Can you recommend some gripping historical fiction books?

One gripping fiction book is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It has a complex plot full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well - developed and the mystery keeps you guessing until the end.

Character development is key. If the characters are well - drawn and relatable, the story becomes gripping. For example, in 'Gone with the Wind', Scarlett O'Hara is a complex character whose journey through the American Civil War and Reconstruction makes the story engaging.

Sure. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee is a great one. It grips you with its exploration of racial injustice in the American South. The story is told through the eyes of a young girl, Scout, and her experiences with her father, Atticus Finch, as he defends a black man wrongly accused of a crime.

Sure. 'The Other Boleyn Girl' is a great one. It offers a fictionalized look at the life of Mary Boleyn in the Tudor court.

Well, 'Wolf Hall' is also likely to be on such a list. It delves deep into the life of Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII. The book is known for its detailed portrayal of the historical setting, the complex characters, and the political maneuverings of the time. It really makes you feel like you are in that era, experiencing the events as they unfold.

One of the books from that list could be 'The Goldfinch' by Donna Tartt. It's a great historical fiction with a rich narrative set in different time periods.

One of the great historical fiction books from 2016 could be 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It's a powerful novel that reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad underground. It gives a vivid and often harrowing look at the experience of slaves trying to escape to freedom.

One great book from that list could be 'A Game of Thrones' by George R.R. Martin. It's set in a fictional medieval - like world full of political intrigue, complex characters, and epic battles.

One of the great historical fiction books from 2017 could be 'The Essex Serpent'. It is set in Victorian England and follows the story of a widow who moves to a small village. There, rumors of a mythical serpent start to spread. The book beautifully captures the era's atmosphere, from the social norms to the scientific thinking of the time.

Another great one might be 'March' by Geraldine Brooks. It gives a unique perspective on the events of 'Little Women' from the father's point of view during the Civil War. It's a very engaging read that delves deep into the historical context of that time.