Best Historical Fiction

  This is book six in the series, which can stand alone. Once again, Cat Hakesby (previously Lovett) and James Marwood are united in their effort to resolve a murder case. London, 1671. An architect, Cat Hakesby, is forced to stop her restoration project after the Great Fire due to man’s body found in the ruins. Delayed work means financial strain on her business. Thus, she tries to help in solving the case. She knows James Marwood who is ordered to investigate. And they had some tangled moments previously. Marwood is good at extracting information, but the trail where it leads gets complicated. The author continues to created fascinating characters and complex plot that intrigues. The story is alive with historical figures and events. With the fast pace, the reader is set on a fascinating mystery journey. I found book five, The Royal Secret, as character driven. This book is more plot driven. Release date: 2 March 2023 Source: Harper Collins

  I’ve read a few historical fictions involving Lincoln. Despite that I was interested in this book as it gives a new angle of seeing Lincoln family. It’s through the eyes of a young émigré, who with her family, was forced to leave Madeira, Portugal. 1851, Springfield, IL. Fourteen-year-old Ana with her family had to flee their island due to the religious intolerance and hardship they experienced there. In this new land, they quickly saw that with hard work they could achieve a decent living, not possible in Madeira. Ana gets hired as help to clean and help with little Lincoln boys. She witnesses the rise of Abraham Lincoln to presidency, and his fight for equality. With her African American friend Cal, Ana witnesses the underground railroad in Springfield. It’s a horrifying experience to leave the abuse of her island, only to witness how her adopted country is torn by slavery. The narration is through three characters: Ana, Spencer Donnegan, a free black man, minister and barber. With