Novels of the Eighteenth CenturyDuring the eighteenth century the British Isles, Continental Europe and North America were scenes of enormous change. The American and French Revolutions were epochal events that have spawned much historical fiction. The English Parliament and monarchs turned to political maneuvering rather than civil war to resolve their conflicts. Scotland became part of Great Britain with the Act of Union in 1707, but Jacobite risings sought to restore Scottish independence until the 1746 Battle of Culloden finally crushed attempts to make "Bonnie Prince Charlie" king of an independent Scotland. Novels about immigrants are generally listed under the country in which the immigrant characters settled, unless the majority of the novel is set in their original homeland. Novels about Napoleon and his family and novels set during the Napoleonic Wars are listed on the Napoleonic Era page. Series novels about naval warfare and seafaring are also listed there if some novels in the series are set during the Napoleonic Wars. Click on the title for more information from Powell's Books or another online source. Novels are listed alphabetically by author within the following categories: The British Isles in the 18th Century The British Isles in the 18th CenturyPeter Ackroyd, Hawksmoor (1993), a literary novel about a modern London detective and an eighteenth century architect Peter Ackroyd, The Lambs of London (2004), about the essayist Charles Lamb, his sister Mary, and a young bookseller who claims to have discovered a book once owned by Shakespeare. Ralph Arnold, Northern Lights: The Story of Lord Derwentwater Helen Ashton, Footman in Powder Beryl Bainbridge, According to Queeney (2000), about Dr. Samuel Johnson, the eighteenth century English author who published an early dictionary of the English language, from the perspective of the daughter of a couple who befriended him during the last two decades of his life.
James Barke, The Song in the Green Thorn Tree James Barke, The Wonder of All the Gay World James Barke, The Crest of the Broken Wave James Barke, The Well of the Silent Harp
Alex Beecroft, False Colors (2009), an adventure/romance novel about a married man who goes to sea in 1762, where he encounters a man who is attracted only to other men, and gradually becomes aware that this is his nature, as well. Jane Borodale, The Book of Fires (2009; not yet available in the U.S.), about an unmarried young woman who runs away to London after she becomes pregnant, where she becomes an assistant to a firework-maker. John Boyne, Mutiny on the Bounty (2008; titled Mutiny: A Novel of the Bounty in the U.S.), about the famous mutiny on HMS Bounty from the perspective of a fourteen boy who joins the crew rather than be sent to prison. D.K. Broster, The Flight of the Heron D.K. Broster, A Gleam in the North D.K. Broster, The Dark Mile Tracy Chevalier, Burning Bright, about a pair of children who become friends with the radical poet William Blake in eighteenth century London. Edward Chupack, Silver, a darkly humorous tale of adventure and murder at sea narrated by the fictional pirate Long John Silver of Robert Louis Stevenson's nineteenth century classic Treasure Island. Clare Clark, The Nature of Monsters, about a sixteen-year-old pregnant girl who goes to an apothecary for an abortion in exchange for a year as his maid, and finds herself in mysteriously threatening circumstances. Richard Condon, The Abandoned Woman (1977), about Queen Caroline, the wife of George IV. Bernard Cornwell, Fallen Angels, an adventure novel about an English family during the time of the French Revolution; Cornwell originally wrote this under the pen name Susannah Kells. Marele Day, Mrs. Cook: The Real and Imagined Life of the Captain's Wife Emma Donoghue, Life Mask, about an actress in 1790s London who moves in political circles. Emma Donoghue, Slammerkin, about a lower class English girl who becomes caught up in a life of prostitution. John Drake, Flint and Silver (2009), a prequel to Treasure Island for adult readers. John Drake, Pieces of Eight (2009 in the U.K.; not yet published in the U.S.), about the deadly rivalry between two pirates for control of an island and a fortune in buried treasure; sequel to Flint and Silver. Amanda Elyot, All For Love: The Scandalous Life and Times of Royal Mistress Mary Robinson, a bawdy novel about an eighteenth century Englishwoman who went from debtor's prison to the stage to an affair with the Prince of Wales. Thomas Flanagan, The Year of the French, about an Irish attempt with the assistance of French troops to free itself from English rule in 1798; #1 in the Irish trilogy. Thomas Flanagan, The Tenants of Time, about the 1867 Fenian uprising; #2 in the Irish trilogy. Thomas Flanagan, The End of the Hunt, about the creation of the Irish Free State and the civil war that followed; #3 in the Irish trilogy. James Fleming, The Temple of Optimism (2000), about a man in Derbyshire in 1788 who covets his neighbor's land, while his neighbor covets his wife.
Diana Gabaldon, Dragonfly in Amber (1991), about a woman who slips back in time to 18th century Scotland, repeating a trip she made twenty years before; #2 in the Outlander series. Diana Gabaldon, Voyager (1993), about a woman who travels back in time to 18th century Scotland after discovering that the man she loved there did not die at the time she believed he had; #3 in the Outlander series. Diana Gabaldon, Drums of Autumn (1996), about a young woman who travels back in time to find the father she never knew; #4 in the Outlander series. Diana Gabaldon, The Fiery Cross (2001), about a Scot in 1771 who knows a war is about to begin because his time-traveling wife told him about it; #5 in the Outlander series. Diana Gabaldon, A Breath of Snow and Ashes (2005), about a twentieth century woman and her eighteenth century husband in America on the eve of the Revolution; #6 in the Outlander series. Diana Gabaldon, An Echo in the Bone (forthcoming in October 2009), a romantic novel about a time-traveling woman and her eighteenth century husband; #7 in the Outlander series. Diana Gabaldon, Lord John and the Private Matter, about a major in the British army; #1 in the Lord John series about a character who also appears in the Outlander series. Diana Gabaldon, Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade, about a major in the British army; #2 in the Lord John series about a character who also appears in the Outlander series. Diana Gabaldon, Lord John and the Hand of Devils, a collection of three novellas about a major in the British army; #3 in the Lord John series about a character who also appears in the Outlander series. Diana Gabaldon, Lord John and the Scottish Prisoner (forthcoming), about a major in the British army; #4 in the Lord John series about a character who also appears in the Outlander series
Iain Gale, Rules of War (2008), about a British officer fighting in Spain in the early eighteenth century; #2 in the Jack Steel series. Iain Gale, Brothers in Arms (2009), about a British officer fighting the French in Flanders in 1708; #3 in the Jack Steel series. Sophie Gee, The Scandal of the Season, based on the real-life events that inspired the satirical poem "The Rape of the Lock." Kathleen Givens, Kilgannon, about a young London woman who marries a Scot during the time of the Jacobite uprisings. Kathleen Givens, the Wild Rose of Kilgannon, the wife of a Scot imprisoned in the Tower tries to free him; sequel to Kilgannon.
