Best Mysteries With a Historical Setting

Lista del mese
Mag 2024 (see all)
Descrizione
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
Il nome della rosa
di Umberto Eco
19,614 utenti
315 recensioni
4.2
33 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, NitinKhanna, Thelamon1, Monty_Grover, feanor451, MyFathersDragon, lovelybookishthings, Mnmwi7, fricksalad, hthacher, john654
Spiegazioni
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
Le miniere dell'imperatore
di Lindsey Davis
2,404 utenti
80 recensioni
3.8
16 Members
andyl, lorax, janoorani24, MajorRakal, charl08, lizzy50usa, Caesia, CarltonC, nessreader, RBeffa, DidIReallyReadThat, Maddz, MTCDBIBLIO, srsrhs, JoeB1934, Bookladycma
Spiegazioni
Maddz: The 1st of the Falco series - a hard-boiled detective in Vespasian's Rome.
5
Assassinio sull'Orient Express
di Agatha Christie
17,292 utenti
424 recensioni
4.1
18 Members
LadyUndomiel, TeresaInTexas, jeshakespeare, njtrout, merrystar, birder4106, perennialreader, zmeischa, SF_fan_mae, Andrew_Orange, Boand, RODNEYP, skid0612, Thelamon1, SaraElizabeth11, Mnmwi7, fricksalad, hthacher,andyl ,lilithcat ,Sarielle , , ,feanor451
Spiegazioni
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.
6
L' allieva e l'apicultore
di Laurie R. King
5,925 utenti
295 recensioni
4.1
13 Members
scriveling, karenb, Herenya, jeshakespeare, lizzy50usa, saskia17, DidIReallyReadThat, Tanya-dogearedcopy, nrmay, llarsson7, RODNEYP, SuSu2, rmaniel
8
Il re della neve
di Kerry Greenwood
1,799 utenti
130 recensioni
½ 3.7
13 Members
tardis, Euryale, lahochstetler, jeshakespeare, raidergirl3, lizzy50usa, Caesia, dallenbaugh, bookcookie1920, SF_fan_mae, JoeB1934, lovelybookishthings, john654
Spiegazioni
lizzy50usa: The book that introduced the inimitable Phryne Fisher.
9
L' enigma del gallo nero
di C. J. Sansom
4,216 utenti
197 recensioni
3.9
13 Members
MajorRakal, BooksPlease, abbottthomas, raidergirl3, Caesia, CarltonC, Stewdar, RBeffa, Mweb, souloftherose, gypsysmom, al.vick, feanor451
11
La signora dell'arte della morte
di Ariana Franklin
4,019 utenti
251 recensioni
3.9
11 Members
ReshiBec, charl08, raidergirl3, claire.rivers, DidIReallyReadThat, gypsysmom, al.vick, ccreads247, Abcdarian, Boand, CatotheElder
Spiegazioni
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
Amelia Peabody e la mummia
di Elizabeth Peters
4,609 utenti
227 recensioni
3.9
12 Members
tardis, lizzy50usa, Caesia, Sarielle, DidIReallyReadThat, BonnieJune54, Maddz, noveltea, llarsson7, MyFathersDragon, Bookladycma, Kalira
Spiegazioni
Maddz: The first Amelia Peabody.
13
La donna in bianco
di Wilkie Collins
12,875 utenti
338 recensioni
4.1
10 Members
ReshiBec, perennialreader, Mweb, Tess_W, Onilyn, RODNEYP, Carrieida, SuSu2, SaraElizabeth11, lovelybookishthings,Porua
Spiegazioni
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.
14
Dieci piccoli indiani
di Agatha Christie
21,429 utenti
539 recensioni
4.2
10 Members
LadyUndomiel, Euryale, lahochstetler, BooksPlease, Mweb, nrmay, SF_fan_mae, Andrew_Orange, Yuki-Onna, hthacher,feanor451
15
Le vedove di Malabar Hill. Le inchieste di Perveen Mistry
di Sujata Massey
1,162 utenti
70 recensioni
3.8
9 Members
scriveling, karenb, Euryale, lahochstetler, crystal075, DidIReallyReadThat, zmeischa, MBAdams, Onilyn
16
Gaudy Night
di Dorothy L. Sayers
5,483 utenti
150 recensioni
½ 4.3
10 Members
Herenya, lizzy50usa, saskia17, Caesia, merrystar, robenc, Andrew_Orange, slimikin, Paulasmithy, SuSu2,andyl ,feanor451
Spiegazioni
merrystar: Set before 1950; list description says that books can be published contemporaneously and need only be set before or during the 1950s.
