Category Archives: Historical Fiction

January 22, 2026 · 5:43 pm

The House of Silk – Anthony Horowitz

The House of Silk – Anthony Horowitz

After Magpie Murders, I wanted to read more Anthony Horowitz. In particular, I wanted to read the next one in the Magpie series, but that wasn’t in our Audible library (and I am trying not to buy anymore books). However, I did find this one.

Here’s the blurb …

For the first time in its one-hundred-and-twenty-five-year history, the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate has authorized a new Sherlock Holmes novel.

Once again, The Game’s Afoot…London, 1890. 221B Baker St. A fine art dealer named Edmund Carstairs visits Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson to beg for their help. He is being menaced by a strange man in a flat cap – a wanted criminal who seems to have followed him all the way from America. In the days that follow, his home is robbed, his family is threatened. And then the first murder takes place.

Almost unwillingly, Holmes and Watson find themselves being drawn ever deeper into an international conspiracy connected to the teeming criminal underworld of Boston, the gaslit streets of London, opium dens and much, much more. And as they dig, they begin to hear the whispered phrase-the House of Silk-a mysterious entity that connects the highest levels of government to the deepest depths of criminality. Holmes begins to fear that he has uncovered a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of society.

The Arthur Conan Doyle Estate chose the celebrated, #1 New York Times bestselling author Anthony Horowitz to write The House of Silk because of his proven ability to tell a transfixing story and for his passion for all things Holmes. Destined to become an instant classic, The House of Silk brings Sherlock Holmes back with all the nuance, pacing, and almost superhuman powers of analysis and deduction that made him the world’s greatest detective, in a case depicting events too shocking, too monstrous to ever appear in print…until now.

I have never read any Sherlock Holmes, but I did love the series with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. I was picturing them while reading/listening to it.

I very much enjoyed this – if this is what the original Sherlock Holmes novels are like, I will have to read them. There was more than one crime, several mysteries, poor children, rich ladies, American outlaws, art and possibly poison.

A review.

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January 15, 2026 · 11:44 am

The Tapestry of Time – Kate Heartfield

The Tapestry of Time – Kate Heartfield

I am intrigued by the Bayeux tapestry – I have even visited it (and it is a long way from Australia!), so clearly I had to read this one.

Here’s the blurb …

There’s a tradition in the Sharp family that some possess the Second Sight. But is it superstition, or true psychic power? 

Kit Sharp is in Paris, where she is involved in a love affair with the stunning Evelyn Larsen, and working as an archivist, having inherited her historian father’s fascination with the Bayeux Tapestry. He believes that parts of the tapestry were made before 1066, and that it was a tool for prediction, not a simple record of events. 

The Nazis are also obsessed with the tapestry: convinced that not only did it predict the Norman Conquest of England, but that it will aid them in their invasion of Britain. 

Ivy Sharp has joined the Special Operations Executive – the SOE – a secret unit set up to carry out espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance. Having demonstrated that she has extraordinary powers of perception, she is dropped into Northern France on a special mission. 

With the war on a knife edge, the Sharp Sisters face certain death. Can their courage and extrasensory gifts prevent the enemy from using the tapestry to bring about a devastating victory against the Allied Forces?

This had an interesting premise – the Bayeux tapestry was created before 1066 by a group of women who could see the future.

I enjoyed the world war two setting and the very different lives of the four sisters. It was well-researched, but wore that research lightly.

It has fantasy elements – second sight, etc.

For me there wasn’t enough Bayeux tapestry, and a bit too much of Ivy training her second sight.

A review

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December 28, 2025 · 11:49 am

Murder in the Cathedral – Kerry Greenwood

Murder in the Cathedral – Kerry Greenwood

I have always liked the Phryne Fisher mysteries, but I haven’t read one in a long time and I certainly haven’t read them all. I received this one in the family ‘book flood’ and I read it in a couple of days.

Here’s the blurb …

When Phryne Fisher is invited to Bendigo to witness the investiture of her old friend Lionel, who is being made a Bishop, her expectations of the solemn and dignified ceremony do not include a murder.

Phryne quickly involves herself with perspicacious local Constable Watson and eagle-eyed Detective Inspector Mick Kelly as they identify the murder victim – an overzealous deacon with a nose for trouble. 

Applying her quick wits and magnetic charm, Phryne and her expanding team of sleuths discover murky layers of church politics, social scandals and business scams and blackmail. Soon, various suspects begin to populate a long list, each with excellent motives to kill.

Meanwhile the clock is ticking … Will Phryne be able to bring to light the proof she needs before the murderer strikes again or disappears completely?

I love all of the historical references; the clothes, cars, architecture …The crime was intriguing as well – a deacon murdered during a service (no one noticed anything) and the murderer has vanished (how did he/she get out of the cathedral?). The Deacon had something of serious import to tell the Bishop, is that why he was murdered?

This is a cozy crime – like from the golden age of crime.

This will be the last Phryne Fisher mystery as Kerry Greenwood sadly died earlier this year.

A review.