Winston Graham, Demelza: A Novel of Cornwall, 1788-1790, about life in a Cornish mining village; #2 in the Poldark series Winston Graham, Jeremy Poldark: A Novel of Cornwall, 1790-1791, about life in a Cornish mining village; #3 in the Poldark series Winston Graham, Warleggan: A Novel of Cornwall, 1792-1793, about life in a Cornish mining village; #4 in the Poldark series Winston Graham, The Black Moon: A Novel of Cornwall, 1794-1795, about life in a Cornish mining village; #5 in the Poldark series Winston Graham, The Four Swans: A Novel of Cornwall, 1795-1797, about life in a Cornish mining village; #6 in the Poldark series Winston Graham, The Angry Tide: A Novel of Cornwall, 1789-1799, about life in a Cornish mining village; #7 in the Poldark series Winston Graham, The Stranger from the Sea: A Novel of Cornwall, 1810-1811, about life in a Cornish mining village; #8 in the Poldark series Winston Graham, The Miller's Dance: A Novel of Cornwall, 1812-1813, about life in a Cornish mining village; #9 in the Poldark series Winston Graham, The Loving Cup: A Novel of Cornwall, 1813-1815, about life in a Cornish mining village; #10 in the Poldark series Winston Graham, The Twisted Sword: A Novel of Cornwall, 1815, about life in a Cornish mining village; #11 in the Poldark series Winston Graham, Bella Poldark: A Novel of Cornwall, 1818-1820, about life in a Cornish mining village; #12 in the Poldark series
Philippa Gregory, Wideacre, about a scheming bride in Georgian England; #1 in the Wideacre trilogy. Philippa Gregory, The Favored Child, one of two children in Georgian England is the rightful heir to an estate; #2 in the Wideacre trilogy. Philippa Gregory, Meridon, about a poor woman in Georgian England who dreams of regaining her lost estate; #3 in the Wideacre trilogy. Nicholas Griffin, The Requiem Shark (1999), an adventure novel about a young Welsh fiddler forced to join the pirate crew of the infamous Bartholomew Roberts ("Black Bart"). Nicholas Griffin, The House of Sight and Shadow (2000), about a pair of London doctors exploring the fringes of eighteenth century medicine as anatomists, and the rivalry that develops between them over a woman. Nicholas Griffin, The Masquerade (2002), about a young English gentleman and his valet with numerous grounds for suspicion about each other, who travel to Italy together in 1713. Diane Haeger, The Secret Wife of George IV, set during the Regency period. Michael Hardwick, Regency Royal G.A. Henty, Bonnie Prince Charlie (1888), about the Stuart heir who was the focus of the 1745 Jacobite uprising. G.A. Henty, A Jacobite Exile (1894), about an exiled Englishman in Sweden. Greg Hollingshead, Bedlam: A Novel of Love and Madness, about a man unjustly imprisoned in an 18th century London madhouse. C.C. Humphreys, Jack Absolute (2004), about a charming rogue forced to serve as a spy for the British during the American Revolution; #1 in the Jack Absolute series. C.C. Humphreys, The Blooding of Jack Absolute (2005), a coming-of-age story about the son of an unemployed actress and a soldier who leave him in the care of abusive relatives, upon whose death he embarks on a series of hair-raising adventures; #2 in the Jack Absolute series and a prequel to Jack Absolute. C.C. Humphreys, Absolute Honour (2006), about a charming rogue who becomes enamored with an attractive woman involved in a seditious plot; #3 in the Jack Absolute series. Naomi Jacob, The Irish Boy Miranda Jarrett, Seduction of an English Beauty, historical romance about an eighteenth century Englishwoman in Rome. Karleen Koen, Through a Glass Darkly, a young woman marries a much older man during the time of the South Sea Bubble speculation. Karleen Koen, Now Face to Face, a politically astute young widow travels from England to Virginia; sequel to Through a Glass Darkly. Rosalind Laker, The Sugar Pavilion Rosalind Laker, The Silver Touch Dinah Lampitt, As Shadows Haunting J. Ardian Lee, Son of the Sword J. Ardian Lee, Outlaw Sword J. Ardian Lee, Sword of King James, a man travels in time to Scotland during the eighteenth century Jacobite rebellions; #3 in the Matheson Saga; J. Ardian Lee is a pen name formerly used by author Julianne Lee. J. Ardian Lee, Sword of the White Rose Charlotte Lovejoy, Madame Bliss (2009), an erotic novel about a beautiful servant girl "ruined" by her master, who then sets out for London determined to enjoy all the pleasures life has to offer. Edward Marston, Soldier of Fortune (2008), about an English-Dutch soldier/spy during the seventeenth century war of the Spanish Succession; #1 in the Captain Rawson series. Edward Marston, Drums of War (2008), about an English-Dutch soldier/spy assigned to rescue a fellow spy and his beautiful daughter who have been caught behind enemy lines in France; #2 in the Captain Rawson series. Katharine McMahon, The Alchemist's Daughter (2006), about the daughter of a Newtonian philosopher who marries for love after becoming pregnant and then rediscovers the value of her father's rational investigations. Caiseal Mór, Carolan's Concerto (2002), about an Irish rebel on the run from the English who stops at a campfire where two men tell him a tale of the harper Turlough O'Carolan, whose music was said to be a gift from the fairies Jude Morgan, An Accomplished Woman (2007), a Georgian romantic comedy about a woman with no intention of marrying. Review Diana Norman, Blood Royal Diana Norman, The Shores of Darkness Janet Paisley, White Rose Rebel, about a Scottish woman who leads her clan in warfare during the Jacobite rebellion. Caroline Rance, Kill-Grief Sir Walter Scott, Rob Roy, about clan warfare in eighteenth century Scotland. Sir Walter Scott, Waverley, about the 1745 Jacobite rebellion. J.E. Seanachaí, Dead Bird in the Weeds (2009), about an Irish peasant woman who joins the 1798 rebellion against England; self-published. Anya Seton, Devil Water, about a man and his daughter during the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745. Frances Sherwood, Vindication, a novel based on the life of Mary