17
Ladra
di Sarah Waters
7,882 utenti
287 recensioni
4.1
9 Members
anglemark, rarm, Stevil2001, raidergirl3, zmeischa, Onilyn, ManWithAnAgenda, RODNEYP, Paulasmithy
18
La tredicesima storia
di Diane Setterfield
17,276 utenti
911 recensioni
4
9 Members
janoorani24, lahochstetler, raidergirl3, sturlington, perennialreader, vancouverdeb, msjudy, Lisa.Domke, Tosta
19
A Curious Beginning
di Deanna Raybourn
1,606 utenti
120 recensioni
3.8
9 Members
MajorRakal, navelos, Sarielle, perennialreader, bookcookie1920, janey9, llarsson7, JoeB1934, Ann_R
20
La prima moglie
di Daphne Du Maurier
20,865 utenti
616 recensioni
4.2
8 Members
MajorRakal, BooksPlease, crystal075, BonnieJune54, nrmay, msemmag, SaraElizabeth11, CatotheElder
21
Il profumo
di Patrick Süskind
18,236 utenti
453 recensioni
3.9
8 Members
kleo, FAMeulstee, elenchus, nessreader, Stewdar, MTCDBIBLIO, Lisa.Domke, skid0612
22
Slippery Creatures
di KJ Charles
409 utenti
21 recensioni
4.1
8 Members
LadyUndomiel, gsc55, Sarielle, souloftherose, Onilyn, ManWithAnAgenda, slimikin, Bookladycma
23
L'uomo del carnevale - Il giallo Mondadori n. 2574
di Barbara Hambly
920 utenti
38 recensioni
3.9
8 Members
scriveling, tardis, Euryale, rarm, nessreader, BonnieJune54, RODNEYP, JoeB1934
24
Ritorno a Riverton Manor
di Kate Morton
5,453 utenti
250 recensioni
3.8
7 Members
dara85, raidergirl3, perennialreader, Hope_H, srsrhs, lsnrtn, CatotheElder
25
L'ombra del vento
di Carlos Ruiz Zafón
28,049 utenti
1,044 recensioni
4.1
7 Members
terran, Rommert, MTCDBIBLIO, Andrew_Orange, llarsson7, ManWithAnAgenda, jnsp13
26
Il diavolo in azzurro
di Walter Mosley
2,608 utenti
99 recensioni
3.8
8 Members
karenb, LadyUndomiel, Euryale, wdwilson3, sturlington, Onilyn, JoeB1934, skid0612
Spiegazioni
skid0612: The first novel in the marvelous Easy Rawlins series starts with a bang in late 40s Los Angeles
27
L'altra Grace
di Margaret Atwood
11,931 utenti
259 recensioni
3.9
7 Members
rarm, lahochstetler, BooksPlease, sturlington, Estramir, Hope_H, msjudy
28
L' alienista
di Caleb Carr
9,541 utenti
250 recensioni
4
6 Members
elenchus, Sarielle, llarsson7, Tosta, skid0612, hthacher
29
La vergine nel ghiaccio
di Ellis Peters
2,080 utenti
48 recensioni
4
7 Members
scriveling, TeresaInTexas, Caesia, gypsysmom, SF_fan_mae, Boand, JoeB1934
Spiegazioni
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
Il boia di Cater Street
di Anne Perry
1,794 utenti
67 recensioni
½ 3.7
6 Members
jeshakespeare, RBeffa, DidIReallyReadThat, nrmay, mrswebster, llarsson7
31
Il segreto delle campane
di Dorothy L. Sayers
4,419 utenti
116 recensioni
4
7 Members
scriveling, janoorani24, Caesia, CarltonC, Andrew_Orange, llarsson7, SuSu2,feanor451
Spiegazioni
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
di Mel Starr
532 utenti
38 recensioni
3.8
6 Members
