Tasha Alexander writes historical mysteries and her Lady Emily Ashton series is a treat for anyone who enjoys a good puzzle set in the Victorian era.
Lady Emily is a widow, quite intelligent, and she has a knack for finding herself in the middle of some rather curious situations. Her adventures take place in all sorts of interesting locations, from London drawing rooms to sun-drenched Grecian islands.
If you are looking for authors who create books similar to these, with clever heroines, historical settings, and mysteries that keep you guessing, then you’ve come to the right place.
Deanna Raybourn writes historical mysteries filled with vibrant settings, clever dialogue, and intriguing characters. Readers who enjoy Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily mysteries may find Raybourn’s books equally entertaining.
A good example is “Silent in the Grave,” the first Veronica Speedwell mystery. The story follows Veronica, a spirited Victorian-era natural historian whose life takes a surprising turn after a death hits close to home.
Paired with the mysterious and enigmatic Stoker, Veronica is soon pulled into a tangled web of secrets as they investigate further into the truth.
The blend of witty interplay, historical detail, and suspense makes “Silent in the Grave” a delightful read for anyone who appreciates clever heroines and undercover mysteries wrapped in Victorian charm.
C.S. Harris writes historical mysteries set in the gritty and elegantly dangerous world of Regency England.
Her popular Sebastian St. Cyr series opens with “What Angels Fear,” where readers first meet Sebastian, Viscount Devlin, a sharp-minded nobleman accused of a brutal crime he didn’t commit.
In this fast-paced, atmospheric story full of political intrigue, family secrets, and sinister motives, Sebastian must unravel a conspiracy to clear his own name.
Readers who love Tasha Alexander’s blend of history, mystery, and vividly drawn protagonists will quickly find themselves caught up in Harris’s immersive storytelling.
Rhys Bowen is a British-American author known for historical mysteries that blend intriguing plots with rich characters. Readers who enjoy Tasha Alexander’s elegant historical settings and engaging mysteries should try Bowen’s “Her Royal Spyness.”
Set in 1930s London, this novel introduces Lady Georgiana Rannoch, the thirty-fourth-in-line heir to the British throne. Georgiana gets mixed up in unexpected murders and royal family drama, all wrapped in a witty narrative.
Bowen brings the elegance and charm of the era vividly to life. Readers quickly become involved in Georgiana’s humorous struggles to maintain her aristocratic status despite being broke and her determined sleuthing to uncover secrets hidden in high places.
Books by Anne Perry offer historical mysteries set in the intriguing atmosphere of Victorian England. Readers who enjoy Tasha Alexander’s vivid stories about Lady Emily could be drawn to Perry’s Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series.
In “The Cater Street Hangman,” Perry introduces readers to Charlotte Ellison, a spirited young woman living in Victorian London, whose sheltered and comfortable life shatters when a murderer strikes her neighborhood, targeting women she knows.
As Inspector Thomas Pitt investigates, suspicion invades even the most respectable homes, changing Charlotte’s outlook on her society and drawing her unexpectedly close to the detective.
Anne Perry crafts complex characters and an authentic historical setting that immerses readers seamlessly into the world of her thrilling Victorian mysteries.
Books by Jacqueline Winspear blend detective mystery with historical detail. Her series featuring Maisie Dobbs, a thoughtful and independent female investigator in post-World War I England, often explores the effects of war on people’s lives and society.
In “Maisie Dobbs,” the first book of the series, we meet Maisie, a spirited young woman whose intelligence and intuition help her solve a challenging case that brings back memories from her own past.
The investigation takes readers through London’s lively streets and quiet countryside, uncovering secrets and hidden emotions left behind by the conflict.
Fans of Tasha Alexander’s mysteries set in historical contexts will appreciate Winspear’s attention to character development, social atmosphere, and intriguing detective puzzles.
Lauren Willig writes historical fiction full of mystery, romance, and adventure. Readers who enjoy Tasha Alexander will find Lauren Willig’s characters lively, smart, and easy to love.
Her novel “The Secret History of the Pink Carnation” takes you on the spirited adventures of Eloise Kelly, a student who travels to England to study spies of the Napoleonic era.
When Eloise uncovers the papers of a hero known as the “Pink Carnation,” she learns secrets filled with danger, romance, and wit from the early 1800s.
The story smoothly shifts back and forth between Eloise’s own modern-day pursuits and the entertaining escapades of these charming spies.
If you enjoy Tasha Alexander’s elegant historical mysteries, you’ll also appreciate Carola Dunn’s Daisy Dalrymple series. Dunn offers readers lively 1920s England settings, witty dialogue, and charming characters throughout her novels.
In “Death at Wentwater Court,” Daisy Dalrymple, a spirited and resourceful young journalist, attends a society gathering at an English country estate. Her visit takes a turn when a guest is found dead, prompting Daisy to partner with the thoughtful Inspector Alec Fletcher.
The story unfolds with engaging interactions, humorous moments, and surprising revelations about family secrets and social tensions. Fans of historical details, clever plots, and delightful banter will find plenty here to enjoy.