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December 27, 2025 · 1:21 pm

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil – V.E. Schwab

Bury our Bones in the Midnight Soil – V. E. Schwab

I am a fan of V. E. Schwab. I have listened to The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue and Gallant. So when I saw this on sale at Target, I had to have it. Of course, it then lingered on my shelves (although I think I purchased it this year).

Here’s the blurb …

This is a story about hunger.
1532. Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
A young girl grows up wild and wily—her beauty is only outmatched by her dreams of escape. But María knows she can only ever be a prize, or a pawn, in the games played by men. When an alluring stranger offers an alternate path, María makes a desperate choice. She vows to have no regrets.

This is a story about love.
1827. London.
A young woman lives an idyllic but cloistered life on her family’s estate, until a moment of forbidden intimacy sees her shipped off to London. Charlotte’s tender heart and seemingly impossible wishes are swept away by an invitation from a beautiful widow—but the price of freedom is higher than she could have imagined.

This is a story about rage.
2019. Boston.
College was supposed to be her chance to be someone new. That’s why Alice moved halfway across the world, leaving her old life behind. But after an out-of-character one-night stand leaves her questioning her past, her present, and her future, Alice throws herself into the hunt for answers . . . and revenge.

This is a story about life—
how it ends, and how it starts.

I do enjoy the historical fiction aspects of this novel. I didn’t know at all what it was about and I was quite surprised when I discovered what ‘bury our bones in the midnight soil’ means. Although this is a fantasy novel, it’s really about people – relationships, family, chosen family, friendships and toxic relationships. It’s about women claiming space and agency for themselves.

It was long and I am not sure it needed to be that long. We could have had a few less incidents in Sabine’s life without losing any of the character or plot development.

A review.

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November 19, 2025 · 2:02 pm

The Distance Between Dreams – Emily Paull

The Distance Between Dreams – Emily Paull

My local library (Evelyn H Parker) was having an Author talk and craft event. Ms Paull was one of the authors. So, in preparation, I read this novel.

I do like a novel set in W.A.

Here’s the blurb …

Sarah Willis longs to free herself from the expectations of a privileged upbringing, while Winston Keller can’ t afford the luxury of a dream. Despite their differences, the pair are drawn together in a whirlwind romance that defies the boundaries of class. But when a dark family secret pulls the young lovers apart, and WWII plunges the world into chaos, it seems impossible they will ever find their way back to each other &– or even hold onto the dream of what might have been

It is clear that a lot of research went into this novel. I learnt quite a few things. For example, I didn’t know that there was rationing (here in W.A) during World War Two. Or that there were so many war brides (not to mention the ones who got duped).

The characters are well-written, particularly the bitchy Florence. Winston and his mother, Elsie, were delightful. Robert Willis might be a bit too stark a villain, but otherwise this was an interesting and enjoyable novel to read.

A review.

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November 16, 2025 · 5:44 pm

The Lion Women of Tehran (Final Thoughts)- Marjan Kamali

The Lion Women of Tehran – Marjan Kamali

So I have finished all of my summaries.

This was the book chosen by my Wednesday (but we meet on a Monday) book club.

Here’s the blurb …

An “evocative read and a powerful portrait of friendship, feminism, and political activism” (People) set against three transformative decades in Tehran, Iran—from nationally bestselling author Marjan Kamali.

In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams for a friend to alleviate her isolation.

Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa’s warm home, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and share their ambitions of becoming “lion women.”

But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother are afforded the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. Now a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, her sudden reappearance in Ellie’s privileged world alters the course of both of their lives.

Together, the two young women come of age and pursue their own goals for meaningful futures. But as the political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point, one earth-shattering betrayal will have enormous consequences.

I have spent a lot of time with this novel. I read each chapter twice and wrote summaries. For me this novel was about friendship, feminism, loyalty, and betrayal. The structure of the novel is very good. Different time periods and different points of view. This creates perspective – you see the same events in a different light. I think it could have been a bit tighter, a few less scenes in every time period. However, it should be widely read to bring the plight of the Iranian people to a bigger audience (and not just see them as part of the ‘axis of evil’). And also to appreciate how the British and Americans interfered in the government of the country to suit their national interests (that’s a problem that has come home to roost).

I know very little about Iran. I enjoyed all of the descriptions of Iranian culture. And how, with the Shah, women had some rights and were encouraged to be educated. It seemed to be quite a secular society. And now, I think they must be some of the most oppressed women in the world. It is very disheartening.

A review.

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November 15, 2025 · 2:55 pm

The Lion Women of Tehran (Chapters 43, 44, 45 and 46)

The Lion Women of Tehran – Marjan Kamali

Chapter 43 Bahar June 1982

Bahar goes to the after prom party at Madison’s. She is still wearing her frock and brings a present for Madison’s mother.

She drinks too much, thinks about Iran, her mum and dad, and vomits.

There is a few funny bits about looking up words in the dictionary “daisy dukes”

Chapter 44 June 1982

Bahar is rushed to hospital – Madison called the ambulance – she has alcohol poisoning.

While sitting by her bedside, Ellie tells Homa it was her fault. Homa had already guessed. She told Ellie they wanted the name of the translator (i.e. Ellie), but she never gave it to them.

