# Historical Mystery Novels Anyone? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 15, 2002, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-mystery-novels-anyone/114207 "2002-06-15T12:57:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Harp\_and\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9de053/32.png) [@Harp\_and\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harp_and_Sword)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-mystery-novels-anyone/114207/21 "2002-06-24T16:09:55Z")
Of course the “real” historical mystery is why cjhoworth only shows up for SCA fencing practice once a month. 😃 ``` I warned you I would do this, didn't I. :p ``` Harp and Sword That’s “Don” Harp and Sword to you CJ ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-mystery-novels-anyone/114207/22 "2002-06-24T17:47:25Z")
You might try _A Conspiracy Of Paper_ by David Liss. It’s set in the 18th century Jewish community of London. Good atmosphere and an interesting and unique setting, but the plot is a little thin. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-mystery-novels-anyone/114207/23 "2002-06-25T01:17:53Z")
**_Don_Harp and Sword** , it was one fencing practice in the last month. The 6 months before that, I’ll give you. What can I say. Every so often I need a break from putting on body armor in the church’s ladies room. Oh, and yes, I was expecting this. 😃 See you next Sunday, CJ ---
**Author:** ![agentfroot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@agentfroot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/agentfroot)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-mystery-novels-anyone/114207/24 "2002-06-25T01:43:08Z")
_WHAM_ OW, stupid jacket strap thingy… _hops around on one foot and runs into the stall door_ you can just see the little girls outside the stalls staring and thinking, “what the heck is SHE doing?” ---
**Author:** ![Harp\_and\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9de053/32.png) [@Harp\_and\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harp_and_Sword)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-mystery-novels-anyone/114207/25 "2002-06-25T15:29:51Z")
\*\*_WHAM_ OW, stupid jacket strap thingy… _hops around on one foot and runs into the stall door_ \*\* Little known fact: That little strap thingy is not really to keep the jacket from riding up, it is for the fencing coach to administer disipline. Nothing gets those students to listen like a good hard wedgie. 😉 Harp and Sword ---
**Author:** ![fruitbat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@fruitbat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fruitbat)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-mystery-novels-anyone/114207/26 "2002-06-25T15:55:26Z")
I must recommend “Instance of Fingerpost” by Iain Pears who is among the very bust genre writers in any estimation. This is his masterpiece and one of the finest books of the young decade. Really a must read. ---
**Author:** ![Jerevan\_Somerville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Jerevan\_Somerville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerevan_Somerville)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-mystery-novels-anyone/114207/27 "2002-06-25T16:31:08Z")
“Bust genre”? Do you mean. . . _smut_? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RiverRunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-mystery-novels-anyone/114207/28 "2002-06-25T17:46:29Z")
I enjoyed _An Instance of the Fingerpost_, too, **fruitbat**. It’s very different from everything else out there. E.L. Doctorow wrote a decent enough novel that might fit the “historical mystery” novel genre. Its title is _Waterworks._ I only vaguely remember it; I seem to recall being a little disappointed with the story but pleased with the writing. That’s unusual. And I agree with you, **KarlGrenze**. _The Name of the Rose_ was excellent right up until the ending. Still easily worth the read, though. (I never saw the movie.) _The Alienist_ was terrific; I was less impressed with _Angel of Darkness_. What’s up with Carr, anyway? RR [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-mystery-novels-anyone/114207.md?page=1)