Reading the Past
Sarah JohnsonNews, views, and reviews of historical fiction.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 1955 | Founded | 2 years ago | Last Issue | 14 days ago |
| Active | |||||
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readingthepast.substack.comLatest Issues
The countess and her protégée: Royal Witch
In Royal Witch, Philippa Gregory—an advocate for revivifying lesser-known historical women’s lives—presents a female character deserving of prominent attention for her courage, unerring confidence in her position’s righteousness, and determ...
Three historical mysteries sweep readers to Fiji, Lindisfarne, and New England
“King Devil” is also known as hawkweed, an invasive flowering plant with tall, fuzzy stalks. In Charlotte MacLeod’s standalone mystery (first published 1978), it also refers to a nasty old man who disappeared from the rural New England vill...
A gift of clairvoyance
Annabelle Avery Conlon, the appealing heroine of Canadian writer Robin Blackburn McBride’s newest novel, has a richly developed interior life, letting her thoughts flow with utter honesty as she narrates her out-of-the-ordinary path. Her in...
Guest post: The Runaway Bride: The Real Stakes Behind Ayten’s Choice in 1958 Turkey
Thanks to author Denise Derya Brandt for contributing this essay for Reading the Past. Her debut novel, Istanbul Dreaming, was included on my historical fiction preview for fall, and I’m glad to share her post about the historical backdrop...
A librarian of mystery, plus bits and pieces of historical fiction news
The most affecting espionage novels offer high stakes with political and emotional consequences, both, and Emily Dunlay’s second novel (after Teddy) belongs among them.
Pub. by Harper (Sept. 2026). The UK publisher is Fourth Estate/Harper...
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| Subscribers | Engagement | 75 | Monthly Web Visits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepts Sponsors | Estimated Cost per Ad | ||||
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Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Academic librarian, longtime historical fiction reader/reviewer, and reference book author living at the foothills of Mt. Level.
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