Books by Elizabeth Peters offer mystery and adventure with strong-willed heroines and atmospheric historical settings, often infused with humor and clever dialogue.
If you’ve enjoyed Tasha Alexander’s mix of historical intrigue and engaging female leads, you may also find Peters appealing. Try her novel “Crocodile on the Sandbank,” the first in the Amelia Peabody series.
Set in the late 19th century, the book introduces Amelia Peabody, an independent and spirited woman who travels to Egypt for archaeological exploration.
Soon after her arrival, strange things occur: mysterious attacks, puzzling discoveries, and suspicious characters lurking near ancient ruins. Amelia’s wit and resourcefulness, combined with a vivid portrayal of Victorian-era Egypt, provide an entertaining and immersive read.
Readers who enjoy historical mysteries by Tasha Alexander should check out novels by Victoria Thompson. Her “Gaslight Mystery” series starts with “Murder on Astor Place,” set in late 19th-century New York City.
The story introduces Sarah Brandt, a midwife who finds herself involved in a puzzling murder when a young society woman is found dead. Sarah teams up with Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy, a practical policeman initially resistant to outside help.
Together they work through the clues hidden beneath the polished veneer of wealthy New York society. Thompson combines historical detail with sharp storytelling, making her work appealing to fans of Alexander’s style of blending mystery, history, and well-crafted characters.
If you enjoy historical mysteries by Tasha Alexander, you might also appreciate Charles Finch. His Victorian-era detective novels are rich with atmosphere and charm.
In “A Beautiful Blue Death,” Finch introduces gentleman detective Charles Lenox, who steps into the dark corners of high society to solve crimes.
When a young maid is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Lenox’s investigation uncovers secrets among London’s elite, featuring intriguing characters and plenty of turns along the way.
Finch captures not only the manners and customs of the times but also a strong sense of place, making the book both immersive and entertaining.
Books by Susan Elia MacNeal offer immersive historical mysteries set during the turbulence of World War II. Her novel “Mr. Churchill’s Secretary” introduces readers to Maggie Hope, a sharp-minded young woman who becomes a typist for Winston Churchill himself.
Maggie soon finds herself entangled in covert operations, espionage, and secret plots against England. MacNeal captures the period’s atmosphere vividly, weaving fictional suspense with authentic historical details.
Readers who enjoy Tasha Alexander’s strong, intelligent heroines and carefully constructed historical settings might equally appreciate Maggie’s courage, determination, and resourcefulness as she navigates political intrigue in wartime London.
Books by Andrea Penrose offer intriguing historical mysteries set in Regency-era London, filled with clever plots, vivid settings, and engaging characters.
If you enjoy Tasha Alexander’s suspenseful novels, you might appreciate Penrose’s “Murder on Black Swan Lane,” the first installment of the Wrexford & Sloane Mystery series.
The novel introduces readers to the Earl of Wrexford, a cynical nobleman accused of murder, who must clear his name. He teams up with Charlotte Sloane, an unconventional artist who draws biting caricatures of society’s elite.
As their partnership unfolds, hidden motives emerge and dangerous secrets from London’s darkest corners threaten their investigation.
Penrose blends sharp dialogue, authentic period details, and intriguing chemistry between characters to create a story that’s both entertaining and absorbing.
Nancy Bilyeau is an author whose historical mysteries blend intrigue, richly drawn characters, and absorbing period detail.
Her novel “The Crown” introduces readers to Joanna Stafford, a courageous young Dominican novice forced from her quiet life at the convent into a dangerous royal conspiracy during Tudor-era England.
Joanna must navigate perilous court politics, hidden monastic secrets, and ruthless enemies as she seeks to protect those she loves.
Fans of Tasha Alexander who enjoy engrossing historical settings combined with clever plots and determined heroines will find much to appreciate in Bilyeau’s work.
If you enjoy historical fiction with elements of mystery and romance by Tasha Alexander, Julia Kelly is an author worth discovering.
In “The Last Garden in England,” Kelly weaves together the stories of three fascinating women separated by decades but connected through a beautiful English garden.
Set during three different periods—1907, 1944, and the present day—the novel explores their lives, loves, and secrets hidden within the garden’s walls.
From garden designer Venetia in Edwardian England to land girl Beth during World War II, and contemporary Emma restoring what has been forgotten, each character adds layers of intrigue and emotional depth.
The blend of history, mystery, and heartfelt storytelling resonates strongly in a way Tasha Alexander readers will immediately appreciate.
If you enjoy historical mysteries by Tasha Alexander, you might also appreciate Jennifer Ashley’s atmospheric storytelling and intricate characters.
In her book “Death Below Stairs,” Ashley introduces readers to Kat Holloway, an intelligent and spirited cook serving in an affluent Victorian household.
When a maid is tragically murdered, Kat decides to investigate herself, discovering that behind the orderly façade of high society lies danger, secrets, and surprising alliances.
With engaging dialogue, vivid period details, and unexpected twists, Jennifer Ashley keeps readers turning the pages, eager to uncover the truth alongside Kat.