“The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett is a classic noir novel set in 1920s San Francisco. It follows Sam Spade, a private investigator who gets caught up in a dangerous search for a priceless statue.
After his partner is killed, Spade navigates a world of deceit, betrayal, and mysterious characters. The gloomy streets of San Francisco create the perfect backdrop for this fast-paced story filled with twists and double-crosses.
This novel was adapted into a classic 1941 film noir of the same name, directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade.
Armistead Maupin wrote “Tales of the City,” a novel that follows the lives of diverse characters living in 1970s San Francisco. It begins with Mary Ann Singleton, a young woman from Cleveland, who decides to stay in the city after a vacation.
She moves into a quirky apartment complex run by the eccentric landlady Anna Madrigal. The story weaves together the relationships, secrets, and dramas of the residents, capturing the spirit of the city during that time.
“1906” by James Dalessandro is a historical novel set against the chaos of the San Francisco earthquake and fire. It follows Annalisa Passarelli, a young journalist, as she uncovers corruption in city government and struggles to report the truth amidst the destruction.
The story captures the disaster’s aftermath, from political greed to the immense resilience of the city’s people.
“The 5th Horseman” by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro is part of the Women’s Murder Club series. It follows Lindsay Boxer, a detective in San Francisco, as she works with her friends to uncover the truth behind a series of mysterious deaths happening in a hospital.
Patients who seemed to be recovering suddenly die, and the cause is far from clear. Meanwhile, a disturbing string of murders threatens the city, creating a tense and dangerous backdrop.
“11th Hour” by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro focuses on Lindsay Boxer, a detective investigating a series of murders tied to a wealthy serial killer.
At the same time, a case involving severed heads found in a garden pushes her and her colleagues in the Women’s Murder Club to uncover hidden connections. The story weaves together these mysteries while revealing secrets in unexpected ways.
“14th Deadly Sin” by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro follows the Women’s Murder Club as they face a chilling series of murders while grappling with corruption within their own police department. Lindsay
Boxer discovers masked assailants committing violent crimes in San Francisco, all while dealing with secrets that threaten her team. The story balances the personal lives of the characters with their relentless pursuit of justice.
The “The Dain Curse” by Dashiell Hammett follows private detective, The Continental Op, as he investigates a string of deaths tied to a mysterious family curse. The case pulls him into a maze of cults, drug addiction, and secrets buried within a wealthy family.
The story brims with twists, and Hammett’s gritty depiction of San Francisco in the 1920s adds a dark and atmospheric backdrop.
“The Art of Detection” by Laurie R. King is a mystery novel set in modern-day San Francisco. It follows homicide detective Kate Martinelli as she investigates the murder of a man obsessed with Sherlock Holmes.
The case leads her to a century-old Holmes manuscript that may hold critical clues, connecting the victim’s passion to his death.
The story weaves between the present and a possible Holmes tale, keeping the focus on Martinelli’s search for answers in the city’s atmospheric backdrop.
The first book in James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club series, “1st To Die,” focuses on a group of women working together to solve a series of brutal murders targeting newlyweds in San Francisco.
Lindsay Boxer, a homicide inspector, takes center stage as she investigates the chilling crimes while dealing with her own personal challenges. The story is full of twists as the killer’s motives unravel in unexpected ways.
James Patterson wrote “2nd Chance” with Andrew Gross. It is a fast-moving crime novel set in San Francisco. The story follows Detective Lindsay Boxer as she and her team investigate a series of murders that seem connected.
The victims, from different backgrounds, appear to be chosen based on a chilling motive. The plot takes twists as Lindsay tries to uncover the truths hidden behind family secrets and a vengeful killer’s actions.
James Patterson and Andrew Gross wrote “3rd Degree,” a fast-paced thriller set in San Francisco. The story kicks off with a deadly explosion at a townhouse, leading Detective Lindsay Boxer to uncover a chilling plot involving a group targeting the city’s powerful elite.
As Lindsay races to stop the chaos, she faces personal challenges that add an emotional layer to the high-stakes action.
Richard Brautigan wrote “The Abortion: An Historical Romance 1966,” a quirky and surreal story about a librarian who works in an unusual library where people bring in their own unpublished books.
The plot takes an unexpected turn when he helps his girlfriend with an abortion, leading them on a road trip to Tijuana. The book is filled with strange humor and a unique look at life in 1960s San Francisco.
