The 8 Best Historical Fiction Books Set in the Gilded Age, from Newport Murder Mysteries to Vanderbilt Drama
Glittering mansions, scandalous marriages and society queens fill these page-turners
Key Takeaways
- These 8 Gilded Age novels feature Vanderbilts, Astors, Carnegies and Marjorie Post.
- Genres range from a Newport murder mystery to romance and dual-timeline suspense.
- Nina de Gramont’s ‘Peregrine Hill’, from The Christie Affair author, arrives Nov. 10.
Get ready to be transported back to the glitz, glamour and intrigue of America’s Gilded Age. In the decades after the Civil War, America glittered. Railroads, steel and oil built staggering fortunes, and families like the Astors and the Vanderbilts battled for control of New York and Newport society. Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner gave the era (from the 1870s to early 1900s) its name with their 1873 novel The Gilded Age, and today that world of mansions, rivalries and rigid social rules is the backdrop for HBO’s hit series of the same name. It has inspired dozens of novels too. If you’re craving historical fiction Gilded Age books with the same drama, romance and luxury, these eight page-turners are a great place to start.
‘Peregrine Hill’ by Nina de Gramont
From the bestselling author of The Christie Affair comes a new novel that will transport readers back to 1920s New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. After a shipwreck kills her husband and three children, Isabelle Bishop does everything in her power to keep her only surviving child, 18-year-old Mariah, and her elderly mother safe. With no money and no prospects, Isabelle sets her sights on 63-year-old John Whitten, one of New York’s wealthiest men, only to learn that he’s interested in Mariah, not her, and will do anything to have her as his wife. Forced to accept his marriage proposal, Mariah finds herself living with a man decades older than her in a house full of strangers. But with the help of a young maid named Hetty, Mariah hatches a plan to get out of John’s clutches.
What early Goodreads users are saying: “I absolutely loved this Gilded Age story that had me hooked…not from the first page, but from the author’s note preceding the story. Knowing that the author’s family history inspired the tale of these fictional characters had me invested from the very beginning, and I was not disappointed. This is a story full of heartache, historical realities, the challenges and power of women, friendship, love, and motherhood.”
‘The Social Graces’ by Renée Rosen
Set in 1876 New York City, this novel from bestselling author Renée Rosen is based on true events. In 1876, no woman is as powerful as Caroline Astor, the famous “Mrs. Astor.” She spends her days ruling over New York City and Newport’s high society, and she loves every minute of it. But when a young woman named Alva marries into the Vanderbilt family, Caroline’s world turns upside down. Suddenly, the two are battling for control of New York City’s society ladies—and only one of them will come out on top.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This was a delightful read. The Social Graces gives the reader a detailed look at the lives of the prominent families of the Gilded Age in New York high society. The author captured the essence of the era so eloquently and intelligently. She didn’t simply highlight the frivolity and materialism of that time, she let us in on their humanity creating multi-faceted characters. It was a fabulous read that captivated me from the first sentence.”
‘The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post’ by Allison Pataki
Inspired by the real Marjorie Post, this novel begins in 1891 and follows the heiress throughout her adult life as one of the Gilded Age’s most glamorous hostesses. She marries four times, raises three daughters and builds extravagant homes, including Mar-a-Lago and Washington’s Hillwood Estate, all while navigating a world that expected far less from women. It’s a sweeping story of love, loss and second chances that historical fiction fans will adore.
What Goodreads users are saying: “The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post brings a story of a fascinating woman, an American heiress who made her mark as a distinct philanthropist and pioneering leader of the twentieth century. A woman of modest background who rose to a dominant role, leaving behind a stunning legacy.”
‘Murder at the Breakers’ by Alyssa Maxwell
The first book in Alyssa Maxwell’s Gilded Newport Mysteries series begins after someone winds up dead at the Breakers mansion in Newport in August 1895. Emma Cross might only be the second cousin to millionaire patriarch Cornelius Vanderbilt, but that doesn’t mean she can’t attend one of his beloved summer parties. In fact, she’s not just there as a guest—she’s there to report on the event. But what should have been an evening of glitz and glamour quickly turns into something much darker after Cornelius’ financial secretary plunges off the balcony. Soon after, Emma’s brother Brady is found passed out in Cornelius’ bedroom next to a bottle of bourbon and a set of plans for a new railroad line. He’s instantly arrested for the murder, but Emma doesn’t believe it. Can she catch the killer, or will her brother spend the rest of his life in jail for a crime he didn’t commit?
