The novel “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh” by Michael Chabon follows Art Bechstein during a summer after his college graduation as he navigates friendships, love, and his complicated relationship with his mobster father.
The story captures his experiences with a cast of intriguing characters, including a charismatic bookstore clerk and a rebellious girl named Phlox. Set against the backdrop of Pittsburgh, it paints a vivid picture of self-discovery and the complexities of growing up.
“Out of This Furnace” by Thomas Bell tells the story of three generations of a Slovak immigrant family living in the Pittsburgh steel mills. It follows their struggles with harsh working conditions, low wages, and the fight to unionize.
The story begins with the arrival of the family patriarch in America and portrays the challenges faced by his descendants as they try to build better lives. The book gives a vivid picture of the hardships immigrants endured in industrial Pittsburgh.
Amanda Minnie Douglas wrote “A Little Girl in Old Pittsburg,” a historical novel set in the late 18th century. The story follows Densie, a young girl who moves to the rugged town of Pittsburgh with her family as they work to build a new life on the frontier.
The book captures the challenges of daily life in a growing town, with scenes of riverboats, early industry, and close-knit communities. Through Densie’s experiences, it portrays the struggles and opportunities of the time while offering a glimpse into early American history.
The book “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky tells the story of Charlie, a quiet teenager navigating high school and grappling with the loss of loved ones.
Through letters he writes to a mysterious recipient, Charlie shares his experiences with friendship, first love, and personal struggles.
Set in Pittsburgh, the novel captures moments of connection, like riding through the Fort Pitt Tunnel or listening to mixtapes with his close friends Sam and Patrick.
“The Valley of Decision” by Marcia Davenport tells the story of the Scott family, who own a Pittsburgh steel mill, and their workers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The novel focuses on Mary Rafferty, a young Irish immigrant who becomes a servant in the Scott household, and explores the connections between the wealthy mill owners and the working-class community.
It highlights the transformations in industry and society during that era while capturing the human relationships at the heart of it all.
The novel “Wonder Boys” by Michael Chabon follows Grady Tripp, a once-successful author who struggles to finish his massive follow-up book while juggling chaos in his personal life.
Set in Pittsburgh, the story unfolds over a turbulent weekend involving eccentric colleagues, a troubled student, and a stolen Marilyn Monroe jacket. It’s a mix of wild misadventures and moments of self-discovery that bring plenty of surprises.
The book “The Case of Jennie Brice” by Mary Roberts Rinehart is a mystery set in Pittsburgh that unfolds after a woman named Jennie Brice vanishes. The story follows a boardinghouse owner who discovers clues suggesting foul play.
Things heat up when a bloody rope and a broken necklace are found, pointing to a possible murder. Set against the backdrop of a city dealing with a flood, the atmosphere adds tension to the search for the truth.
“East Liberty” by Joseph Bathanti is a story about a boy named Bobby Renzo, who grows up in a tight-knit Italian-American community in Pittsburgh during the 1950s.
The book captures his relationships with his family, the Catholic Church, and his neighborhood, showing the struggles and traditions of his upbringing. It paints a vivid picture of post-war Pittsburgh, focusing on the challenges of faith, identity, and family bonds.
“Macaroni Boy” by Katherine Ayres follows sixth-grader Mike Costa as he navigates life in 1933 Pittsburgh during the Great Depression. Mike helps his family in their strip district macaroni business while puzzling over a strange illness affecting his grandfather.
The story brings out the challenges of the time, including economic struggles and social tensions, through Mike’s eyes. It’s a heartfelt tale of family, mystery, and resilience in a vivid historical setting.
The book “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews follows Greg Gaines, a socially awkward high school senior who spends most of his time avoiding attention. His life takes a turn when his mother forces him to reconnect with Rachel, a girl diagnosed with leukemia.
Alongside his foul-mouthed friend Earl, Greg navigates their unusual friendship, leading to moments that are both awkward and surprisingly heartfelt.
The book “Afterimage” by Kathleen George is a murder mystery set in Pittsburgh. It follows Detective Colleen Greer and her team as they investigate the killing of a young artist.
The case uncovers connections to a missing child and a troubled family, creating layers of tension and unexpected twists. The story highlights the city’s character and adds depth through its well-drawn characters and the atmosphere of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods.
Megan McDonald’s “The Bridge to Nowhere” is set in 1970s Pittsburgh and follows the story of Hallie, a young girl navigating the challenges of growing up during a time of change.
Hallie faces questions about loyalty and belonging while uncovering family secrets tied to the mysterious title bridge. The book paints a vivid picture of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, steel mill culture, and the complexities of adolescence in that era.
“Death in the Steel City” by Thomas Lipinski is a gritty mystery set against the backdrop of Pittsburgh. It follows private investigator Carroll Dorsey as he takes on what seems like an ordinary case involving union politics and corporate corruption.
As Dorsey digs deeper for the truth, he finds himself caught in a dangerous web of deceit that spirals into murder. The city’s industrial roots and working-class neighborhoods add depth to the story, creating a vivid sense of place.
The novel “Hiding Place” by John Edgar Wideman centers on Tommy, a man hiding from the law after a robbery goes wrong. Set in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, the story explores the bonds of community and family against a backdrop of hardship and misfortune.
Tommy seeks refuge with a relative, Aunt Bess, whose reflections on her own life intersect with his struggles. Through their connection, the book paints a vivid picture of survival and loss in an urban setting.
“Sent for You Yesterday” by John Edgar Wideman tells the story of a Pittsburgh neighborhood called Homewood.
The novel follows Brother, a man grappling with his community’s struggles and history, and his connection to a mysterious musician named Albert Wilkes, who has returned after years of being presumed dead.
