"One for the Money" by Janet Evanovich Setting: Trenton Synopsis: The first book in the popular Stephanie Plum series introduces readers to Stephanie, an untrained and often bumbling bounty hunter. The novel combines humor, action, and suspense as Stephanie tries to bring in a wanted man who also happens to be her former high school flame.
"Blindspot" by Carol O’Connell Setting: Bergen County Synopsis: This standalone novel revolves around a retired NYPD detective, Kathy Mallory, who returns to her roots in New Jersey to solve a murder that has ties to her past. The novel delves into dark family secrets and the complexities of small-town life.
"The Girl Next Door" by Jack Ketchum Setting: Suburban New Jersey Synopsis: Based on a true story, this dark and disturbing novel explores the horrific abuse of two sisters in a quiet New Jersey suburb during the 1950s. Though more of a psychological horror novel, its mystery elements revolve around uncovering the depth of the cruelty hidden behind closed doors.
"The Burglar on the Prowl" by Lawrence Block Setting: Suburban New Jersey Synopsis: Part of the Bernie Rhodenbarr series, this novel follows Bernie, a gentleman burglar who targets a wealthy suburban home in New Jersey. However, things quickly spiral out of control, leading to a tangled mystery involving murder, blackmail, and deceit.
"Bad Move" by Linwood Barclay Setting: fictional suburb of Oakwood, New Jersey Synopsis: This comedic mystery centers on Zack Walker, a science fiction writer who moves his family from the city to the New Jersey suburbs, only to find himself entangled in a murder investigation. The novel blends humor with suspense as Zack tries to solve the crime while dealing with suburban life.
"The Ice Harvest" by Scott Phillips Setting: Northern New Jersey Synopsis: Set during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, this noir mystery follows Charlie Arglist, a mob lawyer who plans to skip town after embezzling from his boss. However, things go awry, and he finds himself navigating a treacherous web of crime and betrayal in northern New Jersey. 7. "The Forgetting Place" by John Burley Setting: A psychiatric hospital in New Jersey Synopsis: This psychological thriller takes place in a state psychiatric hospital in rural New Jersey. Dr. Lise Shields uncovers a chilling mystery involving one of her patients, leading her to question everything she knows about the facility and the people who run it. 8. "The Sinner" by Petra Hammesfahr Setting: Small-town New Jersey (in the American adaptation) Synopsis: While originally a German novel, the American TV adaptation of "The Sinner" is set in a small town in New Jersey. The story revolves around a young mother who inexplicably commits a violent act in public, leading to a psychological investigation into her past. "Death by Chocolate" by Sarah Graves Setting: Eastport Synopsis: This cozy mystery follows Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree, who leaves her high-powered New York life to run a chocolate shop in the small town of Eastport, New Jersey. When a body is found near her shop, Jake becomes embroiled in solving the murder.
"Shallow Graves" by Maureen Boyle Setting: Atlantic City Synopsis: This true crime mystery delves into the unsolved murders of several women found in shallow graves near Atlantic City. The novel investigates the dark underbelly of the city and the lives of the victims in a quest for justice.
.F Scott Fitzgerald - "This Side of Paradise" by.F Scott Fitzgerald - Setting: Princeton This novel includes scenes where the protagonist, Amory Blaine, attends Princeton university. The novel explores themes of love, ambition, and the disillusionment of the post-World War I generation.
Joyce Carol Oates - "We Were the Mulvaneys" Setting: Mount Ephraim Also set in upstate New York, this novel tells the story of the Mulvaney family, whose seemingly idyllic life is shattered by a traumatic event, leading to the family's gradual disintegration and the long path toward healing.
Richard Ford - "The Sportswriter" Set in the fictional town of Haddam, New Jersey, (Princeton) this novel follows Frank Bascombe, a middle-aged sportswriter struggling with the loss of his son and the dissolution of his marriage. The novel captures the quiet despair and introspection of suburban life. Bascombe's life is also profiled as he ages in Ford's subsequent novels "Independence Day" and The Lay of the Land" (also set on the Jersey Shore).
Janet Evanovich - "One for the Money" Set in Trenton, New Jersey, this novel introduces Stephanie Plum, an unorthodox and tough-as-nails bounty hunter. With humor and suspense, the novel follows Stephanie as she navigates her new career, her quirky family, and the dangers of tracking down criminals.
1. Philip Roth Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey Notable Novels Set in New Jersey:
"American Pastoral" - This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is set in Newark and traces the life of Seymour "Swede" Levov, whose seemingly perfect life unravels against the backdrop of the social and political upheavals of the 1960s. "The Plot Against America" - Set in an alternate history where Charles Lindbergh becomes president, this novel takes place largely in Newark and explores the impact of a rising tide of anti-Semitism on Roth's fictionalized family. "Goodbye, Columbus" - This novella, part of a collection of the same name, is set in Newark and the affluent suburbs of Short Hills, depicting the clash between the working-class Jewish protagonist and his wealthy love interest. 2. Joyce Carol Oates Birthplace: Lockport, New York (long-time resident and professor at Princeton University) Notable Novels Set in New Jersey:
"We Were the Mulvaneys" - Although set partly in upstate New York, the novel features New Jersey as the Mulvaney family tries to rebuild their lives after a traumatic event. Oates' deep familiarity with the state often seeps into her work. "Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart" - Set in a small town in New York and New Jersey, this novel explores themes of racial tension, violence, and identity in a mid-20th-century American setting.
