Top new historical-fiction books out this week: 12 May - 18 May 2024
Last updated:
May 18, 2024
This week featuring new releases by Natalie Jenner, Luanne G. Smith, Jessica Shattuck, Monica Hesse, Helen Simonson, Sandy Taylor, N.R. Walker, Ashley Weaver, Terah Shelton Harris, Soraya M. Lane and many more.
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Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner
The bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls returns with a brilliant novel of love and art, of grief and memory, of confronting the past and facing the future.In 1955, Vivien Lowry is facing the greatest challenge of her life...europe · south-europe · italy · urban · vatican · england · romance · historical-fiction · fiction · historical -
![The Wolf's Eye by Luanne G. Smith]()
The Wolf's Eye by Luanne G. Smith
Under the full moon of World War I, a baleful curse threatens to tear apart a witch’s found family in a novel by the Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Raven Spell.Petra Kurková—a witch who wields magic worth its weight in gold—is tasked with combating the undead on World War I’s eastern front...fantasy · paranormal · historical · historical-fiction · magic · witches-wizards · shapeshifters · alchemy · magical-realism · romance -
![Last House by Jessica Shattuck]()
Last House by Jessica Shattuck
"An ambitious historical epic that doubles as an intimate family saga. Jessica Shattuck captures and connects it all—the imperial ambitions of the postwar generation, the rebellion of their offspring in the Sixties, and the fallout we’re still sifting through today. . . . This is a wide-ranging novel to savor...historical-fiction · fiction · historical · political-intrigue · 20th-century · literary-fiction · family · book · adult -
![The Brightwood Code by Monica Hesse]()
The Brightwood Code by Monica Hesse
Seven months ago Edda was on the World War I front lines as one of two hundred “Hello Girls,” female switchboard operators employed by the US Army. She spent her nights memorizing secret connection codes to stay ahead of spying enemies and her days connecting calls between platoons and bases and generals, all trying to survive—and win—a brutal war...historical-fiction · young-adult · historical · mystery · fiction · 20th-century · season-spring · children · ww1 · law-enforcement -
![The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson]()
The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson
"Constance Haverhill is without prospects. Her mother has just passed away, her brother is newly married, and now that the Great War is over, she has been asked to give up managing the estate she helped to run when the men all joined the army. It is suggested to her that she become a governess. But first, she will act as caretaker to Mrs...europe · british-isles · united-kingdom · england · romance · historical-fiction · fiction · historical · feminism · drama -
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![Return to the Irish Boarding House by Sandy Taylor]()
Return to the Irish Boarding House by Sandy Taylor
Mary Kate takes a deep breath as she stands outside 24 Merrion Square with its red front door and pretty rose garden. Grieving from her recent heartbreak, will returning to the Irish boarding house be the second chance she so desperately needs?Dublin, 1956: When Mary Kate Ryan loses the love of her life, she’s not sure how she can keep going...historical-fiction · small-town · literary-fiction · historical · family · fiction · female-mc · epic · romance · book -
![The Men From Echo Creek by N.R. Walker]()
The Men From Echo Creek by N.R. Walker
In the winter of 1882, a boy from the mountains has to prove himself a man.When Albie Bramwell’s father died, he was left with two thousand hectares of mountain to farm, and little help to run it. Abandoned by all but two of his workers, the whole town of Alpine Falls called him too young to run the farm alone.Young, yes. At just nineteen, he was determined to prove them wrong...oceania · australia · romance · historical · mlm · historical-fiction · western · lgbtq · audiobook · found-family -
![Locked in Pursuit by Ashley Weaver]()
Locked in Pursuit by Ashley Weaver
The fourth instalment in the delightful series following safecracker Electra McDonnell fighting Nazis at every turn as World War II looms over London...romance · mystery · historical-fiction · historical · fiction · ww2 · espionage · suspense · cozy · audiobook -
![Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris]()
Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris
An explosive and emotional story of four siblings—each fighting their own personal battle—who return home in the wake of their father's death in order to save their family's home from being sold out from under them, from the author of One Summer in Savannah . "Don't let the white man take the house." These are the last words King Solomon says to his son before he dies...north-america · usa · north-carolina · fiction · historical-fiction · contemporary · family · literary-fiction · drama · audiobook -
