Secrets, Scandals and Maritime Mysteries: 10 Must-Read Historical Fiction Books Set at Sea

An endless horizon, uncharted waters, high-stakes danger…stories set at sea offer pure page-turning adventure. And whether the plot is about a heroine navigating an epic voyage or a cast of characters cracking a nautical whodunit, these seaside stories provide a particularly atmospheric backdrop for historical fiction books. So, if you’re looking for a reading recommendation that combines rich historical details, maritime mystery and an entertaining escape, you’re in the right place! Here, we gathered up 10 historical fiction books set at sea from bestselling authors like Beatriz Williams, Patti Callahan, Louise Hare and more!

Want to investigate an alluring mystery—packed with romance—that links three women to the doomed passenger liner, RMS Lusitania? Pick up The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White. If you’re in the mood for a glitzy Agatha Christie-esque tale set on a ship, look no further than Louise Hare’s Miss Aldridge Regrets. Hare’s novel takes readers back to 1936 London and onto the RMS Queen Mary to solve a chilling case. If Titanic lore is more up your alley, pick up The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor. Gaynor’s unforgettable story, based on true events, will stay with readers long beyond the last page.

Keep scrolling to discover all our must-read historical fiction books set at sea!

‘The Glass Ocean’ by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White 

The Glass Ocean—written by the bestselling authors of The Forgotten Room and The Lost Summers of Newport—tells the tale of three women linked to the RMS Lusitania. It’s May 2013 and Sarah Blake is stumped on her next book idea. With her finances floundering, she breaks into an old family chest, looking for inspiration. It belonged to her great-grandfather, who perished when the RMS Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915. But what she uncovers could change history. Flashback to April 1915: Southern belle Caroline Telfair Hochstetter is hoping a trip to London in the Lusitania’s luxurious first-class cabin will fix her crumbling marriage. Meanwhile, Tessa Fairweather is traveling second-class on the Lusitania with plans to return home to Devon. Or is she? What follows is a captivating saga as three women work against time to solve a mystery that will not only alter their own lives but also the course of history.

What readers are saying: “The story of each woman is written by a different author, and the chapters alternate, but they mesh seamlessly into a story that’s historically interesting with romantic intrigue. Their writing is rich with details for each setting, and their characters are realistic. I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction.”

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‘The Island of Sea Women’ by Lisa See

Female friendship takes center stage in this bestselling nautical novel by Lisa See. Set on the Korean island of Jeju, the plot follows Mi-ja and Young-sook after they begin working at their village’s all-female diving collective. Soon, the two grow close and bear witness to tragedies like Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and World War II in the 1940s. When the unimaginable happens, Mi-ja and Young-sook’s friendship is pushed to a breaking point. An illuminating and thoughtful novel that shines a light on the real-life Haenyeo—the courageous female divers who provided food and income for their families.

What readers are saying: “I appreciated the historical aspect of this book and learning about the Haenyeo. I found the culture of the diving women to be fascinating, as was the fact that these women were the chief breadwinners in their families. Around the halfway mark, the story picked up for me and I was fully invested in these two women, their lives, their hardships, their heartbreak and the one event which will leave both troubled and haunted.”

‘Salt to the Sea’ by Ruta Sepetys 

Survival, secrets, ships…this masterful novel, written by Ruta Sepetys, has it all. The story is based on the greatest—and often overlooked—tragedy in maritime history. As WWII comes to a close in East Prussia, refugees begin their trek to freedom. Among them are Joana, Emilia and Florian, all of whom board the Wilhelm Gustloff with life-altering secrets. But when the unimaginable happens, their secrets become the least of their worries. This harrowing, well-researched novel is ideal for fans of young adult historical fiction based on true events!

What readers are saying: “This book was inspired by the biggest maritime tragedy of all-time. When I had read the plot summary, I had initially thought.. “Hold up.. The Titanic or The Lusitania was the biggest tragedy in maritime history, wasn’t it?” No! It actually was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff.  Ruta Sepetys has a way with words that cannot be matched or duplicated. This book will leave a footprint on my heart forever.”

‘Surviving Savannah’ by Patti Callahan

Readers are transported back to 1838 in this enthralling and emotional tale about the sunken luxury steamship Pulaski—also known as “The Titanic of the South.” The wreckage is found 180 years later, and history professor Everly Winthrop is asked to curate a museum with the artifacts. Everly discovers secrets about two women who were faced with hard decisions in light of the ship’s explosion. A story about strength, fate and the power of memory.

What readers are saying:  “This novel brings together many elements of life: loss, grief, prejudice, love, acceptance, perseverance, justice and more. The backdrop of a tragic historic event intertwined with the life of a young historian makes for an intriguing and thought-provoking read.” 