MajorRakal, jeshakespeare, raidergirl3, lizzy50usa, DidIReallyReadThat, JoeB1934
33
Il mastino dei Baskerville
di Arthur Conan Doyle
15,453 utenti
303 recensioni
3.9
5 Members
LadyUndomiel, TedWitham, njtrout, Rommert, Andrew_Orange
34
La neve cade sui cedri
di David Guterson
12,987 utenti
190 recensioni
3.8
5 Members
LadyUndomiel, EerierIdyllMeme, sturlington, BonnieJune54, vwinsloe
35
Girl Waits With Gun
di Amy Stewart
1,767 utenti
148 recensioni
3.8
5 Members
scriveling, charl08, raidergirl3, robenc, Carrieida
36
Lavender House
di Lev AC Rosen
337 utenti
23 recensioni
3.9
4 Members
LadyUndomiel, noveltea, Onilyn, KeithChaffee
37
In fondo alla palude
di Joe R. Lansdale
1,118 utenti
42 recensioni
4.1
4 Members
yoyogod, mrswebster, srsrhs, SuSu2
38
A Peculiar Combination
di Ashley Weaver
227 utenti
14 recensioni
3.8
5 Members
bookcookie1920, robenc, MBAdams, Carrieida, Paulasmithy
39
The Queen's Man
di Sharon Kay Penman
1,297 utenti
32 recensioni
3.8
5 Members
scriveling, Mweb, al.vick, SF_fan_mae, JoeB1934
40
Once Upon a River
di Diane Setterfield
2,510 utenti
165 recensioni
4
4 Members
lahochstetler, RBeffa, vancouverdeb, msjudy
41
The Essex Serpent
di Sarah Perry
3,190 utenti
175 recensioni
½ 3.6
4 Members
libraryfan, Lisa.Domke, ManWithAnAgenda, Boand
Spiegazioni
Boand: Wonderful mystery set in Victorian England, full of mists, magic, myths and murder.
42
La quarta verità
di Iain Pears
5,260 utenti
138 recensioni
3.9
4 Members
Imprinted, libraryfan, cbl_tn, Paulasmithy
Spiegazioni
Imprinted: An elegantly constructed mystery novel about a murder in 17th century Oxford, England, told from conflicting points of view.
43
Arthur and George
di Julian Barnes
4,914 utenti
176 recensioni
½ 3.7
4 Members
Stevil2001, TedWitham, kleo, zmeischa
44
Jane e la disgrazia di Lady Scargrave: romanzo
di Stephanie Barron
1,326 utenti
47 recensioni
½ 3.6
4 Members
scriveling, jeshakespeare, lizzy50usa, MBAdams
45
Violette di marzo
di Philip Kerr
1,203 utenti
54 recensioni
½ 3.6
4 Members
EerierIdyllMeme, charl08, FAMeulstee, elenchus
46
Farthing
di Jo Walton
1,589 utenti
114 recensioni
3.9
5 Members
andyl, Aquila, anglemark, sturlington, JoeB1934,lorax
Spiegazioni
lorax : This is an alternate history, not set in the actual historical past.
47
Il mio nome è rosso
di Orhan Pamuk
7,055 utenti
173 recensioni
3.8
4 Members
rarm, kleo, FAMeulstee, msjudy
48
Sovereign
di C. J. Sansom
2,430 utenti
91 recensioni
4.1
4 Members
BooksPlease, CarltonC, cbl_tn, SuSu2
49
The Luminaries
di Eleanor Catton
5,063 utenti
249 recensioni
3.8
3 Members
Aquila, charl08, EMS_24
Spiegazioni
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.
50
The Hangman's Daughter
di Oliver Pötzsch
2,878 utenti
174 recensioni
½ 3.6
3 Members
Euryale, ijustgetbored, al.vick
Spiegazioni
al.vick: an excellent series, not sure which is my favorite.
