Historical Fiction
March 2026

Recent Releases
The Last of Earth
by Deepa Anappara

Europeans aren't allowed in 1869 Tibet, so the British secretly hire Indians to conduct surveying expeditions. Looking for a missing friend who'd gone on such a trip, Balram agrees to guide an English captain in disguise. Meanwhile, 50-year-old Anglo-Indian Katherine hopes to be the first Western woman to reach Lhasa. In this atmospheric character-driven novel, the groups face storms, soldiers, doubt, and more. Try this next: Tsering Yangzom Lama's We Measure the Earth With our Bodies.
A Lion's Ransom by Candace Robb
A Lion's Ransom
by Candace Robb

Who stole the king's coronation gift? Owen encounters murder, secrets and spies as he attempts to recover a missing gold lion. 'A standout . . . Robb reinforces her place among the top writers of medieval historicals' - Publishers Weekly Starred Review York, 1377. A costly lion created by the goldsmiths of York as a gift for King Richard's coronation is stolen. The desperate guildmaster begs Owen Archer to find it. A CITY'S ROAR But Owen has other troubles plaguing him. The French and Spanish navies are attacking English ports and boarding merchant ships. As the king's man in the north, Owen is hunting spies, and in a city on edge every foreigner is suspect. Especially when a body is found in the river . . . A DANGEROUS PREDATOR Is there a connection between the theft of the golden lion, the drowning, and the subsequent torture and murder of a foreigner? Owen's urgent search will uncover passions, betrayals and painful secrets that soon lead him to one of the most powerful men in the kingdom. A page-turning, intricately plotted medieval mystery from a master storyteller, perfect for fans of PAUL DOHERTY, ELLIS PETERS and C.J. SANSOM.
The Devil in Oxford: A Ruby Vaughn Mystery by Jess Armstrong
The Devil in Oxford: A Ruby Vaughn Mystery
by Jess Armstrong

Set after the Great War, Jess Armstrong's USA Today bestselling and award-winning series is historical gothic murder mystery at its best, and Ruby Vaughn returns in The Devil in Oxford. If someone were to ask American heiress Ruby Vaughn how exactly the occult came to play such a large role in her life, she would immediately point to her octogenarian housemate and employer, Mr. Owen. Together, the pair run a rare book shop in Exeter. Mr. Owen's penchant for arcane, unusual--and occasionally illegal--books has been known to get Ruby into her fair share of trouble. And after the last year, she is looking forward to spending a quiet holiday in picturesque Oxford while Mr. Owen attends the annual meeting of his antiquarian society. Secretly, Ruby is also looking for a holiday from her confounding feelings for Ruan Kivell, the intriguing folk healer Pellar that she met in Cornwall. When Mr. Owen secures two tickets to an upcoming exhibition of artifacts amassed by disgraced scholar Julius Harker, Ruby reluctantly agrees to attend. The evening turns out to be more eventful than either of them bargained for. Harker's dead body is discovered amongst the collection, his business partner is hastily arrested, and Ruan arrives...wanting to speak with Ruby. It seems both the arcane and her Pellar have followed Ruby to Oxford. The murder case is suspicious at best, but the last thing Ruby wants is another investigation. That is, until an old friend comes begging for Ruby's help. It soon becomes painfully clear that there is more going on in Oxford than meets the eye. Ruby and Ruan will have to uncover the dark secrets of the competitive world of antiquities while trying to understand the peculiar force that keeps drawing them back together.
The Market Girls of Petticoat Lane by Patricia McBride
The Market Girls of Petticoat Lane
by Patricia McBride

Begin a BRAND NEW heartwarming and emotional World War Two saga of friendship, courage and hope from BESTSELLER Patricia McBride. Perfect for fans of Nancy Revell, Elaine Everest and Maisie Thomas With the world at war, three women stitch hope into every seam In the bustling heart of London s East End, Maisie, Amanda and Bethan work long hours at the uniform factory. The pay is poor, the shifts relentless and the bombs fall far too close for comfort but these three women refuse to give in to despair. For when not at the factory, the girls spend their days on the markets of Petticoat Lane, trying to source material in order to make dresses doing their best to bring any small amount of joy in these troubled times. When a chance encounter leads them to a bundle of parachute silk, they decide to think bigger. And so, with needles in hand and a dream in their hearts, they begin sewing a beautiful wedding dress in secret. But in wartime, secrets don t stay hidden for long. And when Amanda uncovers seedy goings on at the factory, all of their livelihoods may be on the line A page-turning tale of friendship, courage and a chance for a better life. If you loved The Library Girls of the East End, be the first to read Patricia McBride's brand new series Praise for Patricia McBride: 'a compelling story of friendships and the hardships of war, with excellent sketches of the East End. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend.' Rosie Clarke 'If you like Dee Williams' books about Silvertown and Rotherhithe, you'll love Patricia's Library Girls series.' Lizzie Lane 'I was hooked from page one. Rich in historical detail and with characters you feel you know... Highly recommended ' Lynette Rees 'A brilliant read - the sort of book you can immerse yourself in completely ... You couldn t read the story without it reaching your heart, or without wanting to know what will become of these women' Fran Smith 'This took me to the east end of London during the blitz, so well written and researched. Great storytelling, very evocative.' Reader Review 'I couldn't put it down The characters and their stories. It is well written and researched' Reader Review 'Such a well written book like the ones before, very readable and full of characters that are so believable.' Reader Review
Keeper of Lost Children
by Sadeqa Johnson

In 1948, Philadelphian Ozzie Philips deals with racism as he enlists in the military and is sent to Europe. In 1950s Germany, an American officer's wife finds homes in the United States for the abandoned children of white German women and Black GIs. In 1965 Maryland, biracial Sophia Clark attends a prestigious formerly all-white boarding school. Inspired by real events, this well-researched novel follows these three connected lives. Try this next: The Last Thing You Surrender by Leonard Pitts, Jr.
Skylark
by Paula McLain

When her father, a master dyer at Gobelin Tapestry Works, is unjustly imprisoned in 1660s Paris, teenage Alouette Voland tries to help, but is put in an asylum. In 1939, Dutch medical student Kristof Larson lives on the Rue des Gobelins near a Jewish family when the Nazis arrive in Paris. A GMA Book Club pick, this richly detailed, dual-timeline novel explores freedom, justice, and the tunnels under Paris. Try this next: Amanda Barratt's The Warsaw Sisters; Kirsty Manning's The Hidden Book.
Meet the Newmans
by Jennifer Niven

For over ten years, the Newmans have starred in a hit TV show based on their lives. In 1964, when dad Del is in a mysterious car accident, his wife Dinah suddenly needs to write a script for the season finale or risk their show being canceled. Meanwhile, rock star son Shep gets a girl pregnant and steady Guy hides the truth about his love life. Try this next: Christina Hammonds Reed's The Johnson Four; Anita Abriel's American Housewife.
Fireflies in Winter
by Eleanor Shearer

In the freezing cold of 1790s Nova Scotia, Cora tries to adapt to where the British have exiled her and several hundred other Jamaican Maroons. In the woods, she meets formerly enslaved Agnes, who uses wilderness knowledge she learned from the Mi’kmaq to hide and survive. As the two spend time together, they unexpectedly fall in love, but neither has an easy road ahead in this evocative, lyrical tale. Try this next: In the Upper Country by Kai Thomas.
Contact your librarian for more great books!
Beauregard Parish Library
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DeRidder, Louisiana 70634
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