Going to the bookstore

[Pixie]

I should be receiving my tax refund this Friday, and I was going to use a bit of that money for a trip to the bookstore.

 

But...what to get? I have so many books. I don't want or need any new sci-fi, horror, or fantasy. I was thinking of maybe looking in the historical fiction section. I have read a bit of that, and I really like the genre.

 

But I don't know who to start with. Who are some good historical fiction authors? Suggestion, please?

[Karsa Orlong]

C. J. Sansom perhaps, if you fancy a historical murder mystery? Or Phillipa Gregory's Tudor series? Or how about Ancient Rome? There's Robert Harris or Steven Saylor.

[Maureen]

Totally agree with Karsa's suggestion of Philippa Gregory's Tudor series. Great stuff.

[Pixie]

The Tudor books look fascinating.

 

I also would love a historical mystery, so would also like to check out C.J. Samson.

 

Is there a particular book I should try first by either of these authors?

 

Thanks so much, Karsa and Maureen.

[Inver]

Biblical historical, recommend this read......The Red Tent ~ Anita Diamant

[SueK]

The Tudor books look fascinating.

 

I also would love a historical mystery, so would also like to check out C.J. Samson.

 

Is there a particular book I should try first by either of these authors?

 

Thanks so much, Karsa and Maureen.

 

Hi, for the C J Samson historical books, I would go for the Matthew Shardlake series - they are in order:

Dissolution

Dark Fire

Sovereign

Revelation

Heartstone

 

I've read the first two and they are brilliant.

 

Another couple of historical authors you may enjoy are Paul Doherty - he writes books on Brother Athelstan, a 14th century priest / sleuth and the Hugh Corbett books - he is a medieval spy - great books and his historical research is excellent (he has PhD in Med History). He also writes whodunnits in Ancient Egypt and Rome and few other eras thrown in too.

 

Also you might like the books of Ellis Peters, she wrote the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael which take place in Shrewsbury Abbey in the 12the Century.

 

Or Bernard Cornwall's Sharpe Books - centred around the napoleonic wars. Or Bernard Knight's Crowner John series, he is a sheriff in Exeter during the time of Richard Lionheart.

 

If you would prefer an historical saga, perhaps the books by Elizabeth Chadwick - she has written many around the same period of history and again, her research is near perfect.

 

Hope that helps a bit

[Karsa Orlong]

Hi, for the C J Samson historical books, I would go for the Matthew Shardlake series - they are in order:

Dissolution

Dark Fire

Sovereign

Revelation

Heartstone

 

I've read the first two and they are brilliant.

Yeah, they are, aren't they? I love the way he weaves real historical figures and events into his story. Steven Saylor does similar with his 'Roma Sub Rosa' series, which is equally good.

 

Pixie, the first book in Gregory's Tudor series is The Other Boleyn Girl

[Pixie]

Thank you so much for the suggestions, everyone.

 

I know what to look for at the bookstore now.