![The Berlin Sisters by Soraya M. Lane]()
The Berlin Sisters by Soraya M. Lane
From the bestselling author of The Secret Midwife comes a story of bravery, sacrifice and resilience in war-torn Berlin―and two sisters who will risk it all to make a difference. Berlin, 1943: Ava Müller is a proud supporter of the German war effort, working for Joseph Goebbels alongside her father, a high-ranking official in the Reich...historical-fiction · audiobook · ww2 · historical · fiction · romance · friendship · family · 20th-century · literary-fiction -
![This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud]()
This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud
Over seven decades, from 1940 to 2010, the pieds-noirs Cassars live in an itinerant state—separated in the chaos of World War II, running from a complicated colonial homeland, and, after Algerian independence, without a homeland at all...historical-fiction · fiction · historical · family · literary-fiction · 20th-century · epic · book · adult -
![Tomorrow Is for the Brave by Kelly Bowen]()
Tomorrow Is for the Brave by Kelly Bowen
Based on true events, Tomorrow Is for the Brave is a gripping World War II page‑turner about a courageous woman who risks it all for what is right—perfect for fans of Natasha Lester and Kristen Harmel.1939, France: Lavish parties, fast cars, and a closet full of the latest fashion—to the average eye, socialite Violet St. Croix seemingly has it all... -
![The Shadow of War: A Novel of the Cuban Missile Crisis by Jeff Shaara]()
The Shadow of War: A Novel of the Cuban Missile Crisis by Jeff Shaara
New York Times bestselling author Jeff Shaara brings alive the heart-stopping days and nights of the Cuban Missile Crisis in a novel featuring his trademark "you are there" immediacy. Ripe for Jeff Shaara's vivid alchemy of fact-based fiction, here is the Cuban Missile Crisis as readers have never seen it...historical-fiction · fiction · historical · war · cold-war · politics · nautical · 20th-century · violent-conflict · action-adventure -
![The Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood]()
The Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood
A romantic historical fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blackwood, set in the American Civil War with vampires and people with demigod-like abilities.1863, PennsylvaniaWar doesn’t scare Jerusalem—she’s a Saint. Thanks to powerful demigod-style reflexes, endurance, and strength, she’s fearless...romance · fantasy · young-adult · historical-fiction · vampires · historical · fiction · sci-fi · sword-sorcery · urban-fantasy -
![Rednecks by Taylor Brown]()
Rednecks by Taylor Brown
A historical drama based on the Battle of Blair Mountain, pitting a multi-ethnic army of 10,000 coal miners against mine owners, state militia, and the United States government in the largest labor uprising in American history...north-america · usa · west-virginia · historical-fiction · fiction · historical · literary-fiction · western · drama · audiobook -
![A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur]()
A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur
June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace, crafts a devastating and pulse-pounding tale that will feel all-too-relevant in today’s world, based on a true story from Korean history.Hope is dangerous. Love is deadly.1506, Joseon...romance · historical-fiction · young-adult · fantasy · historical · mystery · fiction · asian-mc · enemies-to-lovers · poc-mc -
![The Winter Child: A heartbreaking and unputdownable World War 2 historical novel by Carly Schabowski]()
The Winter Child: A heartbreaking and unputdownable World War 2 historical novel by Carly Schabowski
‘Please don’t do this!’ Irena’s shrill cry pierces the night air, her screams breaking the silence of the falling snow. But the man she calls to does not turn, vanishing into the darkness with a child clasped in his arms…Poland, 1943: Every day, Irena is terrified as she serves the Nazis who drink in her town’s hotel. But with war raging, she has little choice if she is to support her family...historical-fiction · historical · literary-fiction · friendship · fiction · female-mc · romance · book · adult -
![The Blue Maiden by Anna Noyes]()
The Blue Maiden by Anna Noyes
From the author of Indie Next Pick and New York Times Editor’s Choice Goodnight, Beautiful Women comes a transportive and chilling debut novel of two sisters growing up on an isolated Northern European island in the shadow of their late mother and the Devil. It’s 1825, four generations after Berggrund Island’s women stood accused of witchcraft under the eye of their priest, now long dead...historical-fiction · fiction · historical · gothic · audiobook · literary-fiction · witches-wizards · paranormal · mystery · horror -
![Duke of Darkness: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Violet Hamers]()
Duke of Darkness: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Violet Hamers
