As we saw last week, a lot of excellent mystery series are set in the 1800's. But a good crime story can be placed in any era. All it needs is a murder, a few suspects and someone to solve the crime, right? So for all you history mystery lovers, here's a list of enticing tomes to peruse up to, but not through, 1800:
1st Century BC: Rome
SPQR Mysteries by John Maddox Roberts
1st Century AD: Rome
Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries by Lindsey Davis
2nd Century AD: Roman Britain
Libertus Mysteries of Roman Britain by Rosemary Rowe
7th Century AD: Ireland
Mysteries of Ancient Ireland by Peter Tremayne
11th Century AD: Japan
Sugawara Akitada Mysteries by I. J. Parker
Medieval, Spanning Several Centuries: England
Historical Mysteries by The Medieval Murderers (Michael Jecks, Susanna Gregory, Bernard Knight, Ian Morson, Philip Gooden and Simon Beaufort)
12th Century AD: England
Brother Cadfael Mysteries by Ellis Peters
Crowner John Mysteries by Simon Beaufort
13th Century AD: England
Templar Knight Mysteries by Maureen Ash
Medieval Mysteries by Priscilla Royal
Hawkenlye Mysteries by Alys Clare
14th Century AD: England
Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles by Susanna Gregory
Knights Templar Series by Michael Jecks
Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon, Chronicles by Mel Starr
Crispin Guest Medieval Noir Mysteries by Jeri Westerson
Mathilde of Westminster Mysteries by Paul Doherty
Hugh Corbett Mysteries by Paul Doherty
15th Century AD: England
Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries by Margaret Frazer
Bishop Pecock Tales by Margaret Frazer
Joliffe Mysteries by Margaret Frazer
Roger the Chapman Mysteries by Kate Sedley
15th Century AD: Scotland
Gil Cunningham Murder Mysteries by Pat McIntosh
16th Century AD: England
Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mysteries by C. J. Sansom
16th Century AD: Ireland
Burren Mysteries by Cora Harrison (new)
17th Century AD: England
Thomas Chaloner Mysteries by Susanna Gregory
The Chronicles of Harry Lytle by Paul Lawrence
18th Century AD: England
John Rawlings Mysteries by Deryn Lake
Blue Satan Mysteries by Patricia Wynn
Westerman Crowther Mysteries by Imogen Robertson
Georgian Historical Mysteries by Lucinda Brant (e-book)
18th Century AD: Italy
Baroque Mysteries by Beverle Graves Myers
18th Century AD: Japan
Sano Ichiro Novels by Laura Joh Rowland
Did I miss your favorite set-before-1800 mystery series? If so, please let us know. Leave a comment with the series' titles and tell us why you like them.
NEXT FRIDAY: EARLY-MID 20TH CENTURY MYSTERIES