Award winning historical mystery novels often have a strong sense of time and place. They transport the reader to a different era, whether it's ancient Rome or Victorian England. The details of daily life, social norms, and political situations are carefully depicted. For instance, in 'Wolf Hall' which has elements of mystery within the historical narrative of Tudor England, the court intrigue and the power struggles are presented in a way that makes the mystery of Cromwell's rise all the more engaging. Another characteristic is the use of historical facts and events to drive the mystery forward. It's not just a backdrop but an integral part of the plot.
One characteristic is the in - depth research. Authors of award winning historical mystery novels dig deep into the past. They might study old documents, historical accounts, and cultural artifacts. Take 'The Historian' by Elizabeth Kostova. It delves into the history of Vlad the Impaler and the Dracula legend. The research shows in the detailed descriptions of the settings, from the old libraries in Europe to the remote castles. Also, these novels usually have a unique perspective on historical events. They might offer a new take on a well - known event or a little - known aspect of history, which makes the mystery more intriguing as the reader discovers something new along with the characters.
Well - developed characters are also important. In 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris, the characters of Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter are so vivid. Their interactions and their own internal struggles add depth to the mystery. Usually, award winning mystery novels also have a great sense of suspense. They keep the reader on the edge of their seat, like in 'Sherlock Holmes' stories. Doyle was a master at creating suspenseful situations that make the reader eager to find out how Holmes will solve the mystery.
They usually have engaging characters. In 'All the Light We Cannot See', the two main characters are so well - developed that readers can't help but be drawn into their individual plights and the overarching story of the war. The characters feel real and their emotions are palpable.
Often, they have well - researched historical settings. For example, in 'Gone with the Wind', Margaret Mitchell did extensive research on the American Civil War era. The characters are usually complex and believable, like in 'The Name of the Rose' where Umberto Eco created multi - dimensional characters.
Well, one characteristic is the accurate portrayal of historical settings. For example, in books set during the Middle Ages, the details of daily life, like the way people dressed, the food they ate, and the religious practices of the time are depicted precisely. This helps the reader to be immersed in the story.
Often, they have vivid historical settings. For example, they can transport you to a specific time like the Middle Ages or the Victorian era. The characters are usually relatable for young adults, facing challenges that are both of their age and related to the historical context. The plots are engaging, like in 'The Book Thief' where the unique narrative voice of Death makes the story really stand out.
Another is 'Gorky Park' by Martin Cruz Smith. This novel is set in the Soviet Union and the mystery unfolds against the backdrop of the Cold War. It won multiple awards for its gripping plot and vivid portrayal of the era. The detective has to solve a murder in a very politically charged environment which makes it all the more interesting.
Often, award - winning novels have strong and unique themes. For example, they might explore deep human emotions like love, loss, or identity. They also tend to have well - developed characters. Take 'Jane Eyre' as an example. The character of Jane is complex and multi - dimensional. The writing style is usually of high quality, with engaging prose.
One characteristic is the detailed historical setting. For example, in 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco, the third - person view lets the reader fully experience the medieval monastery setting, with all its religious, social, and intellectual aspects. Another is the complex characters. Since it's third - person, the author can fully explore different characters' motives and backgrounds. In 'Gone with the Wind', Scarlett O'Hara's complex personality is shown through third - person narration. Also, these works often have a strong narrative arc that is based on historical events. They can show the cause - and - effect relationships within history in a more comprehensive way.
Often, they have well - researched historical settings. For example, books set during wars like World War II or the Civil War will accurately portray the events, uniforms, and social atmospheres of those times.
Many of the historical fiction award-winning works can be referred to the following more famous historical fiction award-winning works: 1 One Hundred Years of Solitude (Garcia Márquez): The story of seven generations of the Buendía family is considered one of the masterpieces of Latino literature. War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy): tells the story of the Russian war from 1812 to 1822 with Russian history as the background. Dream of the Red Chamber (Cao Xueqin): One of the representative works of Chinese classical novels. It tells the love story of Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu and others, reflecting the style of feudal society. 4 Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Luo Guanzhong): It tells the story of various political struggles and military conflicts during the Three Kingdoms period. 5 Water Margins (Shi Naian): The story of 108 heroes in the late Song Dynasty reflects the fighting spirit of the people against the ruling class. These are some of the famous historical fiction award-winning works, all of which are worth reading.