“You should fear me, wife. For once I touch you, there is no going back…” As if his scars are not enough, just the sight of Duke Duncan’s mask terrifies everyone. Until an irresistible minx dares to ask him for a kiss… and the beast within him cannot resist her.Desperate for one moment of passion, Lady Alice ends up in the arms of an alluring stranger...romance · industrial-era · regency · historical · religion · fiction · historical-fiction · victorian · spirituality · book -
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![Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis]()
Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis
A deliciously haunting debut for fans of Sarah Waters and Sarah Penner set in 19th-century Paris , blending gothic mystery with a captivating sapphic romance as two estranged sisters—celebrated (and fraudulent) spirit mediums—come back together for one last con. Paris, 1866...historical-fiction · mystery · fantasy · historical · fiction · gothic · wlw · lgbtq · spooky · lesbian-mc -
![Ahoti: A Story of Tamar by Eva Marie Everson, Miriam Feinberg Vamosh]()
Ahoti: A Story of Tamar by Eva Marie Everson, Miriam Feinberg Vamosh
A masterful and redemptive retelling of the biblical story of the princess Tamar and her determination to reclaim her life and God-given purposeAhoti brings to life the Old Testament story of the biblical princess Tamar, the daughter of David, King of Israel... -
![His Duchess by Chance: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Hazel Linwood]()
His Duchess by Chance: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Hazel Linwood
“I have three rules. Obey them and you shall live your life as you please, my Duchess…” Duke Arthur must find his parents’ murderer even if it’s the last thing he does. But to succeed he needs a wife. And thankfully, rumors say he already has one…Miss Isabella would do anything for her sister. Even lie about being engaged to the most reclusive man of the ton. But a claim goes both ways...historical · angst · romance · fiction · religion · industrial-era · regency · historical-fiction · victorian · spirituality -
![When the Earl Desired Me by Lydia Lloyd]()
When the Earl Desired Me by Lydia Lloyd
He thought he’d lost her forever… Lord Augustus Carrington, the Earl of Montaigne, is rumored to be the most abandoned rake in England. But the ton would be shocked if they knew the truth. Almost twelve years ago, he fell deeply in love with Olivia Watson, a maid in his family’s house, and experienced a passion that changed him body and soul...romance · historical · class-difference · industrial-era · regency · steamy · aristocracy · angst · action-adventure · fiction -
![Oye by Melissa Mogollon]()
Oye by Melissa Mogollon
A coming-of-age comedy. A telenovela-worthy drama. A moving family saga. All in a phone call you won’t want to hang up on…A young woman reckons with her rowdy, unpredictable family and the revelation of their long-buried history in this wildly inventive debut.“Yes, hi, Mari. It’s me. I’m over my tantrum and finally calling you back...fiction · contemporary · lgbtq · literary-fiction · coming-of-age · young-adult · family · latinx-mc · poc-mc · poc-author -
![Lost in the Garden by Adam S. Leslie]()
Lost in the Garden by Adam S. Leslie
"Like an old wives’ tale, like a piece of wisdom passed down through generations which no one questioned or even thought about too hard. Like folklore. It was just something everyone knew, a rule to be followed:Don’t go to Almanby."Heather, Rachel and Antonia are going to Almanby. Heather needs to find her boyfriend who, like so many, went and never came back...horror · fiction · magical-realism · fantasy · mystery · folk-horror · rural · season-summer · romantic-love · historical-fiction -
![Old Bahama Straits by Chris Durbin]()
Old Bahama Straits by Chris Durbin
Britain’s response was fast and decisive when Spain joined the Seven Years War on the side of France. Guarded by a naval battle squadron, regiments drawn from Britain, the American colonies, and the garrisons of captured French islands were sent to lay siege to Havana... -
![The Eternal City: A Novel of Belisarius by William Havelock]()
The Eternal City: A Novel of Belisarius by William Havelock
War is evil. It spares nothing. And, inevitably, it is the innocent who suffer.Returning victorious from Carthage, Belisarius and Varus encounter Constantinople riven by religious strife, and slavering for grander spoils than those seized from the Vandal Kingdom. An opportunity arises upon the death of the Ostrogothic Queen Amalasuntha – a friend of Justinian, murdered in mysterious circumstances...war · medieval · historical-fiction · historical · fiction · ancient-civilization · violent-conflict · book · adult -
![The Banana Wars by Alan Grostephan]()
The Banana Wars by Alan Grostephan
Winner of the Dzanc Prizefor FictionUrabá, Colombia, 1990: A violent strike at plantationsacross the banana zone leads to crops in flames, managers murdered, and the localeconomy teetering on the brink. In retaliation, the banana producers financeright-wing paramilitaries to cleanse the zone of guerrillas and their supposedcollaborators...