What Goodreads users are saying: “Having just returned from Newport, I enjoyed everything about this book! It’s so interesting to have a cozy mystery set in one of the grand mansions I just visited. I look forward to the next book in this series.”
‘American Duchess’ by Karen Harper
One of the most historic marriages of the Gilded Age was that of Consuelo Vanderbilt, Alva’s daughter, and the Duke of Marlborough, and here bestselling author Karen Harper takes readers behind the scenes of their marriage. At just 18 years old, Consuelo is engaged to the Duke of Marlborough, despite the fact that she’s in love with another man. But, forced by her mother, Consuelo makes it down the aisle with tears in her eyes. After the wedding, Consuelo moves to England with her husband and is given one task: provide an heir and a spare. And she does. While she loves her kids, she hates her husband, and she dreams of the day she can escape. Even so, she tries to make the best of it and soon finds herself in the presence of figures like Winston Churchill. She decides to use her fame and wealth to fight for women’s suffrage, a fight her mother Alva is also engaged in across the world.
What Goodreads users are saying: “A tour of the Vanderbilt Marble House in Newport inspired me to read this fictionalized account of this American Duchess. I loved Consuelo’s story and reading this book was a perfect escape to the Gilded Age of arranged marriages, mansions and all the good and bad that these women faced.”
‘Carnegie’s Maid’ by Marie Benedict
From bestselling author Marie Benedict comes a story about the historic Carnegie family. In the 1860s, Irish immigrant Clara Kelley arrives at the Carnegie home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a secret: She’s not the experienced maid they thought she was. She’s actually a poor farmer’s daughter who came to America in the hopes of sending money back to her family. Even so, Clara begins to thrive as a maid and forms a friendship with Andrew Carnegie, which will change the way the Carnegie family operates for decades to come.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This is a well-written and worth reading historical fiction on the early years of Andrew Carnegie’s life. It hit home for me for many reasons. I studied countless hours in the beautiful Carnegie Library at Syracuse University while obtaining my BSEE. I pass by and admire the Carnegie Library on Montgomery Street in Syracuse every day. I’ve been in the Carnegie Library in Solvay once, but now I will go back and look at it closer.”
‘The Address’ by Fiona Davis
This dual-timeline novel by bestselling author Fiona Davis takes place in 1884 and 1985 New York City. In 1884, Sara Smythe is offered the chance to become the manager of the Dakota by its lead architect, Theodore Camden. Soon, she’s entangled in a secret affair with the handsome married man with secrets. A century later, Bailey Camden, fresh out of rehab and desperate for a fresh start, is hired by her cousin Melinda—Theodore’s great-granddaughter—to renovate her Dakota apartment. As the renovation progresses, long-buried secrets about Theodore’s mysterious stabbing, allegedly at the hands of Sara Smythe herself, begin to arise. A page-turning tale that brings the legendary Dakota to life.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Fiona Davis has written another fast paced and engaging story about the city of New York. This time the story was based around the famous apartment building The Dakota. I have been wanting to see the inside for years because I am interested in Gilded Age/Victorian Era architecture and this story takes you inside of its creation and beyond.”
‘The Gilded Years’ by Karin Tanabe
This novel is set in 1897 and follows Anita Hemmings, who has dreamed of going to Vassar College for years. And after lots of hard work, she finally gets in. But her admission has come with a price. Anita must hide the fact that even though she passes as white, she is the first-ever Black student accepted to the school. When she arrives at the prestigious school, she tries to keep her distance from the other students, but when her roommate Louise “Lottie” Taylor’s fame proves too much, Anita is pulled into a world of wealth and privilege. And when she falls in love with Lottie’s brother Frederick, her secret is at risk. Can Anita continue to keep her secret, or will it be discovered and ruin everything she’s worked so hard for?
What Goodreads users are saying: “The research on this book is outstanding. As a reader, I really appreciate when you can tell how hard the author’s worked on a book, and how much thought and effort has gone into something, and that’s evident here on every single page. The author’s attention to detail really adds to the overall story—references to Anita’s childhood, details about clothing, the gas lamps, descriptions of a campus I’ve never seen—all this stuff is so subtly placed but so important in general, and she just did a fantastic job with it.”
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