A dangerous mourning

Both of these atmospheric, well-researched historical mystery series are set in Victorian England, and both feature a male detective and his female companion. However, while Charles Lenox is a gentleman sleuth, William Monk is a PI. -- Shauna Griffin

While the Gaslight mysteries are based in New York, and the William Monk series is set in London, both richly detailed Victorian-era series present suspenseful mysteries steeped in the injustices of their vividly recreated societies and cultures. -- Melissa Gray

Professional detectives in Edinburgh (Faro) and London (Monk) solve murders within the fascinatingly contradictory culture of Victorian England in these atmospheric mysteries. The differently paced series both feature a strong sense of place and engaging protagonists. -- Mike Nilsson

Police detectives hunt murderers in Leeds (Harper novels) and London, England (Monk mysteries) in these Victorian-era police procedurals. Though the Monk mysteries are moodier and bleaker, both possess a strong sense of place born of rich detail. -- Mike Nilsson

These series have the appeal factors strong sense of place, and they have the genres "victorian mysteries" and "historical mysteries"; and the subject "london, england history."

These series have the genres "victorian mysteries" and "historical mysteries"; and the subject "london, england history."

These series have the appeal factors strong sense of place and atmospheric, and they have the genres "victorian mysteries" and "historical mysteries"; and the subjects "london, england history," "murder investigation," and "british history."

These series have the genres "victorian mysteries" and "historical mysteries"; and the subjects "london, england history," "detectives," and "police."

These series have the appeal factors leisurely paced, and they have the theme "urban police"; the genres "victorian mysteries" and "historical mysteries"; the subjects "london, england history," "detectives," and "police"; and characters that are "introspective characters" and "complex characters."

Tasha Alexander and Anne Perry write mystery series set in Victorian England that feature strong women pushing the limits of their society. Both create a strong sense of place through detailed descriptions of the dress, food, and cities of the time. Their detail-filled plots develop at a slow pace. -- Merle Jacob

Charles Dickens's fiction and Anne Perry's evocative mysteries are both set in a detailed and atmospheric Victorian London and explore the social issues of the age. Perry's stories are darker and represent crimes more vividly than in Dickens, but both have much to offer readers. -- Katherine Johnson

Though Val McDermid's mysteries are contemporary and Anne Perry's are historical, each pens bleak, atmospheric tales, written in elegant language, with strong characters and intricate, issue-oriented plots. -- NoveList Contributor

Charles B. Finch and Anne Perry are known for their character-driven Victorian mysteries set in a living, breathing London. Their telling descriptions, intricate detail, and leisurely pace allow them to develop both their complex protagonists and believable settings. Murder, intrigue, and social commentary figure prominently in both writers' work. -- Mike Nilsson

Anne Perry readers looking for historical details, meticulous examinations of life in a particular historical period, and strong female characters will enjoy Sharan Newman's tales, which revolve around family issues as well as broader concerns involving church and politics. Rich details provide a sense of the period, while her sympathetic characters draw fans. -- NoveList Contributor

Lynn Shepherd and Anne Perry write historical mysteries set in 19th century England. The books are slower-paced and filled with very accurate historical details that clearly paint a picture of life in that period. The engaging sleuths are realistically drawn while the plots are intricate and layered with subplots. -- Merle Jacob

Anne Perry fans who want a taste of Victorian social mores and politics should try novelist Anthony Trollope. While Trollope's leisurely paced novels, unlike Perry's mysteries, eschew crime in favor of political and social intrigues, both authors share an interest in the social issues of the Victorian Era. -- NoveList Contributor

Alex Grecian and Anne Perry set their historical mysteries in Victorian England, where they vividly and realistically recreate the society and culture of the time. While Grecian's books are more graphically violent, both show the dark underbelly of society. All of the characters have psychological depth and believability to them. -- Merle Jacob

Although their stories are set in different times and on islands a continent away, both Anne Perry and Laura Joh Rowland's suspenseful mysteries feature serious tones and abundant historical and social details. -- NoveList Contributor

Both Imogen Robertson and Anne Perry write detailed historical mysteries set in 18th and 19th century England. Their books are filled with period details that recreate upper-class society and its dark underbelly. Leisurely paced, these books have well-developed characters and complex plots revolving around problems in society. -- Merle Jacob

Steven Saylor and Anne Perry write richly detailed and atmospheric historical mysteries. Both create a well-detailed sense of time and place and use the era's class differences and social injustices as important ingredients. Saylor's and Perry's characters can be somewhat cynical but, nevertheless, fight corruption and political injustices. -- NoveList Contributor

These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place and leisurely paced, and they have the genres "historical mysteries" and "victorian mysteries"; and the subject "police."