Wollstonecraft. Peter Smalley, HMS Expedient, about about British naval officers on a scientific expedition to the South Seas that is not all it seems to be; #1 in the William Rennie series. Peter Smalley, Port Royal, about about British naval officers on a mission to Port Royal Jamaica, where the pre-Revolutionary France is hatching a sinister plot; #2 in the William Rennie series. Peter Smalley, Barbary Coast, about British naval officers on a dangerous mission to the Barbary Coast; #3 in the William Rennie series. Peter Smalley, The Hawk, about British naval officers on a mission to intercept a contraband runner that leads to something far more serious; #4 in the William Rennie series. Donald Smith, The English Spy, a fictional account of Daniel Defoe's activities as a spy for the English in 1707 Scotland. Jessica Stirling, The Fields of Fortune (2007), about a young woman who flees to her sister in Edinburgh rather than go through with a disastrous marriage Philippa Stockley, A Factory of Cunning, a darkly humorous novel about an exiled French aristocrat who turns swindler in 1784 London. William Makepeace Thackeray, The Luck of Barry Lyndon (1848), about an eighteenth century Irish adventurer and con man who marries a widow in order to get his hands on her fortune. Nigel Tranter, MacGregor's Gathering Nigel Tranter, The Clansman, about Rob Roy MacGregor and why he may have acted as he did at the 1715 Battle of Sheriffmuir; #2 in the MacGregor trilogy. Nigel Tranter, Gold for Prince Charlie, about Rob Roy MacGregor's efforts to protect the gold and arms that arrived too late to help Prince Charlie's supporters win the Battle of Culloden; #3 in the MacGregor trilogy
Kate Tremayne, The Loveday Fortunes Kate Tremayne, The Loveday Trials Kate Tremayne, The Loveday Scandals Kate Tremayne, The Loveday Honour Kate Tremayne, The Loveday Pride Kate Tremayne, The Loveday Loyalty (2006), about a Cornish family's efforts to unite, despite a legacy of rivalry between brothers, so that they can defeat their common enemy; #7 in the Loveday series. Kate Tremayne, The Loveday Revenge (2007), about a Cornish family brought to the verge of ruin by tragedy and the hatred of a smuggler and their efforts to gain revenge on their adversaries; #8 in the Loveday series. Kate Tremayne, The Loveday Secrets (2008), about a Cornish family and the shocking secrets that come to light after one of them rescues a small boy from a disastrous coach crash; #9 in the Loveday series. Kate Tremayne, The Loveday Conspiracy (2009), about a family in Cornwall that, through a foolish mistake, loses the manor house which has been in their family for generations; #10 in the Loveday series.
James Wilson, The Dark Clue (2001), Walter Hartright and Marian Halcombe (based on fictional characters from Wilkie Collins's Woman in White) investigate the dark side of artist William Turner's life. James Wilson, The Bastard Boy (2005), about an Englishman who travels to America in 1774 to find the bastard child fathered by his brother. Richard Woodman, The Wager (1999), about a young woman whose sea captain father wagers her hand in marriage to the captain of the ship that beats him in a race from Shanghai to London.
Mysteries: 18th Century BritainBruce Alexander, Blind Justice (1994), a London magistrate investigates an apparent suicide; based on the historical Sir John Fielding, the blind magistrate who started London's first police force; #1 in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. Bruce Alexander, Watery Grave (1996), a London magistrate investigates the murder of a naval officer; based on the historical Sir John Fielding, the blind magistrate who started London's first police force; #3 in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. Bruce Alexander, Person or Persons Unknown (1997), a London magistrate investigates a series of murders of prostitutes; based on the historical Sir John Fielding, the blind magistrate who started London's first police force; #4 in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. Bruce Alexander, Jack, Knave and Fool Bruce Alexander, Death of a Colonial (1999), a London magistrate investigates the possible connection between a missing nobleman's reappearance and a case of suicide in the American colonies; based on the historical Sir John Fielding, the blind magistrate who started London's first police force; #6 in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. Bruce Alexander, The Color of Death (2000), a London magistrate investigates a gang of violent criminals; based on the historical Sir John Fielding, the blind magistrate who started London's first police force; #7 in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. Bruce Alexander, Smuggler's Moon (2001), A London magistrate investigates smuggling and murder; based on the historical Sir John Fielding, the blind magistrate who started London's first police force; #8 in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. Bruce Alexander, An Experiment in Treason (2002), a London magistrate investigates the theft of a packet of letters that end up in the American colonies, with the possible involvement of Benjamin Franklin; based on the historical Sir John Fielding, the blind magistrate who started London's first police force; #9 in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. Bruce Alexander, The Price of Murder (2003), a London magistrate investigates the case of a girl drowned in the Thames; based on the historical Sir John Fielding, the blind magistrate who started London's first police force; #10 in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. Bruce Alexander, Rules of Engagement (2005), a London magistrate investigates an apparent case of suicide that may be connected to the appearance of a student of Dr. Mesmer's theories of animal magnetism; based on the historical Sir John Fielding, the blind magistrate who started London's first police force; #11 and last in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. Lillian de la Torre, Dr. Sam Johnson, Detector: