Now that the shorter days and cooler weather are well and truly upon us, it’s time to curl up in a comfortable corner with a book. I know that summer/beach reading gets all the love, but it’s the fall and winter seasons that are my favorites. To be hunkered down with a good book, a warm drink, and the glow of a fire is my idea of bliss. And I’m going to make an assumption here that most avid readers have some sort of a comfort category. That one genre that pulls you back time and time again when what you’re in need of is the ultimate in escapism and relaxation. The books that enable you to shut out your troubles and wrap yourself in another world, another place, another time, perhaps. For me that genre is the historical murder mystery of the cosy persuasion. My guilty pleasure of the reading world, if you will – except no guilt allowed. These books are light and entertaining, often humorous, sometimes frivolous, occasionally silly but always with just enough gravitas to make them worth reading. And because, for the most part, historical murder mysteries come as a series, picking them up is like getting to hang out with old friends for a while. Here is a round up of the ones that, for me, have stood the test of time. Each link is for the very first book in each series.
~Maisie Dobbs Series Jacqueline Winspear Maisie, a scullery maid, is hoisted from her drudgery by an aristocratic employer who discovers her in his library reading philosophy books and subsequently sends her to university. In 1929 after serving as a nurse in the war, Maisie becomes a private investigator. As a keen observer of human nature and someone who is well acquainted with wounds to both body and soul, she is well suited to it. The novels begin under the long shadow cast by WWI and the lingering horrors of combat, with mysteries revolving around the psychological issues soldiers and civilians alike were left to contend with, including Maisie herself, who lost a lover. Maisie investigates with the help of Billy, a hard core Londoner with plenty of street smarts, has a dad whom she sees on a regular basis – usually when she’s in need of feeling grounded – and a bestie, Belinda, who has three unruly boys who add some much needed levity to Maisie’s world. As the series goes on Maisie struggles with grief and personal tragedy, closes her agency, leaves England and then returns and reopens at the onset of WWII where the series currently finds itself. A couple of books in the middle wobble into the airy-fairy and new agey when Maisie’s mentor, Dr. Maurice Blanche, is too much in the picture, but happily this is short lived. Overall this is a richly historic series with interesting and complex mysteries. It leans into the serious a little more than the others but it’s also thoughtful and contemplative in such a good way.
~Her Royal Spyness Series Rhys Bowen Lady Victoria Georgianna Charlotte Eugenie is cousin to the future King Edward VIII, thirty fourth in line to the throne and absolutely flat broke. Given her royal blood it would be unseemly of Georgie to get a job, and besides, she may have attended the best in Swiss boarding schools, but about the only thing she came away with was the ability to perform the perfect curtsy. But when her brother is accused of murder and Georgie smartly solves the case, she realizes that she may have just found her calling, especially when the Queen herself asks for help with a couple of pesky issues involving her cousin David and the insufferable Mrs Simpson. Such work doesn’t pay in cash of course, just goodwill and sojourns in country houses, but she is fortunate enough to have a rich (wildly entertaining) mother who will throw a few coins or a new frock her way every so often and a cockney (ex-copper) grandfather who doles out plenty of tea and sympathy. And with time, Georgie falls in love with the dashingly handsome and Irish Darcy O’Mara, who, while of noble stock and ridiculously high on charm is shockingly low on pennies. These are fizzy, bubbly little gems with lots of bright and breezy charm and a dash of 1930’s jolly hockey sticks goofiness. Solidly written and oodles of fun.
~Jane Austen Series Stephanie Barron In these books, Jane Austen has turned sleuth. Actual facts from Jane’s life and historical events are woven together with fictional murder mysteries in a seamless blend of fact and fiction. The Regency details are spot on, the tone of the language is authentic and Jane’s dry wit and bite are thoroughly present. Barron closely follows the course of Jane’s life, starting at the tender age of 26, using details found in her personal correspondence and incorporating them into the novels – the writing of her books, family relationships and deaths are all there. This series is just brilliant for Austen lovers everywhere and is by far the closest ever come (out of all the Austen-esque books available) to capturing her true spirit. Unfortunately, the latest book is set shortly before Jane dies and a tiny little part of me is hoping that Barron invokes artistic license and gives Jane the life that she (and all of us) were robbed of.
~Lady Emily Series Tasha Alexander This series is set in the later Victorian years. In the very first book, Lady Emily marries Philip, Viscount Ashton, whom she barely knows, more to get out from under her mother’s clutches than because she loves him. When he dies on a hunting expedition a few months later, she suspects foul play. Now, it just so happens that Emily is a strong and independent woman who indulges in many an intellectual pursuit and who chafes against norms of the day. Sometimes this manifests itself in crazy ways like, say, drinking port after dinner – port being a man’s drink and all! But it also means that if the police aren’t going to indulge her theories, she’s just going to have to get out there and investigate her husband’s death herself. And, as luck would have it, she meets a new husband along the way, the terribly debonair Colin – trusted agent of the crown and all sorts of devilishly dashing and handsome. As a well seasoned member of the aristocracy, Lady Emily’s mysteries are set against a backdrop of sparkle and glitter, tiaras and balls with Emily thoroughly enjoying getting her hands dirty and annoying members of the tonne in the process. The books are full of great flavour of the period, witty, charming and sprinkled with snark.
~Bess Crawford Series Charles Todd. Bess is a nurse during World War I who seems to get an inordinate amount of leave in order to solve murders that come her way. Akin to the Maisie Dobbs series with its level of seriousness, Betsy is a thoughtful and earnest nurse and investigator with a father and family friend who belong to the upper echelons of the army and provide her with much needed connections to solve crimes. I’m a huge fan of all books set during either of the World Wars and these are certainly well written and atmospheric. My only complaint is that they can be a little –dour. Betsy’s character takes herself a smidge too seriously and there is an almost strange lack of humor to add levity. And unlike Maisie, neither Betsy’s life nor her character, grows and evolves over the years. Doesn’t stop me going back for more though.
~Daisy Dalrymple Series Carola Dunn. In 1923, Daisy Dalrymple, a fledgling journalist, embarks on her first assignment at Wentwater Court, only to stumble upon a body. Daisy is the daughter of a Viscount, but has been left impoverished after her brother was killed in the Great War and her father died in the flu epidemic, which led the family estate to be passed to a distant relative. Just as with Georgie, an aristocrat working was a scandalous option, but what’s a girl to do. As a wannabe journalist, Daisy is a curious nosey-parker, good at finagling her way into investigations where she buts heads with Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard. The two, unsurprisingly, develop a relationship over the years and ultimately marry and have kids. As with the Spyness Series, these books are perky and jaunty with all the pop and fizz of the twenties bonhomie. A teensy bit thin on plot at times but still hard to resist.
~Charles Lenox Series Charles Finch Another series set in the late Victorian years. Charles Lenox is the second son of a Baronet so has no claim to a title himself, but is certainly a wealthy member of the aristocracy. Charles starts his sleuthing days as an amateur when Lady Jane asks for his help with a mystery of her own. The two marry, he becomes a member of Parliament for several years in the middle books, eventually leaving that position to start up an official detective agency – the first of its kind. These are well written books with interesting murders and lots of nice twists and turns. They immerse you fully in the streets of Victorian London and afford glimpses into a variety of historical events – which is always a plus for me.
