Raiders of the Nile by Steven Saylor (historical fiction 2014)

With some historical figures and some fictional, the book is set in Alexandria in 88 BC.  While I read the entire thing in one night, the book has some dull, over-explained moments when it seems the author doesn't give his readers credit for paying attention.  On the other hand, it's pretty fun and full of adventure.

The Queen's Bed: An Intimate History of Elizabeth's Court by Anna Whitelock (nonfiction 2013)

Very interesting and detailed account.  I consider myself something of an armchair Elizabeth expert, and I was delighted by the details, explanations, and little tidbits included about her long reign.  Whitelock doesn't shy away from the weird and less than flattering either.

The Donation of Constantine by Simon LeVay (historical fiction 2013)

This author did a lot of research about the physical and social aspects of Rome in the year 751, and I loved that it was seamlessly worked into the story.  The Lombard siege of the walls was a pretty great battle scene as well.

Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar (historical fiction 1951)

Simply the best first-person historical fiction I've ever read.  Beautiful.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson (fiction 2011)

I'm late to the party but this was really good, brutally violent in some parts.  I thought I had it figured out but NOPE.  Off to get the sequels...

While the first book was tight and suspenseful, and every sentence mattered, the first half of The Girl Who Played with Fire is oddly pedantic about life in Sweden and includes way too many boring details about the characters' lives.  It gets better, thankfully.

The third book in the trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, is pretty good.  The character of Lisbeth Salander finally changes and grows after all of these crazy experiences.

The Venetian Bargain by Marina Fiorato (historical fiction 2012)

I liked this one almost as much as another I've read by the same author, The Glassblower of Murano.  It is full of adventure and romance, and really kind of sad but very exciting.