51
La pietra di luna
di Wilkie Collins
10,866 utenti
251 recensioni
4
4 Members
TeresaInTexas, CarltonC, Andrew_Orange, SuSu2
52
Due delitti per un monaco
di Ellis Peters
1,971 utenti
48 recensioni
3.9
3 Members
cbl_tn, feanor451, AndreaLP
53
A Body in the Bath House
di Lindsey Davis
950 utenti
23 recensioni
3.8
3 Members
Stewdar, Boand, Paulasmithy
Spiegazioni
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!
54
Some Danger Involved
di Will Thomas
854 utenti
45 recensioni
3.8
3 Members
MajorRakal, lizzy50usa, llarsson7
55
Death Below Stairs
di Jennifer Ashley
272 utenti
21 recensioni
½ 3.6
3 Members
navelos, bookcookie1920, lsnrtn
56
The Corset
di Laura Purcell
424 utenti
20 recensioni
4
3 Members
sturlington, Ann_R, SuSu2
57
La maschera di Dimitrios
di Eric Ambler
1,848 utenti
50 recensioni
3.8
3 Members
janoorani24, Michael.Rimmer, feanor451
58
I celebri casi del giudice Dee
di Robert Van Gulik
784 utenti
17 recensioni
3.8
3 Members
FAMeulstee, Michael.Rimmer, SF_fan_mae
59
Absolution by Murder
di Peter Tremayne
932 utenti
32 recensioni
½ 3.5
3 Members
andyl, AbigailAdams26, SF_fan_mae
Spiegazioni
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.
60
Sangue su Roma: romanzo
di Steven Saylor
1,534 utenti
42 recensioni
3.8
3 Members
janoorani24, Stewdar, slimikin
61
Search the Seven Hills
di Barbara Hambly
167 utenti
½ 3.4
3 Members
tardis, Maddz, Bookladycma
Spiegazioni
Maddz: A kidnapping in 2nd century Rome.
62
The Samurai's Wife
di Laura Joh Rowland
509 utenti
6 recensioni
½ 3.6
3 Members
Euryale, SF_fan_mae, AndreaLP
63
Silenzi e veleni
di Deanna Raybourn
2,260 utenti
137 recensioni
4
3 Members
navelos, perennialreader, MBAdams
64
Fortune Favors the Dead
di Stephen Spotswood
369 utenti
19 recensioni
3.9
3 Members
karenb, rarm, bookcookie1920
65
The White Lady
di Jacqueline Winspear
458 utenti
23 recensioni
3.9
3 Members
robenc, msjudy, CatotheElder
66
Medicus
di Ruth Downie
1,272 utenti
70 recensioni
½ 3.6
3 Members
MajorRakal, feanor451, AndreaLP
67
La fiera di San Pietro
di Ellis Peters
2,067 utenti
48 recensioni
3.8
3 Members
Caesia, cbl_tn, Mweb
68
A Beautiful Place to Die
di Malla Nunn
557 utenti
39 recensioni
4
3 Members
charl08, sturlington, SuSu2
69
The Murder of Mr. Ma
di S. J. Rozan
67 utenti
3 recensioni
3.2
3 Members
tardis, karenb, slimikin
70
A Monstrous Regiment of Women
di Laurie R. King
3,131 utenti
101 recensioni
4
3 Members
wdwilson3, Tosta, SuSu2
71
Moord in Toscane : een monnik als speurder in de Middeleeuwen
di Hélène Nolthenius
89 utenti
3 recensioni
½ 3.5
2 Members
EMS_24, Rommert
72
L' albero dei giannizzeri
di Jason Goodwin
1,565 utenti
66 recensioni
½ 3.4
3 Members
charl08, FAMeulstee, zmeischa
73
A Plague on Both Your Houses
di Susanna Gregory
600 utenti
25 recensioni
½ 3.5
2 Members
andyl, MajorRakal
Spiegazioni
andyl: First in the Matthew Bartholomew series set (mostly) in Cambridge University in the 14th century.
