock. However, when she starts reading books by, the author Lottie Ridley, her life changes forever.
My Thoughts: Love Lottie by Mel Higgins is an historical Romance book and part of the Dear Lottie books and although it is mentioned that you should read the first book, Dear Lottie, to get the full experience, I did not feel that my experience was any less for reading Love Lottie first. Although I have now purchased Dear Lottie.
Love Lottie starts of with a major event, and I was taken on an emotional rollercoaster that is about families, love, secret, hatred, and betrayal. The book is extremely sad in places with regrets of what ifs. The book made me cry very early on and it continued to do so as I felt the sadness ooze from the page.
The book is definitely a book well researched for its time, I could feel myself in the midst of the time period being written about and the book travel from the 1950’s through to the 1980’s with a small bit in current time.
This was a book that I did not want to put down, the short chapters added to the intensity of the events happening. Higgins ability to create a masterpiece through the characters’ lives, emotions and events had me hooked right from the very beginning until the last page, with the surprises at each twist and turn a bonus along this truly emotional ride.
Title: Hindsight
Author: Mary Turner Thomson
Genre: Dual Destinies historical
Publisher: The Book Whisperers
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 244
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 4**** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: In a fusion of past and present, Catherine’s world spirals into chaos when a mysterious childhood memory unveils haunting recollections of a life she never lived. The mesmerising saga of Merwynn, a defiant 9th-century Saxon ensnared in Viking intrigue, beckons from deep within her psyche. Every revelation from Merwynn’s era sends ripples through Catherine’s existence as she grapples with the weight of their entwined destinies. her to confront stark parallels in their quests for love and liberation in worlds that seem determined to chain them. With each layer of Merwynn’s history, Catherine’s own life frays, driving her to a precipice: will she succumb or muster the strength to redefine her destiny? deep into a poignant narrative that examines the essence of identity, the scars of generational trauma, and the transformative effects of empowerment. HINDSIGHT doesn’t merely invite readers to witness a journey - it challenges them to question the very fabric of freedom. Catherine’s desperate search for clarity between illusion and reality is a testament to human resilience and the eternal hope that binds souls across ages.
My Thoughts: Hindsight by Mary Turner Thomson is a book that fuses past with present and as soon as I saw the book cover, I knew I had to read it. Then I read the blurb and I was doubly hooked. I found the book quite calming which is surprising given some of the areas discussed. It did give me time to reflect and think about the different time lines and how Catherine's life impacted her from one time line to another. Hindsight is a very thought provoking read, sensitively written. Catherine, the main protagonist, did irritate me at times with her sense of unworthiness, but that became clear by the time the book finished. I did feel the book was slow to start, but it did pick up the pace when the time periods seemed to collide and by then I didn’t want to put the book down. The characters at the beginning felt clear but Mary Turner Thomson disguised the realities really well which leaves you guessing and wanting more.
In conclusion, a through provoking book about how a past life can impact a current life, written well with well thought out characters a must for those of you readers who love a dual time line.
Title: The Swans Nest
Author: Laura McNeal
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Date Published: 2024
Book Length: 320
Star Rating: 4**** I liked it a lot and recommend
About Book: On a bleak January day in 1845, a poet who had been confined to her room for four years by recurrent illness received a letter from a writer she secretly idolized but had never seen. "I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett," Robert Browning wrote, "and I love you too. "Elizabeth Barrett was ecstatic. She was famous for her poetry but completely cut off from the kind of international travel that Browning used to fuel his obscure, unsuccessful, innovative poems, one of which was written from a murderer's point of view. They began an affectionate correspondence, but Elizabeth kept delaying a visit. What would happen when he saw her in person? What was Robert really like? Could she persuade her father and brothers that he was honourable, even though she had never met his family? And what would happen if she gave in to Robert's wild proposal that they go to Italy and see if the sun could cure her?
My Thoughts: The Swan’s Nest by Laura McNeal is an historical romance book set in Victorian times and is so eloquently written that I could almost feel and touch the Victorian era. There were a lot of players in the book, and at times I did lose track of them. But there was a beautiful love story intertwined throughout full of hope and fear.
The love story picks up the pace about 2/3rds of the way through and I was routing for Browning and Barrett, victims of their times. McNeal writes it beautifully taking care with the period that has you transported back.
In conclusion a wonderful love story set in Victorian times a must if you love history and romance.
Title: The Walk
Author: Emma Marns
Genre: Historical
Publisher: Cranthorpe Millner Publishers
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 354
Star Rating: 5 ***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: ‘The two girls sat in the back of the car, their destination unknown and their crimes worse than murder.’
In November 1979, Ailbe and Maire disappear from their rural village in Ireland, never to return. Pregnant out of wedlock, they are now outcasts from society.
Believing they will at least have each other, the girls are devastated when Ailbe is dumped at the gates of a place known only as ‘Bessborough’, whilst Maire is forced to continue on to Dublin, to be cared for by the relatives of her married lover.
What follows is an enduring tale of family, love, friendship, secrecy, self-sacrifice and the extraordinary endurance of women in the most appalling of circumstances.
My Thoughts: The walk by Emma Marns is a historical boob based in Ireland in the late 70’s. Although, I am not Irish I was the same age and remember the period well. Mars has researched the period well and exquisitely described events and characters. It is a very emotive subject, sensitively dealt with and I didn’t want to put the book down.
