The results are in for the 2022 Historical Mystery Reader Survey. Thanks to all the readers who took the time to share their reading habits. The survey results bring to light some interesting information about historical mystery readers.
Historical mysteries appeal to readers who enjoy learning as well as testing their puzzle-solving prowess
For the second year in a row, the number one reason for reading historical mysteries was to learn about history and/or other cultures followed closely by a desire to take part in an iIntellectual puzzle and use the “little gray cells” instead of forensics to solve a whodunit. Mysteries are a contest between the detective and the readers with both racing along to see who can solve the puzzle first. Readers also reported that they enjoy historical mysteries because the genre lets them escape the current world and vicariously experience a simpler time.
Type of narrative point of view
Historical mystery readers tend to prefer a single narrative point of view. Although other kinds of narration had fans as well with dual narration and a team (or ensemble) narrative garnering twenty and sixteen percent, respectively.
Historical mystery readers are power readers
Forty four percent of historical mystery readers read between 5 and 10 books a month, while twenty four percent reported they read at least 1 to 4 books a month. Nearly twenty percent of the respondents said they read more than fifteen books each month. That’s a lot of books!
Female sleuths are readers favorite
Fifty six percent of historical mystery readers prefer a female sleuth while nearly a quarter enjoy reading about couples who solve mysteries. Sixteen percent of readers like a team or an ensemble cast of sleuths. Male sleuths have fans too with six percent of respondents preferring a male protagonist.
Historical mystery readers also read across other genres
The most frequently read genre besides Historical Mystery was Cozy Mystery, with ninety seven percent. Suspense came in second with forty nine percent, then Romance followed by Thriller. Historical readers reported they also read Biography as well as Fantasy, General Non-fiction, and Young Adult.
Favorite comments on why historical mystery readers love the genre
My favorite section was the “other” section under “Why do you read historical mysteries?” The responses included:
“Just enjoy reading about different time periods and way of life”
“Romantic partnering (eg female sleuth and handsome inspector)”
“Mix of history and sleuthing!”
You can learn more about Historical Mystery Day here.
I love historical mysteries! The clues used to solve a crime are sometimes outlandish but it’s what they have for that time period! I remember reading one store where the heroine used her ball gown to cover footprints until her partner could arrive to identify them.
Oh, I love that! :)
Yay! My negative reviews are borne out regarding too many POV, I prefer male Inspectors, they are true to the time period, sorry ladies, I like stories to be more realistic. I cut my teeth on Agatha Christie ‘s Miss Marple, as my favorite Cozy Mystery Series which led to a huge opening for Lady Georgina’ s creator Rhys Bowen, also Lady Emily and her handsome husband Colin. How blessed are we by these creative authors for building us incredible places to escape. I have authors that I would like to thank for helping me through many years of pain due to my SLE Lupus, and Connective Tissue Disease. Books are a godsend for me, and to authors who use their God given gifts to help us escape from reality into their worlds, I want to say Thank you. My reviews while being honest, do not negate my admiration and thankfulness to those authors who use their gifts to entertain us through some difficult periods of our lives, day in day out, I can choose a book depending on my mood, do I want to be an arm chair detective today, or do I want to meet a handsome courageous young man today, do I want to be in a court room, or in the court of Henry the VIII, do I want to be in the mountains or on a beach or lake? I can go anywhere your imagination can take me, and I feel blessed. CS Harris has made many days brighter, to lose myself in St. Sebastian ‘s and Hero’s world is excitement in itself, Rosamund Pilcher’s Scotland I had to visit because of her obvious love for the Country, her characters became real from the first pages, Phillipa Gregory has taken me back centuries, and increased my knowledge of history, one must Google and find more books pertaining to historic larger than life personalities, Kasey Michaels has given me hours of laughter, Jane Austen, what can one say, Charles Dickens! Sherlock Holmes, and his creator Sir Conan Doyle will always be relevant. Hercules Poirot, who does not love David Suchet’s portrayal of my beloved Detective, a man of honor, insulted by the destruction of the Rule of Law. Pick up a book, lose yourself, forget your problems for a few hours, immerse yourself, find Lady Helene Investigates, by Sara Rosetta, whom I thank for these intelligent surveys, consumers like to be listened to. Thank you,
carolintallahassee
What a list of fantastic book recommendations! Thank you for including me. One small note, I write about Olive Belgrave in the High Society Lady Detective series. Jane Steen writes the Lady Helena Investigates series. :)
I’m happy to provide a survey. It’s great fun for me too!
🤭After having a Cancer removed, and more stitches then I could count, I was a little looped! Sorry Sara, and I do apologize, I love both of your Mysteries, you know that I do, I am thrilled that both of you are following in the footsteps of Dam E Agatha! You know your famous when your Virtual keyboard knows your last name! I think Agatha would find it amusing. Have A Joyful Weekend.
Carolintallahassee
No worries! Hope you recover quickly!