Betrayal at Iga by Susan Spann
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Well-written historical mysteries combine the thrill of the chase with an immersive trip to another time and place. Susan Spann, author of the Hiro Hattori novels, understands the excitement history brings to a mystery. Her novels, set in 16th century Japan feature a unique crime-solving duo—a ninja assassin and a Jesuit priest—who join forces to hunt down killers in samurai-era Kyoto… and beyond. Here, she shares her top five historical mysteries.
I love the way historical mysteries let me travel in time, as well as location, to catch a killer. The best ones read like a page-turning thriller, immersing readers in the sights and smells of a different place and time without allowing historical details to overwhelm the excitement of a fast-paced, twisting plot. Here are my top five historical mystery reads, which span the globe as well as the calendar.
The Name of the Rose
Brother William of Baskerville is summoned to an Italian abbey to investigate accusations of heresy, but a series of murders transform his mission into that of a 14th century sleuth. Secret symbols, labyrinths, and coded manuscripts make Umberto Eco’s classic page-turner a must-read for fans of thrillers like The Da Vinci Code.
Strange Gods
The stellar opening novel in Annamaria Alfieri’s series is set in early 20th century British East Africa. Fans of The African Queen will love the intrepid Vera McIntosh and her partner in crime-solving, British policeman Justin Tolliver, whose quirky romance blooms as they attempt to discover the truth behind the murder of Vera’s uncle, who was found with a Maasai spear in his back.
The Daughter of Time
Though published in 1951, Josephine Tey’s final novel involves a modern detective’s investigation of King Richard III’s alleged murder of the famed “princes in the tower.” In addition to a fine mystery, and some excellent historical sleuthing, Tey’s masterpiece examines the way the “truth” sometimes depends on who’s telling the tale.
Shinjū
When a samurai woman and an impoverished artist are discovered dead in Kyoto’s Kamo River, the apparent victims of a double suicide, only detective Sano Ichiro suspects foul play. To expose the truth, he must risk his honor and his life. As an author of mysteries set in medieval Japan, I love Laura Joh Rowland’s Sano Ichiro series from start to finish. Readers new to the series will want to start here, at the beginning.
The Secret Daughter of the Tsar
Though shelved in historical fiction, this page-turning debut novel features a unique, dual-timeline retelling of one of history’s most compelling mysteries, and an unexpected answer to what really happened to Anastasia and the heir to the Romanov throne.
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