The book paints a vivid picture of life in Homewood, with its rich culture and ongoing challenges, while exploring deep bonds between its characters.
“Another Kind of Monday” by William E. Coles, Jr. is about a high school student named Mark who discovers an envelope containing $300 and a set of instructions in a library book.
The clues lead him on a scavenger hunt across Pittsburgh, unraveling a trail of mysteries and reflecting on his own life along the way. The journey takes him to landmarks around the city and puts him in unlikely situations that challenge his perspective.
“Dear Zoe” by Philip Beard tells the story of Tess, a teenager grieving the loss of her younger sister, Zoe, in the aftermath of a tragic accident on September 11, 2001.
Tess writes letters to Zoe as a way of processing her emotions, recounting her life and struggles with family dynamics, guilt, and growing up in Pittsburgh. The book captures her journey through pain and healing, offering a heartfelt look at loss and love in an urban setting.
Lloyd L. Brown wrote “Iron City,” a novel that explores racial tensions, injustice, and the struggles of working-class life in Pittsburgh.
The story focuses on a Black steelworker who faces a wrongful murder charge, while weaving in the harsh realities of labor, race, and power in the city’s industrial setting.
The book paints a vivid picture of the social and cultural landscape of Pittsburgh in the mid-20th century.
The book “Old Fort Duquesne, or, Captain Jack, the Scout” by Charles McKnight is a historical novel set during the French and Indian War. The story focuses on Captain Jack, a rugged frontiersman and scout, as he navigates the dangers of the Pennsylvania wilderness.
Fort Duquesne, a key location in the war, serves as the backdrop for tense encounters between British forces, Native American tribes, and French soldiers. The novel brings to life the challenges and conflicts of that time through its characters and vivid depiction of the region.
The novel “Steel City Confessions” by Thomas Lipinski follows Pittsburgh private investigator Carroll Dorsey as he takes on a case surrounding a mysterious young woman and a wealthy family entrenched in secrets.
Set against the gritty backdrop of a city shaped by its steel industry, it offers plenty of twists and dark undercurrents. Dorsey’s navigation of the complexities of the case ties deeply into the character of the city and its people.
The book “Three Golden Rivers” by Olive Price tells the story of three immigrant brothers who settle in Pittsburgh in the early 20th century. It follows their struggles and triumphs as they navigate life, work in the steel mills, and try to build a future for themselves.
The novel paints a vivid picture of the city’s industrial past and captures the spirit of determination and family loyalty.
James Tucker wrote “Abra Cadaver,” a mystery novel set in Pittsburgh. The story follows Dr. Jack Merlin, a forensic pathologist, as he investigates a bizarre murder connected to a famous magician.
The city’s streets and local landmarks add atmosphere, creating a vivid backdrop for a case that grows darker as Jack uncovers eerie clues tied to the world of illusions and magic tricks.
“Burning Valley” by Phillip Bonosky tells the story of a young boy growing up in a steel town near Pittsburgh. The novel explores his struggles with faith, family, and the harsh realities of working-class life.
Set against the backdrop of industrial mills, it paints a vivid picture of the hardships endured by steelworkers and their families.
The main character wrestles with his desire to break free from the oppressive environment while facing the expectations of his immigrant community.
“Compass in the Blood” by William E. Coles, Jr. is a mystery drawing inspiration from a real historical case. Set in Pittsburgh, it follows a college professor investigating a murder tied to local scandals and secrets.
The story intertwines art forgery, betrayal, and questions of justice, pulling the reader into a series of tense discoveries.
Randall Silvis wrote “Disquiet Heart,” a novel set in 19th-century Pittsburgh. It follows the adventures of Edgar Allan Poe’s fictional friend, Ethan Gage, as he finds himself caught in a web of mystery and murder.
The story takes place in the smoky, atmospheric streets of Pittsburgh, where Ethan is drawn into investigating a series of sinister events, including the suspicious death of a young girl.
“Fallen” by Kathleen George is a mystery set in Pittsburgh. The story follows a pregnant woman who is kidnapped, leading Detective Richard Christie and his team to unravel a case involving complex personal motives.
The city plays a vivid role, with its neighborhoods and atmosphere woven into the narrative.
The book “The Great Saint Patrick’s Day Flood” by Mildred S. Flaherty tells the story of the devastating flood that hit Pittsburgh on St. Patrick’s Day in 1936.
It follows the experiences of a young boy and his family as they face rising waters, loss, and the struggles of rebuilding their lives. Through their journey, you get a glimpse of the community’s resilience and the impact of the disaster on the city.
“The Latimers: A Tale of the Western Insurrection of 1794” by Henry Christopher McCook is a historical novel set during the Whiskey Rebellion, a post-Revolutionary War conflict in Western Pennsylvania.
The story follows a frontier family as they navigate the chaos of that time, with lively descriptions of rural life, tensions over whiskey taxes, and struggles with loyalty and survival.
It offers a mix of personal drama and historical events, capturing Pittsburgh’s role in this turbulent chapter of American history.
Henry Russell Miller’s “The Man Higher Up” tells the tale of Bob McAdoo, a man born into poverty in Pittsburgh. The story follows his journey as he climbs the political and business ladders, facing challenges that test his values and ambition.
Pittsburgh serves as a vivid backdrop, shaping the struggles and successes of McAdoo’s rise to power.
The book “The Olympian: A Story of the City” by James Oppenheim follows a young man named Kirby, who works as a steelworker in Pittsburgh.
The story captures his struggles with ambition, class divisions, and personal relationships as he tries to rise above the harsh realities of industrial life. It paints a vivid picture of the city’s steel industry and the challenges faced by its workers during that era.