About
- Established in 1997, the Historical Novel Society is an international literary society devoted to promotion and advocacy for the genre of historical fiction.
Membership
- Historical Novel Society members include authors, readers, librarians, editors and industry professionals – membership is entirely open, and anyone enthusiastic about the genre is welcome.
Events
- Our worldwide membership loves to meet. Many travel thousands of miles to attend our conferences in person; many more enjoy our virtual options from home. Others form member connections in their area through regular Local Chapter meet-ups. Discover what’s on with conferences, Local and Virtual Chapters, and more.
Book Reviews
- Our exclusive, members-only print magazine, the Historical Novels Review, publishes reviews of hundreds of historical fiction books each quarter, in addition to features and columns. Become a member to receive the magazine and enjoy all our other benefits.
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Articles
- We publish articles in our members-only print magazine, Historical Novels Review, as well as web features exclusive to this site. All are original pieces, commissioned by our Features Editors based on topics of interest to members – interviews with historical fiction authors, publishers, and agents; explorations of novels and subgenres; guides, and regular columns on historical fiction market news, debut authors, and more. Articles are written by vetted contributors, most of whom are Society members. If you’re a member interested in joining the team, Contact Us.
Awards
- HNS Awards have helped discover authors and launch their careers (e.g., Michel Faber, Ruth Downie, Nikki Marmery, Hilary Green, Elizabeth Macneal, and many more) and provided vital support for others. Our ARA Award is one of the most generous of all literary prizes. If you’d like to partner to sponsor an award, Contact Us.
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Frances McNamara

Death at the Chicago Trust: Emily Cabot Mysteries Book 10

By Frances McNamara - Published 2025

Genres:

Widowed grandmother, Emily Chapman, has quite a day in the winter of 1930 when she learns her savings are a casualty of the stock ...Read Review

Joy Street Jail Murder in a Nutshell: A Nutshell Murder Mystery

By Frances McNamara - Published 2025

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

1920. Patrolman Peter Attwood deposits a man found passed out on a Boston street into the Joy Street Jail to sober up. In the ...Read Review

Three-Decker Murder in a Nutshell

By Frances McNamara - Published 2024

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

In December 1919, Boston medical examiner Dr. George “Jake” Magrath chides a young police detective for removing the body of a young woman from ...Read Review

Molasses Murder in a Nutshell (A Nutshell Murder Mystery)

By Frances McNamara - Published 2023

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

Minutes after Theresa Ryan finds her sister Maggie dead in her bathtub, the floor beneath her rumbles and caves, and waves of thick, ...Read Review

Death in a Time of Spanish Flu (Emily Cabot Mysteries Book 9)

By Frances McNamara - Published 2022

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

This ninth Emily Cabot mystery opens in October 1918 in Chicago. Emily is married to Dr. Stephen Chapman and hasn’t really caught up ...Read Review

Death on the Homefront (Emily Cabot Mysteries)

By Frances McNamara - Published 2020

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

Frances McNamara’s latest Emily Cabot mystery once again explores the amateur sleuth’s Chicago haunts. Our heroine has matured since the previous ...Read Review

Death at the Selig Studios

By Frances McNamara - Published 2018

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

University of Chicago sociologist and amateur sleuth Emily Cabot finds herself in the midst of a mystery that hits a bit too close ...Read Review

Death at the Paris Exposition

By Frances McNamara - Published 2016

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

In McNamara’s first mystery featuring Emily Cabot, Emily investigated a death at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. In Emily’...Read Review