Best historical fiction books to read in 2024

Time period: 700 BCE

Based on the myth of Medea, Rosie Hewlett retells the story of one of mythology’s most complex heroines. Medea has been shunned by her family all her life for her witchcraft abilities, so when a hero, Jason, arrives to seek her father’s famous golden fleece, Medea sees an opportunity to escape. But what follows is a devastating and brutal journey that rips apart the lives of everyone she holds close.

Time period: 60AD

In order to save her lover and her land from the Romans, Herla makes an urgent deal with the Otherworld King to become Lord of the Hunt, reaping wanderers’ souls. But when she meets Saxon Queen Æthelburg on the battlefields, the two form a deep connection and work together in the hopes of breaking Herla’s curse, before it’s too late.

Time period: 16th Century

From the author of Shadow and Bone comes a tale of magic, survival, and danger set in the Spanish Golden Age. When servant Luzia Cotado’s magical skills are discovered by the disgraced secretary to the king, who is determined to regain power and help the king fight Queen Elizabeth I, Luzia’s life changes forever, and she must do everything she can to survive.

Time period: 16th Century

It’s summer 1596 and a young girl in Straford-Upon-Avon is ill with a sudden fever. Her twin brother Hamnet, does everything he can to find help, but no one is home. Both their parents are out, with their father working in garden and their mother over a mile away in the garden they grow herbs. However, what the parents don’t know is Hamnet will not survive the week.

Time period: 17th Century

It’s Norway, 1662, and recently widowed Zigri is sent to the fortress at Vardø to be tried as witch after her affair with a local merchant is discovered. Also in the fortress is Anna Rhodius, who was once the King of Denmark’s mistress, and is now in disgrace of the kingdom, but who will she betray in order to return to her old life? And Zigri’s daughter Ingeborg, along with the help of Maren, a daughter of a witch, is on a mission to bring her mother home.

Time period: 17th Century

Inspired by a true story, Mary Read has led a life full of reinvention. From being raised as a boy to collect the inheritance of her dead brother, to working in a grand estate, to sailing in the navy, to fighting on the battlefields, Mary has not had a simple life, but her biggest adventure is yet to come as she embarks on her true calling – becoming a pirate.

Time period: 18th Century

Set in Amsterdam in 1705, Thea Brandt is about to turn 18 and in the theatre she has met the love of her life. Except, her aunt Nella has other plans and is convinced she needs to find Thea a wealthy husband, in order to turn the family’s dwindling finances around. And as the two women clash over their conflicting desires, miniature figurines begin to turn up on the door step, and someone else may just have plans for Thea’s family.

Time period: 19th Century

Zadie Smith’s first historical novel is set in 1873, and is based upon real life events surrounding the Tichborne Trial. Widowed Scottish housekeeper Mrs Eliza Touchet is captivated by the trial, and just like the rest of England is torn between whether the defendant is who he claims to be. Andrew Bogle, meanwhile finds himself the star witness and finds his future depending on his testimony.

Time period: 19th Century

This Other Eden begins in 1792 when previously enslaved Benjamin Honey and his Irish wife, Patience, discover an island where they can make a future for themselves. Skip forward a century and their descendants remain on the island, along with some eclectic neighbours. Their peaceful lifestyle is soon to be disturbed as one summer sees a prejudiced missionary land on the island and threatens to disturb the balance of their existence.

Time period: 19th Century

Born in Jamaica but raised in Victorian Manchester, Florence is thrown out of her bookbinder father’s house when she brings scandal to his door. When she intercepts her father’s latest commission she finds herself at Rose Hall, tasked with restoring its collection of rare books. When the library is broken into one night and Florence discovers a diary burnt in the fireplace, she discovers there may be clues to her fate hidden in the mysterious house.

Time period: 1920s

It’s 1921 in Penang and lawyer Robert Hamlyn and his wife Lesley’s lives are invigorated when Robert’s old friend Willie Somerset Maugham comes to stay. Willie is struggling with his marriage and his ability to write. As Lesley and Willie’s friendship grows, she discovers it is impossible for Willie to be his true self. When Willie prepares to leave Lesley begins to reveal her own secrets too.

Time period: 1950s

It’s 1950s America and Lois wants out of her picture-perfect loveless marriage. The solution? Six weeks at one of Reno’s divorce ranches, where she spends her time with fellow divorceés, riding horses and flirting with cowboys. And when Greer Lang arrives, Lois’ world is transformed, as she finally begins to push back against societies’ pressures. Basically if you’re into a big dose of glamour combined with a deep exploration of female friendship and freedom, this is the novel for you.

Time period: 1960s

Now with a TV adaptation on Apple TV+, Lessons in Chemistry tells the story of chemist Elizabeth Zott. Zott is fired from her job at a research institute after she confesses her pregnancy, she finds herself the reluctant star of the nation’s most beloved cooking program. As her work on the show grows she soon starts to develop a following who she teaches far more to than cooking.

Time period: 1980s

Set during the Sri Lankan civil war 16-year-old Sashi dreams of becoming a doctor. However, as the next 10 years progresses, her dreams take her on a different path as she watches her brothers and their best friend get swept up into violent political ideologies, with devastating consequences.