Historical Thrillers
Kirsten and I were talking about books- as we often do- and the discussion traveled to the idea of a list of the best historical thrillers. There are so many fantastic historical mysteries so why not make a list of the best historical thriller books as well?
Kirsten and I read a lot of thrillers and historical fiction. These are some of our favorite genres. There are a lot of fantastic books in these genres. I loved the idea of finding books that fit into both these categories. And I would not include just any book; each of these books is a well-written book that everyone should read. If you are looking for
The Best Historical Thriller Books
Each colorful block below represents the best historical thriller book set in each time period. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Historical Thrillers Set in the 1800s
Anatomy by Dana Shwartz – Jump to Review
Historical Thrillers Set in the 1920s – 1950s
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn- Jump to Review
Historical Thrillers Set in the 1970s
God of Woods by Liz Moore – Jump to Review
Dual Timeline Historical Thrillers
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb- Jump to Review
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Historical Thriller Books Set in the 1800s
Anatomy: A Love Story
Author: Dana Schwartz
Year: 2022
Genre: Gothic Historical Fiction
More info: Winter 2022 YA Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Instant New York Times #1 Bestseller
Book 1 of 2 in the Anatomy Duology
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 17+
Plot
This gothic YA historical fiction is centered around Hazel, a 16-year-old woman who lives in Edinburgh Scotland with her mother and younger brother. She has always had an obsession with anatomy and wants to be a surgeon despite the fact that no women are allowed to study to become doctors.
In order to study and pass her exam, she must have dead bodies to look at. Enter Jack, who earns extra money by taking bodies from their graves at night. Now there is some romance added to this book and you will never guess where it’s going.
Why Jackie likes it
This was such a quick read with amazing details to keep the story moving. Some surprise details really added to the story. The ending, however, felt very rushed to me- especially when compared to the rest of the book. This is such an original thriller horror book.
Find this book in: 12 Thriller Horror Books/ Best YA Romance Books / YA Historical Fiction Books / Reese Witherspoon 2022 / Historical Thrillers
The Doll Factory
Author: Elizabeth Macneal
Year: 2019
Genre: Thriller
More info: #1 International bestseller and The New York Times Editor’s Choice
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This historical fiction novel about art is part mystery, part love story, and part thriller. MacNeal’s debut takes place in Victorian England during the time of The Great Exhibition.
Iris dreams of learning to paint like a true artist, while she tolls away with her twin sister in a doll shop. Silas is a curiosity collector who can’t seem to get Iris out of his head after their chance meeting, and Albie is the rag-a-muffin street urchin I wanted to take home.
Why Kirsten loves it
Their stories weave together in a slow burn until the blood-pumping, heart-racing conclusion.
Find this book in: Best Books of 2019 / Best Books with Stalkers / Books Becoming Movies or TV Series in 2024 / Intriguing Novels About Art and Artists / Historical Thrillers
My Cousin Rachel
Author: Daphne Du Maurier
Year: 1951
Genre: Classic Historical Thriller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Ambrose Ashley, an owner of a large country estate adopts his cousin Philip at a young age. The two men live together on the estate without any woman. When Ambrose gets older, he becomes ill and needs to spend the winter in Italy. There, he meets a woman, Rachel, and gets married. The letters that Ambrose sends home start to become increasingly frantic and paranoid as Ambrose becomes sicker. Before Philip can get to him in Italy, Ambrose dies. Immediately, Philip is convinced that Rachel is responsible for his cousin’s death.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic Abuse
Why Jackie likes it
The amazing thing about this book is the underlying emotional turmoil. There is not a moment in the book in which the reader is sure of anything. Rachel’s motives are never clear. Just when you think you are sure, Du Maurier throws a proverbial wrench in the works, leaving the reader to wonder. The book is intentionally inconclusive and ambiguous.
Historical Thrillers Set Between the 1920s-1950s
With a Vengeance
Author: Riley Sager
Year: 2025
Genre: Historical Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 15+
Plot
In 1954, Anna Matheson boards a luxury train with six people responsible for her family’s death. She lured them all to the train, where they will be the only passengers. She plans to expose their crimes and see them arrested by the FBI when the train arrives in Chicago the next day.
But when one of them is murdered, it derails Anna’s plans. She wants to see them pay for their crimes, not die. Now, Anna must find the killer and stop them before the train reaches its destination. Soon, the passengers are being picked off one by one, and she must risk her life to protect them.
Why Jackie loves it
This is Riley Sager at his best. I love this historical thriller. It was fast-paced and reminiscent of Agatha Christie. I thought the plot was smart and the main character was likable- I was rooting for her.
