The A to Z Challenge asks bloggers to post 26 articles on a themed topic. It’s supposed to be every day except Sundays during the month of April but I find that too busy and decided to post mine ‘about’ once a month. Yes, it’ll take me a couple of years. Sigh.
My topic, like the last three times, will be writing genres.
This genre:
Historical Mystery
Definition
set in a particular historical time frame and involves the solving of a mystery or crime (usually murder); sometimes called ‘historical suspense’
Tips
- Make the historic era as important as the plot and characters but not more important than the mystery.
- Each chapter should contain its own narrative arc with rising action and a climactic moment to end of the chapter.
- Don’t shy away from finishing each chapter on a cliffhanger.
- Keep chapters short. That makes them more dramatic.
- Raise questions and delay the answer. Hint at what’s coming but don’t reveal it.
Popular Books
- A Ghost in the Kitchen by Teagan Geneviene
- Labyrinthine Journey by Luciana Cavallero
- Anything featuring Sherlock Holmes
- Athenian Mystery series by Gary Corby
- The Desert God by Wilbur Smith
- The Pingkang Li Mysteries by Jeannie Lin
- Sarah Gilchrist Series by Kaite Welsh
- Tongwan City by Gao Jianqun
BTW: If the book you’ve written fits into any of these genres, let me know in the comments and I’ll include you, the book title, and where to purchase it.
Click for complete list of these 26 genres
Click for a complete list of all genres I’ve written about
More H Genres:
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Man vs. Nature saga, and the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Laws of Nature, Summer 2021.
Hi Jacqui – Brother Cadfael are delightful Welsh Medieval Monk detective stories … simple but engaging and well told. Very British though – cheers Hilary
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A medieval monk–that sounds wonderful. I’m off to check on it.
It’s on KU so I grabbed a copy. It looks great, Hilary.
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Historical suspense–I now have to find some of that!
And I love reading humor.
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It’s a nice way to spice up historical fiction’s details, don’t you think?
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Great tips, Jacqui. 🙂
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Thanks, Mark. It’s a nice twist to historical fiction.
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This is s fun genre, Jacqui!
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It is. You get the best of historical atmosphere and action.
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Two of my favorite subjects—history and mystery. It’s no wonder I like books in this genre.
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I love how you rhymed that, Pete. BTW, I just reviewed your book on Amazon and Goodreads. I think you’re not on Bookbub?
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I’m not very good about the marketing part of this stuff yet, Jacqui. I should try to pay more attention to that. I know it’s a common refrain of writers, but it is so much more fun to write than anything else. I try to remind myself that part of the point of writing is to have others read your thoughts.
Thanks so much for leaving the review. If I ever get my act together at Bookbub, I’ll let you know. I also intend to read the next book in the Crossroads trilogy at some point, but the TBR list has hit an all-time high. Pretty soon, I may make a run at the Guinness Book of World Records. 🤣
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Hehee. You’ll have a lot of competition in that category, Pete!
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It looks like some classic such as War and Peace, Gone with the Wind, and To Kill the Mockingbird are historical fiction. I like Sherlock Holms.
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There’s a line between character-driven and plot driven. This genre leans toward action. I’ve read War and Peace (in Russian–which I can’t do anymore) and it is definitely inspired by its characters. I absolutely agree with To Kill a Mockingbird!
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I know what you meant by not being able to read Russian anymore. I can’t read Chinese easily either. I can’t recognize many words. The usage and expressions are different.
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How about Wilkie Collins’ The Moonstone and The Woman in White? Would they fit this genre?
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I haven’t heard of them. I’ll check it out!
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I’m glad to hear it!
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It’s amazing to me how many genres and subgenres there are and how clearly definable they are. This sounds like a good one, especially all those cliff-hangers!
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They’ve started blending them–historical fiction and suspense. I actually like that, especially since it allows me to find more for my alphabet!
