If you love your whodunits with a dash of real-world history, you’re in for a treat. These mystery series blend fact and fiction, placing their sleuths—real or inspired by real figures—into deadly plots that rewrite the past with thrilling results.
From queens and courtesans to pioneering women and secret spies, here are 9 historical mystery series where the backdrop of history is more than just a setting—it’s a character all its own.
Mystery Series Featuring Real Historical Figures
1. The Dora and Rex Mysteries by Lynn Morrison
Set in stylish 1920s England, this series follows glamorous socialite Theodora Laurent and war-scarred Captain Rex Armstrong as they solve crimes across country houses and coastal retreats. While the pair are fictional, the postwar setting and historical atmosphere are rooted in real events—WWI trauma, changing gender roles, and the rise of modern Britain.
Why it belongs here: A richly textured historical backdrop meets clever sleuthing in a world shaped by real-world upheaval and transformation.
2. Her Majesty the Queen Investigates by S.J. Bennett
Queen Elizabeth II is reimagined as a discreet detective solving murders behind palace doors, with her assistant private secretary doing the legwork. These cozy but sharp mysteries offer an irresistible peek behind the curtain of royal life.
For fans of: Corgis, clues, and an unflappable monarch with a mind like a steel trap.
3. The Crown Jewels Mysteries by Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe
In this romantic Regency mystery series, Lady Grace and Lord Roland navigate the world of debutantes, disappearing ladies, and Queen Charlotte’s watchful eye. While the central figures are fictional, their investigations bring them into direct contact with real royalty and the scandals of London’s elite.
What’s real: Alnwick Castle, Queen Charlotte, and the glittering (and dangerous) social season of 1813.
4. Jane Austen Mysteries by Stephanie Barron
Who better to solve a murder than Jane Austen herself? In this long-running series, the beloved author serves as an amateur sleuth, narrating her adventures in the style of her letters. Every book draws on real places, people, and events from Austen’s life.
Ideal for: Readers who crave Regency wit, literary charm, and clever puzzles with a historical twist.
5. The Diamond of the Ton Mysteries by Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe
Set in Queen Charlotte’s glittering 1814 court, this Regency spy series intertwines fictional nobility with real royals—including Princess Charlotte, Prince George (Prinny), and visiting European rulers like Tsar Alexander I. When a prince is poisoned at court, Duchess Charity Atholl and Lord Peregrine Fitzroy must untangle political plots to prevent chaos across Europe.
Perfect for readers who love: High society secrets, courtly danger, and slow-burn romance wrapped in real historical tension.
6. The Alice Roosevelt Mysteries by R.J. Koreto
President Theodore Roosevelt’s outspoken daughter, Alice, takes center stage in this sharp-witted mystery series. With a cigarette in one hand and a clue in the other, Alice sleuths her way through Gilded Age Washington with sass and savvy.
Why she shines: Alice is a real historical figure known for her wit, scandalous charm, and refusal to be silenced—making her a perfect fictional sleuth.
7. Phyllida Bright Mysteries by Colleen Cambridge
While the Queen of Crime pens her stories upstairs, her fictional housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, handles murders below stairs. These charming golden-age mysteries pay tribute to Christie while giving the spotlight to an entirely new voice.
Best for: Fans of locked-room puzzles, elegant period detail, and a knowing wink to classic whodunits.
8. The Captain Lacey Mysteries by Ashley Gardner
Cavalry Capt Gabriel Lacey returns from the Napoleonic Wars, weighed down by melancholy. When he chances upon the opportunity to foil a robbery, he finds himself propelled to the heights of London society.
What makes it stand out: Atmospheric writing, authentic emotional stakes, and a upstairs/downstairs feel.
9. The Josephine Tey Mysteries by Nicola Upson
Golden Age crime writer Josephine Tey is travelling from Scotland to London to celebrate what should be the triumphant final week of her celebrated play, but a senseless murder puts her life and reputation at risk. This series is both a tribute to one of the popular writer of crime and a detective novel in its own right.
Perfect if you enjoy: Historical details, backstage settings, and literary twists.
🔍 History Has a Body Count
From the Regency court to the White House lawn, these mysteries prove that even the most refined settings hide dark secrets—and that history’s best-dressed women often had the sharpest minds.
