Christmas is filled with traditions whose repetition year after year provide a
sense of continuity and joy, as we remember favorite moments from childhood and
anticipate adding new memories to that book of mental treasures. Since many of
our traditions date from the Victorian period, I wanted to offer an array of
historical fiction from that era as a special Christmas tribute. However, as I
began to scan the real and digital shelves, I found that, thanks perhaps to Sir
Arthur Conan-Doyle, most historical fiction set in the Victorian era contains a
mystery.
Once a romance reaches its HEA, the story is over—which means, alas, that series
in romance generally feature friends or other family members. Heroes and
heroines of mysteries, however, can always go on to solve the next case. Since
there is nothing a fanatical reader loves more than being able to remain in a
favorite fictional world, as a Tiny-Tim “bless us, every one,” I’ve chosen
several of the longest-running of the top-reader-rated historical mystery series
to offer as a special Christmas gift. Happy Holidays, and enjoy!
When wealthy Viscount Phillip Ashton, the man her mother pushed her to marry,
dies on safari not long after the wedding, Emily Bromly enters the requisite
Victorian mourning period for the man she barely knew. But as she uses the time
to explore the world of Greek literature and antiquities that was her husband’s
obsession, studying the pieces her husband donated to the British Museum—and
reading the journals where he confesses his love for her—Emily finds herself
becoming more and more intrigued by her lost spouse. Friendship with the
imperious grand dame Cecile du Lac adds more interest to the mix, as do the
attentions of Phillip’s friends Colin and Andrew. But as Emily delves deeper
into the past, there are disturbing clues that Phillip may have been involved in
art theft and forgery, his friends may have a part in it—and he might not be
dead, after all. Cleverly-plotted mysteries and biting wit set against a
well-drafted historical background make this series a reader favorite.
First introduced in this delightfully long series of cozy mysteries,
Victorian spinster Amelia Peabody receives a generous bequest that allows her to
fulfill the dream of traveling to Egypt. Stopping first in Rome, she encounters
Evelyn Barton-Forbes, who has been ruined and abandoned by her lover. Amelia
sweeps Evelyn with her to Egypt, where they link up with Radcliffe and Walter
Emerson. Walter falls for the demure Evelyn, while Amelia and Radcliffe wrestle
for leadership as they explore archeological sites. Along the way, attempts to
kidnap or injure Evelyn set the merry mystery in motion. Full of sharp dialogue
and historical detail, the series will delight lovers of historical fiction and
romance.
The rigid Victorian world of Charlotte Ellison’s wealthy family is thrown
into chaos when a maid is murdered by the Cater Street Hangman, who strangles
women with wire and leaves their bodies in the street. Enter Thomas Pitt, the
policeman of low birth but upper class education assigned to break the case.
Initially, these representatives of two different classes form an instant
dislike. But slowly, as they piece together clues and work toward solving the
crime, these two misfits--the outspoken, unconventional Charlotte, who is the
despair of a mother trying to make her into a proper Victorian miss, and the
intelligent, determined policeman who has been brought up in a higher sphere
than his birth allows him to rise—find dislike turning to grudging respect, to
admiration, and to love. First in a long series famed for its wonderfully
historic rendering of Victorian Society, its hairpin-twist-and-turn mystery, and
its heartwarming love story, the series should enchant readers who love all
three.
Is your TBR pile (or number of pages filled on your Kindle) now exploding? Very
good, you may leave a thank-you note on this post, and happy reading well into
the New Year!
After twelve years as a vagabond Navy wife, an adventure that took her from
Virginia Beach, VA, to Monterrey, CA, to Tunis, Tunisia to Oslo, Norway and
back, Julia Justiss followed her husband to his family's East Texas
homeland. On a hill above a pond with a view of pasture land, they built an
English Georgian-style home. Sitting at her desk there, if she ignores the
summer heat, she can almost imagine herself in Jane Austen's Regency England.
In between teaching high school French and making jaunts to visit her three
children (a Seabee in Gulfport, MS, a clothing buyer in Houston and a mechanical
engineer in Austin, TX) she pursues her first love—writing historical fiction.
Dominic Ransleigh lost more than his arm in
battle—he lost his reason for living. Returning to his family seat, he shuns all
society. If only his beautiful, plainspoken tenant, Theodora Branwell, wasn't so
hard to ignore-
Since her fiancé's death on the battlefield, Theo's
devoted herself to caring for soldiers' orphans. She's powerfully attracted to
Dom, but knows all too well the consequences of temptation. Is Theo, who's
survived so much, brave enough to reveal her secret to her handsome, wounded
neighbor?
Just when my TBR pile is toppled, you had to come along and start another pile or two for me!! Does the madness ever end?? I think not, and if you're a reading junkie, as we all are, you always have those piles!! Thank you for letting us know about these great reads, as well as your latest book, which will be added as well!! I hope you will take some time out of that hectic life of yours to have a very Merry Christmas!! (Peggy Roberson 5:07am December 23, 2015)
Thank you, Peggy! We'll be having Christmas with (most) of the children, and their dogs, so it should be fun and hectic. Hope yours will be as well! (Julia Justiss 9:48am December 23, 2015)
I have enjoyed the Elizabeth Peters' books. Appreciate the list and yes, my TBL list is long. I am a West Texan now living in Minnesota ( I married a Minnesotan) but once a Texan, always a Texan. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. (Leona Olson 10:07am December 23, 2015)
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