I’ve lived in big cities most of my life, venturing out only on vacations and, of course, through reading. Living in a smaller town for the last few years has been an unexpected, and seemingly endless, source of inspiration. Who would have thought? There’s something about close-knit communities full of history and secrets that ignites the imagination—not only that of writers but also readers. Here are a few of my favorite novels set in rural places.
1. Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich
I’m absolutely obsessed with this dark, gritty series. This story of a multi-generational family of outlaws in Georgia has it all: mystery, deadly action, an intricate family drama that comes together gradually as you read, with twists that’ll take your breath away. And of course, the setting in itself is a character.
2. The River by Peter Heller
While the setting is less rural and more remote, The River is a tense and suspenseful story of a canoeing trip gone wrong in the wilderness inspired by northern Ontario. Those of us who aren’t too keen on exploring the wilderness IRL can also enjoy the detailed descriptions of traveling through idyllic forests and rivers.
3. Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey
This novel, set in Minnesota in the 1980s, follows Cassie as she unravels the strange and sinister goings-on in her small town. Local children go missing and Cassie’s family just might have something to do with it—but can Cassie find the answers before it’s too late for her and her sister?
4. The Dry by Jane Harper
This novel (and its sequels) takes the reader to a sun-scorched small town in Australia where wildfires are an ever-present threat looming over the residents—not to mention a major plot element. Truly, the wildfires might be the least of the town’s problems as old secrets threaten to surface and shatter the status quo.
5. The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne
This novel has an irresistible premise: Helena’s father kept her and her mother captive in the Michigan wilderness until they were rescued. But now that he’s escaped from prison, Helena must face her difficult past. The book is a fascinating deep dive into survivalism.
6. Bearskin by James A. McLaughlin
I’ve always been fascinated with Appalachia, and this thriller set on a forest preserve in Virginia is a perfect balance of beauty and darkness. The hero took the job on the preserve to get away from a violent past, but redemption won’t come easy when a new threat emerges.
7. Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy
No list of rural noir would be complete without David Joy, and this evocative crime novel is a different take on Appalachia. The hero is desperate to escape his criminal family and the life they have set out for him, but it won’t come easily.
8. Hold the Dark by William Giraldi
Most of the books on this list so far have been set in warmer locales, which makes this gorgeous little novel set in Alaska even more special. The setting isn’t the only way it’ll utterly subvert reader expectations. It’s best to go in blind because nothing—and I mean nothing—in this remote Alaskan town is what it seems.
9. Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson
It’s surprising that this is the first and only Scandinavian thriller on this list. But it truly delivers when it comes to mood and an atmosphere of cold, darkness, and dread, not to mention the feeling of being utterly removed from the world. Set in an Icelandic fishing village, the unbelievably harsh climate is a character all on its own.
10. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (AKA the Gold Standard)
This is perhaps the book that inspired me to write rural noir. It has it all: a 1980s setting, the Satanic Panic, deep, dark secrets, and a heroine as hard to like as she is impossible not to root for. This book is small-town darkness in all its glory. A true gem from the genius that is Gillian Flynn.
Nina Laurin is the author of the upcoming rural thriller The Last Thing She Saw, available July 23, 2024. Read more from Nina here.
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