Recently arrived historical fiction
Whale Fjord by Michael Ridpath
When the skeletal remains of a man and a woman, both victims of bullets used in World War II, are discovered in a secluded gorge, Inspector Magnus Ragnarsson is tasked with solving a crime that spans decades. This gripping police procedural takes place over 80 years where dark secrets have been long hidden. With rich character development and a vivid portrayal of the Icelandic landscape, this is a thrilling exploration of a haunting past.
The Silence Factory by Bridget Collins
Henry is a young doctor is summoned to a mysterious silk factory in the English countryside where he meets a man with a dark past and a secret obsession with silence. Weaving silk from a rare breed of spider, silk that provides complete silence, respite from the streets of bustling Victorian England, the factory hides sinister secrets. As Henry becomes more enmeshed into the life of the mysterious industrialist, the loser his grip on his own sanity becomes. An enthralling blend of magical realism, gothic horror and historical mystery.
The House on Rye Lane by Susan Allott
Max and Seb think they've struck gold when they find a grand old Georgian home on the edge of Peckham Rye going for a bargain, but almost immediately things start to go wrong with the renovations. A decade earlier, the grand house is home to Cookie and his parents, forced to sell as his Father's gambling debts add up, and in the mid 1800s, the house, newly built, is the scene of tragedy and secrets. Set across these three timelines, spanning over 150 years, The House on Rye Lane combines gothic horror and historical thrills.
The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen
Devon Mulvey is an FBI agent tasked with investigating industrial sabotage and potential Nazi sympathisers in WWII Boston. Anne Lemire is an investigative reporter who debunks the wartime rumour mill. When anti-Jewish behaviour targets Anne's family, her search for the truth intersects with Devon's investigations as they head deep into the underground world of espionage, organised crime and domestic fascism. A captivating novel full of issues that are as timely today as they were 80 years ago.
The Painter's Daughters by Emily Howes
Peggy and Molly Gainsborough, the two daughters of the renowned English painter Thomas Gainsborough, are the subjects of this deeply psychological novel. Set against the idyllic landscapes of Ipswich and the bustling city of Bath, this exploration of sisterhood delves into the complexities of their relationship, the potential challenges posed by their famous father, and Molly's enduring health struggles. The novel offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of these iconic women, whose portraits have captivated audiences for centuries
Gretel and the Great War by Adam Ehrlich Sachs
26 short stories, one for each letter of the alphabet, capturing the spirit of post World War 1 Vienna. From Architect to Zionist, these stories interweave to show the tapestry of a fallen empire, peopled with scientists and thinkers, actresses and doctors, revolutionaries and lovers. A unique work.
Bookended by protest and revolution, immigration and exile, a short story and the death of a dictator, is the life of one man and his two friends. An ode to friendship, filial love, home and kinship of all kinds. It is a deeply moving story and gorgeously written story, and one for the ages.
Read a full review of My Friends here.
Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshanathan
Despite the harrowing lives of the characters in this book, the author has created an immersive page-turner that gives a vivid background to the civil war in Sri Lanka. Told through the eyes of 16 year old Sashi whose dreams of being a doctor are curtailed by her Tamil heritage and the onset of war, this is a stunning piece of writing well worthy of the 2024 Women's Prize for Fiction.