Being, A Light-Hearted Collection of Recently Reveal'd Episodes in the Career of the Great Lexicographer (1946), a collection of short stories in which Samuel Johnson, the eighteenth century compiler of the first comprehensive dictionary of the English language, solves mysteries; #1 in the Dr. Sam Johnson series. Lillian de la Torre, The Detections of Dr. Sam Johnson Lillian de la Torre, The Return of Dr. Sam Johnson, Detector Lillian de la Torre, The Exploits of Dr. Sam Johnson, Detector, a collection of short stories in which Samuel Johnson, the compiler of the first comprehensive dictionary of the English language, solves mysteries; #4 in the Dr. Sam Johnson series. Carter Dickson, Fear Is the Same Janet Gleeson, The Grenadillo Box, about a journeyman for the famous eighteenth century furniture-maker Thomas Chippendale and his attempt to find out who is murdering people at the manor house where he has come to install a library. Janet Gleeson, The Serpent in the Garden, about a fictional eighteenth century portrait painter and his attempt to solve the mystery surrounding two deaths and a couple whose wedding portrait he painted. Janet Gleeson, The Thief Taker, about a cook for a family of famous eighteenth century London silversmiths, who is charged with finding out what her fellow servants know about a theft and a murder. Robert Goddard, Sea Change, about an impoverished mapmaker during the collapse of the South Sea Bubble in 1721 who becomes a pawn in a dangerous game when he agrees to deliver a package in return for the discharge of his debts. Miranda Hearn, A Life Everlasting Keith Heller, Man's Illegal Life (1984), about a night watchman in London who discovers the body of a murdered man; #1 in the George Man trilogy. Keith Heller, Man's Loving Family (1985), about a London man who takes a job as bodyguard for a merchant's son but fails to prevent his murder; #2 in the George Man trilogy. Keith Heller, Man's Storm (1985), about a London man who investigates a woman's murder amid the Great Storm of 1703; #3 in the George Man trilogy. Ross King, Domino (2003), about a naive young artist drawn into a web of intrigue by a mysterious noblewoman. Deryn Lake, Death in the Dark Walk, an apothecary and a blind magistrate (Sir John Fielding) investigate murders in Georgian London; #1 in the John Rawlings mystery series. Deryn Lake, Death at the Beggar's Opera, an apothecary and a blind magistrate (Sir John Fielding) investigate murders in Georgian London; #2 in the John Rawlings mystery series. Deryn Lake, Death at the Devil's Tavern, an apothecary and a blind magistrate (Sir John Fielding) investigate murders in Georgian London; #3 in the John Rawlings mystery series. Deryn Lake, Death on the Romney Marsh, an apothecary and a blind magistrate (Sir John Fielding) investigate murders in Georgian London; #4 in the John Rawlings mystery series. Deryn Lake, Death in the Peerless Pool, an apothecary and a blind magistrate (Sir John Fielding) investigate murders in Georgian London; #5 in the John Rawlings mystery series. Deryn Lake, Death at Apothecaries' Hall, an apothecary and a blind magistrate (Sir John Fielding) investigate murders in Georgian London; #6 in the John Rawlings mystery series. Deryn Lake, Death in the West Wind Deryn Lake, Death at St. James's Palace, an apothecary and a blind magistrate (Sir John Fielding) investigate murders in Georgian London; #8 in the John Rawlings mystery series. Deryn Lake, Death in the Valley of Shadows, an apothecary and a blind magistrate (Sir John Fielding) investigate murders in Georgian London; #9 in the John Rawlings mystery series. Deryn Lake, Death in the Setting Sun, an apothecary and a blind magistrate (Sir John Fielding) investigate murders in Georgian London; #10 in the John Rawlings mystery series. Deryn Lake, Death and the Cornish Fiddler, an apothecary and a blind magistrate (Sir John Fielding) investigate murders in Georgian London; #11 in the John Rawlings mystery series. Deryn Lake, Death in Hellfire, an apothecary and a blind magistrate (Sir John Fielding) investigate murders in Georgian London; #12 in the John Rawlings mystery series. David Liss, A Conspiracy of Paper, a thriller about a retired Jewish pugilist whose work as a private detective in eighteenth century London leads him to investigate the death of his estranged father, a stock-jobber; #1 in the Benjamin Weaver series. David Liss, A Spectacle of Corruption, a thriller about an eighteenth century London detective who after escaping from prison must prove himself innocent in the midst of a controversial election season with revolutionary potential; #2 in the Benjamin Weaver series. Hannah March, The Complaint of the Dove Rose Melikan, The Counterfeit Guest (forthcoming in August 2009), about a woman spy who uncovers a mutinous conspiracy in 1796. Wilder Perkins, Hoare and the Portsmouth Atrocities Wilder Perkins, Hoare and the Headless Captains (2000), about a lieutenant in the British Navy, assigned to shore duty because a throat injury has left him unable to speak above a whisper, who must find out who murdered two captains; #2 in the Hoare Bartholomew series. Wilder Perkins, Hoare and the Matter of Treason Elizabeth Redfern, The Music of the Spheres, a gritty murder mystery set in late eighteenth century London. Imogen Robertson, Instruments of Darkness (2009; not yet available in the U.S.), about a society woman and a reclusive anatomist who are thrown together in 1780 when she discovers a corpse. Roz Southey, Broken Harmony (2007), about an impoverished Newcastle musician who worries that the woman he loves may be the next victim in a crime spree; #1 in the Crème de la Crime series. Roz Southey, Chords and Discords (2008), about an impoverished Newcastle musician hired to do some sleuthing for an organ builder who believes his life is in danger; #1 in the Crème de la Crime series. Roz Southey, Secret Lament (forthcoming in June 2009), about an impoverished Newcastle musician whose apprentice is murdered; #1 in the Crème de la Crime series.
