This past year, my husband and I decided to focus on reading books set in Maine, by Maine authors or both. While we didn’t get to nearly all of them, we did read a dozen. Of them, only one was a DNF–did not finish–for me: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. My husband loved it. Otherwise, we handed nearly a dozen books back and forth throughout the year. Then we continued the tradition into 2026. If you’re looking for your next great read set in Maine, you’ve come to the right place.
Favorite Books Set in Maine
When acquiring these Maine-centric books, we used one of two sources: the public library and/or an independent bookstore. We were so excited to have Octopus Bookshop open on Main Street in Kennebunk in 2025. That was where I purchased my copy of How to Read a Book by Monica Wood.
There’s another way you can support Maine’s independent bookstores if you can’t shop in person: purchasing books online through Bookshop.org. When I buy books online through Bookshop.org, I identify Octopus Bookshop as the beneficiary.
As far as the books set in Maine that we read in the past year, here’s the rundown. Once I read more, I’ll add more to the list.
Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King
Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein
The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne by Ron Currie
The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan
Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
Update for 2026
Bill and I have continued to read books set in Maine or by Maine authors. The 2026 list includes:
The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen
Little Great Island by Kate Woodworth
The Summer Guests: A Thriller by Tess Gerritsen
Where to buy books set in Maine or by Maine authors
You can purchase any of these books on Bookshop.org by visiting my page. I’ve listed all of these books and more. Or you can visit one of the many independent bookstores throughout Maine to shop in person.
Let us know if there are other books set in Maine by Maine authors that you would recommend we read this year or in the future.
Some of my favorite Maine authors are Barbara Ross who wrote the Maine Clambake murders, 6 different stories. Sarah Graves who lives in Eastport wrote loads of books in the Home Repair is Homicide series, plus a new series Death by Chocolate Mysteries. Her stories are based in Eastport. And don’t forget much loved Tim Cotton and his 3 books of Maine humor and rural living as a retired policeman.
Thanks for these suggestions.