Hello Sue,I'm sure some-one on here will come to your rescue re;historical novels.They are not my particular favourite, but one i can reccomend is" A Place Of Greater Safety" by Hilary Mantel.I dont know if you know her as an author but I have read (and can reccomend)most of her books.The big disadvantage( ??)with this one is that it is quite a size for holiday reading.Hope you find what you are looking for.Get back and let us know.