[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

I would like to throw some support to Steven Lawhead. Some of his stuff is really bad, but the Pendragon Cycle is a really interesting and different take on the Arthurian Legends and his Byzantium is the best historical fiction I have ever read, hands down.

[stands2reason]

Byzantium is the best historical fiction I have ever read, hands down.

An absolute joy of a read. You make me think of another book featuring a monk that I have read --- A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller. It's SciFi --a post-apocalyptic (the nuclear kind) novel involving the Catholic Church. I recommend it highly for everyone, especially Catholics.

[Wordsmith]

Agree about Lawhead's Pendragon books. Amazing.

I can't believe after over 150 posts, no one's mentioned Patrick O'Brian! Truly the master of historical fiction. I'm on the 12th book in the series, and they really do read as one long saga. However, you can start pretty much anywhere in the series and get a taste for it.

Aubrey/Maturin are as good as Holmes/Watson or Frodo/Sam or Quixote/Pancho amongst great fictional partners. And the movie version of Master and Commander is even good!

If you're looking for a new mystery author, try Michael McGarrity. His novels set in Santa Fe and New Mexico are quite good. I also recommend Nevada Barr and Tony Hillerman.