Continental Europe in the 18th CenturyHervey Allen, Anthony Adverse  (1933), about an orphaned boy adopted by a wealthy man in the late eighteenth century and his adventures during the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon.Susanne Alleyn, A Far Better Rest Evelyn Anthony, Imperial Highness Evelyn Anthony, Curse Not the King Evelyn Anthony, Far Flies the Eagle Stéphane Audeguy, The Only Son Anne Bruck, The Painted Duchess John Boyne, The Thief of Time (2008), about a Parisian who, after witnessing his mother's murder and his stepfather's execution for the crime in 1758, flees to Dover, discovers he has stopped aging, and lives into the twentieth century. Andrei Codrescu, Casanova in Bohemia, about the aging Casanova. Laurel Corona, The Four Seasons (2008), about two sisters left at a Venetian foundling hospital, where they become part of an all-female orchestra and are taught by Antonio Vivaldi. Stephanie Cowell, Marrying Mozart, about Mozart's wife. Will Davenport, The Painter (2003), about a modern woman who discovers a diary written 300 years ago that describes the rivalry of the painter Rembrandt van Rijn and the poet Andrew Marvell for a woman's love. Kathryn Davis, Versailles, about Marie Antoinette. Helma de Bois, The Incorruptible: A Tale of Revolution and Royalty Michelle de Kretser, The Rose Grower, an American balloonist lands in France and is caught up in the French Revolution. Catherine Delors, Mistress of the Revolution, about a young woman from an aristocratic family and her struggle to survive a brutal marriage and the upheavals of the French Revolution; told in the form of a memoir she writes years later after escaping to England. Review Stephanie de Montalk, The Fountain of Tears (2006), a literary novel about the abduction of the Polish Countess Maria Potocka by a Tatar khan; based on an epic poem by Pushkin. Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities (1859), about a beautiful young woman, her long-imprisoned father and a kind-hearted nobleman caught up in the French Revolution. Review Rikki Ducornet, The Fan-Maker's Inquisition: A Novel of the Marquis de Sade, an eighteenth century woman is put on trial for co-authoring books with the Marquis de Sade. Daphne du Maurier, The Glassblowers, set during the time of the French Revolution. Per Olov Enquist, The Royal Physician’s Visit, set in the Danish court of the mad King Christian during the 1760s. Carolly Erickson, The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette, about Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution. Lion Feuchtwanger, Jew Süss Lion Feuchtwanger, This Is the Hour Lion Feuchtwanger, 'Tis Folly to Be Wise: Or, Death and Transfiguration of Jean Jacques Rousseau Penelope Fitzgerald, The Blue Flower, based on the life of an eighteenth century German romantic poet. Helen Hollick, Sea Witch, about an eighteenth century pirate; #1 in the Jesamiah Acorne series. Helen Hollick, The Pirate Code Victoria Holt, The Queen's Confession Alex Karmel, My Revolution (1970), a novel in the form of a diary by the author Restif de la Bretonne written during the French Revolution. Michael Kleeberg, The King of Corsica (2008), about the German adventurer Theodor von Neuhoff, who was proclaimed King of Corsica in 1736 but died in poverty in London. Allen Kurzweil, A Case of Curiosities, about an inventor in France before the Revolution. Rosalind Laker, The Venetian Mask, about two women who secretly maintain their friendship after marrying into feuding families in eighteenth century Venice. Rosalind Laker, Tree of Gold Tanith Lee, The Gods are Thirsty: A Novel of the French Revolution, about the first year of the French Revolution. Helene Lehr, The Star of the North, about Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia. Jeanne MacKin, The Frenchwoman (1989), about a prostitute's daughter who becomes a seamstress for Marie Antoinette on the eve of the French Revolution. Hilary Mantel, A Place of Greater Safety (1993), about Georges-Jacques Danton, Maximilien Robespierre, Camille Desmoulins and the French Revolution. Stephen Marlowe, Colossus: A Novel About Goya and a World Gone Mad Isolde Martyn, Fleur-de-Lis, about a young widow who risks betraying her aristocratic background when she moves to Paris after the Revolution. Sylvie Matton, Rembrandt’s Whore (2003), about the young woman who goes to Amsterdam to model for the eighteenth century Dutch artist Rembrandt and becomes his mistress for the remainder of his life. Rita Monaldi and Francesco Sorti, Secretum (forthcoming in Sept. 2009), about a castrato who serves as a spy for Louis XIV in July 1700 as both the Pope and the heirless Charles II of Spain are in failing health and Europe teeters on the brink of war. Hans Mahner Mons, The Sword of Satan Sallie Muirden, We Too Shall Be Mothers Sena Jeter Naslund, Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette, about Marie Antoinette. Katherine Neville, The Eight, a complex thriller set in eighteenth century France and modern Algeria, which revolves around an occult chess game connected to the time of Charlemagne. Diana Norman, The Sparks Fly Upward, a young Englishwoman tries to rescue an aristocratic Frenchman from the guillotine during the French Revolution. Countess Emmuska Orczy, The Scarlet Pimpernel, an Englishman rescues French aristocrats during the French Revolution. Golden Keyes Parsons, In the Shadow of the Sun King (2008), about a Huguenot family persecuted for their faith in eighteenth