Most Popular Historical Fiction Books of the 1940s

Discover popular Historical Fiction books from the 1940s, with reader ratings and new favorites to explore.

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Books in this list

The Egyptian

Mika Waltari

Translation · Historical Fiction · Mainstream

1949

The Power and the Glory

Graham Greene

Movie · Play · TV Series · Historical Fiction

1940

Rest and Be Thankful

Helen MacInnes

Historical Fiction · Mystery · Romance · Thriller · Western

January 1, 1949

The Heart of the Matter

Graham Greene

Historical Fiction

January 1, 1948

British Library Tales of the Weird #80

The Unwelcome

Claude Seignolle

Horror · Ghosts · Gothic Horror · Psychological Horror · Witches

1948

British Library Tales of the Weird #76

The Black Mirror

Johnny Mains, Winifred Duke

Horror · Crime Fiction · Gothic Horror · Historical Fiction · Thriller

1948

Friends and Lovers

Helen MacInnes

Spy Thriller · Historical Fiction · Mystery · Romance · Thriller

January 1, 1947

The Pearl

John Steinbeck

Novella · Historical Fiction

January 1, 1947

Horizon

Helen MacInnes

Spy Thriller · War & Military · Historical Fiction · Mystery · Thriller

January 1, 1945

While Still We Live

Helen MacInnes

Spy Thriller · War & Military · Adventure · Historical Fiction · Mystery

January 1, 1944

The Least of These

Celia Dale

Historical Fiction

January 1, 1944

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes

Ellery Queen

Crime Fiction · Sherlock Holmes · Historical Fiction · Mystery · Thriller

March 1944

Cannery Row #1

Cannery Row

John Steinbeck

Historical Fiction

January 1, 1943

Assignment in Brittany

Helen MacInnes

Spy Thriller · War & Military · Adventure · Historical Fiction · Mystery

January 8, 1942

Above Suspicion

Helen MacInnes

Spy Thriller · War & Military · Adventure · Historical Fiction · Mystery

January 1, 1941

Journey Into Fear

Eric Ambler

Crime Fiction · Spy Thriller · Suspense Thriller · Historical Fiction · Mystery

1940