3. Richard Ford
"The Sportswriter" - Set in the fictional town of Haddam, New Jersey, this novel follows Frank Bascombe, a man dealing with personal tragedies and existential questions as he navigates suburban life. "Independence Day" a sequel to "The Sportswriter," this novel also takes place in Haddam and follows Frank Bascombe during a transformative Fourth of July weekend. The novel won both the Pulitzer Prize and the PEN/Faulkner Award.
"The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" - Junot Díaz Setting: Paterson Pulitzer Prize-winning novel set partly in Paterson which follows the life of a Dominican-American boy, Oscar de León, and explores themes of identity, family, and the immigrant experience in New Jersey.
Janet Evanovich, "One for the Money"
The first in the Stephanie Plum series, this novel is set in Trenton, and follows the adventures of a rookie bounty hunter navigating the state's criminal underworld with humor and grit. "Two for the Dough" and subsequent Stephanie Plum novels are also set in Trenton, featuring other New Jersey locales and characters.
"The Woods" by Harlan Coben Birthplace: Newark
Set in the fictional Westbridge, New Jersey, this thriller revolves around a county prosecutor whose life is upended when new evidence emerges related to the mysterious disappearance of his sister decades earlier. "The Stranger" - Partially set in the suburbs of New Jersey, this novel explores the dark secrets of seemingly ordinary lives as a mysterious stranger reveals devastating truths.
"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." by Judy Blume Birthplace: Elizabeth, New Jersey
Set in the suburbs of New Jersey, this coming-of-age novel follows 11-year-old Margaret Simon as she navigates adolescence, religious identity, and peer pressure. "In the Unlikely Event" - Set in Elizabeth, this novel is inspired by real-life events in the early 1950s, when a series of plane crashes devastated the local community. The novel weaves together the lives of various characters affected by the tragedies.
"American Pastoral" by Philip Roth Setting: Newark this novel follows the life of Seymour "Swede" Levov, a successful Jewish-American businessman whose life unravels when his daughter becomes involved in political radicalism during the 1960s.
F. Scott Fitzgerald - "This Side of Paradise" Though not entirely set in New Jersey, this novel includes scenes in Princeton, New Jersey, where the protagonist, Amory Blaine, attends university. The novel explores themes of love, ambition, and the disillusionment of the post-World War I generation.
Joyce Carol Oates - "We Were the Mulvaneys" Set in upstate New York and the rural town of Mount Ephraim, New Jersey, this novel tells the story of the Mulvaney family, whose seemingly idyllic life is shattered by a traumatic event, leading to the family's gradual disintegration and the long path toward healing.
Richard Ford - "The Sportswriter" Set in the fictional town of Haddam, New Jersey, this novel follows Frank Bascombe, a middle-aged sportswriter struggling with the loss of his son and the dissolution of his marriage. The novel captures the quiet despair and introspection of suburban life.
Janet Evanovich - "One for the Money" Set in Trenton, New Jersey, this novel introduces Stephanie Plum, an unorthodox and tough-as-nails bounty hunter. With humor and suspense, the novel follows Stephanie as she navigates her new career, her quirky family, and the dangers of tracking down criminals.
"The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Díaz This novel, partly set in Paterson, New Jersey, tells the story of Oscar de León, an overweight Dominican boy obsessed with science fiction and fantasy, and explores his family's tragic curse that spans generations and countries.
"The Plot Against America" by Philip Roth Set in an alternate history of the United States, primarily in Newark, New Jersey, this novel imagines a world where aviation hero Charles Lindbergh becomes president, leading to the rise of fascism in America and the persecution of Jewish families like the Roths.
"The Last Days of New Paris" by China Miéville Though not entirely set in New Jersey, this novel features significant scenes in the state as it explores a surreal, alternate-history version of the world where Nazi-occupied Paris and a fantastical New Jersey intersect in unexpected ways.
"The Shore" by Sara Taylor Set on the barrier islands off the coast of Virginia and New Jersey, this novel spans multiple generations and follows the interconnected lives of several families, revealing the harsh realities and quiet beauty of life on the shore.
"Garden State" by Rick Moody This novel is a coming-of-age story set in the 1980s in suburban New Jersey. It follows a group of disillusioned young adults as they navigate the uncertainties of life, love, and the pursuit of happiness in the Garden State.
"Palace of the Peacock" by Wilson Harris Set partly in a fictionalized version of New Jersey, this novel blends magical realism with the narrative of a journey into the Amazon, exploring themes of identity, colonialism, and spiritual transformation.
Novels set in New Jersey include "American Pastoral" by Philip Roth, "The Sopranos" by Alan Warner, "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Díaz, "The Plot Against America" by Philip Roth, "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold, " "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger, "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath, and "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
