North Carolina Through Novels: 33 Stories Waiting for You

North Carolina’s landscapes, from misty mountains to coastal marshes, have sparked the imaginations of so many writers. If you love getting lost in a story that feels rooted in a real place, then this list is for you.

These books use the Tar Heel State as their backdrop, and each one offers a unique journey. You’ll find tales of wartime struggles, small-town life, mysteries, historical moments, and even a touch of magic.

Get ready to explore North Carolina through the pages of these unforgettable novels.

  1. 1
    Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

    This book pulls you into the Civil War era. Inman is a Confederate soldier, badly wounded, who decides he’s had enough of the war. He deserts and starts an incredibly hard journey home to Ada and Cold Mountain in western North Carolina.

    Meanwhile, Ada, who lived a privileged life before the war, must learn to survive on her father’s neglected farm. She gets help from Ruby, a tough, practical young woman who knows the land. You follow both Inman’s perilous trek and Ada’s transformation.

  2. 2
    Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

    This story introduces Kya, who people call the “Marsh Girl.” Her family abandons her one by one, so she raises herself in the wild, beautiful marshlands of coastal North Carolina. You really feel her deep connection to nature – she knows every bird and shell.

    But she’s isolated from the nearby town. The book moves between her lonely childhood and her life as a young woman when a popular local man is found dead. Because Kya is an outsider, suspicion immediately falls on her.

  3. 3
    Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe

    Thomas Wolfe based the town of Altamont in this novel on his own hometown, Asheville. It’s the story of Eugene Gant’s youth.

    You see him grow up with his big, complicated family, deal with loss, and feel a powerful yearning to escape the small town and find his own way in the world. The book really paints a picture of life in that mountain town during the early 20th century.

  4. 4
    The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

    Set near the lovely coastal town of New Bern, this story is about Noah and Allie. They come from very different backgrounds but fall deeply in love one summer. Life pulls them apart, but years later, their paths cross again.

    They have to face the feelings that never really went away. It’s a story about young passion, lasting love, and how time changes things.

  5. 5
    At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

    This book welcomes you to the fictional, cozy town of Mitford in North Carolina’s mountains. You meet Father Tim, the town’s Episcopal priest, who is a bachelor and set in his ways.

    His life gets shaken up in pleasant ways, like when he unexpectedly adopts a huge dog or meets his new neighbor, the lively writer Cynthia. Mitford feels like a real community where life moves at a gentler pace.

  6. 6
    The Cove by Ron Rash

    Ron Rash takes you deep into the Appalachian mountains during World War I. Laurel lives in a remote, shadowy cove that locals believe is cursed, partly because of a birthmark on her arm.

    Her isolated life changes when she finds Walter, a stranger hiding in the woods who cannot speak. They form a connection, but secrets, prejudice, and the ongoing war threaten the sanctuary they find with each other.

  7. 7
    A Light in the Window by Jan Karon

    We return to Mitford and Father Tim’s life. He continues his duties as the town’s priest, involved in the lives of its unique residents. At the same time, he faces his own personal and spiritual questions.

    His friendship with his neighbor Cynthia deepens, and he considers the possibility of love later in life. It’s full of the warmth and everyday happenings that make Mitford special.

  8. 8
    Serena by Ron Rash

    This novel transports you to the rugged North Carolina mountains in the 1930s, where George Pemberton and his new wife, Serena, arrive to build a timber empire. Serena is incredibly ambitious and utterly ruthless; she allows nothing to stand in her way.

    As they exploit the land and its people, the story shows the dark side of greed and power. Serena’s actions grow more shocking, and the harsh wilderness reflects the intense human drama.

  9. 9
    A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

    Set in the coastal town of Beaufort, North Carolina, during the 1950s. Landon Carter is a bit of a troublemaker in his senior year of high school. He finds himself unexpectedly spending time with Jamie Sullivan, the quiet, kind daughter of the town’s Baptist minister.

    Their relationship blossoms in surprising ways. Landon learns about Jamie’s deep faith and the secret burden she carries. It’s a story about how love can change you.

  10. 10
    Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons

    You hear this story directly from Ellen, an eleven-year-old girl with a sharp voice and a tough life in rural North Carolina. After her mother dies and she faces neglect from her abusive father, Ellen is determined to find a better home, a real family.

    She goes through terrible hardships but keeps her spirit. Her search for a place to belong is both heartbreaking and incredibly resilient.