74
Wings of Fire
di Charles Todd
872 utenti
36 recensioni
3.8
2 Members
terran, saskia17
75
I trentanove gradini
di John Buchan
5,424 utenti
191 recensioni
½ 3.5
4 Members
CarltonC, Stewdar, perennialreader, AndreaLP,Porua ,themulhern
Spiegazioni
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
di Barry Unsworth
1,306 utenti
42 recensioni
3.8
2 Members
Stevil2001, CarltonC
77
The Paris Daughter
di Kristin Harmel
293 utenti
25 recensioni
4.2
2 Members
dara85, Carrieida
78
Il circolo Dante
di Matthew Pearl
7,558 utenti
171 recensioni
½ 3.4
2 Members
Euryale, knerd.knitter
79
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
di James McBride
1,803 utenti
94 recensioni
4.1
2 Members
msjudy, mrswebster
80
The Ashes of London
di Andrew Taylor
572 utenti
29 recensioni
½ 3.7
2 Members
BooksPlease, Dave_Perry
Spiegazioni
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
di Elizabeth Hand
240 utenti
16 recensioni
3.8
2 Members
anglemark, sturlington
82
Il dio di Gotham
di Lyndsay Faye
1,339 utenti
121 recensioni
4
2 Members
sturlington, msjudy
83
Fires of London
di Janice Law
40 utenti
4 recensioni
4
2 Members
claire.rivers, gsc55
84
A Conspiracy of Violence
di Susanna Gregory
259 utenti
9 recensioni
½ 3.5
2 Members
andyl, MajorRakal
Spiegazioni
andyl: Thomas Chaloner series set just after the restoration of Charles II.
85
Mistero doppio
di Ellis Peters
1,716 utenti
36 recensioni
3.9
2 Members
SF_fan_mae, msjudy
86
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide
di Rupert Holmes
868 utenti
31 recensioni
3.9
2 Members
Tosta, lsnrtn
87
And Only to Deceive
di Tasha Alexander
1,775 utenti
82 recensioni
½ 3.6
2 Members
perennialreader, MBAdams
88
The Ruby in the Smoke
di Philip Pullman
4,147 utenti
101 recensioni
½ 3.7
2 Members
TeresaInTexas, themulhern
Spiegazioni
themulhern: A mystery set in Victorian England, clearly inspired by "The Sign of Four".
89
Shrines of Gaiety
di Kate Atkinson
1,020 utenti
49 recensioni
3.9
2 Members
CarltonC, Tosta
90
Murder Most Unladylike
di Robin Stevens
812 utenti
38 recensioni
½ 3.7
2 Members
Sarielle, bookcookie1920
91
Morte di un nazionalista
di Rebecca Pawel
267 utenti
8 recensioni
3.8
2 Members
zmeischa, skid0612
92
Death in the Spires
di KJ Charles
60 utenti
8 recensioni
½ 4.4
2 Members
souloftherose, Bookladycma
93
Bambino 44
di Tom Rob Smith
4,776 utenti
292 recensioni
3.9
2 Members
vancouverdeb, skid0612
94
Even Though I Knew the End
di C. L. Polk
402 utenti
20 recensioni
4.1
2 Members
LadyUndomiel, ReshiBec
95
Lady Audley's Secret
di Mary Elizabeth Braddon
2,718 utenti
83 recensioni
½ 3.7
2 Members
lahochstetler, BonnieJune54
96
A Study in Scarlet Women
di Sherry Thomas
1,283 utenti
84 recensioni
3.8
2 Members
nrmay, MBAdams
97
Carte in tavola
di Agatha Christie
4,389 utenti
95 recensioni
3.8
2 Members
Porua, hthacher
Spiegazioni
hthacher: Set at the time of publication in the thirties, which is clearly in accordance with the rules.
98
Murder on Astor Place
di Victoria Thompson
1,051 utenti
54 recensioni
½ 3.7
2 Members
navelos, Carrieida
99
The Frangipani Tree Mystery
di Ovidia Yu
173 utenti
13 recensioni
½ 3.7
2 Members
tardis, karenb
Spiegazioni
tardis: Set in Singapore before WW2. The series continues on through WW2.
100
A Duty to the Dead
di Charles Todd
1,304 utenti
94 recensioni
½ 3.7
2 Members
BonnieJune54, Carrieida