Find this book in: Historical Thrillers / The Best Riley Sager Books Ranked / Books Set on a Train
The Alice Network
Author: Kate Quinn
Year: 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: July 2017 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This historical fiction takes place during the First World War and after the Second World War as the story of two women come together. One is a female ex-spy another is a pregnant single woman, and they are joined by a shady ex-con as they embark on a quest.
Why Kirsten loves it
This was such a good book to listen to and although the subject matter was serious, there were moments when I was laughing out loud. There was just the right amount of humor to make this a very readable book and a perfect book for book clubs to discuss.
Why Jackie loves it
This was such engaging historical fiction. I liked the characters and immediately wanted to know how the story would come together. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Find this book in: The Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Host a Spy-Themed Book Club / WWI Books / Reese Witherspoon 2017 / Historical Thrillers
The Night She Won Miss America
Author: Michael Callahan
Year: 2017
Genre: Historical Thriller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
in the 1950s, Betty Jane Welch reluctantly enters the Miss Delaware contest to make her mother happy and, surprisingly, finds herself to be the judges’ choice. But what will happen when a secret is on the line?
Why Kirsten loves it
This was like two different books in one. The first half is all romance and Miss America pagentry, while the second half is all psychological thriller. I loved Betty’s journey from small town girl to Miss America to a woman on the run. This is one of the more unique thrillers I’ve read, but it’s rather tame all things considered.
Find this book in: Historical Thrillers
Plot
I was interested to read this book about a housewife turned female informant for the FBI. I went in interested to learn about the government’s efforts to root out Communism in the 50s but stayed to understand Katharina’s story.
Trigger Warnings
Alcoholism, Miscarriage
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved seeing Katharina find herself through her undercover work, but sometimes those scenes of her life at home were hard to read about because I came to despise her husband.
Find this book in: Historical Thrillers / Books Like Lessons in Chemistry / Ultimate Thrillers / Books About Women in the Workplace / Books About Female Spies
The Starlets
Author: Lee Kelly & Jennifer Thorne
Year: 2024
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Bitter rivals in both the box office and their romantic lives, Vivienne and Lottie have both been cast in “A Thousand Ships” a movie about Helen of Troy. Filming on an isolated Italian island, the tension they face as on-screen rivals takes a turn when they become embroiled in a deadly scandal and are forced to flee for their lives.
It’s trains, trucks, and boats for these two as they need to put their differences aside to work together and alert the authorities to the corruption on the island.
Why Kirsten loves it
What a fun romp through old Hollywood! I honestly pictured the entire plot of this book as an old black-and-white movie appropriate to the time this was set.
The leaders were perfectly bitchy in whip-smart dialogue reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood flicks. I loved watching these rivals tear each other down before turning into allies and close friends. I was rooting for them and you will be too!
Find this book in: Old Hollywood Books / Historical Thrillers
Historical Thriller Books Set in the 1970s
The God of the Woods
Author: Liz Moore
Year: 2024
Genre: Literary Historical Mystery
More info: New York Times Bestseller
New York Times Notable Book of 2024
People Magazine’s #1 Book of the Year
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Early one morning in August 1975, a camp counselor discovers that Barbara Van Laar, the daughter of the camper owners, has gone missing. Fourteen years earlier, her brother also went missing, and he was never found.
As the story flashes between the investigation into Barbara’s disappearance and the events leading up to Bear’s, detectives, family members, campers, and staff members’ lives are unfolded in a way that makes the mystery one of many threads woven into a masterful tale.
Liz Moore captured my attention from the very beginning and kept me engaged throughout as each secret and discovery unfolded into further mysteries.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death, Domestic Abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
I’ve not read many literary mysteries, but I can say that I like this subgenre of literary fiction. The mystery of what happened to Barbara and Bear was a fascinating central point, but I was so invested in each character’s story that I sometimes forgot what crime was being solved. I can see this not being for everyone though — there are lots of characters and sub-plots buried within. It’s no cozy mystery but that’s exactly why I think it’s one of my favorites of the year.
Why Jackie loves it
I will admit that it took me a little longer than usual to get into this book. As Kirsten mentioned, there are a lot of characters and subplots so it took longer to get into the heart of the story. You need to persist with the slower beginning of the book. Once you are 75 pages in, you won’t be able to put it down. The plot development is so well done as the stories from the past and present come together.
