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Historical Fiction February 2026 |
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| The Bookbinder's Secret by A.D. BellIn this "stellar debut" (Publishers Weekly), apprentice bookbinder Lily Delaney works at her widowed father's failing bookshop in 1901 Oxford, England. After a customer gives her a burned book, she finds a cryptic 50-year-old love letter hidden in the binding that speaks of murder. Drawn into the mystery, Lily looks for other books by the obscure author and discovers that she's not the only one after them. You may also like Jess Armstrong's Ruby Vaughn mysteries, starting with The Curse of Penryth Hall. |
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| Sharpe's Storm by Bernard CornwellAmid brutal winter conditions in 1813 France, Major Richard Sharpe is ordered to keep Rear Admiral Sir Joel Chase safe since Chase has
plans that may finally defeat Napoleon. Sharpe's task is made difficult
by Chase's extreme confidence and thirst for battle. This book is the latest in the long-running Sharpe series, which started in the 1980s and spawned the popular TV series starring Sean Bean. This book is perfect for fans of thrilling adventures that beautifully blend history and fiction. |
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| Daughter of Genoa by Kat DevereauxWhen she is left alone and her home is destroyed, Anna is helped by Father Vittorio, a Jesuit priest who is part of a secret group helping Jewish people escape World War II-era Italy. Anna, who is Jewish, turns out to be a talented forger and begins making fake documents for the group's leader, whom she falls for. This is "one of the best works of
World War II historical fiction published in recent years," raves Library Journal. For fans of Joseph O'Connor's My Father's House. |
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| Canticle by Janet Rich EdwardsThis atmospheric debut is set in medieval Bruges and follows devout teenager Aleys as she runs away from home to avoid an arranged marriage and joins a group of secular women supporting the church.
Her time there isn't without incident, however, as corrupt religious
officials abound, and others are suspicious of her ability to read books and her talent for supernatural healing. For fans of Bright I Burn by
Molly Aitken and Matrix by Lauren Groff. |
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| The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie GodfreyIn 1979, 12-year-old Miv lives with her lonely father, her opinionated Aunty Jean, and her mother, who had a breakdown and no longer speaks. With the (real-life) Yorkshire Ripper terrorizing the area, curious Miv investigates with her loyal best friend. Though steeped in crime,
this isn't as much a traditional mystery as an atmospheric coming-of-age tale. This book is a great choice for book clubs as it explores friendship, community, prejudice, and loss. You may also like Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney. |
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| Call Me Ishmaelle by Xiaolu GuoAfter her family dies, young Ishmaelle dresses as a cabin boy and
leaves Kent, England, to travel the world. In the 1860s, she joins a whaling ship led by the obsessive Captain Seneca, a Black free man haunted by the past. Amidst the violence of whaling, she finds friends and discovers a strange bond between herself and the white whale who claimed Seneca's leg. This compelling take on the American classic Moby Dick by a Chinese British writer is "a rich addition to Melvilliana" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| Rules of the Heart by Janice HadlowAt 33, Lady Harriet Bessborough is unhappily married and the mother
of four. When she is pursued by a charming younger man, she begins
an affair. An affair isn't unusual in her circle, but she must follow the rules: don't embarrass your husband, be discrete, and don't fall in love. The affair lasts for years, but Harriet doesn't follow the last rule and ends up heartbroken. This book is ideal for fans of well-researched historical novels starring real people that proceed at a leisurely pace and focus on emotional tales of love. |
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| With Love from Harlem by ReShonda TateIn 1943 Harlem, beloved jazz pianist Hazel Scott is at the top of her game, performing in front of Langston Hughes and others, when she meets married pastor and councilman Adam Clayton Powell Jr.. This meeting leads to an exhilarating and tumultuous relationship that changes the course of her life. This book is for fans of well-researched biographical novels starring Black artists such as Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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