Historical fiction and suspense. On their own, each offers something I love. But together? That’s where the magic can really happen.
Historical fiction invites us into another time — often rooted in real people or true events. Suspense keeps us leaning forward, turning pages late into the night. One grounds us. The other propels us. And when they’re woven together, the result is a story that feels both immersive and impossible to put down.
That’s exactly what I had in mind when I began dreaming up my next novel, Death Was Not on the Guest List. I’d long been
fascinated by a group of women known as The Big Four —1920s Chicago debutantes who captured the spotlight wherever they went. What’s more, two of the women famously inspired Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby. The Big Four were a fascinating story idea — but for a while, I struggled to find my way into how I‘d tell their story. A straight historical retelling didn’t quite have the hook I was looking for. Until I asked myself: what if I added suspense?
More specifically… what if I dropped these women into the center of a murder mystery during a blizzard that kept them locked inside? The result is the kind of story I love most: one that blends rich historical detail with the pulse-quickening energy of suspense. A perfect match for readers who adore the Jazz Age and a nod toward The Great Gatsby.
If you’re like me and can’t resist a great historical mystery, here are a few recent and upcoming novels that masterfully combine the two — and the kind of reader they’re perfect for:
The Midnight Show by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne
(Out now)
For the reader who can’t miss a sketch or a punchline, The Midnight Show delivers a sharp blend of nostalgia and mystery. Set in the high-energy world of 1980s New York comedy — reminiscent of the early days of Saturday Night Live — the novel pairs its rich cultural backdrop with a decades-spanning disappearance that still haunts those left behind. As past and present collide, the suspense builds around what really happened to a rising star — and who might be hiding the truth.
The Scorpion Thief by Janyre Tromp
(Out now)
For readers who love high-stakes intrigue with an ancient twist, The Scorpion Thief weaves together history and suspense in a gripping way. Set against the politically charged backdrop of the Cold War and the global fascination with King Tut’s treasures, the novel blends real historical moments with a pulse-pounding tale of espionage, betrayal, and a possibly cursed artifact. As tensions rise from Cairo to Washington, the danger feels both immediate and timeless — where the past isn’t just studied, but deadly.
Off the Record by Sara Goodman Confino
(Releasing June 9)
For readers who like a side of romance with their intrigue, Off the Record offers a delightful blend of both. Set against the high-stakes backdrop of 1962 Washington, D.C., at the height of the Cold War, the novel pairs sharp historical detail with a fast-moving espionage plot, as an aspiring reporter stumbles into a potential international crisis. Alongside coded messages and global secrets, a swoony fake-dating romance adds charm and heart — proving love can bloom even in the most dangerous of circumstances.
The Cloak and Dagger Club by Jackie McMahon
(Releasing July 14)
For readers who love fiction inspired by real literary figures, The Cloak and Dagger Club is a perfect match. Set in 1930s London and inspired by Agatha Christie’s real-life Detection Club, the novel blends a richly drawn Golden Age mystery backdrop with a classic whodunit at its center — complete with a shocking murder and a race to uncover the killer. As suspicion mounts and danger closes in, the suspense crackles, proving even the sharpest mystery writers may not be able to script their way out of real-life peril.
The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay
(Releasing October 6)
For readers who love an amateur sleuth with a knack for uncovering secrets, The Undercover Bookshop delivers both charm and danger. Set in a cozy 1950 Cotswolds village at the height of postwar tension, the novel layers its quaint historical setting with a gripping espionage thread, as Gemma Brown suspects her neighbor may be a Soviet spy. What begins as small-town curiosity quickly spirals into a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse involving MI5, the KGB, and a mystery that could cost lives.