Find this book in: Giftable Books / Books about Camp / The Best Books of 2024 / Historical Thrillers
The Villa
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Year: 2023
Genre: Mystery Thriller
More info: NY Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Emily’s husband filed for divorce and she cannot seem to get her life and career back on track so when her childhood best friend and hugely successful writer, Chess, suggests they spend a summer together in an Italian villa where they can write and reconnect what could go wrong?
Trigger Warnings
Child death
Why Jackie loves it
I always love a great gothic suspense novel and what could be better than one set in an Italian villa? Oh, did I mention the mansion has a history that includes murder?
Find this book in: Historical Thrillers / Beach Reads 2023 / Books Set in Italy / Historical Thrillers
Book of Cold Cases
Author: Simone St. James
Year: 2022
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
More info: NY Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The Lady Killer murders have haunted Clare Lake, Oregon since 1977 when two men with no connection to each other were murdered. They had no enemies, were murdered with the same gun, and the only witness saw a woman’s hair under the cloak. Beth Greer seemed to fit the bill- rich and beautiful- but she was acquitted.
Years later, Shea Collins, a survivor of an attempted abduction as a child spends her days as a receptionist and her nights running a website called the Book of Cold Cases. When she meets Beth and asks for an interview, everything changes.
Trigger Warnings
Alcoholism
Why Jackie loves it
There is so much to this story- it is unexpected, scary, and unputdownable. What is it about lake books that makes them perfect thrillers?
Find this book in: Historical Thrillers / Books Set in the 70s / Lake Books
Plot
Inspired by real events, this captivating tale takes you on a rollercoaster ride through the lives of two women determined to seek justice and bring down a serial killer. This mystery-thriller book flips the script on traditional serial killer tales, focusing on the female victims and the women impacted by the perpetrator’s horrendous crimes.
Why Kirsten loves it
The killer is never named, instead the victims are rounded out and given depth in a way that highlights and celebrates who they were when alive. I’ve been recommending this feminist story to everyone!
Find this book in: Best Books of 2023 / Fiction Serial Killer Books / Books Set in College / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Historical Thrillers
Dual Timeline Historical Thrillers
Symphony of Secrets
Author: Brendan Slocumb
Year:2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Bestselling author of The Violin Conspiracy, a GMA Book Club Pick.
Age Range:16+
Plot
When a Professor is researching a newly discovered song from a famous American composer, he finds a connection between the composer and a black woman named Josephine Reed. As he digs further into the past, he will not stop until he uncovers the truth about Josephine.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Murder
Why Kirsten loves it
Flashing between the present day and the 1920s, this story is a character-driven slow-burn until the 60% mark, when it turns into a heart-pounding thriller. I loved this summer book about music and I think you will too.
Find this book in: Books With Secret in the Title / Historical Thrillers/ Ultimate Beach Reads / Novels about Music
I Would Die for You
Author: Sandie Jones
Year: 2025
Genre: Historical Fiction Thriller
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Set between a dual timeline of the 1980s and 2011, this story was one for the music lovers. In 2011, Nicole’s daughter goes missing after she was picked up by her “aunt” from school one day…. but she doesn’t have an aunt. Back in 1986, a story unfolds about 16-year-old Cassie and her obsessive crush on the lead singer of her favorite rock band. How do the two stories connect? You’ll have to read it to find out.
Trigger Warnings
Drug Use, Sexual Assault
Why Kirsten loves it
Sandie Jones’s stories can be hit-or-miss for me, but this one was so unique I couldn’t stop listening! The premise was fun, and it kept me guessing until the very end! #gifted by MacMillan Audio
Find this book in: Books Set in the 80s / Stalker Books / Historical Thrillers
Expert Tip
This post has books that are both historical fiction and thrillers. If you do not love either genre, you might feel that you cannot find a book you will love. Never fret, I have some tips.
- Some of the books are dual-timeline. If you do not love historical fiction books, choose a book that is dual-timeline to help ease you in
- A few of the books have a mystery vibe to them rather than thriller. If thrillers are not usually your choice of genre, pick a book that is more mystery
- Read the descriptions of the books along with who read each one. This should give you a great idea of whether this book is something you might enjoy reading.
- Remember the most important thing: if you start a book and you don’t love it, you do not need to finish it! Give it a try and if a book (any genre) does not speak to you, put it down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Historical Thriller?
A historical thriller is a novel with a thrilling component, but also takes place in the past! Historical thrillers are fiction. I love this post because it is such a unique mix of book genres.
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Epilogue
Have you read any of these historical thrillers? Which books have you read that are not on this list? Let me know so I can add them to my TBR.
Ultimate List of Historical Fiction
Love Historical Fiction? The Ultimate List of Historical Fiction is the perfect list for you. It is carefully divided by time.
