18 New British Historical Novels for Autumn 2024
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Autumn is always a great season for new books, and this one is no exception – with loads of new historical fiction books to enjoy. Whether you're looking for murder in the 1940s, a playful Regency tale with parrots, or a heartwarming WW2 novel about hard times on the homefront, you're in luck – and really, when have people looking for Regency novels with parrots EVER been in luck??
A New Hope for the Cornish Girls
In 1946 Cornwall, three women navigate the challenges of the post-war period. Sheila runs her late husband's shop, Joan finds unexpected romance as a Land Girl, and Selina reconnects with her estranged sister after heartbreak. Despite their personal struggles, all three women are ready to embrace a new and peaceful life.
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Small Bomb at Dimperley
In 1945, Corporal Valentine Vere-Thissett returns home to inherit Dimperley, a crumbling estate burdened with debt and eccentric relatives. As he grapples with his new responsibilities, evacuee Zena Baxter cherishes the grand house as a refuge. But Zena harbors a secret that threatens to upend their lives as the post-war era dawns.
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The Booklover's Library
In wartime Nottingham, widow Emma Taylor finds unexpected solace and purpose at Boots' Booklover's Library. Separated from her evacuated daughter Olivia, Emma forms unexpected friendships with her coworkers and neighbors. As she helps patrons escape through literature, she confronts her own painful memories of her father's bookstore. When books start mysteriously disappearing, a bit of light detective work offers distraction from the intensifying Blitz. Amidst air raids and rationing, she discovers the power of community and the written word to provide hope in the darkest of times.
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The Women of Jersey Island
On Nazi-occupied Jersey in 1940, three women's lives become inextricably linked. Sixteen-year-old Marcy, driven by love and defiance, joins the island's secret resistance while her mother Violet guards long-buried secrets that threaten their safety. Family friend Louisa navigates divided loyalties as the occupation stretches on, and as the war progresses, their bonds are tested by danger, betrayal, and long-hidden truths.
These women must find the courage to protect each other and their island home, even as the risks of resistance grow ever higher. The entire book is a loving tribute to the women who held things together during one of the most difficult times in the British Isles' recent history.
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Pride & Prejudice & Parrots
In this charming (and slightly ridiculous) reimagining of Jane Austen's classic, Regency England is swept up in an exotic bird craze. Elizabeth Bennet, determined to resist the trend, clashes with the austere Mr. Darcy and his prized cockatoo. As misunderstandings take flight and reputations hang in the balance, Elizabeth navigates a world where a rare bird can make or break one's social standing. Amidst witty banter, avian matchmaking, and feathered faux pas, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy we all know they must.
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The Shadow Key
In late 18th-century Wales, Dr. Henry Talbot accepts a position as a private physician at the isolated Plas Helyg estate. Faced with suspicious villagers and mysterious circumstances surrounding his predecessor's death, Henry grows curious and begins to investigate alongside the lonely Linette, Lord Julian's cousin. As they uncover dark secrets, Henry and Linette find their destinies intertwined in unexpected ways.
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This imaginative dual-timeline novel alternates between 1951 and 1996. In 1951 Devon, Connie finds solace from her troubled home life at the Tivoli cinema, where she falls in love with projectionist Charlie. Though he proposes by splicing his proposal into Casablanca, their romance takes an unexpected turn. In 1996, the newly divorced Eddie renovates the dilapidated Tivoli, discovering an old film reel that hints at Connie's past, a mystery he can't resist exploring.
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Arden
This historical novel intertwines the stories of Alice Arden, executed for murder in 16th-century Kent, and William Shakespeare, whose first play dramatized her story. Based on historical research, the book presents new theories about Thomas Arden's murder and Shakespeare's early years.
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The Telegram
Spanning three generations of London women from 1915 to 1960, this family saga revolves around long-held war secrets. In 1915, a telegram brings devastating news. Then, in 1943, a chance encounter leads to startling revelations for the young Elizabeth Carmichael. By 1960, Violet Carmichael uncovers hidden diaries that shed light on her family's past – and a telegram that finally unlocks a decades-old family secret.
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Mirrors of the Past
This time-slip novel connects events in 1911 Cornwall with the present day. In 1911, American visitor Viola Arthur's actions set off a chain of events with far-reaching consequences. In the present, Tegan Burton arrives at Pencradoc House and becomes entangled in a century-old mystery. Working with Ryan to uncover long-forgotten secrets, Tegan develops a connection to the house and its history. The story explores themes of family legacy, hidden truths, and the enduring impact of the past.
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The Hanging of Hettie Gale
In the harsh landscape of an 18th-century English moor, Hettie Gale's life is a testament to resilience. Overcoming abuse and abandonment, she builds a new life for herself and her young son. But when false accusations lead to a death sentence, Hettie's story becomes a haunting cautionary tale.
Centuries later, Alice returns to her childhood summers' setting to investigate her cousin Fleur's disappearance. As she looks into the local lore, she uncovers a set of journals that reveal a chilling connection between Hettie's tragic fate and the recent disappearances on the moor. Racing against time, Alice must decipher the clues to save Fleur and put Hettie's restless spirit to rest, all while confronting the dark secrets that have plagued the moor for generations.
