I love historical mysteries (with a touch...or more of romance).  Some of my favorite authors in this subgenre are Anne Perry, Ashley Gardner, Tasha Alexander, Tracy/Teresa Grant, C. S. Harris, Deanna Raybourne, and the late lamented Ariana Franklin.  Quite often, I find suggestions for some of these on "Historical Romance Books to Consider for Your Wishlist" in this forum, but I thought I'd start a topic specifically for the historical mystery cum romance book to share some of my favorites and discover some new authors.  So to start things off, here are a few historical mystery (romance) books on my wishlist.  Hope you'll join me!

I really enjoyed the first book in Andrea Penrose's(aka Cara Elliott)  Lady Adrianna series, "Sweet Revenge". Lightweight but fun, with recipes.

Amanda Quick, aka Jayne Ann Krentz, is my favorite.  Her Arcane Society books are fantastic.  I don't know how many there are because they are listed in both of her names.  There are at least 6 books.  Here are those that I know about:

Second Sight

White Lies

Sizzle and Burn

The Third Circle

Running Hot

The Perfect Poison

I'm sure I read others and will try to think of names and books.  I will be happy to hear of others.

Sue

I just LOVE the Ashley Gardner Capt. Lacey Series.  Got them all on my Nook and breezed through all 7 plus 3 short stories in 2 weeks.  Can hardly wait for #8 to come out.  I'm amazed at all the different genres this author writes in and how her "voice" changes for each series.  As Jennifer Ashley, her Highland Series, especially The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie, were so touching.  Her Vampire series runs hot or cold - some of her heros I just want to stake because they are so whiney.  Thanks for another great room to enjoy!

Terrie

Another Anne Perry I forgot to put on my initial list:

Not to step on any toes here, but I thought you wanted this board for Historical mystery/romance books...emphasis on historical.  Am I wrong?  Those Lori Armstrong books are contempory.  I mean, that's OK, but why muddy the issue by adding all genres?

Dang me....I meant to add that I am enjoying reading several of the mystery series you ladies have already mentioned.  I have several books by C. S. Harris, Andrea Penrose and Ashley Gardner on my TBR shelves and I'm always looking for more.

I love historical fiction, especially mystery and romance.  It's just about all I read (although I do occasionally read contemporary mysteries, so don't mind a bit if good recs sneak in here occasionally, lol). .  I've found some really good books and authors new to me on the 'Historical Romance to Consider for your WL' topic, so thanks for joining in here for historical mystery suggestions!   

Susan, I also like Amanda Quick, she writes good 'crossover' mystery/romance doesn't she?  And jerseygirltoo, I had no idea that Andrea Penrose was also Cara Elliott!!  When I looked her up on FantasticFiction.co.uk, I found out she is also Andrea Pickens!  And speaking of C. S. Harris, did you know that she also writes (wrote?) historical romance as Candice Proctor? 

I know some of these authors with their pen names can really throw you sometimes.  I have some of Cara Elliot's and Andrea Picken's books on my TBR shelves but nothing by Candice Proctor.  I haven't read anything by Amanda Quick for years.

The old Signet Regency romances are under the name Andrea Pickens, her longer historical romances are written as Cara Elliott.

Yes, I knew C.S. Harris was Candice Proctor, but I don't care for the Proctor books as much.

How far back does a book have to be set to be considered historical? I enjoy a lot of the cozy British mysteries that are set around the 1920's, 30's and 40's. For instance all of Patrica Wentworth's mysteries have some sort of romantic subplot.  

I've always heard it said that anything that is set in a time frame 25 years or more previous can be considered historical.  I would generally think that anything set in the 1950's and early can be considered historical.....sort of like me....since I was born in the 1940's!  LOL

There are lots of books being set in the 1920' or so and I think that's due to the popularity of TV programs like Downton Abbey.  BTW, can't wait for the next season of DA to start.  Sigh...not until January '13 here in the USA.   I understand from her previous conversations that Elise Rome (AKA Elise March) is planning a series set in the 1920's.  Should be good.  I've enjoy books I've read under her Elise March pen name.  

I've never read anything by Patricia Wentworth.  What are her books like?  They seem to be pretty expensive since she died in 1961.

