‘I Wept’: 7 Historical Fiction Books That Capture the Magic of New Orleans
From voodoo to Mardi Gras, these novels bring New Orleans' past vividly to life
Key Takeaways
AI-generated summary reviewed by our editorial team.- These 7 historical novels are all set in New Orleans, spanning the 1700s to 1950s.
- Isabel Allende is among the celebrated authors featured on this list.
- Renée Ahdieh's 'The Beautiful' blends romantasy with New Orleans's haunted history.
Few American cities carry as much history—or mystery—as New Orleans, Louisiana. Between the whispers of voodoo, the sounds of jazz spilling out of the French Quarter and centuries of secrets tucked into every corner, it’s no wonder so many authors have set their stories here. These seven historical novels capture the love, danger and magic that make New Orleans one of the most storied cities in America. Keep scrolling to find your next great read.
Best historical fiction books about New Orleans
From magic to mayhem, here are the best historical fiction books about New Orleans.
‘The Seamstress of New Orleans’ by Diane C. McPhail
Set in 1900, the tale follows Alice Butterworth, a pregnant young woman abandoned by her husband. Desperate for a second chance, she heads to New Orleans, where she offers sewing lessons at an orphanage. After seeing Alice’s sewing skills, widow Constance Halstead offers Alice lodging in exchange for a gown for the much-anticipated Leap Year ball of Les Mysterieuses. As the two begin to work together, secrets begin to unravel, they wonder who they can trust.
What readers are saying: “The Seamstress Of New Orleans is a tale of mystery, intrigue, friendship and female empowerment. If you love historical fiction as I do, you’ll enjoy this fun read.”
‘Out of the Easy’ by Ruta Sepetys
Mystery, intrigue and murder abound in this novel set in the 1950s French Quarter. Seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is known around town as the daughter of a prostitute, but that hasn’t stopped her from wanting more for herself. But when a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation, things change. Now Josie must choose who she trusts within the city, before the killer comes after her too.
What readers are saying: “This story struck something deep inside me. The writing is intelligent, the storyline is entertaining but it is the characters I fell in love with. I wept with a shared heartache with Josie while she found out the person she wanted to be and that our scars remind us of our pasts but do not dictate where we are going. There is so much beauty in humanity and history in this story.”
‘The Thread Collectors’ by Shaunna J. Edwards and Alyson Richman
From bestselling authors Alyson Richman and Shaunna J. Edwards comes a tale about unexpected friendships that end up changing us for the better. In 1863, an ingenious young Black woman named Stella spends her days weaving maps into the cloth to help enslaved men become free and join the Union Army. Meanwhile, in New York City, Lily spends her time making quilts for her husband who’s in the Union Army. But when months go by without hearing from him, Lily decides to go south and find out what happened to him. What follows is a battle of strength, freedom and bravery.
What readers are saying: “I’m not sure what I expected when I chose this book to read. What I found was a story that will long be remembered. This book is well written and filled with stories that are both historical and current at the same time.”
‘The Undertaker’s Assistant’ by Amanda Skenandore
Set in the late 1860s and 1870s, this moving tale follows Effie Jones, a former slave who escaped to the Union side as a child and returns to New Orleans as an adult to earn a living as an embalmer. For the most part, she keeps to herself, but when she meets a state legislator named Samson Greene and a beautiful young Creole, things change. Now Effie must face issues of the heart as well as race issues, all while trying to find her own way in the world. This novel is perfect for fans of Civil War historical fiction and found family.
What readers are saying: “The Undertaker’s Assistant has left a deep impression and impact on me. It’s something that not many other books are able to do and I’m sure I will continue to think about this story for years.”
‘The Beautiful’ by Renée Ahdieh
From bestselling author Renée Ahdieh comes a spellbinding tale set in 1872 New Orleans—a city where the dead hold power and secrets lurk in every shadow. For Celine Rousseau, New Orleans represents a fresh start, a chance to escape the dark memories of her past life in Paris. When the sisters of the Ursuline convent take her in, she thinks she’s finally found sanctuary. But everything changes when Celine finds herself drawn into the city’s mysterious underworld, where she catches the attention of Sébastien Saint Germain, the group’s leader. As Celine struggles to understand how she ended up in this strange new world, two girls from the convent turn up dead—and suddenly, nothing is as it seems. Now Celine must uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim.
What readers are saying: “This book is as mystical as the setting city itself! I love a good New Orleans story! Love triangles of a sort, a thriller behind a romance mask, and above all a finely woven story, every purposeful stitch more intriguing than the last.”
‘Island Beneath the Sea’ by Isabel Allende
Set in 1770, this novel follows Zarité—known as Tété—a slave on the island of Saint-Domingue—now known as Haiti—who finds solace in music and voodoo. Then one day, Toulouse Valmorain arrives on the island to run his father’s plantation, but his life is far from perfect. He’s trapped in a painful marriage and soon finds himself confiding in his teenage slave, Tété. As time progresses, so does their relationship, but when secrets and wrongdoings come out, the life they build together might just come crashing down. A moving tale that will leave readers breathless.
What readers are saying: “I definitely recommend this book. You will learn a lot about Santo Domingo, Haiti and New Orleans, all of which have very violent and vibrant roots.”
‘The American Daughters’ by Maurice Carlos Ruffin
Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s bestselling novel is set in pre-Civil War New Orleans and follows Ady and her mother Sanite, two women enslaved by a businessman in the French Quarter. They spend their days reminiscing over the family’s disjointed history and hoping they can one day be free. Then one fateful day, Ady stumbles into the Mockingbird Inn and meets Lenore, a free Black woman. The two strike up a friendship, and soon Ady finds herself involved in a clandestine society of spies, which seeks to help free the slaves. A tale of bravery, trust and starting over.
What readers are saying: “This book is a wonderful glimpse into New Orleans history before the Civil War. Although it’s fiction, the real historical details make the world come alive. I think of this as a literary thriller full of action and suspense. Sanity, Ady, and Lenore are larger than life heroic women the author did a masterful job bringing to life on the pages.”
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