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, discovering she's not the only one after them. Read-alike: 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, as Chase has plans that may finally defeat Napoleon. But Sharpe's task is made difficult by Chase's extreme confidence and thirst for battle. This is the latest in the long-running Sharpe series, which started in the 1980s and spawned the popular TV series starring Sean Bean. For fans of: thrilling adventures that beautifully blend history and fiction. |
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| Daughter of Genoa by Kat DevereauxAlone and with her home 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. A talented forger, Anna, who's Jewish, makes fake documents and meets 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 EdwardsSet in medieval Bruges, this atmospheric debut 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 supernatural healing talent. For fans of: Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken; 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. Great for book clubs, it explores friendship, community, prejudice, and loss. Read-alike: 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, leaving 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 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. So when she's pursued by a charming younger man, she begins an affair. This 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, resulting in heartbreak. For fans of: well-researched historical novels starring real people; leisurely paced, 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., leading to an exhilarating and tumultuous relationship that changes the course of her life. For fans of: well-researched biographical novels starring Black artists; Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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