“American Born Chinese” by Gene Yang weaves three separate stories that come together in surprising ways.
It follows Jin Wang, a Chinese-American boy navigating life in a mostly white school, the ancient Chinese legend of the Monkey King, and a sitcom-style character named Chin-Kee.
Each story deals with identity, stereotypes, and the struggle to fit in, all set against the backdrop of modern America. The twists in how the stories connect are unexpected and thought-provoking.
Daniel Handler wrote “The Basic Eight,” a dark and clever story about a high school senior named Flannery Culp. She recounts her year through journal entries, which reveal her tight-knit group of friends and their lives in San Francisco.
Things take a twisted turn when a charming teacher and a crush on a classmate fuel chaos that spirals out of control. The book paints a vivid picture of teenage angst, manipulation, and the trouble that comes with it.
The book “Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story” by Christopher Moore tells the strange and humorous story of Jody, a newly turned vampire, and Tommy, a hopeful writer.
Set in San Francisco, the story follows their attempts to navigate a relationship while dealing with Jody’s new undead reality. Along the way, there’s an eccentric cast of characters, a series of murders, and a lot of chaos in the city.
Christopher Moore wrote “A Dirty Job,” a quirky story about a man named Charlie Asher, who discovers he has become a Death Merchant, tasked with retrieving the souls of the recently deceased and protecting them from dark forces.
Set in San Francisco, the book blends humor with the city’s unique atmosphere, featuring eccentric characters and strange events tied to the supernatural. Charlie’s struggles with his new responsibilities, while trying to raise his daughter, drive much of the story’s charm.
Laurie R. King wrote “A Grave Talent,” a mystery set in a small, secluded community outside San Francisco. It follows Kate Martinelli, a new detective, as she investigates the murder of several young girls.
The case leads her to Vaun Adams, a reclusive artist with a sinister past, whose connections to the victims raise troubling questions. Against the backdrop of the Bay Area, the story explores hidden secrets, complicated relationships, and the search for truth.
The novel “McTeague” by Frank Norris tells the story of a crude dentist living in San Francisco at the turn of the century. He marries Trina, who wins a lottery prize, but their lives spiral into greed and destruction.
The story moves through the gritty streets and dives into the darker side of human nature, capturing the harsh realities of the time.
The novel “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore” by Robin Sloan unfolds in a quirky bookstore in San Francisco that never seems to sleep. It follows Clay Jannon, a young man who takes a job working the night shift at the mysterious shop.
As he starts to notice strange habits of the customers and uncovers cryptic codes hidden among the shelves, he stumbles onto a secret society that ties books and technology together in unexpected ways.
The book “SoMa” by Kemble Scott is set in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, capturing the wild and unconventional lifestyles of its residents.
It follows the lives of several characters swept up in love, lust, and chaos, as they navigate the underground scene and the city’s unique culture. The story explores the secrets and connections that link these seemingly ordinary people in unexpected ways.
The book “Tripmaster Monkey: His Fake Book” by Maxine Hong Kingston follows Wittman Ah Sing, a young Chinese American growing up in 1960s San Francisco.
Wittman is a poet and playwright navigating issues of identity and heritage while trying to find his place in the city’s counterculture scene.
The story captures the energy of the era, blending Wittman’s wild imagination with his struggles to reconcile his roots with modern life in a bustling, vibrant San Francisco.
“You Can Say You Knew Me When” by K.M. Soehnlein tells the story of a man named Jamie who moves to San Francisco in the 1990s. As he navigates life in the city, he unravels secrets about his late father’s mysterious past, which ties back to the Beat Generation.
The novel weaves themes of self-discovery and family through Jamie’s experiences in a city filled with both freedom and uncertainty.
Jon Courtenay Grimwood’s “9tail Fox” is a gritty and surreal story about a San Francisco cop named Bobby Zha who dies and wakes up in someone else’s body.
With memories of his own murder and a drive to uncover the truth, he navigates a city full of danger, corruption, and supernatural twists. The book is a mix of crime noir and strange, otherworldly elements, revealing secrets about Bobby’s past and the city he patrols.
“Agency” by William Gibson is a science fiction novel that weaves together alternate timelines. The story focuses on Verity, a tech consultant in San Francisco, who interacts with a powerful AI named Eunice.