century France; #1 in a planned series. Anne Perry, A Dish Taken Cold, a novella set during the French Revolution. Marge Piercy, City of Darkness, City of Light, about three women who worked for reforms during the French Revolution. Barbara Quick, Vivaldi's Virgins, about an orphaned young woman confined in a convent music school in eighteenth century Venice. Francisco Rebolledo, Rasero (1995), about a hapless Spanish nobleman who encounters many of the important thinkers of the Enlightenment and experiences the turmoil of the French Revolution. Pam Rosenthal, The Bookseller’s Daughter (2004), about a love affair on the eve of the French Revolution between a scullery maid who once worked in her late father's bookshop and an aristocratic smuggler of forbidden books who used to be her father's customer. Anthony J. Rudel, Imagining Don Giovanni (2001), about a meeting between Mozart, Casanova and the poet Lorenzo da Ponte and Mozart's opera Don Giovanni. Rafael Sabatini, Scaramouche, an adventure novel set during the French Revolution. Rafael Sabatini, Scaramouche the Kingmaker Jose Saramago, Baltasar and Blimunda (1987), about a pair of unlikely lovers in eighteenth century Portugal during the building of the magnificent Convent of Mafra; the author won the 1998 Nobel Prize for Literature. Agnes Selby, Constanze, Mozart's Beloved Patrick Suskind, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, a gritty literary novel about the sense of smell, set in eighteenth century Paris; magical realism. Debbie Taylor, The Fourth Queen, about an eighteenth century Scottish woman kidnapped for a Moroccan harem. Chantal Thomas, Farewell, My Queen, the story of Marie Antoinette, narrated by one of her attendants. James Tipton, Annette Vallon: A Novel of the French Revolution, about the French lover of the eighteenth century English poet Wordsworth. Alexei Tolstoy, Peter the First (originally published in 2 volumes, 1929 and 1934); a biographical novel about Peter the Great (by a member of a different branch of the Tolstoy family than the author of War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy). Jean Vautrin, The Voice of the People (2002), set in Paris following the French Revolution. Elena Maria Vidal, Trianon: A Novel of Royal France Juliet Waldron, Mozart's Wife, about Mozart's wife Constanze; set in eighteenth century Austria. David Weiss, Sacred and Profane David Weiss, The Assassination of Mozart
Dennis Wheatley, The Shadow of Tyburn Tree Dennis Wheatley, The Rising Storm Dennis Wheatley, The Rising Storm Dennis Wheatley, The Dark Secret of Josephine Dennis Wheatley, The Rape of Venice Dennis Wheatley, The Sultan's Daughter Dennis Wheatley, The Wanton Princess Dennis Wheatley, Evil in a Mask
Frank Yerby, The Devil's Laughter (1953), about a French country lawyer and his rise during the Revolution.
Mysteries: 18th Century European ContinentSusanne Alleyn, Game of Patience, a mystery set in eighteenth century Paris after the French Revolution; #1 in the Aristide Ravel mystery series. Susanne Alleyn, A Treasury of Regrets, a mystery set in eighteenth century Paris after the French Revolution; #2 in the Aristide Ravel mystery series. Susanne Alleyn, The Cavalier of the Apocalypse (2009), about a penniless writer who becomes the chief suspect in a murder investigation after he discovers a corpse in a graveyard; #3 in the Aristide Ravel mystery series (a prequel to Game of Patience and A Treasury of Regrets).
Beverle Graves Myers, Interrupted Aria, about a young castrato singer in eighteenth century Venice whose friend is accused of murdering a prima donna; #1 in the Baroque Mystery series. Beverle Graves Myers, Painted Veil, about a young castrato singer in eighteenth century Venice on the trail of a villain who wears the bird mask of a plague doctor; #2 in the Baroque Mystery series. Beverle Graves Myers, Cruel Music, about a young castrato singer in eighteenth century Rome whose brother is arrested on a trumped-up smuggling charge during the controversy over who should succeed the dying Pope Clement XII; #3 in the Baroque Mystery series. Beverle Graves Myers, The Iron Tongue of Midnight, about a young castrato singer in eighteenth century Venice who is paid lavishly to accept the lead role in a new opera, where he stumbles into a case of murder; #4 in the Baroque Mystery series. Charles O'Brien, Mute Witness, a deaf seamstress helps an English actress investigate a murder during the years leading up to the French Revolution; #1 in the Anne Cartier series. Charles O'Brien, Black Gold, an actress investigates a murder in Georgian Bath, England, assisted by a friend from Paris; #2 in the Anne Cartier series. Charles O'Brien, Noble Blood, a former actress who tutors deaf children investigates a murder during the period before the French Revolution; #3 in the Anne Cartier series. Charles O'Brien, Lethal Beauty, a former actress who tutors deaf children investigates a murder during the period before the French Revolution; #4 in the Anne Cartier series. Charles O'Brien, Fatal Carnival, a former actress who tutors deaf children investigates a murder during the period before the French Revolution; #5 in the Anne Cartier series. Charles O'Brien, Cruel Choices, a former actress who tutors deaf children investigates a murder during the period before the French Revolution; #6 in the Anne Cartier series. Lou Jane Temple, Death du Jour, a cook for a wealthy household in Paris must solve a murder mystery on the eve of the Revolution.
