The historical mystery or historical whodunit is a subgenre of two literary genres, historical fiction and mystery fiction. These works are set in a time period considered historical from the author's perspective, and the central plot involves the solving of a mystery or crime. Though works combining these genres have existed since at least the early 20th century, many credit Ellis Peters's Cadfael Chronicles (1977–1994) for popularizing what would become known as the historical mystery. The increasing popularity and prevalence of this type of fiction in subsequent decades has spawned a distinct subgenre recognized by the publishing industry and libraries. Publishers Weekly noted in 2010 of the genre, "The past decade has seen an explosion in both quantity and quality. Never before have so many historical mysteries been published, by so many gifted writers, and covering such a wide range of times and places." Editor Keith Kahla concurs, "From a small group of writers with a very specialized audience, the historical mystery has become a critically acclaimed, award-winning genre with a toehold on the New York Times bestseller list."
Peter Harmer Lovesey, also known by his pen name Peter Lear, is a British writer of historical and contemporary detective novels and short stories. His best-known series characters are Sergeant Cribb, a Victorian-era police detective based in London, and Peter Diamond, a modern-day police detective in Bath.
Wobble to Death is a 1970 historical detective novel by the British writer Peter Lovesey. It was the first of a series of eight novels featuring the Victorian era policeman Sergeant Daniel Cribb, a member of the Metropolitan Police. It was published in Britain by Macmillan and in America by Dodd, Mead & Co.. it received positive reviews from critics. The plot revolves around a walking marathon in 1879 in which several of the participants are murdered.
The Silver Sickle Case is a 1938 detective novel by the Irish-born writer Lynn Brock. Best known for his Colonel Gore series of mysteries, the novel introduced an alternative detective character Sergeant Venn of Scotland Yard assisted by Detective Constable Kither. It was followed by two sequels.
These Names Make Clues is a 1937 detective novel by E.C.R. Lorac, the pen name of the British writer Edith Caroline Rivett. It was the twelfth entry in her long-running series featuring Chief Inspector MacDonald of Scotland Yard. It was written shortly after Lorac had been elected as a member of the Detection Club, and was likely influenced by her experiences there. Originally published by Collins Crime Club, it was reissued in 2021 by the British Library Publishing as part of a group of crime novels from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
Murder in Vienna is a 1956 detective novel by E.C.R. Lorac, the pen name of the British writer Edith Caroline Rivett. It is the forty second in her long-running series featuring Chief Inspector MacDonald of Scotland Yard, one of the more conventional detectives of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. It has an unusual foreign setting, post-war Vienna still occupied by the Allies, compared to the rest of the series which generally takes place in London or the English countryside. Maurice Richardson reviewing the novel for The Observer described it as the "usual solid job".
The Dog It Was That Died is a 1952 detective novel by E.C.R. Lorac, the pen name of the British writer Edith Caroline Rivett. It is the thirty sixth in her long-running series featuring Chief Inspector MacDonald of Scotland Yard, one of the more conventional detectives of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. It was published by the Collins Crime Club.
Murder in the Mill-Race is a 1952 detective novel by E.C.R. Lorac, the pen name of the British writer Edith Caroline Rivett. It is the thirty seventh in her long-running series featuring Chief Inspector MacDonald of Scotland Yard, one of the numerous detectives of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. It was released in the United States under the alternative title Speak Justly of the Dead. Originally published by Collins Crime Club, it was reissued in 2019 by the British Library Publishing as part of a group of crime novels from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
Still Waters is a 1949 detective novel by E. C. R. Lorac, the pen name of the British writer Edith Caroline Rivett. It is the thirty second in her long-running series featuring Chief Inspector MacDonald of Scotland Yard, one of the more orthodox detectives of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
Murder on a Monument is a 1958 detective novel by E.C.R. Lorac, the pen name of the British writer Edith Caroline Rivett. It is the forty-fifth in her long-running series featuring Superintendent MacDonald of Scotland Yard, one of the more conventional detectives of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. Along with Murder in Vienna, it was one of the rare ventures abroad for the series, which generally took place in London and rural England. It was the penultimate novel featuring MacDonald to be published during Lorac's lifetime.
Crossed Skis is a 1952 detective novel by Carol Carnac, the pen name of the British writer Edith Caroline Rivett. It features the character of Inspector Julian Rivers of Scotland Yard, who appeared in fourteen novels by Carnac who under the name E.C.R. Lorac also wrote the better-known series featuring Chief Inspector MacDonald. Originally published by Collins Crime Club, it was reissued in 2020 by the British Library Publishing as part of a group of crime novels from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
Death of an Author is a 1935 detective novel by E.C.R. Lorac, the pen name of the British writer Edith Caroline Rivett. It is a rare standalone book by Lorac, not featuring Chief Inspector MacDonald of Scotland Yard who appeared in a lengthy series of novels during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. It was her final novel published by Sampson Low before, she switched to the more prestigious Collins Crime Club with whom she remained for the rest of her career.
Death on the Oxford Road is a 1933 detective novel by E.C.R. Lorac, the pen name of the British writer Edith Caroline Rivett. It is the fifth book featuring Chief Inspector MacDonald of Scotland Yard who appeared in a lengthy series of novels during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
Murder in Chelsea is a 1934 detective novel by E.C.R. Lorac, the pen name of the British writer Edith Caroline Rivett. It is the seventh book featuring Chief Inspector MacDonald of Scotland Yard who appeared in a lengthy series of novels during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
The Case of Colonel Marchand is a 1933 detective novel by E.C.R. Lorac, the pen name of the British writer Edith Caroline Rivett. It is the fourth book featuring Chief Inspector MacDonald of Scotland Yard who appeared in a lengthy series of novels during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
A Village Afraid is a 1950 detective novel by the British writer Cecil Street, writing under the pen name of Miles Burton. It was part of a lengthy series of books featuring the detective Desmond Merrion and Inspector Arnold of Scotland Yard.
Old Mrs. Fitzgerald is a 1939 detective novel by the British writer Anne Hocking. It was the first novel in her long-running series featuring Chief Inspector William Austen of Scotland Yard. Austen was one of a large number of investigators operating during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. It was originally serialised in The Sunday Post. Reviewing the novel for The Observer Maurice Richardson wrote a favourable review..
The Lake District Murder is a 1935 detective novel by the British writer John Bude. It is the first in a series of novels featuring Chief Inspector Meredith, promoted at the end of case to Superintendent. Set in the Lake District of Northern England, it shows the influence of Freeman Wills Crofts's Inspector French novels by featuring a detective who methodically breaks down the alibis of his suspects. In 2014 it was reissued by the British Library Publishing as part of a group of republished crime novels from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
A Connoisseur's Case is a 1962 detective novel by the British writer Michael Innes. It is the eighteenth in his series featuring John Appleby of Scotland Yard. It is a country house mystery, harking back to the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. It was released in the United States by Dodd, Mead under the alternative title The Crabtree Affair.
The Detective Wore Silk Drawers is a 1971 historical detective novel by the British author Peter Lovesey. It was the second entry a series of eight novels featuring the Victorian era policeman Sergeant Daniel Cribb, a member of the Metropolitan Police. It is set against the backdrop of nineteenth century bare-knuckle boxing. In 1980 it was adapted into an episode of the same title for the ITV series Cribb.