As Verity uncovers more about Eunice, she becomes entangled in a plot involving a future timeline where political manipulation and virtual reality collide.
The book brings San Francisco to life through its tech-centric scenes and explores how the city’s culture intersects with advanced technology.
William Gibson wrote “All Tomorrow’s Parties,” a story set in a futuristic San Francisco. It follows Colin Laney, who has the ability to detect patterns in vast amounts of data, as he uncovers a shift that could change the world.
The novel explores a cyberpunk vision of the city, including life on the Golden Gate Bridge, which has been transformed into a makeshift community of outcasts and traders.
Pat Murphy’s “The City, Not Long After” is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where most of the population has been wiped out by a mysterious plague. The city, now nearly empty, becomes a refuge for artists and dreamers.
A militaristic leader attempts to invade, but the residents use creativity and art as their form of resistance. The book explores how the spirit of a place and its people can transform even in the face of destruction.
Phoebe Gloeckner wrote “The Diary of a Teenage Girl: An Account in Words and Pictures,” which tells the story of Minnie, a teenager in 1970s San Francisco.
Through her diary entries and illustrations, Minnie navigates her complicated relationships, explores her sexuality, and confronts the challenges of growing up in a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming.
The backdrop of San Francisco adds a gritty, vibrant atmosphere to Minnie’s experiences.
“Donald Duk” by Frank Chin is about a 12-year-old Chinese American boy growing up in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Donald struggles with his cultural identity, feeling embarrassed by his family’s traditions while dreaming of a more mainstream American life.
Through his journey, he learns about his heritage, including the history of Chinese railroad workers. With a mix of humor and vivid cultural details, the book explores themes of identity, family, and self-acceptance.
“The Fifth Sacred Thing” by Starhawk is set in a future San Francisco, where the city has transformed into a peaceful, sustainable community valuing harmony with nature. The story follows the inhabitants as they face an invasion by a brutal regime from the South.
With themes of resistance, spirituality, and the struggle to preserve freedom, the book explores how people band together to defend their way of life.
The book “Time After Time” by Karl Alexander is a mix of historical fiction and science fiction set in 1970s San Francisco. It follows H.G. Wells, who time travels from Victorian England to the modern era in pursuit of Jack the Ripper.
Wells, out of his element in a futuristic city, must stop the killer before he claims more victims while also navigating a world he never expected to see.
Michelle Tea’s “Valencia” is a raw and vivid journey through the queer scene of 1990s San Francisco. The novel follows Michelle, a young woman navigating love, heartbreak, and self-discovery amidst the city’s chaotic nightlife and countercultural spaces.
With colorful characters, turbulent relationships, and sharp humor, the story captures the energy and challenges of life in a world filled with passion and rebellion.
The novel “Abuse of Power” by Michael Savage is a fast-paced political thriller that follows Jack Hatfield, a journalist who becomes caught in a dangerous conspiracy after being wrongfully labeled as biased by the mainstream media.
Set against the backdrop of San Francisco, the story involves terrorism and the hidden agendas of powerful figures, weaving in intense action as Hatfield uncovers sinister plots threatening national security.
“The Bonesetter’s Daughter” by Amy Tan explores the relationships between mothers and daughters across generations. The story moves between modern-day San Francisco and a small village in China, where family secrets and cultural traditions shape the lives of the characters.
Ruth, a San Francisco ghostwriter, discovers her mother LuLing’s story through old documents. These writings reveal LuLing’s struggles in China, her connection to a mysterious bonesetter, and the sacrifices she made to escape her past.
The novel captures the deep bonds and misunderstandings within families.
The book “China Dolls” by Lisa See tells the story of three women—Grace, Helen, and Ruby—who meet in San Francisco in the 1930s. They become friends while working as performers in a nightclub.
The story explores their personal struggles, secrets, and the challenges they face as Chinese-American women during a time of cultural tension and political upheaval, including the impact of World War II.
Their bond is tested by betrayal, heartbreak, and changing circumstances over the years.
The book “Dragonwings” by Laurence Yep tells the story of Moon Shadow, a young boy who moves from China to San Francisco in the early 1900s to be with his father, Windrider.
Windrider dreams of building a flying machine, and their bond grows as they face challenges in a city filled with cultural differences and unexpected dangers.
The story also paints a vivid picture of life in Chinatown during that era, including the struggles of immigrants and the impact of the 1906 earthquake.