North America in the 18th CenturyHervey Allen, The Forest and the Fort (1943), about a white man raised by the Shawnee in western Pennsylvania in the 1760s; #1 in the City of the Dawn series.Hervey Allen, Bedford Village Hervey Allen, Toward the Morning Christine Blevins, The Tory Widow (2009), historical romance about a widow who is making her living running her late husband's business printing Tory propaganda when she encounters the ardent American patriot who awakened her passions with a kiss ten years earlier. Christine Blevins, Midwife of the Blue Ridge (2008), about a Scottish midwife who becomes an indentured servant in order to pay for her voyage to America. Connie Briscoe, A Long Way from Home, about 3 generations of house slaves in Virginia from the time of President Madison to the Civil War. Rita Mae Brown, Dolley, about Dolley Madison, wife of the U.S. Founding Father James Madison. Jerome Charyn, Johnny One-Eye, a bawdy comic novel about a one-eyed rogue who joins Benedict Arnold as a spy for the British even though he suspects George Washington may be his father. Barbara Chase-Riboud, Sally Hemings, about the slave woman with whom Thomas Jefferson had an affair. Barbara Chase-Riboud, The President's Daughter Edward Cline, Sparrowhawk Book One: Jack Frake, about an intelligent and restless young man who joins a group pressing for greater freedom in 1740s England, a harbinger of the American Revolution; #1 in the Sparrowhawk series. Edward Cline, Sparrowhawk Book Two: Hugh Kenrick, about a talented but rebellious young English nobleman who gets in trouble for his political views; #2 in the Sparrowhawk series. Edward Cline, Sparrowhawk Book Three: Caxton, the protagonists of Book One and Book Two meet in Colonial Virginia; #3 in the Sparrowhawk series. Edward Cline, Sparrowhawk Book Four: Empire, about the anti-tax movement in the American Colonies; #4 in the Sparrowhawk series. Edward Cline, Sparrowhawk Book Five: Revolution, about the American colonists’ resistance to the Stamp Act; #5 in the Sparrowhawk series. Edward Cline, Sparrowhawk Book Six: War, about the final steps that set the stage for the Revolutionary War; #6 and last in the Sparrowhawk series. James Fenimore Cooper, The Last of the Mohicans (1826), about a white man raised by Indians during the French and Indian War; set in 1757. Bernard Cornwell, Redcoat, about the American Revolution from the perspective of a British soldier. Howard Fast, April Morning, about a teenaged boy's experience of the Battle of Lexington and Concord on the eve of the American Revolution. Howard Fast, Bunker Hill, about the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775. Howard Fast, The Crossing, about Washington's crossing of the Delaware. J.E. Fender, The Private Revolution of Geoffrey Frost (2002), about an American seaman who becomes a privateer to harass the British fleet during the American Revolution; #1 in the Geoffrey Frost series. J.E. Fender, Audacity, Privateer Out of Portsmouth (2003), about an American seaman who becomes a privateer to harass the British fleet during the American Revolution; #1 in the Geoffrey Frost series. J.E. Fender, Our Lives, Our Fortunes (2004), about an American seaman who becomes a privateer to harass the British fleet during the American Revolution; #1 in the Geoffrey Frost series. J.E. Fender, On the Spur of Speed (2005), about an American seaman who becomes a privateer to harass the British fleet during the American Revolution; #1 in the Geoffrey Frost series. J.E. Fender, The Lucifer Cypher (2006), about an American seaman who becomes a privateer to harass the British fleet during the American Revolution; #1 in the Geoffrey Frost series. Lion Feuchtwanger, Proud Destiny Janice Holt Giles, The Kentuckians, about a pioneer family in 1775 Kentucky; #1 in the Kentuckians series. Janice Holt Giles, Hannah Fowler, about a pioneer woman in Kentucky; #2 in the Kentuckians series. Janice Holt Giles, The Land Beyond the Mountains, about General James Wilkinson’s conspiracy with the Spanish to detach Kentucky from the U.S. and create his own empire there; #3 in the Kentuckians series. Sally Gunning, Bound (2008), about an indentured servant in eighteenth century New England. Review Lawrence Hill, Someone Knows My Name (2008; titled The Book of Negroes in Canada), about a woman kidnapped as a child in West Africa in 1745 and transported to America as a slave who clings to the hope of regaining her freedom. J.M. Hochstetler, Daughter of Liberty, about a young woman who sympathizes with the American revolutionaries and the handsome officer in the British army to whom she feels attracted; Christian message; #1 in the American Patriot series. J.M. Hochstetler, Native Son, about a young woman who works as both a doctor's assistant and a spy for the American revolutionaries, and the army officer she loves; Christian message; #2 in the American Patriot series. Michael Kilian, Major Washington Sheila Kohler, Bluebird, or the Invention of Happiness, about an aristocratic Frenchwoman who survives the Revolution and immigrates to the American Hudson River Valley. Deryn Lake, The Governor's Ladies, about the British Governor of Massachusetts and his American wife, who have opposing views on the impending American Revolution. Rosalind Laker, New World, New Love, about a refugee from the French Revolution who finds love in eighteenth century America. Gerard Mac, The Way It Was (2008), about a group of wealthy young men and women in Boston who must decide whether to remain loyal to the British or to join the American Revolution. William Martin, Citizen Washington, a biographical novel about George Washington. Patrick McGrath, Martha Peake: A Novel of the Revolution (2000), about the daughter of a disfigured Englishman and her escape to the Colonies in the years just before the American Revolution Jack McLaughlin, Williamsburg: Virginia on the Eve of Revolution Robert Morgan, Brave Enemies, about a young bride who dresses as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War after her husband is captured by the British. Nancy Moser, Washington's Lady (2008), about Martha Custis Washington, the wife of George Washington; Christian message.
James L. Nelson, The Maddest Idea (1997), about an American ship captain captured by the British when he sails to Bermuda to seize a store of their gunpowder; #2 in the Revolution at Sea series. James L. Nelson, The Continental Risque (1998), about an American ship captain serving in the new United States Navy in 1776 who must cope with both the British Navy and a crew on the brink of mutiny; #3 in the Revolution at Sea series. James L. Nelson, Lords of the Ocean (1999), about an American ship captain who faces unexpected challenges while he carries Benjamin Franklin to France; #4 in the Revolution at Sea series. James L. Nelson, All the Brave Fellows (2000), about an American ship captain who while sailing to Philadelphia with his wife and child to accept a new command in the Revolutionary War discovers the entire British fleet is in his path; #5 in the Revolution at Sea series. James L. Nelson, The Guardship (2000), about a man who gives up his life as a pirate in order to settle in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he gains command of the town's guardship; #1 in the Brethren of the Coast series. James L. Nelson, The Blackbirder (2001), about a former pirate sent to hunt down a black pirate, a former friend who slaughtered the crew of a slave ship; #2 in the Brethren of the Coast series. James L. Nelson, The Pirate Round (2002), about a former pirate whose voyage to the Indian Ocean puts him on course to encounter some dangerous enemies out of his past; #3 in the Brethren of the Coast series.
