#Historical Mysteries

[mercerislandbooks]

Book Notes: Singapore Sapphire

Anyone who has asked me for help in the mystery section of Island Books knows that, with very few exceptions (Louise Penny and Ann Cleeves), I do not read contemporary mysteries. I prefer any bloody murder to be at a historical remove. But I also realized, after combing through my reading journal, I’ve primarily read mysteries set in Regency London. Or World War I London. Or post-WWII London. The common denominator apparently being historical London. So when I visited the meticulously curated Lopez Bookshop last fall, I took a chance on expanding my comfort zone with the delightfully titled Singapore Sapphire, by A.M. Stuart, a historical mystery set in turn of the century colonial Singapore.

This series focuses on the widowed Harriet Gordon, who has joined her brother in Singapore following a traumatizing imprisonment in England due to involvement in the suffragette movement. In changing scene to Singapore, Harriet is hoping to put her past behind her and move amongst people who don’t know her history. To earn a bit of money, she offers her services as a confidential personal secretary. Unfortunately she discovers her first client, Sir Oswald Newbold, dead in his home only a day after their first appointment. When the police arrive, Inspector Robert Curran realizes that Harriet is an asset to the case with her keen eye for detail and a practicality honed by years living at the far reaches of the British Empire. He finds himself drawing more and more on her observations, and after another death is connected to Sir Oswald, Curran can’t help but lean on Harriet to help him untangle a dangerous web of deception.

Branching out to colonial Singapore from London felt like I was pushing myself a little, even though the main characters were still Brits. Stuart does a wonderful job of evoking her setting and describing the variety of people from around the world trying to make their way, however unsavory, in Singapore. Mystery series that hold my interest tend to contain central characters with an engaging partnership. With Harriet and Curran, their friendship and trust in each other slowly evolves while they put together the pieces of the murder. Stuart also lays the groundwork for longer character arcs, leaving me eager to start the next in the series.

I raced through the subsequent books, Revenge in Rubies and Evil in Emeralds, The final book in the series has a title, Terror in Topaz, but sadly no publication date yet. For those of you who are fond of historical mysteries like I am, give the Harriet Gordon series a try!

— Lori

[apieters]

I voted Amelia Earhart because, come on.

But also THE ARK OF THE COVENANT? Why haven’t we asked about that yet.

Also, what’s the deal with Kaspar Hauser?

Previous polls (one, two, three, four)

[allthathistory]

Lost Site of the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah Found Using Spy Satellites

Islam was a religion which owed its rapid success to conquest. From 622 AD and led by Muhammed himself, Muslim armies swept across the Middle East and unified Arabia into a single entity.

The greatest adversary they faced in their sweep eastward was mighty Persia. This ancient and venerable culture of fire worshippers had dominated the region for more than a millennium, ruled for the last four centuries by the house of Sasan. 

This Sasanian Empire was the second longest lived in Persia’s long history, but they too would fall to the Islamic armies, their culture subsumed and their religion, known as Zoroastrianism, crushed. One of the most decisive battles over the Sasanians occurred in 636 AD and is known as the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah.

Urim and Thummim: How God Told the Hebrews What to Do

Sulla: The Man Who Showed Caesar the Way

Muhammed did not live to see the battle. Instead it was the Rashidun Caliphate, the first Islamic caliphate founded in his name, which carried out his vision and conquered the Persians on that day. We know of the battle from the various Arabic accounts of this crucial early Islamic victory.

But we have never been able to find the battlefield, until now. Using declassified spy satellite images, a team from the University of Durham have pinpointed the long-lost site of the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, as published in Antiquity.

The team, led by Durham University archaeologist Dr William Deadman, had not initially set out to search for the battlefield. They were using 1970s US satellite imagery to identify key points along the Darb Zubaydah pilgrimage route, one of seven such routes in Arabia and dating back 1,000 years to the Abbasid Caliphate, the third Islamic caliphate.

Reviewing the satellite imagery the team realized that ancient sites and features were clearly visible from above. They were able to identify the remains of a distinctive 9.5km long double wall. At one end was a large military outpost with three layers of defenses on the edge of the desert, and at the other a Mesopotamian town.

Full Story: https://allthathistory.com/archaeology-discoveries/battle-of-al-qadisiyyah/1908/

[discoverandrise]

Ancient India's Golden Era From Thriving Civilizations to Invasions – What Went Wrong?

From thriving trade routes to powerful kingdoms, Ancient India's Golden Era was a marvel of civilization. Watch this video until the end to uncover the challenges they faced.

Let’s explore their successes and discover how we can forge a brighter future! ✨

What are your thoughts?

[danieldukeauthor]

'Jesse James and the Lost Templar Treasure' by Daniel J. Duke

Unveil the Hidden Truths Before They’re Lost Forever! Discover the Secrets of Jesse James and the Templar Treasure! ANYWHERE Books are Sold! Have you ever wondered about the true story behind the legendary treasures hidden across the Americas? What if the key to unlocking these secrets lies within the enigmatic life of Jesse James, the infamous outlaw, and his mysterious connections to ancient…

[jolenes-book-journey]

Murder at Mistlethwaite by AJ Skelly

There is a murderer among them. And no one with secrets is safe. Title: Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor Author: AJ Skelly Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense, Mystery Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None meets The Gilded Age in this delicious, suspenseful murder mystery. When Lady Emma Grace Hastings receives a much-coveted invitation to the most auspicious Christmas party of the season—one…

