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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Allison & Busby

Feast for the Ravens (Bradecote & Catchpoll)

By Sarah Hawkswood - Published 2025

Genres:

England, 1145. Two young boys discover the corpse of a Knight Templar in the woods near their Worcestershire home; the lads’ testimony reaffirms the ...Read Review

The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail

By Antony Johnston - Published 2025

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

The Dog Sitter Detective’s Christmas Tail is a festive cozy mystery that cheerfully blends canine chaos, snowbound intrigue, and a surprisingly rich ...Read Review

The Bloomsbury Murder (Blitz Detective)

By Mike Hollow - Published 2025

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

London, 1941: this is the tenth novel in Hollow’s Blitz Detective series, in which Detective Inspector Jago investigates the murder of a Canadian ...Read Review

Mrs Hudson and the Belladonna Inheritance (Holmes & Hudson Mysteries)

By Martin Davies - Published 2026

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

Mrs Hudson and the Belladonna Inheritance is a delightful, cleverly constructed mystery that pays affectionate tribute to Conan Doyle while confidently stepping out ...Read Review

The Hong Kong Widow

By Kristen Loesch - Published 2025

Genres:

Maybe it’s the influence of the film Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), but there seems to be a new generation of novels ...Read Review

Beattie Cavendish and the White Pearl Club

By Mary-Jane Riley - Published 2025

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

In 1948, Beattie Cavendish is recruited to GCHQ, the British government’s new intelligence gathering service. Her first role is to infiltrate the Bowen ...Read Review

The Devil in Oxford (Ruby Vaughn)

By Jess Armstrong - Published 2025

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

With this third mystery (the first, The Curse of Penryth Hall, having won the Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award), Armstrong ...Read Review

Knave of Diamonds

By Laurie R. King - Published 2025

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

In the first decades of the last century, crimes and mysteries abound. Mary Russell, wife of the famous Sherlock Holmes, receives an unexpected ...Read Review

Murder in Oxford (Blind Detective 9)

By Christina Koning - Published 2025

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

Frederick Rowlands, a blind veteran from the Great War, answers a short and cryptic summons from an old friend, Major Fraser, and travels ...Read Review