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.
  Browse our magazines
  
  Submit your novel for review
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.
Contact Us

Gareth Rubin

The Waterfall

By Gareth Rubin - Published 2025

Genres:

This cleverly crafted, historical crime novel is made up of four separate stories, each written in a different genre, and placed in chronological ...Read Review

Holmes and Moriarty

By Gareth Rubin - Published 2024

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

December 1889. Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr Watson are intrigued when fledgling actor George Reynolds approaches them with the strange story that his ...Read Review

The Turnglass

By Gareth Rubin - Published 2023

Genres:

Essex, 1881. Idealistic doctor Simeon Lee accepts a job nursing a distant cousin Oliver Hawes, who is apparently being poisoned in his isolated island ...Read Review

Liberation Square

By Gareth Rubin - Published 2019

Genres:

Alternate History Mystery/Crime Thriller

Liberation Square asks the reader to imagine a very different 1952, a world in which, instead of a divided Berlin, London and the United ...Read Review

Gareth Rubin

The Waterfall

Holmes and Moriarty

The Turnglass

Liberation Square

About Book Reviews

Reviews Quicklinks

Filter Reviews by...

Latest articles

Follow us

Like us