Eight novels that will transport you through Britain's past

Travel back to the Middle Ages with this hypnotic novel set in an isolated convent deep within the treacherous Norfolk Fens. When the mere claims a young servant boy, Abbess Sigeburg's grip on power begins to loosen, exposing deep-seated rivalries among the holy sisters. The arrival of the enigmatic Sister Wulfrun, with her claims of a curse, only intensifies the tension, and the convent's unholy secrets begin to emerge.

The Pillars of the Earth, the first unforgettable book in Follett's epic Kingsbridge series, takes us back to twelfth-century England. Amidst civil war and religious turmoil, mason Tom Builder works on his ambition to construct a magnificent cathedral, while Prior Philip tirelessly strives for his town's survival. This sprawling novel brilliantly evokes the raw, vibrant, and brutal medieval era, where good men will stop at nothing to achieve their dreams.

In this gripping start to the bestselling Shardlake series from the late C. J. Sansom, we meet lawyer Matthew Shardlake in the year 1537, a time of great turbulence. Henry VIII has proclaimed himself Supreme Head of the Church, the monasteries are being dissolved, and the country is waking up to savage new laws, rigged trials and an ever-growing network of informers, spreading distrust and fear through communities and families.  In his first outing, Shardlake investigates a brutal murder at a remote Sussex monastery. As he uncovers chilling truths amidst a country in upheaval, Sansom masterfully brings Tudor England to vivid, gritty life.

Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction, Kate Foster’s debut novel is a darkly compelling novel set in 1679 Edinburgh. Inspired by a real-life murder trial, The Maiden follows Lady Christian, arrested and charged with the murder of her lover, James Forrester. As public accusations fly, this tense, thrilling investigation unravels a web of secrets, placing one of the forgotten women of history centre stage. 

Transport yourself to 1749 London in this beguiling historical crime thriller. Following the murder of her husband, confectioner Hannah Cole is struggling to keep her shop afloat when a hidden fortune is uncovered. Yet this welcome surprise soon draws the suspicion of Henry Fielding, the real-life author turned magistrate. To prove her innocence and protect her future, Hannah must untangle her late husband's double life. This richly detailed novel plunges you into Georgian London, both its grimy underworld and its opulent high society haunts. 

Step into the glittering, yet rigidly constrained, world of 1794 England. Lady Harriet Bessborough, born to privilege, longs for the true love that is missing in her marriage. When she meets the captivating Lord Granville, they embark on a forbidden affair that threatens her reputation and standing in high society. Janice Hadlow masterfully navigates a sweeping tale of passion and peril, plunging you into the very heart of eighteenth-century British aristocracy.

Acclaimed for her Victorian gothic dramas, Elizabeth Macneal’s third novel, The Burial Plot, was described by The Sunday Times as ‘ingenious’.  In 1839, on the run after a terrible crime, Bonnie finds refuge as a lady's maid in the grand house, Endellion. An eerie and unsettling place, haunted by the recent death of its mistress, Bonnie starts to unravel a chilling web of manipulation and deceit. This meticulously researched novel is perfect for fans of Gothic fiction.

This compelling World War II novel reveals a lesser-known chapter of British history. In 1941, while the Blitz rages in London, air raid warden Ruby secretly aids India's independence and lawyer Kitty risks all for her beliefs, helping Indian men in Britain challenge conscription. As their lives intertwine, Shah delivers a deeply moving, immersive tale of love, betrayal, and the fight for freedom.