Historical fiction continues to captivate readers by transporting them to different eras, immersing them in rich settings, and introducing unforgettable characters. Whether it’s the glamour of 1930s London or the harrowing days of the Dust Bowl, the best historical novels don’t just tell a story — they make history come alive.
This spring, five standout titles are topping the bestseller lists and winning readers' hearts. Here's why these novels are resonating so deeply with fans of the genre:
1. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Set during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl years
There’s a reason Broken Country is the current Reese’s Book Club pick — it’s as sweeping and emotional as the Midwestern skies it describes. Clare Leslie Hall weaves a beautifully written tale of a family struggling to survive the 1930s Dust Bowl, capturing the despair, grit, and fleeting moments of grace found in one of America’s most difficult chapters.
Readers love Broken Country because it humanizes a period often taught in dry history lessons. Through the lens of the Taylor family, we experience the constant battle against drought, poverty, and shattered dreams. Yet, what keeps readers turning pages is the quiet resilience of the characters — particularly Eleanor, the matriarch, who holds her family together when everything else is falling apart.
Fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds or John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath will find echoes of those classics here. But Broken Country stands on its own as a hopeful story about survival, family, and the land’s enduring hold on the human heart.
On Amazon2. The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict
A 1930s London mystery featuring Dorothy L. Sayers and her literary circle
Marie Benedict is known for uncovering the forgotten stories of remarkable women, but in The Queens of Crime, she delivers something truly special — a fictional murder mystery starring some of the most legendary women writers of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
Set in 1930s London, the novel imagines Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Josephine Tey teaming up to solve a chilling murder that eerily mirrors the crimes in their own books. Part locked-room mystery, part feminist love letter to the genre, The Queens of Crime is pure fun for readers who adore classic whodunits.
Readers are raving about the cleverness of the premise and the sharp, witty dialogue. It’s not just a murder mystery — it’s a celebration of female creativity, friendship, and the golden age of British crime fiction.
On Amazon3. The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
A dual-timeline adventure set in 1920s New York and Cairo
No one blends art, history, and a fast-paced plot quite like Fiona Davis. In The Stolen Queen, she delivers a gripping tale that takes readers from the glamorous rooftop parties of 1920s New York to the dusty streets of Cairo, as a young woman tries to uncover the truth behind a stolen Egyptian artifact.
Fans of Davis’s earlier novels like The Magnolia Palace will love the dual timelines and richly detailed settings. The book is inspired by the real-life Egyptomania that swept the Western world after the discovery of King Tut’s tomb, making it a fascinating look at a period obsessed with ancient mysteries.
Readers are drawn to Davis’s ability to create complex female protagonists who are both vulnerable and fiercely determined. The Stolen Queen is equal parts historical adventure, art world intrigue, and a poignant exploration of identity and ambition.
On Amazon4. Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray
The heart of the Harlem Renaissance beats in this unforgettable novel
If you’re looking for a novel that sings with history and passion, Harlem Rhapsody delivers in every way. Victoria Christopher Murray brings the Harlem Renaissance to life through the eyes of Julia Morrison, a high school teacher from D.C. who moves to New York in 1919 with dreams of becoming a literary editor at The Crisis — the NAACP’s influential magazine.
Set against the backdrop of jazz, art, and social change, the novel explores the challenges Black women faced navigating race, gender, and ambition during this vibrant period. What readers love most is how deeply personal the story feels — it’s not just about the historical moment but about one woman’s journey to find her voice in a world that tries to silence her.
Murray’s lyrical writing, lush descriptions, and powerful themes of empowerment and love have earned Harlem Rhapsody glowing reviews and a loyal fan base.
On Amazon5. Isola by Allegra Goodman
An unforgettable survival story inspired by true events
For readers who love survival stories with emotional depth, Isola is a must-read. Inspired by the true tale of Marguerite de La Rocque, a 16th-century noblewoman marooned on a deserted island for falling in love, Allegra Goodman’s novel explores love, betrayal, and the power of the human spirit.
Reese’s Book Club selected Isola for February 2025, and readers have been captivated ever since. The writing is sparse and lyrical, perfectly capturing the isolation and desperation of Goodman’s heroine as she fights to survive — both physically and emotionally.
What makes Isola stand out is its exploration of female agency in a world that seeks to punish women for their desires. Readers praise the novel’s haunting atmosphere, rich historical detail, and the universal themes of freedom, survival, and love.
On AmazonWhy Readers Are Flocking to Historical Fiction in 2025
These top five novels share something powerful in common — they blend immersive historical settings with deeply personal stories of love, loss, ambition, and resilience. Whether it’s surviving the Dust Bowl, solving a murder in 1930s London, chasing a stolen queen across continents, finding your place in the Harlem Renaissance, or surviving abandonment on a remote island, these books remind us that history is, at its core, human.
In a world where we often seek escape but also crave stories that connect us to our shared past, historical fiction delivers. It allows us to walk in the shoes of those who came before, seeing their struggles and triumphs mirrored in our own lives.
If you’re looking to dive into a story that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking, any of these five novels is the perfect place to start. Have you read any of them already? Let me know in the comments.
COMING SOON
The Velvet Spy by Lee Strauss