  11. 11
    Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

    This book has a touch of magic. It’s about the Waverley sisters, Claire and Sydney, who live in Bascom, North Carolina. The Waverley women have a special connection to their garden, especially an old apple tree whose fruit seems to affect people in strange ways.

    Claire runs a catering business with her magical herbs, while Sydney returns home with her daughter to escape a troubled past. They rebuild their sisterly bond and uncover family secrets.

  12. 12
    Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

    Colie spends the summer in the small beach town of Colby, North Carolina. Her famous fitness guru mother sends her there to stay with her eccentric Aunt Mira. Colie feels insecure about her past weight issues.

    She gets a job at a local diner, the Last Chance, and meets two confident waitresses, Morgan and Isabel. Through their friendship and the summer experiences in Colby, Colie starts to see herself differently.

  13. 13
    Land of the Sky by Christian Reid

    Published in the 1870s, this novel was one of the first to showcase the beauty of the North Carolina mountains to a wider audience. It follows a group of tourists who travel through the “Land of the Sky” region around Asheville.

    They explore the scenery, have adventures, and find romance along the way. It gives you a feel for the area’s charm and culture in the 19th century.

  14. 14
    Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

    Bree Matthews attends an early college program on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. After witnessing a magical attack, she discovers a secret society of students descended from King Arthur’s knights. They wield magic and fight demons.

    As Bree gets pulled into their world, she uncovers secrets about her own mother’s death and finds she has hidden magical abilities connected to a different, older tradition.

  15. 15
    Bitter in the Mouth by Monique Truong

    Linda Hammerick grows up in a small North Carolina town. She experiences the world in a unique way because she has synesthesia – words have flavors for her. This shapes her memories and relationships.

    The story follows Linda as she uncovers long-hidden family secrets and tries to understand her own identity. The Southern town setting provides a rich background for her personal journey.

  16. 16
    The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell

    Forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta travels to rural North Carolina to investigate the disturbing murder of an 11-year-old girl. The clues lead her to the University of Tennessee’s Anthropological Research Facility, known as the “Body Farm.”

    There, scientists study human decomposition. Scarpetta hopes the research can help solve the case, but she uncovers some deeply unsettling truths along the way.

  17. 17
    Dovey Coe by Frances O'Roark Dowell

    Set in the North Carolina mountains in 1928, this story is told by twelve-year-old Dovey Coe. She’s a sharp, outspoken girl who fiercely protects her older brother, Amos, who is deaf.

    When Parnell Caraway, a slick man who had his eye on Dovey’s sister, is found dead, Dovey is accused of his murder. She has to stand trial and defend herself in this engaging mystery for younger readers.

  18. 18
    Fatal Voyage by Kathy Reichs

    Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan is called to the mountains of North Carolina after a horrific plane crash.

    While helping identify the victims among the wreckage scattered across the remote terrain, Tempe discovers a foot that doesn’t belong to any passenger on the flight manifest. This discovery suggests foul play was involved before the crash.

    She must unravel the secrets connected to the disaster, which puts her own life in danger.

  19. 19
    Hornet's Nest by Patricia Cornwell

    This crime novel unfolds in Charlotte, North Carolina. It introduces Police Chief Judy Hammer and reporter Andy Brazil. They navigate the city’s crime and politics while dealing with a series of shocking murders.

    The story examines the complex relationship between law enforcement and the media in a Southern city setting.

  20. 20
    The House Behind the Cedars by Charles W. Chesnutt

    Published in 1900, this novel explores the complexities of race and identity after the Civil War. John and Rena Walden are siblings from North Carolina who are light-skinned enough to pass for white.

    John establishes a new life as a white man in South Carolina and later invites Rena to join him. The story follows Rena’s difficult choices about love and belonging in a society with rigid racial lines.

  21. 21
    Jim the Boy by Tony Earley

    This book offers a gentle look at childhood in the small town of Aliceville, North Carolina, during the Great Depression. Jim Glass lives with his mother and his three uncles, who all guide him as he grows up.

    The story focuses on simple moments – his first trip to the sea, learning about his father, making friends. It captures the rhythms and connections of life in a close rural community.

  22. 22
    Kate Vaiden by Reynolds Price

    Kate Vaiden tells her own life story, looking back from age 57. Her narrative begins with her childhood in rural North Carolina. She experiences early loss and abandonment but moves through life with a strong will.

    The novel follows her relationships, family complexities, and the choices she makes over decades. Kate’s voice is honest and reflects on love, endurance, and the paths life can take.

