Have just discovered the Victorian / Edwardian mysteries of Robin Paige. What a treat! Set just about a hundred years ago in England, they are great puzzlers and a great inside look at the culture of the time.
I’ve read almost no mysteries for a long time, but at Christmas started to dabble again, and am still in that space. These books are built around historic facts, and feature real characters. The first one I read, Death on the Lizard, was about Marconi’s work building the telegraph, and the massive changes that would bring – plus the competition and sabotage as other companies competed with his. And Germany’s interest in all this change, as it not so subtly planned for war. And a love story, to boot, plus some dish on various royals. What more could we ask?
Now I’ve dived back in and started from the beginning of the series. Well written, good history, great characters, tender love. Aaaahhhh.