I tend to read more 18th (especially Georgian) and 19th (Regency & Victorian) century historicals, probably just because they are more prevalent.  However, that reminds me of a mystery series by Jacqueline Winspear that I really like, set between the two World Wars about a former WW1 nurse turned psychologist/private detective, Maisie Dobbs.  The first book in the series is called (not surprisingly) Maisie Dobbs (Maisie Dobbs, Bk 1).  The most recent book in the series, which I just added to my wishlist, actually,  is Leaving Everything Most Loved: A Maisie Dobbs Novel :: Jacqueline Winspear.

And a few more historical mystery series authors I have enjoyed:  Victoria Thompson (19th century New York City "Gaslight" series featuring midwife Sarah Brandt), Sharan Newman's Catherine Levendeur series (12th century France), and Lindsey Davis's Didius Falco (ancient Roman wise-cracking PI).

Thanks for the rec on those Gaslight series books.  From what I've read at the author's website, I'm sure I'll enjoy her books.  They sort of remind me a little of the British TV series 'Bramwell' about a late 19th century female doctor.  Excellent program and ran for 3 seasons.  I highly recommend it.

I prefer historicals set in the 19th century and I'm beginning to like stories set in early 20th century too.

Rhys Bowen writes 2 different historical mystery series. One of them is the Molly Murphy series, they take place in turn-of-the-century New York. She is an Irish immigrant and private detective. Her love interest in the series is a NYPD police captain. The first one is called "Murphy's Law" and I recommend them.

Sorry I haven't yet figured out how to imbed the links.

http://rhysbowen.com/books/molly-murphy-mysteries/ 

Her other series is called "Her Royal Spyness" and I haven't read them, but I think they take place in the flapper era(1920's) and feature a member of the British nobility who is an amateur detective and down on her luck financially.

http://rhysbowen.com/books/royal-spyness-series/ 

Karen, the Patricia Wentworth books are a bit like Agatha Christie or the other British country house murder mysteries of that era. They usually feature an older lady detective called "Miss Silver".  There is always a secondary plot involving a young couple's love story. I've collected most of mine at used book stores and library discard sales, but there are lots of them available at PBS. The first Miss Silver book is "Grey Mask".  I recommend "The Alington Inheritance", "Wicked Uncle' "The Case is Closed"  and "The Ivory Dagger'. My absolute favorite, "Nothing Venture" is unfortunately NOT posted here right now.

As I was busy ordering several Gaslight books by Victoria Thompson from my PBS trading partners, I got to thinking about Shirley Tallman.  I loved reading her Sarah Woolson stories but it has been several years since her last book published.  I checked out her website and what do my wondering eyes appear?  A new Sarah Woolson book due to publish 10-16-12.  The title is Death on Telegraph Hill.  I don't know how to link things so I'll just give you the PBS page.  So far there are only 14 wishers!  

http://www.paperbackswap.com/Death-Telegraph-Hill-Shirley-Tallman/book/1250010438/

Sorry Karen. I misread - it happens.  Deleting the post.

I am going to put forth the Devil DeVere historical shorts by Victoria Vane. I just started the books, but the first one was an awesome hawt short. They have to be read in order as there is an overall story arc going on. They are only .99 and well worth the price as we watch the "The Devil" get his due...eventually.

Thank you for this info.  I usually read 18th and 19th century English books, also.  That makes the NY books more interesting to me.

Most of the new Harlequin Historical books have some mystery included so they are also an interesting source.  I will note some by title when I read another batch.  Right now I am reading anything I can find on someone else's WL to cut down my stack of books TBR.

Sue

I just looked up Murphy's Law.  It will be re-released in Jan of 2013.

Sue

This one just listed in paperback, currently only 3 wishers:

jayelsee:  Brant writes Georgian era romance books but she has also written a couple of Georgian era mysteries:  

Deadly Engagement: A Georgian Historical Mystery (Alec Halsey Crimance)                     and             

Deadly Affair: A Georgian Historical Mystery (Alec Halsey Crimance)

I have a couple of her e-book Georgian romances but have not read them yet (I need to order a new kindle) so I don't know what she is like as a writer. It looks like the first book (Deadly Engagement) did poorly in the reviews but the second one did better.  Don't know if they're pure mystery or have any romance in them. char

This book by Bronwyn Scott, ISBN 9780373297139, is somewhat of a mystery.  I was a very enjoyable book.

Sue

There are no reviews of the book yet, but it came up on my wishlist, so I'm going to try it, based on Susan D's recommendation. I'll let you know how I like it.

I like a lot mentioned and didn't see this one: sorry if it was mentioned:

The Fransceca Cahill books by Brenda Joyce.  They all start (so far) with Deadly in the title: Deadly Desires, Deadly Kisses etc..,