9 must-read historical fiction novels of 2025

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis is a dual-timeline historical fiction novel following Charlotte Cross, an anthropology student on a 1936 Egyptian dig, and Annie Jenkins, a 1978 fashion intern at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Charlotte uncovers a tomb that may belong to Queen Hathorkare, navigating political and professional challenges, while Annie becomes entangled with the rediscovery of a related artefact decades later. Davis explores themes of identity, legacy and women’s roles across history, blending archaeology, art and fashion into a narrative that highlights how the past continues to shape the present.

Set in 1937, this novel, written by Alka Joshi, follows Sona Falstaff, a young Anglo-Indian nurse working in Bombay. Her life takes a dramatic turn when renowned painter Mira Novak is admitted to the hospital following a miscarriage. Over six days, Sona and Mira form a bond, sharing stories and experiences. After Mira’s sudden death under mysterious circumstances, Sona becomes a suspect. She is entrusted with Mira’s paintings and a note directing her to deliver them to individuals across Europe. This journey leads Sona through Prague, Paris, Florence and London, uncovering secrets about Mira’s past and confronting her own identity and place in the world.

Venetian Vespers is set in 1899 and follows Evelyn Dolman, a self-important English writer, and his new wife, Laura Rensselaer, an American heiress. The couple embarks on a delayed honeymoon to Venice, staying at the Palazzo Dioscuri, an ancestral home shrouded in mystery. Their arrival coincides with the eerie atmosphere of the city, and unsettling occurrences begin to unfold. Dolman becomes increasingly paranoid, questioning his sanity as he navigates a web of intrigue involving enigmatic twins and the disappearance of his wife. The novel delves into themes of madness, identity and the supernatural, drawing comparisons to the works of Henry James and Daphne du Maurier.

Shadow Ticket by Thomas Pynchon is set in 1932 Milwaukee during the Great Depression and follows private investigator Hicks McTaggart, hired to find Daphne Airmont, heiress of a Wisconsin cheese fortune. What begins as a routine case quickly spirals into a complex web of espionage, political intrigue and surreal encounters, spanning Milwaukee streets to European fascist networks. Pynchon blends noir-style detective storytelling with absurdist humour, dense plotting and critiques of power. The novel explores paranoia, ambition and the intersection of personal and historical forces, showcasing Pynchon’s inventive narrative style.

The Hong Kong Widow by Kristen Loesch is a gothic historical fiction novel set in 1950s Hong Kong, following Mei, a refugee from the Chinese Communist revolution. As a young woman, Mei develops the ability to communicate with spirits while surviving wartime Shanghai and the Japanese occupation. In Hong Kong, she participates in a six-night séance competition at the infamous Maidenhair House, where her true motive is revenge against George Maidenhair. The final night ends in a massacre dismissed by authorities as a hallucination, and decades later, Mei’s daughter seeks the truth. The novel explores trauma, identity and the lingering impact of history, blending historical fiction with gothic suspense.

Slashed Beauties by A Rushby is a gothic feminist body horror novel spanning 18th-century London and present-day Seoul. The story follows antiques dealer Alys, tasked with acquiring the final piece of a cursed trio of anatomical wax figures modelled after sex workers, believed to come to life to exact vengeance on men who wronged them. The narrative also explores the lives of young women in Elizabeth, a renowned courtesan’s household, uncovering unsettling truths about autonomy and exploitation. Rushby blends historical fiction with horror, examining objectification, the persistence of trauma and the intersection of art, science and female agency.

Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is a speculative historical fiction novel that reimagines a 1960s India still under British colonial rule. The story follows Kalki Divekar, a young woman whose father's death in a failed rebellion propels her into a covert resistance movement. Alongside allies Yashu and Fauzia, Kalki infiltrates British institutions, planning to dismantle the empire from within. The novel unfolds over a decade, structured around ten pivotal moments in Kalki's life, each mirroring one of the Dashavatara—the ten avatars of Vishnu—symbolising her evolution from a passive observer to a formidable leader. Patel's narrative delves into themes of identity, sacrifice and the complexities of liberation, offering a nuanced exploration of resistance and the pursuit of freedom.

The Pretender is a richly imagined historical fiction novel that reinterprets the life of Lambert Simnel, a little-known figure who briefly claimed the English throne in 1487. The narrative begins in 1483 with John Collan, a 10-year-old farm boy in Oxfordshire, whose life is upended when a nobleman reveals he is actually Edward Plantagenet, the Earl of Warwick, hidden for his safety after the disappearance of his nephews, the Princes in the Tower. Renamed Lambert Simnel, he is educated in Oxford, trained in courtly manners in Burgundy and involved in political machinations in Ireland. The novel explores themes of identity, power and destiny as Lambert navigates the treacherous waters of royal intrigue and court life.

Historical fiction in 2025 continues to offer depth and variety, revealing the ways ordinary lives intersect with broader historical events. These nine novels showcase the genre’s ability to illuminate social change, personal resilience and cultural complexity while remaining engaging and accessible.

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