Let's Talk with Lois Winston
April 30, 2026
Shelley Noble: from Mystery to History
Although I write contemporary humorous mysteries, I enjoy reading across multiple genres. For the past several years, I’ve submerged myself in historical novels, especially those that incorporate figures and events from history. And when those historical events have a through-line to current events, that’s a unicorn of a read.
Such is the case with the historical fiction of Shelley Noble. I’ve known Shelley for nearly thirty years, and although I’ve enjoyed all her books, her most recent release blew me away, given the times we live in. Because if we fail to learn from history, we’re doomed to repeat our mistakes. That’s a message we all need to consider right now.
From Contemporary Cozy Mysteries to Historical Mysteries
As Shelley Freydont, Shelley spent her early career writing several cozy mystery series, including The Lindy Haggerty Dance Company Mysteries, The Katie McDonald Sudoku Mysteries, and The Liv Montgomery Celebration Bay Mysteries, before transitioning to historical mysteries with her Newport Gilded Age Mystery series.
Her love of research and the Gilded Age then led to The Lady Dunbridge Mysteries, which she wrote as Shelley Noble. At the same time and under the same name, she also began writing beach-themed contemporary women’s fiction.
F
rom Historical Mysteries to Historical Women’s Fiction
Shelley’s latest three books combine history, feminism, and friendship, intertwining the stories of fictional protagonists with real-life historical figures. Gender equality is a theme that runs through each of these books. They feature women fighting for a voice, the right to work, the right to vote, the right to control their own bodies and their own destinies.
In The Tiffany Girls, she introduces us to the largely unrecognized and unsung group of women artists responsible for the design and construction of many of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s stained glass creations.
The Colony Club includes a Gilded Age society matron and a well-known actress of the time, along with a fictional woman determined to work in a male-dominated field. Together, the three women overcome societal constraints, class biases, and scandal to create the Colony Club, the first social club exclusively for women.
The Sisters of Book Row is Shelley’s most recent book. It’s the story of three sisters, their fight against censorship and book banning and their struggle to preserve some of the great literary works of antiquity.
In 1915 Fourth Avenue in New York was the home to forty rare and used bookshops. It was also a primary target of anti-vice activist Anthony Comstock, whose Comstock Laws threatened imprisonment for anyone caught owning, selling, or circulating books that didn’t fit into his narrow definition of what Americans should be allowed to read. Sound familiar?
Do you enjoy books that weave together history and fiction? What are some of your favorites?
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Posted in with Lois Winston • Tags: historical fiction, historical womens fiction, Let's Talk, Lois Winston, Shelley Noble from Mystery to History | 22 Comments
Hi Lois, I absolutely adore Historical fiction. It’s been my second favorite genre since high school, when I first read GONE WITH THE WIND. The backdrop of the Civil War and learning about the characters’ everyday lives are so satisfying.
I enjoy fictional British Naval book series, such as the Horatio Hornblower saga and the Kydd Sea Adventures. I’ll also read historical mysteries, in particular Alyssa Maxwell and Rhys Bowen. And even in contemporary fiction, I like when history is intertwined with what’s going on in the present.
Nancy, I love when I find out something new about someone I’ve known for years. I had no idea you enjoyed naval fiction.
Cheryl, Gone with the Wind was also one of the first historical novels I read. The summer I was 11, we moved from the city to the burbs. I spent my days camped out in the basement, the coolest area of the house, curled up with GWTW. From there, I discovered James Mitchner and Leon Uris. My love for the genre has never abated.
I just put The Sisters of Book Row on my TBR list and will look for it today. I am so glad to learn about these books and this author, thank you.
You’re very welcome, Barbara. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I enjoy them, but don’t have a favorite .. some of the Jaqueline Winspear books, Leon Uris’ Exodus, Catriona McPherson’s books, and others that I read but don’t think about their blending of history and fiction…but I enjoy!
Debra, one of the reasons I enjoy Shelley’s historical books so much is how she draws a comparison between what happened in the past and what is happening in the present.
Thanks so much for your thought provoking insights. I too like historical fiction. One that i’m currently reading is THE LOST BOOK OF ELIZABETH BARTON. It is based upon the life of her during the time of Henry viii. She was a visionary who was ultimately killed for her visions. It is a duel timeline which i like.
Noel, I haven’t heard of that one, but you’ve piqued my curiosity. Thanks for the recommendation.
As write of historical mysteries myself, I am so glad you mentioned Shelley Noble. Her books are on my TBR and you’ve just given me reason to move them up the queue!
I’m so glad, Tessa. I hope you love them as much as I do.
I’ve recently enjoyed some historical novels lately. By Any Other Name and The Personal Librarian come to mind. Sounds like I’d enjoy Shelley’s, too. Thanks for introducing her to us.
I hope you’ll check it out, Gay.
In the last couple of years I have started reading historical fiction and mysteries. I will put Shelley Noble on my TBR list, they sound great!
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, Helen.
I love reading historical fictIion and one of my favorites is “Gone With The Wind”. I found my Mom’s copy when I was in high-school and it still one of my favorites. I also like reading all genres.
Dianne, I think we’re richer when we expand our horizons beyond our favorite genre. I also believe it makes us better writers in our own genres.
Holy smokes, I had no idea Shelley Freydont was also Shelley Noble! I’ve read all of 3 of her cozy series, and read the Tiffany Girls, which I thoroughly enjoyed. But never put the two together as the same writer. Thanks for making the connection for me. And good to know she is still writing, I wondered what had happened to Shelley Freydont. I’ll have to read the other two of her historical novels.
I’m sure she’ll appreciate it, Sharon.
I enjoy a wide range of reading topics in fiction. Truthfully, the era of the book is not nearly as important to me as the author’s voice. With that said, I dearly loved The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin, an author I met in a Jacksonville writer’s group.
Maggie, voice is number one for me, too. A compelling voice is what draws me into the world the author has created, no matter the genre.