  23. 23
    The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt

    Set in the fictional town of Wellington, based on Wilmington, North Carolina, around the turn of the 20th century. This powerful novel confronts the intense racial conflicts after Reconstruction.

    It intertwines the lives of Black and white families, including two women connected by a hidden family history. The plot builds towards a violent confrontation inspired by the real-life Wilmington Massacre of 1898.

  24. 24
    Serafina and the Splintered Heart by Robert Beatty

    This is part of the popular Serafina series for young readers, set at the grand Biltmore Estate near Asheville. Serafina, the unusual girl who lives secretly in the estate’s basement, faces a terrifying new challenge.

    After a dramatic event, she finds herself separated from her body and must navigate a shadowy spirit world. She needs to find a way back and protect her home and friends from a dangerous new enemy.

  25. 25
    Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

    Meet Mo LoBeau, a rising sixth grader who washed ashore in the small town of Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, during a hurricane years ago. She lives with the Colonel and Miss Lana, who run the town café. Mo is sharp and funny.

    When a detective comes to town investigating a murder, Mo and her best friend Dale decide to solve the mystery themselves. It’s a fun story full of quirky characters and small-town secrets.

  26. 26
    A Visitation of Spirits by Randall Kenan

    This novel takes place in the fictional community of Tims Creek, North Carolina. It centers on Horace Cross, a bright, Black, gay teenager who feels trapped by his conservative religious family and community.

    The story unfolds over one night, flashing between Horace’s painful struggles with his identity and desire, and the perspectives of his elders, including his preacher cousin. It explores faith, family expectations, and forbidden longings.

  27. 27
    The Bondwoman's Narrative by Hannah Crafts

    This manuscript, discovered decades later and attributed to Hannah Crafts, is believed to be the first novel written by an African American woman, possibly one who escaped slavery.

    The narrator, Hannah, tells of her life in bondage on a North Carolina plantation and her eventual, perilous flight to freedom. The story provides a firsthand perspective on the cruelties of slavery and the intense desire for liberty.

  28. 28
    Broken as Things Are by Martha Witt

    Morgan-Lee lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her troubled family. She shares an intense bond with her younger brother, Ginx, who is different and speaks his own poetic language that only she understands.

    As Morgan-Lee grows older, she feels torn between her fierce loyalty to Ginx and her need to find her own way in the world outside their isolated family life.

  29. 29
    Hell of a Book by Jason Mott

    This novel follows an unnamed Black author on a surreal publicity tour for his bestselling book. As he travels across the country, he keeps encountering a possibly imaginary young Black boy called “The Kid,” who is often running from something unseen.

    The author also grapples with traumatic memories from his own childhood in North Carolina. The book cleverly mixes the absurdity of the tour with serious thoughts on race, identity, and visibility in America.

  30. 30
    Kiss the Girls by James Patterson

    Detective Alex Cross travels from Washington D.C. to North Carolina when his niece, a promising law student at Duke University, goes missing. He discovers she’s one of several accomplished young women abducted by a man who calls himself Casanova.

    Cross must also deal with another killer, “The Gentleman Caller,” operating on the West Coast. It’s a race against time as Cross hunts these dangerous individuals.

  31. 31
    One Second After by William R. Forstchen

    Imagine life the moment after an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack wipes out all modern technology across the United States. This story is set in the small college town of Black Mountain, North Carolina.

    John Matherson, a history professor and retired Army colonel, must find ways to protect his family and help his community survive the immediate chaos. Hunger, disease, and the breakdown of society become terrifyingly real as the town is cut off from the world.

  32. 32
    Shine by Lauren Myracle

    In the small, isolated town of Black Creek, North Carolina, a terrible hate crime occurs. Patrick, a quiet gay teen, is brutally beaten and left for dead. His former best friend, Cat, feels compelled to find out who did it, even though the town wants to keep its secrets buried.

    She navigates the community’s prejudices and uncovers uncomfortable truths about the place she calls home.

  33. 33
    A Short History of a Small Place by T. R. Pearson

    This humorous novel gives you a slice of life in the fictional small town of Neely, North Carolina, narrated by young Louis Benfield. He observes the eccentric people and everyday dramas around him.

    A central event involves Miss Myra Angelique Pettigrew, a wealthy local woman whose unusual public behavior becomes the talk of the town. The book captures the funny details and peculiar charm of Southern small-town existence.