‘The Girl Who Came Home’ by Hazel Gaynor

If the fascinating—albeit horrifying—events of the Titanic are of interest to you, you’ll definitely enjoy The Girl Who Came Home by award-winning author Hazel Gaynor. This saga blends fact and fiction and follows a young Irish woman—along with the below-deck experiences of third-class Irish immigrants—aboard the RMS Titanic. When the ship sinks, 17-year-old Maggie Murphy is one of the few steerage-class passengers to survive. Her retelling of the tragic event and its aftermath is woven together with the story of her great-granddaughter, Grace. What Maggie reveals about her experience alters both of their lives in astounding ways.

What readers are saying: “The story takes you through Maggie’s long journey from Ireland to England and then aboard the Titanic. The author portrays the ship in such a vivid and detailed way, being an elegant and vast vessel. It was interesting to learn about the differences in social classes and where each resided on the ship.”

‘The Amalfi Curse’ by Sarah Penner 

From the acclaimed author of The Lost Apothecary comes a lyrical, dual-timeline mystery set along the shimmering cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. Nautical archeologist Haven Ambrose arrives in Positano to investigate shipwrecks­—but she’s also hoping to find the gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. As strange occurrences start plaguing the town, Heaven must unravel a centuries-old tale of sorcery before it’s too late. Set in modern-day Positano and a 17th-century Italian fishing village, this whimsical novel enchants from cover to cover. 

What readers are saying: “Loved this page-turning story with a gorgeous setting! The magical realism and mystery elements worked beautifully, and I adored the dual timeline structure. I highly recommend it!” 

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‘The Light Between Oceans’ by M.L. Stedman

Set in 1920s Australia, this novel begins when lighthouse keeper Tom and his wife, Isabel, find a rowboat washed up ashore carrying a dead man and a living baby. Tom wants to report it immediately, but Isabel, having had two miscarriages, believes the baby is a gift from God, so they decide to claim the child as their own. Unbeknownst to them, their choice has devastated the life of another. 

What readers are saying: “Regrettably, I never got around to seeing the movie version of this novel when it came out in 2016, but I made up for it by spending a wonderfully rejuvenating weekend reading the book by the pool. This was probably one of the most unique plotlines I’ve ever read, which is unusual these days. But on top of that, it was so riveting! I found myself asking the question, ‘What would I have done in this situation?’” 

‘Luck of the Titanic’ by Stacey Lee

Set aboard the historic Titanic, this novel follows Valora Luck after she learns that Chinese people aren’t allowed in America. Desperate to get there and finally see her brother Jamie, Valora soon becomes a stowaway. And it works. But then tragedy strikes, and Valora soon goes from learning how to be a stowaway to learning how to survive at sea. This novel is perfect for fans of family sagas and historical mysteries. 

What readers are saying:  “I knew this book takes place on the Titanic and of course knew the fate of that historic ship. But somehow, while reading Val’s story, I was so invested in her and her future that I completely forgot about what was sure to be awaiting her in a few short days. No spoilers, but as you can imagine, it was a gripping, gut-wrenching experience to read about, and this author did an amazing job of describing the chaos, the strange calm, the desperation and honing in on how Val and her friends were experiencing it.” 

‘Miss Aldridge Regrets’ by Louise Hare

Glamour, drama and twists abound in Louise Hare’s novel, Miss Aldridge Regrets. The story—set in 1936 London—follows struggling jazz singer Lena Aldridge. Lena’s had a complicated life as a mixed-race girl passing for white in a city that likely wouldn’t accept her for who she really is. After a murder at the club, a stranger offers her a starring role on Broadway and a first-class ticket on the Queen Mary headed to New York, and she accepts. As she settles into the ship, she becomes acquainted with the wealthy Abernathy family. Soon, someone aboard the ship is murdered in an eerily similar way. Now, Lena must literally put on the performance of a lifetime to save herself while she tries to figure out who is committing these crimes—and why. A cinematic twist-filled historical thriller!

What readers are saying: “Ever since we stayed on the Queen Mary when it was a docked hotel in Long Beach, I’ve been fascinated by the glamour and history of this historic ship. Told in past and present, the story is full of twists and turns, murders and motives that don’t always ring true, and leads to a surprise yet strange ending.”

‘Dangerous Crossing’ by Rachel Rhys 

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It’s 1939 and Lily Shepard is looking for a fresh start. She leaves England—the only place she’s ever called home—and steps onto a ship called the Orontes headed to Australia. During the voyage, Lily becomes friendly with a variety of passengers who are also hoping to leave their past lives behind them. But when the ship docks in Sydney, chaos erupts as war is declared back home…and two passengers are found dead.

What readers are saying: “Set on a cruise liner, the ‘Orontes’ in 1939, just before the outbreak of WWII, A Dangerous Crossing follows young Lily Shepherd as she travels on her own (albeit under the guidance of a chaperone) to a new life in Australia. Just like the 5 weeks it takes to get from Tilbury to Australia, this story is more of a journey. A character study of people with different backgrounds all thrown together and living in their own bubble, whilst in the confines of the claustrophobic atmosphere of the ship.”