American Rust
Two young men who dream of getting out of their economically depressed steel town are caught up in a murder and its consequences. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
Welcome to Pittsburgh: Mysteries and Thrillers
Reading a story set in the place where you live or have lived has a special appeal. If you grew up in the city and its environs, the story can give you a new point of view, possibly from a character whose life is different than yours.
If you are new to the area, this type of reading gives you an insight into the mythologies that have built up around the place. Or, it can provide a source of good-natured nitpicking with friends if you think the author got something wrong in their portrayal.
Since mystery, crime and suspense stories are a big and popular genre, it’s no surprise that they are also the biggest genre of Pittsburgh-based fiction. Literary crime stories, cozy mystery series, hardboiled detectives and all kinds of Mafia families are represented here.
Check out our other Pittsburgh fiction lists for Realistic and Contemporary fiction, Sci-Fi and Fantasy, and Historical fiction, too!
You can sign up for a free library card here. If you are new to our eResources, check out these tutorial videos on how to get started.
Looking for a good book, album, movie or TV show? We’re happy to recommend them to you! Use this Personalized Recommendations form to send us some information about what you like and we’ll curate a list just for you.
If you have any additional questions, you can contact a librarian through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. You can also call us at 412.622.3114 or email us at info@carnegielibrary.org.
Born of Sin
In alternating time periods, the story of Jacob Dewitt, abandoned by his stepfather and left to grow up in Pittsburgh as a drug runner and burgeoning spiritual leader, is told.
A Deadly Plan: III Dirty Rivers
Row is obsessed with his cousin’s murder and formulates a plan to figure out who did it and get revenge.
Death in the Steel City: A Carroll Dorsey Mystery
A new client of P.I. Carroll Dorsey tasks him with finding his lost lover. The case leads Dorsey to an old, painful murder of 51 years ago, that is too close to home.
Disquiet Heart
Edgar Allan Poe accepts an invitation to visit Pittsburgh with his young friend Augie. Once there, with Poe distracted by their wealthy benefactor, Augie begins to investigate a series of recent killings within the merchant class. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eBook on Hoopla.
Just Between Us
Four mothers living in Sewickley band together in secrecy when one of their friends commits murder in self-defense. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
Measure Twice
Struggling with trauma and alcoholism, a Pittsburgh homicide detective decides to commit acts of redemption to break free, some of which include trying to catch a serial killer.
Mirror Image: A Daniel Rinaldi Mystery
Psychologist Dr. Daniel Rinaldi treats victims of violent crime as a liaison with the Pittsburgh Police. One of his patients starts to develop an unhealthy obsession with him, and then is murdered, which leads Rinaldi deeper into a web of paranoia. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
Never Sorry
Leigh Koslow’s part time job at the Pittsburgh zoo was just supposed to get her some extra spending money, but instead she discovers a crime scene behind the tiger run – and realizes she knows the victim. Now she has to clear her name from suspicion by investigating the case. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
The Odds
Four children, abandoned by their stepmother and trying to survive by themselves on the North Side, come across a wounded man and decide to help him evade the law and an angry drug dealer. Meanwhile, two detectives investigate a suspicious death by overdose of a young boy. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
Our Lady of Immaculate Deception
Roxy Abruzzo wants nothing to do with her Uncle Carmine’s shady dealings and concentrates instead on her business and her teenage daughter. But when she gets caught up in the murder of the heir to a steel fortune, she needs to ask for help from that side of the family. You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
Three-Fifths: A Novel
1995, Pittsburgh. Bobby Saraceno has passed for white his whole life. His best friend returns from prison as a white supremacist and involves Bobby in a hate crime, and his father comes back into his life, forcing Bobby to face the lies he has built up around his identity. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby, as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby, as eBook on Hoopla or as eAudio on Hoopla.
The Throughway
John Parker’s world is his job as constable for the City of Pittsburgh, but when he is asked to capture a group of runaway slaves, he finds himself morally at odds with his work and must choose to either uphold the law or abandon it.
To Brew or Not to Brew
Maxine “Max” O’Hara is excited to finally be opening her new brew pub in Pittsburgh, and then her assistant brewmaster is strangled in one of the brew vats. With her dad being a homicide detective, Max’s instincts kick in and she can’t help but try to find the killer and save her business. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
Tonight in the Rivers of Pittsburgh
The governor’s limousine crashes through a bridge railing and into the Monongahela River, leaving him presumed dead. A newspaper editor and state police commissioner discover his family’s shocking secret and have to decide what to do with the information.
Warning Signs
A mysterious disease is affecting the staff and patients of Angels of Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. Resident Amanda Mason realizes that she must work to solve the mystery before she succumbs to the disease.