The book is sad and horrific in parts, but it is also about family, hope, friendship and secrets.
Marns prose was beautifully and sympathetically written in a way that told the story in the best way possible from all points of view.
The story switched from different points of view and different timelines, which added to the tension and enabled you to see the events from different sides and made things much clearer.
In Conclusion a great read that I couldn’t put down that was both sad, happy, poignant and extremely thought provoking and one I recommend.
Title: Cocktails Before Midnight
Author: Tanya E Williams
Genre: Historical
Series: Hotel Hamilton Series book 3
Publisher: Rippling Effects
Date Published: 2024
Book Length: 282
Format: E Book provided by the author in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5**** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Clara and Louisa Wilson, maids at the illustrious hotel, are swept up in the thrill of The Hamilton’s first holiday season. Louisa, buoyed by the excitement of her theatrical debut, sets her sights on Hollywood and befriending a director staying at the hotel. Meanwhile, Clara, newly promoted to a prestigious eighth-floor position, navigates the complexities of her role while a blossoming romance stirs her heart .But the joy of the season starts to fade as the sisters find themselves ensnared in a sinister ploy that threatens all they hold dear. Caught in the crosshairs of Louisa’s Hollywood ambitions, Clara’s budding romance, and with their very livelihoods at stake, they must confront a formidable challenge that could cost them everything. Will they find the strength to protect what matters most, or will they lose it all?
My Thoughts: Cocktails Before Midnight by Tanya E. Williams is part of the charming Hotel Hamilton series, but rest assured, it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel. This is the first book I’ve read by Williams, and I was quickly captivated by her storytelling. The novel unfolds through alternating perspectives of two sisters, Clara and Louisa. While these two women couldn’t be more different in temperament and outlook, their bond is deep and authentic—a testament to Williams' ability to craft believable, relatable characters.
The era in which the story is set comes vividly to life through Williams' descriptive prose. Every detail of the time period feels carefully considered, immersing the reader in a world where traditions and societal expectations influence every interaction. Yet, there’s a warmth throughout the story—a feel-good factor that runs deeper than nostalgia. The camaraderie between the employees at the Hamilton Hotel and the sisterly connection between Clara and Louisa creates a heart warming undercurrent that pulls you in and makes you care about their journey.
Williams’ ability to balance the intimate dynamics of family relationships with the historical richness of the era is impressive. The dialogue flows naturally, and the vivid descriptions transport you to the golden age of grand hotels, making you feel like you’re a guest at the Hamilton yourself.
In Conclusion, if you're in the mood for a novel that offers both emotional depth and the comfort of a cosy, heart warming read, Cocktails Before Midnight is the perfect choice. Williams has woven a story that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and family sagas alike, leaving you invested in the lives of her characters long after the final page. Whether you're already familiar with the Hotel Hamilton series or staring out anew for the first time like I did, this book promises a delightful escape into a bygone era. You won't want to put it down—and after finishing, you may find yourself eager to pick up another of Williams’ books.
Title: The Kite Runner
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Genre: Literary, historical
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published Date: 2018
Book Length: 368
Format: Paperback I purchased myself
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Afghanistan, 1975: Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the local kite-fighting tournament and his loyal friend Hassan promises to help him. But neither of the boys can foresee what will happen to Hassan that afternoon, an event that is to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return to Afghanistan under Taliban rule to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.
My Thoughts: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is typically listed as literary fiction, but for me, it belongs equally in the realm of historical fiction, given its setting in 1970s Afghanistan. From the very beginning, I was struck by the beauty of Hosseini's writing. Even though the subject matter is often difficult, his prose is so eloquent that it feels like you're being gently guided through the story, no matter how painful or raw it gets.
What really captivated me was the relationship between Amir and Hassan. Hosseini's descriptions brought their world to life in a way that made me feel as if I was standing right beside them. You can almost feel the tension, the guilt, the jealousy, and above all, the deep friendship that threads through their lives. Every emotion seems to leap off the page, and I found myself becoming completely absorbed in their story.
This isn’t a book to rush through. I found myself savouring it like my favourite dessert, enjoying it piece by piece, page by page. The themes of lost friendship, guilt, and redemption really resonated with me, especially set against the backdrop of such a turbulent time in Afghanistan’s history.
As I kept reading, I noticed a steady build-up of anticipation. Each chapter felt like it was raising the stakes, drawing me in deeper and deeper. I couldn’t stop myself from turning the pages faster, eager to see what was coming next. By the end, I was so emotionally invested that I felt as though I’d been on the journey with Amir and Hassan.
The Kite Runner left me deeply moved. Hosseini has a way of crafting stories that stick with you long after you’ve turned the final page. For me, this was a gripping, heart-wrenching read that I won’t soon forget.
Reading Experience and Impact
These novels have taken me on emotional journeys through different time periods, each one leaving a mark in its own way. Whether I was reading about [a specific historical event or setting] or losing myself in the personal struggles of the characters, these stories made me reflect on how the past shapes who we are today. Some of the quotes and moments from these books have stayed with me long after finishing, deepening my understanding of history and human resilience.
Recommendations and Conclusion
If you're a fan of historical fiction—or even if you're just dipping your toes into the genre—these books are a must-read. I highly recommend them to anyone who loves stories that beautifully combine historical facts with captivating plots. I’d love to hear your thoughts—what historical fiction novels have left an impact on you? Let’s keep the conversation going about the importance of storytelling in preserving and understanding history!
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