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The War Twins of London
Maggie and Tillie, identical twins in 1940s London, find their carefree lives as waitresses upended by the encroaching war. As their romantic partners, Colin and Micah, are called to serve – one in the dangerous skies over Germany, the other stranded in occupied France – the sisters throw themselves into the war effort. Maggie joins the Women's Voluntary Service, while Tillie serves with the British Red Cross.
Their resolve is tested nightly as the Blitz rains destruction upon London, transforming Tillie's ambulance shifts into harrowing rescue missions. Amidst the chaos of falling bombs and the constant fear for their loved ones' safety, both sisters face personal tragedies. As the war intensifies, they'll draw on their unbreakable bond and inner strength to protect themselves and those they hold dear, all while clinging to the hope that love can survive even in the darkest times.
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A Deadly Discovery
In the picturesque shadow of Lewes castle, a sinister mystery draws in the brilliant minds of Virginia Woolf and her artist sister, Vanessa. The discovery of an ancient tablet by the charming local archaeologist, Gideon Rivers, sets off a chain of events that culminates in his shocking murder. Fresh from a dig in Syria and accompanied by a glamorous Parisian heiress, Gideon had become the talk of the town. Now, with his body barely cold, suspicion falls on a cast of colorful characters: his ambitious fiancée, a jealous best friend, and a string of scorned former lovers.
As the police chase false leads, Ginny and Nessa realize that time is running out – the killer is plotting to strike again, this time targeting someone close to home. Armed with their sharp intellects and creative instincts, the sisters embark on a dangerous investigation that will test their wits and courage.
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The Witchfinder's Assistant
In the tumultuous backdrop of 1643 England, torn apart by civil war, the town of Wem becomes the stage for a chilling tale. When a body is discovered with its mouth grotesquely pierced by thorns, fear and paranoia grip the community. The Justice of the Peace, a man of unwavering religious conviction, is quick to cry witchcraft. Enter John Carne, a former cavalryman turned assistant to the Justice, who finds himself caught between duty and doubt.
As the voice of reason in a sea of hysteria, John seeks logical explanations where others see only demonic influence. But John carries his own burdens – secrets that cast a shadow over his relationship with his cold, distant wife. As he moves deeper into the investigation, the line between the rational and the supernatural begins to blur. The darkness that has fallen over Wem grows ever more oppressive, threatening to consume not just the accused, but John himself.
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The Ravenswood Witch
In 1885 England, a young woman flees certain death, convicted of a murder she swears she didn't commit. On the brink of escape, fate intervenes and she collides with Marcus Greybourne, a enigmatic stranger who offers her an unexpected lifeline. Posing as his long-absent wife, Luna, she finds refuge in the decaying grandeur of Ravenswood Hall. But as she recovers from her injuries, she discovers that her sanctuary may be more dangerous than the gallows she fled.
The house is a maze of locked rooms and whispered secrets, each corner alive with malevolent energy. The real Luna Greybourne's disappearance looms large over the estate, her reputation as the “Ravenswood Witch” coloring every interaction. Evidence of Luna's descent into dark magic is etched into the very walls of the house, from arcane symbols to rooms destroyed in fits of occult frenzy. With each passing day, the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, and the pretend Luna must confront a terrifying question: has she traded one form of doom for another, perhaps even more sinister?
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Murder at the Matinee
In the exciting world of 1930s London theatre, playwright-turned-detective Bertie Carroll finds himself center stage in a real-life whodunit. When a rival playwright reaches out with a baffling case, Bertie is intrigued – a mysterious newspaper advertisement boldly predicts a murder during a play's third act, despite no such scene existing in the script. As opening night approaches, tension mounts both on and off stage. When the curtain rises and a body is indeed discovered, Bertie is thrust into an uneasy alliance with Inspector Hugh Chapman, reigniting their complex professional relationship.
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Spoiler's Prey
Summer, 1748: the quaint hamlet of Ingolside, usually a haven of tranquility, erupts into chaos as winds of change sweep through rural England. At the heart of the turmoil is the King's controversial Enclosure Act, threatening to upend centuries-old ways of life. County Coroner Titus Cragg is summoned to this powder keg of emotions when violence explodes one fateful evening.
In the aftermath of a riotous uprising, the body of John Lavenham, a London commissioner tasked with implementing the unpopular changes, is found sprawled on the village square steps. What at first glance appears to be a tragic accident soon reveals itself to be something far more sinister. Titus finds himself navigating treacherous waters as he attempts to conduct a formal inquest in a community seething with resentment and suspicion. With local law enforcement proving unreliable, he'll have to rely on a small circle of trusted allies, including his long-time friend and physician, Dr. Luke Fidelis.
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June 1941: As London stands defiant against the Nazi onslaught, Katharina Valentine yearns to play a more significant role in the war effort. Her wish is granted in an unexpected way when she's transferred from her mundane typist position at the War Office to the clandestine world beneath the streets of Westminster. The Cabinet War Rooms, a maze-like bunker unknown to most, becomes Katie's new domain.
Here, an unforeseen staff shortage presents Katie with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – to work directly under Winston Churchill himself. As she navigates the high-pressure environment, Katie's competence catches more than just her superiors' attention. Wing Commander Baxter Edwards, dashing and dedicated, becomes a bright spot in the often grim underground world. Their budding romance offers a glimmer of normalcy amidst the chaos of war, but her newfound happiness is threatened when a jealous colleague stumbles upon a dangerous secret from her past. The specter of the Official Secrets Act looms large, jeopardizing not only Katie's career but potentially her freedom.
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