Thomas Cromwell by Tracy Borman (nonfiction 2014)

Ever since Mantel's fictional rehabilitation of Cromwell, I've been waiting for the nonfiction followup, and this is it.  Finally a truly nuanced study of the man, his life and actions, and his relationship with Henry, all deeply rooted in primary material.  Fascinating and necessary.

Debbie Doesn't Do It Anymore by Walter Mosley (fiction 2014)

Really good novel.  A few paragraphs gave me the heart racing chills. 

Wars of the Roses: Margaret of Anjou by Conn Iggulden (historical fiction 2015)

I've read a lot about these conflicts, and this is a good effort.  A few times, I was not quite convinced that Iggulden was getting a medieval state of mind, but this is a fast-paced, well-researched book.

The Jewish Lives of the Apostle Paul by John G. Gager (nonfiction 2015)

Interesting and important survey of Jewish thought about Paul.  Lots of insight into how and why Judeo Christians have characterized him the way we have.

Strong as Death is Love by Robert Alter (nonfiction 2015)

This translation of The Song of Songs, Ruth, Esther, Jonah and Daniel with commentary is part of Alter's great project to translate the Bible.  I loved it.

Isabella: The Warrior Queen by Kristin Downey (nonfiction 2014)

Isabella is always interesting because she made the world conform to her, not the other way around.  She was religious and yet fiercely warlike, and had an unprecedented ability to use both of these qualities.  This book goes deep into her military exploits using beautiful descriptions of her iconography.

Finished Business, A Marcus Corvinus Mystery by David Wishart (historical mystery 2014)

While I enjoy the various characters, the city, and the political intrigue, Wishart almost ruins the whole thing with too many dumb jokes.  The plot is rather byzantine (if you'll forgive me) in this mystery and Gaius (Caligula) even makes a personal appearance. A reader would have to be very very familiar with Julio Claudian bloodlines and contemporary politics to get some of the clues to the murder mystery, but it was an exciting read.