Kerry Newcomb, Guns of Liberty Kerry Newcomb, War Path, set during the eighteenth century French and Indian War. Diana Norman, A Catch of Consequence, about a patriotic American woman who lands in trouble when she rescues an upperclass Englishman from drowning during the Boston Tea Party. Diana Norman, Taking Liberties, about two women during the early days of the American Revolution; sequel to A Catch of Consequence. Thomas Pynchon, Mason & Dixon, about the eighteenth century surveyors who laid out the boundary line between the states of the North and South in the U.S. Kenneth Lewis Roberts, Boon Island, about men struggling to survive after a shipwreck off the Maine coast in 1710. Kenneth Lewis Roberts, Northwest Passage, about a military officer who fought in the French and Indian War. Kenneth Lewis Roberts, Oliver Wiswell, about British loyalists during the American Revolution. Kenneth Lewis Roberts, Arundel, about a young man during the Revolutionary War; includes a sympathetic portrayal of Benedict Arnold; #1 in the Chronicles of Arundel series. Kenneth Lewis Roberts, Rabble in Arms, about the origin of the U.S. Navy during the Revolutionary War; includes a sympathetic portrayal of Benedict Arnold; #2 in the Chronicles of Arundel series (series continues during the War of 1812: see 19th Century U.S. page). Lucia St. Clair Robson, Shadow Patriots, about a woman who spied for George Washington during the American Revolution. Shirley Seifert, River Out of Eden Shirley Seifert, Waters of the Wilderness Shirley Seifert, Never No More Mary Lee Settle, O Beulah Land, about the founding of a West Virginia town in the early part of the eighteenth century; #2 (but the first written) in the Beulah Quintet series, which covers a range of time periods. Jeff Shaara, Rise to Rebellion, about the American Revolution. Jeff Shaara, The Glorious Cause, about the American Revolution; sequel to Rise to Rebellion. Carol Spradling, Cost of Freedom (2008), historical romance about a Boston woman loyal to England who, on the eve of the Revolution, is shocked to discover her childhood friend supports the Sons of Liberty. Tom Standage, The Turk: The Life and Times of the Famous Eighteenth Century Chess Playing Machine, about an inventor who travels through eighteenth century Europe and America. Irving Stone, Those Who Love (1965), about John Adams and his wife Abigail, the second President and First Lady of the United States. Beverly Swerling, Shadowbrook: A Novel of Love, War and the Birth of America, set during the eighteenth century French and Indian War. Elswyth Thane, Dawn’s Early Light, about two Virginia families during the Revolutionary War; #1 in the Williamsburg novels (#2-#7 continue from the Civil War through the World War II periods). James Alexander Thom, Long Knife (1994), about George Rogers Clark, who set out to conquer the territory between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers for the United States during the years immediately following the Revolution. Ben Ames Wiilliams, Come Spring Frank Yerby, Bride of Liberty Frank Yerby, Jarrett's Jade Mysteries: 18th Century North AmericaRobert Lee Hall, Benjamin Franklin Takes the Case, Benjamin Franklin turns sleuth; #1 in the Benjamin Franklin mystery series. Robert Lee Hall, Benjamin Franklin and a Case of Christmas Murder, Benjamin Franklin turns sleuth; #2 in the Benjamin Franklin mystery series. Robert Lee Hall, Murder at Drury Lane, Benjamin Franklin turns sleuth; #3 in the Benjamin Franklin mystery series. Robert Lee Hall, Benjamin Franklin and the Case of Artful Murder, Benjamin Franklin turns sleuth; #4 in the Benjamin Franklin mystery series. Robert Lee Hall, Murder by the Waters, Benjamin Franklin turns sleuth; #5 in the Benjamin Franklin mystery series. Robert Lee Hall, London Blood, Benjamin Franklin turns sleuth; #6 in the Benjamin Franklin mystery series. Jane Kamensky and Jill Lepore, Blindspot (2008), about a portrait painter, a fallen woman disguised as his male apprentice, and an Oxford-educated African-born doctor in pre-Revolutionary Boston who set out to find the truth after a revolutionary leader is murdered the day his portrait is to be painted. Margaret Lawrence, Hearts and Bones, about a midwife's struggle to investigate a murder during a brutal Maine winter in 1786; #1 in the Hannah Trevor mystery series. Margaret Lawrence, Blood Red Roses, about a midwife who investigates a murder in late eighteenth century Maine; #2 in the Hannah Trevor mystery series. Margaret Lawrence, The Burning Bride, about a midwife who investigates a murder in late eighteenth century Maine; #3 in the Hannah Trevor mystery series. Margaret Lawrence, The Iceweaver, a stand-alone novel about Hannah Trevor's deaf daughter in 1809 New York State. David Liss, The Whiskey Rebels, a thriller about a former spy for George Washington and a woman pioneer who, independently, become involved in Alexander Hamilton's development of the Bank of the United States and the Whiskey Rebellion during the 1790s; forthcoming in September 2008. Review Michael Schein, Just Deceits: A Historical Courtroom Mystery, about the 1793 trial for adultery and infanticide of Richard Randolph and his sister-in-law Nancy Randolph, who were defended by John Marshall and Patrick Henry; forthcoming in September 2008. Review
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(2009), about a young woman who becomes a nurse in eighteenth century England and uses gin to drown the horrors of the medical world.
(1999), about twin brothers in Cornwall and their rivalry for the inheritance of the family estate and the love of a woman; #1 in the Loveday series.
(2000), about a Cornishman in 1791 and his struggle to find out who murdered his brother-in-law; #2 in the Loveday series.
(2001), about two Cornish brothers, one forced to leave his bride to earn his living as a sailor, the other involved in a smuggling scheme which leads to a false accusation of murder; #3 in the Loveday series.
(2003), about a Cornish family struggling to rise above scandal as one of its members is away at sea and another banished to America; #4 in the Loveday series.
(2004), about the efforts of a Cornish family to restore the family name after one of them is convicted of highway robbery and another is exposed as illegitimate; #5 in the Loveday series.
(2005), about a Cornish family's struggle to salvage its pride amid the bitter rivalry of two brothers; #6 in the Loveday series.
(2001), a novel of magical realism about a novice nun in late eighteenth century France who abandons her convent to travel.