Historical mysteries and series can give the reader a fascinating perspective on a particular era or major event. And skilled authors do their research and offer a realistic portrait of the times in which their stories take place. But there can be the temptation to provide a lot of information that doesn’t necessarily contribute to a plot. It’s understandable, since authors can find out some interesting background. But ‘information dump’ doesn’t serve a plot, and it can put readers off. Some authors, though, are able to balance that information with a focus on the plot and characters, and that balance can make for a memorable historical series.
For instance, as Ariana Franklin, Diana Norman wrote a series featuring Adelia Aguilar. Trained in Salerno, Italy, she is a 12th Century physician, medical examiner, and anatomy specialist. At the time, women are not allowed to practice medicine, so she travels with a bodyguard called Mansur, who pretends to be the medical expert. Adelia has to work quietly, because there is a terrible price to pay if she’s caught. Besides the gender barriers of the time, there is other interesting information about 12th Century England (where the novels take place). Then-current political, social, and of course medical movements and beliefs impact what Adelia does, and how she does it. But the focus of each novel is the plot itself. Battles, plagues, and other historical events and figures provide the background of the stories, but it’s the actual mystery plot that is their focus.
C.J.Sansom’s Matthew Shardlake series takes place mostly during the reign of King Henry VIII. Those were years of intrigue, conflict, and more, and Sansom used that history as the background for his novels. As the stories evolve, readers learn about different political, social, and other aspects of those years. At the same time, though, Sansom keeps the focus on Shardlake and the mysteries he encounters. Part of Revelation, for example, takes place in Bedlam, the infamous psychiatric facility. We learn something about the place and about beliefs about mental illness. But that background is wrapped into the plot, rather than separate from it.
Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunter series begins during the Weimar years just as the Nazis are rising to power. The series ends in 1957, and covers the ascendance of the Third Reich, the World War II years, and the post-war era. Those twenty-five or so years were critical years in world history, and Kerr explores the major events, social movements, and geopolitical changes of the time. And yet, those events, people, and movements really serve as backdrops for the plots. There is useful and carefully researched information, and that lends an air of authenticity to the books. But at the same time, the focus is on Gunther, his life, and his experiences. We see the world of the time as he sees it, so the history is more immediate, and this can help readers connect with both the story and the historical era in which it takes place.
Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series begins just before World War I. In the first novel, Maisie Dobbs, we follow Maisie as she makes the transition from housemaid to nurse on the front lines to private investigator. Throughout the novel, there’s a strong feel for the impact of the war on everyone, both physically and mentally/emotionally. And as the series goes on, we follow as England slowly moves from wartime to peacetime life, and we see the toll the war took. The novels also chronicle the inevitable path to World War II, and Maisie’s life evolves as war clouds gather and the war eventually starts. Winspear ‘did the homework’ to weave that background information into each novel. But the main points of each story are the cases that Maisie investigates, and the events of her own life.
Brian Stoddart has written a four-novel historical series featuring Superintendent Christian ‘Chris’ Le Fanu. He is a police detective in 1920s Madras (now Chennai). It’s the last years of the British Raj, and there is unrest and conflict as friction grows between the indigenous people and the British. Against this background, Le Fanu is tasked with keeping order and catching criminals. Throughout the series, Stoddart shares information about the era, the political realities, and the cultures. At the same time, the main point of each novel is the case (or cases) that Le Fanu investigates. Details are provided when they support the plot, but the information doesn’t dominate the story. You’re absolutely right, fans of Abir Mukherjee’s Captain Sam Wyndham/Surendranath Banerjee series. Those novels, which take place at about the same time, but in Kolkata (Calcutta), also focus on the characters and plot, although there is background information.
And that seems to be key to creating an engaging historical series. Background detail lends authenticity, and readers can enjoy learning about a particular era. But in the best historical series, as in any series, the emphasis is on the plot and characters. Which historical series have you enjoyed?
*NOTE: The title of this post is a line from Bob Marley’s Buffalo Soldier.
Really interesting post, Margot! I think the only historical mysteries I’ve read have been the Brother Cadfael ones which I really enjoyed. I tend to find books set more recently to maybe be a little less convincing (perhaps because I lived through part of the 20th century!) But I totally agree that whatever the setting, the plot and the characters are the thing which will make the book work.
Thanks, KBR. I’m glad you thought the post worked. I’m also glad you mentioned the Cadfael mysteries. Ellis Peters did a fine job of giving readers a real sense of the time and place and society. But the stories, too, were well done and focused on the plot and characters (and of course, the television version had Derek Jacobi, so…). You make a fascinating point, too, about personal history. I know when I read a book that takes place during a time I was alive, especially in a place I know, I’m likely to be less forgiving of dubious information. Especially today, it’s so easy to get the facts straight for more recent history, I think. You’re right, though, all other things aside, characters, plot, and setting are what make a book work!