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Ha ha! I wonder if you’ll ever run out of genres. 🙂
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I think the tips for this genre apply to nearly any fiction writing. Personally, I really enjoy the added dimension of accurate history infused into a story. Your list of books to consider just added to my TBR list – as usual. LOL
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Historical fiction could be construed as more character driven while suspense is plot-driven. I suppose in that way, it adds a new dimension.
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Sounds like a winner to me!
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It’s a good match for my tastes.
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Same!
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I love historical fiction based on fact – Philippa Gregory comes to mind – the wives of King Henry V111
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That’s a perfect choice though there is little suspense to any of those endings.
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Sherlock is my favorite! Have you read the Map of Time series by Felix Palma? I think those might fit here. I’ve read two and really enjoyed them.
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Haven’t read that. I’ll check it out.
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Another super interesting genre post, Jacqui. I’m glad to see Teagan’s book listed.
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Yes! I realized I don’t read enough historical fiction when I could only come up with a few from Indie friends.
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I recently read an excellent book in this genre- A Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe- set in New York at the end of the second world war. This is an interesting genre!
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Great time period. Thanks, Jacquie.
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History and mystery–a great combination! Just downloaded Teagan’s “A Ghost in the Kitchen.”
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Looking forward to your review, Bette.
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I love historical novels and enjoyed Teagan’s book A Ghost in the Kitchen very much.
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That was fun, wasn’t it?
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I read Doyle’s A Study In Scarlet a few years ago. It’s his first Sherlock book. I was more than pleasantly surprised — it’s real good.
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Almost 1800 ratings on Amazon–people love it. Nothing wrong with that one or any in that series.
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I love reading Mr. Holmes !!!
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Such a clever mind!
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I am not sure I have read any books in this genre… Well, that means there is more to read.
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Are there any religious genres? I’ve written about ‘Yemenite Jewish Poetry’, ‘Wisdom Literature’, ‘Islamic fiction’, ‘Wisdom literature’, and ‘Inspirational’. What did I miss?
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This is one of my favorite genres! But then, I love all things historical.
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I do love it too. I like the action and the historical facts. Great combination.
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Would Agatha Christie’s books fit this genre?
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Maybe or yes–those that included sufficient historical facts/atmosphere to qualify as ‘historical fiction’. What do you think?
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Another new subgenre to me.
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There are so many! I’ve already started the next list.
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Oooh, I do love a good historical mystery. Sherlock Holmes and Caleb Carr’s Alienist novels rate among my favorites.
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Caleb Carr–not familiar with him. I will check him out.
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Ah. I do love Sherlock Holmes.
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I watch every series, every movie that shows up about him. Some are better than others!
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I honestly don’t watch many (though my obsession with RDJ necessitated I watch those films). I did read the complete works a few times, though.
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So many books, so little time. Sigh.
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And that is why I no longer feel obligated to finish every book I start.
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The last historical suspense I read was In the Garden of Spite by Camilla Bruce. It’s not a whodunit, but a how-will-the-perp-be-caught. Historical, literary, and suspenseful.
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Oooh, that sounds good. I do like historical suspense better than the less plot-driven within the Historical genre.
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I was going to say I hadn’t read any of these, but I have read some Sherlock homes and possibly some Wilbur Smith.I think Robbie Cheadle may have some books to fit this category.
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Wilbur Smith is amazing. Extremely popular and accomplished. Such a common name for an exceptional writer.
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Our own South African .. Wilbur Smith ie. Like Robbie Cheadle 🙂
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It is.
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Deanna Raybourn is a favourite of mine in this genre – her Lady Julia Grey and her Veronica Speedwell series are fabulous!!
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I will look them up. I don’t have enough books within this genre on my Kindle.
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If you decide to read, I look forward to your thoughts 🙂
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I completely agree with Ankur. Thanks for sharing, Jacqui.
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I’ll never forget discovering ‘steampunk’ for S a few years ago–and finding I loved that genre!
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Each of your posts makes me realize how much there is to read…
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Just when you thought you’d read everything…
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🙂 I am far far behind you in that race
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