Homa is not going to let anyone take away her spirit.

Chapter 45 July 1982

Bahar is fine. She spends a few days in hospital recovering.

Ellie and Homa go to the cinema to expel H0ma’s fear of the cinema – they see E. T.

On Homa’s last day, she gives Ellie the pink notebook in which she has written her mother’s recipes. She encourages Ellie to open a cafe/restaurant serving Persian food.

Homa is going to try to come back. She wants to be with Bahar and Bahar wants to be with her, but Iran is not the place for Bahar. She’s angry about the state of her country.

Chapter 46 2022 September (Last Chapter)

Ellie has a cafe. I don’t think they’re living in New York anymore.

Bahar is married with and 18 year old daughter. They are celebrating her 18th birthday.

In Iran, Mahsa Amini was beaten by the morality police and later died in jail. People (men and women) are protesting in the street.

Ellie, Bahar & Leily (Bahar’s daughter) see video on social media of the protestors and they see Homa.

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November 12, 2025 · 6:25 am

The Lion Women of Tehran (Chapters 39, 40, 41 and 42) – Marjan Kamali

The Lion Women of Tehran – Marjan Kamali

Chapter 39 January 15th 1982

Bahar has arrived. She’s worried about leaving Homa.

She thinks it is only temporary – this government can’t last long.

She still likes Snoopy

Chapter 40 January 1982

Bahar’s first day of school.

Ellie is worried the other students will be mean to her (it is just after the hostage situation at the US Embassy in Tehran).

Bahar’s English is not very good.

Ellie is worried that she is the one with the evil eye – she now has Homa’s family just like she wanted when she was seven.

Chapter 41 February 1982

Bahar has a friend over from school – Madison. Ellie doesn’t like her.

While cooking a traditional Iranian meal, Ellie mentions learning how to cook it with Homa when they were seven.

Bahar knows all of the stories, Ellie’s shocked – she thought Homa would never mention her. She asks Bahar why she thinks her mother and her haven’t been in contact. Bahar believes it’s because Homa didn’t want Ellie to get into trouble – Homa knew she was being monitored.

Chapter 42 June 1982

Ellie and Bahar argue about a party Madison is hosting,

Homa comes to visit to see Bahar graduate. She calls Ellie ‘my friend’.

Ellie wants to confess, but she also doesn’t want to ruin the day. They visit the New York Public Library, the Piermont Morgan library and eat hotdogs.

Homa talks about the three things that saved her after prison; family, walking and reading.

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November 10, 2025 · 3:28 pm

The Lion Women of Tehran (Chapters 36, 37 and 38) – Marjan Kamali

The Lion Women of Tehran – Marjan Kamali

Part 5

Chapter 36 1977 Ellie

The story has gone backwards in time.

Ellie and Mehrdad have just arrived in New York. Ellie is homesick and lonely. Mehrdad takes her to meet his colleagues and his boss. She feels inappropriately dressed. The boss is impressed by her English and suggests she joins the expat happy hour.

She meets Angela and they become friends. It is Angela who suggests she tries for a job at Bloomingdales.

The two couples spend news year’s eve together and watch Jimmy Carter drink champagne with the Shah. The Iran/US relationship is solid.

But I should have known that some friendships fracture and rupture beyond belief.

Chapter 37 1978 Ellie

Ellie’s mother comes to visit. They have a difficult conversation about Homa, her father and Uncle Massoud over frozen yogurt at Bloomindales.

Her mother tells her the country is in a terrible state and it will only get worse if the fundamentalists take over. They should stay and make a life for themselves in America, which they do.

Chapter 38 December 1981

We’re back to where we started.

Ellie calls Homa. She learns about Abdol’s death and how awful life is in Iran. Ellie is worried that people might be listening to the call.

Homa wants Ellie to host Bahar to get her out of the country. Niloo’s husband is in the foreign office and can organise the paperwork.

Homa is going to stay in Iran and fight for women’s rights.

Ellie and Merhdad agree.

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November 8, 2025 · 3:37 pm

The Lion Women of Tehran (Chapters 33, 34 and 36) – Marjan Kamali

The Lion Women of Tehran – Marjan Kamali

Chapter 33 Homa 1979

January, the Shah leaves Iran.

February, Ayatollah Khomeini returns from exile (14 years).

The Shah’s political prisoners are released – her father is released.

National curfew and martial law are declared. People rise up and revolt.

The military declares neutrality. The old regime is now officially gone. The revolution has succeeded in installing a new hard line government.

Chapter 34 1979 Homa

There is a decree “women can go to offices, but they must be veiled”.

That ‘must’ gets to the women.

The women march for the freedom to choose. Some men intervene violently calling them whores and prostitutes. Other men stand with the women.

Homa is full of rage again – she beats up the man her threatens Bahar.

Chapter 35 1979-1981 Homa

The protests make no difference. Hijab becomes compulsory. The new morality police patrol for any breeches.

Iraq invades.

There is constant bombing.

Homa is active in the feminist movement and she knows she is a target again. She wants to find an escape for Bahar.

People are fleeing Iran. Sousan made it to L.A. – not the colonel, he is executed.

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