The Best New Historical Fiction Books Out in October 2026

I have one word for October’s historical fiction releases: rich. Decadent, even (okay, so two words). There’s a Victorian-era version of Hamlet, a grotesque ball, artists—in love in the 18th-century, and in the underground scene in 1920s Berlin—and a series of punk murders in New York in the ’80s. There’s even new Susanna Clarke, of Piranesi and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell fame. This month’s historical fiction really has something for everyone. Get 15% off annual All Access memberships for a limited time in celebration of Book Riot’s 15th anniversary! Savings amount to more than 3 months of free unlimited access to our entire content archive, plus features like Collections and the New Release Index. Claim your savings and start leveling up your reading life. Past Tense Sign up for our weekly newsletter about historical fiction! The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City by Susanna Clarke (October 20)The author of perhaps the only speculative bestseller with that many footnotes has a short story set in the world of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. And it’s illustrated! The story following the Bishop of Durham, who sets off on a somewhat self-serving mission to unite...