Crime fiction readers will enjoy these 5 smart murder mysteries inspired by famous historical figures.

1. An Instance of the Fingerpost by Ian Pears

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17^th century Oxford murder mystery featuring several famous historical characters, including John Locke, Robert Boyle; and inspired partly by the influential work of 17^th century philosopher Francis Bacon.

2. The Irrationalist by Andrew Pessin

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An historical murder mystery based on real events: the sad life and (likely) murder of the famous 17th-century philosopher René Descartes.

3. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

4. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

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Both are intellectual thrillers making extensive use of philosophical ideas/theories with many references to history.

5. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

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An historical murder mystery, 14^th century, inspired by famous figures, including Aristotle, Aquinas, and Roger Bacon.

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