Loved ‘Hollow Bones’ by Jodi Picoult? Here Are 5 Historical Mysteries to Read Next This Fall
Fiona Davis, Kate Quinn and more deliver the same dual-timeline pull with a touch of mystery added in
Key Takeaways
- ‘Hollow Bones’ was inspired by an anonymous PostSecret postcard about 9/11.
- Kate Quinn's ‘The Rose Code’ follows three women codebreakers at Bletchley Park.
- Fiona Davis' ‘The Address’ unravels secrets inside NYC's historic Dakota building.
Jodi Picoult’s newest book, Hollow Bones, released earlier this week, and many fans of the prolific writer have already devoured it in a day and are now craving more books with a similar feel. So we did a deep dive to find books deliver that same captivating blend of historical fiction, mystery and thriller, including compelling reads from Fiona Davis and Kate Quinn. To discover our top five books similar to Picoult’s latest novel, keep scrolling!
First, what is ‘Hollow Bones’ about?
Hollow Bones follows Molly Fitzgerald, whose mother died in the 9/11 attacks when Molly was only 2 months old. As an adult, Molly runs Rhode Island’s Department of Emergency Preparedness while building a life with her husband Jesse, a police polygraph specialist who first appeared in Picoult’s novel My Sister’s Keeper. Their marriage seems unshakeable, until an unforeseen crisis rocks their world, forcing both of them to reevaluate who they are and what they want.
“This book came about actually because of a text that an author friend sent me. It was from an Instagram handle called Post Secret … Basically, people send in their deepest, darkest secrets on a postcard, and they’re published anonymously. And this one said, ‘Everyone who knew me before 9/11 thinks that I’m dead,’” Picoult told Concord Monitor earlier this month. “She just sent me this, like out of the blue, and I did what authors do: I called dibs on it. And then I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and I just kept thinking, what would make someone use a tragedy of that magnitude to disappear? And maybe more interestingly, what would make them come back? And that is what Hollow Bones blossomed from.”
Best historical fiction mystery books like ‘Hollow Bones’ by Jodi Picoult
With stories spanning from New York City to London, here are the best historical film books to read after finishing Hollow Bones.
‘The Da Vinci Code’ by Dan Brown
This bestselling novel, which has been turned into a blockbuster film starring Tom Hanks, begins when Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to the Louvre after a curator is murdered. Near the body lies a crucial clue that leads Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu to discover clues hidden in Da Vinci’s masterpieces. Soon after, they discover the victim belonged to the Priory of Sion, a secret society that included Newton and Da Vinci. Can Sophie and Langdon decode the puzzle and crack the case before the killer strikes again?
What readers are saying: “What a remarkable read. I devoured this book in three days. I couldn’t put it down and my heart didn’t stop pounding. As for the historical nature of this book I say bravo to Dan Brown for having the guts to stand in the face of so called organized religion and tell the truth. It isn’t easy to go against the mainstream and I salute a man who is willing to tell the truth no matter what the personal cost to him.”
‘The Story She Left Behind’ by Patti Callahan Henry
In 1927, 8-year-old Clara is devastated when her mother—a celebrated author who penned a book in a made-up language—vanishes. Twenty-five years later, in 1952, Clara receives a strange letter from a man named Charlie Jameson containing information about her mother’s disappearance. Determined to solve the mystery, Clara travels to London to confront Charlie and discover the truth about her mother. What follows is a page-turning tale with a twist no one will see coming.
What readers are saying: “This enchanting story is one you need to read and experience for yourself. I think everyone will have individual reactions to different parts of this wonderful book. It is full of love, family, imagination, loss, grief and a wonderful setting with characters you will fall in love with.”
‘Liberty Street’ by Heather Marshall
From bestselling author Heather Marshall comes a dual-timeline tale about an infamous women’s prison. In 1961, Emily Radcliffe, an editorial assistant, is shocked when a letter from an inmate at Mercer Women’s Prison, claiming terrible things are going on there, ends up on her desk. Realizing this story could make her career, she decides to go undercover at the prison and see for herself if the accusations are true. In 1996, unidentified female remains are discovered and Detective Rachel Mackenzie is determined to figure out what happened, even after her investigation leads her to the now-closed Mercer Women’s Prison, where some of her family’s biggest tragedies took place. As the two timelines collide, secrets emerge and loyalties are tested.
What readers are saying: “Liberty Street is one of those historical fiction novels that sticks with you long after you finish it. Heather Marshall takes a heartbreaking piece of Canadian history and turns it into a story that’s impossible to put down. The dual timeline works really well, and I found myself completely invested in both Emily’s determination to expose the truth and Rachel’s search for answers decades later.”
‘The Address’ by Fiona Davis
Fiona Davis’ historical fiction books always take readers inside a famous place in New York City, and this one explores the legendary Dakota apartment building. In 1885, Sara Smythe is offered the chance to become the female manager of the Dakota by its lead architect Theodore Camden. Soon, she’s involved in an affair with Theo, who is harboring secrets. A hundred years later, Bailey Camden is fresh out of rehab and in need of a break. Thankfully, her cousin Melinda—Theo’s great-granddaughter—needs help renovating her Dakota apartment, and Bailey is the best person for the job. As the renovations begin, secrets about Theo’s supposed stabbing at the hands of Sara Smythe emerge. A mysterious tale that brings The Dakota to life.
What readers are saying: “Once again, Fiona Davis has mastered the art of transitioning seamlessly from one time period to another while sculpting memorable characters immersed in history, romance, turmoil and more than a bit of palace intrigue. As this reader traveled between lives and time periods, a subtext emerged that obsession and addiction have afflicted and encumbered our society throughout the ages. The author illuminates these human frailties with insight rather than judgment and more compassion than some may deserve.”
‘The Rose Code’ by Kate Quinn
Based on the remarkable true story of more than 10,000 women codebreakers who altered the trajectory of World War II, this gripping novel follows three exceptional women—Osla, Mab and Beth—who are hired during the war to crack codes at Britain’s Bletchley Park. As they start work, bonds form and secrets emerge, forcing all three women to reevaluate their lives. A moving tale of female friendship and filled with family drama.
What readers are saying: “The Rose Code is a smart, engaging novel that shifts not only between three distinct female perspectives but also across multiple time periods. Each chapter adds a new layer, and the changing viewpoints keep the story fresh while deepening the emotional impact. It’s absolutely worth the read for anyone who enjoys richly structured historical fiction.”
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