[basementofthebizarre]

The Devil in Devonshire: Unraveling the Mystery of the Devil's Footprints

The quaint and picturesque county of Devonshire, England, is known for its rolling hills, rugged coastline, and charming villages. Yet, amid this serene landscape lies a chilling and enigmatic tale that has puzzled locals and researchers alike for over a century and a half. Known as the mystery of the Devil’s Footprints, this bizarre phenomenon has become one of the most intriguing unsolved…

[marshmyers]

Things are disappearing mysteriously from Will Shakespeare's acting company, and it looks like an inside job. Everyone's eyes are on Widge, the orphan boy turned actor, and former thief. Widge knows better than anyone that Shakespeare's plays must be protected at all costs. To prove his innocence and clear his name, Widge must learn a new role: spy. But can he dig through the suspects and skulduggery and catch the true culprit?

PURCHASE

[strangerskies-wfiles]

[i-am-theseeker]

Meet the Most Mysterious Man in History

Grigori Rasputin’s rise to power in Russia was a combination of charisma, mysticism, and manipulation. He was born into a humble peasant family in Siberia in 1869 and lived a rather ordinary life until he embarked on a pilgrimage to a monastery in 1897. It was during this journey that Rasputin underwent a transformation and […]Meet the Most Mysterious Man in History

[world-prayers]

The Truth About History: is it Fact Or Fiction?

Unveiling the Biases: The Truth About History May Be More Fiction Than Fact. Prepare to question everything you thought you knew. Have you ever wondered if the history you learned in school portrays the past accurately? What if the very act of recording history is inherently subjective, susceptible to manipulation and bias? This unsettling possibility has become a burning question in the minds…

[8limitlessmarket26511]

Historical Mysteries

Welcome to Time Spectators, the ultimate gateway to the enigmatic and the untold. Our channel is a treasure trove of content that delves into Ancient Mysteries, Unravels Historical Secrets, and Explores the Mysterious Places of the world.Are you fascinated by the enigmas of Lost Civilizations or intrigued by the Unsolved Mysteries that history has left behind? Do Archaeological Discoveries pique your interest? Do you find yourself drawn to Mythical Legends and Conspiracies that have withstood the test of time? Then you’re in the right place!

Join us as we uncover the Hidden History and Secret Societies that have shaped our world. From the Mystery of the Pyramids to the Ancient Artifacts that baffle modern science, from the Dark History hidden in plain sight to the Secret Chambers of history’s most iconic structures—we cover it all.

Subscribe to Time Spectators and become a part of our community of history enthusiasts, mystery solvers, and seekers of the world’s greatest Secrets and Mysteries. Every video promises a thrilling journey into the unknown, with expert storytelling, stunning visuals, and meticulously researched content.

Don’t miss out on our Historical Documentaries that bring the past to life, and stay tuned for regular uploads that will feed your curiosity and expand your understanding of the world’s most Mysterious Cultures and Legendary Treasures.

Hit the notification bell to get alerted on the latest videos, and remember—history is not just about the past; it’s a map to the hidden wonders of our world. Dive in with us and unlock the secrets waiting to be discovered. Welcome to Time Spectators—where history’s mysteries are brought to light!

Historical Mysteries

[7moneycrashers]

Historical Mysteries

Welcome to Time Spectators, the ultimate gateway to the enigmatic and the untold. Our channel is a treasure trove of content that delves into Ancient Mysteries, Unravels Historical Secrets, and Explores the Mysterious Places of the world.Are you fascinated by the enigmas of Lost Civilizations or intrigued by the Unsolved Mysteries that history has left behind? Do Archaeological Discoveries pique your interest? Do you find yourself drawn to Mythical Legends and Conspiracies that have withstood the test of time? Then you’re in the right place!

Join us as we uncover the Hidden History and Secret Societies that have shaped our world. From the Mystery of the Pyramids to the Ancient Artifacts that baffle modern science, from the Dark History hidden in plain sight to the Secret Chambers of history’s most iconic structures—we cover it all.

Subscribe to Time Spectators and become a part of our community of history enthusiasts, mystery solvers, and seekers of the world’s greatest Secrets and Mysteries. Every video promises a thrilling journey into the unknown, with expert storytelling, stunning visuals, and meticulously researched content.

Don’t miss out on our Historical Documentaries that bring the past to life, and stay tuned for regular uploads that will feed your curiosity and expand your understanding of the world’s most Mysterious Cultures and Legendary Treasures.

Hit the notification bell to get alerted on the latest videos, and remember—history is not just about the past; it’s a map to the hidden wonders of our world. Dive in with us and unlock the secrets waiting to be discovered. Welcome to Time Spectators—where history’s mysteries are brought to light!

Historical Mysteries

[danieldukeauthor]

Jesse James and the Lost Templar Treasure

Discover the intriguing tale of "Jesse James and the Lost Templar Treasure" as Daniel J. Duke, the great-great-grandson of the notorious outlaw, leads readers on a captivating journey through secret diaries, coded maps, and mysterious connections...

Unveiling History’s Enigma: ‘Jesse James and the Lost Templar Treasure‘ Secret Diaries, Coded Maps, and the Knights of the Golden Circle by Daniel J. Duke Discover the intriguing tale of “Jesse James and the Lost Templar Treasure” as Daniel J. Duke, the great-great-grandson of the notorious outlaw, leads readers on a captivating journey through secret diaries, coded maps, and the mysterious…