Novels set in Northumberland

[ElizabethinherGermanGarden]

We've just booked a holiday in Alnwick and I haven't got a picture of the area in my head at all.

I like to read books set where I'm going to get the feel of a place. Can anyone recommend any good novels set on that Northumbrian coast that I can read before I go?

Vera!

Not sure about Northumberland coast particularly, but Catherine Cookson writes almost exclusively about that part of the world, lots of villiages/towns especially. Historical fiction though, no idea if there are any modern authors.

Wife in the North

A bit chick-lit, but gives an idea of quite how remote parts of Northumberland can be.

Alnwick is fabulous. The coastline is stupendous. My fantasy house is in Alnmouth. Have a lovely line, visit Barter Books!

I didn't realise Vera was set up there - my mum loves Vera and I've never really watched/read any. I do love a detective story though so will give it a go. I'll check out Wife in the North too - nothing wrong with a bit of chick lit, especially to put me in a good mood for holidays.

Not sure I can cope with Catherine Cookson though. My main memory of those is reading them sneakily when I was babysitting much too young and thinking I would get into trouble!

Try Holy Island written by L J Ross, the first in a series all set in Northumberland.

What about Night Waking by Sarah moss

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadette Evaristo has some chapters set in Northumberland if you fancy something more literary. Rob Roy by Walter Scott if you fancy something historic.

If you are up for YA/children’s, The Kingdom By The Sea by Robert Westall is a wonderful book with a very strong sense of place.

I like books by Elizabeth Gill , she mainly writes books about strong women coping with hardship , living in mining villages during the height of when mining was practically the sole method of income in that area.

LJ Ross and Mari Hannnah both write crime novels set in the region.

Definitely read LJ Ross, I really like her detective series. Holy Island is the first in the series and each book is set in a different part of Northumberland/Newcastle.

I holiday in Northumberland at least once a year definitely recommend a walk along the beach at Bamburgh and the Craister to Dunstanburgh walk is beautiful.

Watch The Last Kingdom really quickly and then go to Bamburgh Castle

We've just got back from Northumberland and I love it - the beaches are gorgeous.

So many to choose from!
As well as Ann Cleeves ( Vera) and L J Ross already mentioned, there is another good Northumberland detective series by Mari Hannah. Pick your book to match where you are visiting.

Stepping back in time, I also love the 1961 Mary Stewart novel The Ivy Tree.

While you are in Northumberland, OP, you might enjoy visiting the station bookshop in Alnwick - vast and wonderful second hand bookshop in the old station - or Form Books in Corbridge, which is a wonderful independent bookshop with ver knowledgeable staff and a great range of local books among their offer. Ann Cleeves has done many readings there, and wrote them a special Vera short story with the body found in their bookshop.

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross

Watch The Last Kingdom really quickly and then go to Bamburgh Castle

We've just got back from Northumberland and I love it - the beaches are gorgeous.

The Last Kingdom is also a book series!

Much Ado About You by Samantha Young is chick lit set in a (fictional) village in Northumberland and describes the area pretty well.

The Vera books are a million times better than the TV series, the audiobooks are also great.
Agree with LJ Ross as well, easy reading page turners.
Have a great time OP, I live on the NE coast and the beaches and coastline around Alnmouth up to Holy Island are to die for.

Definitely watch Vera. The books may be better (I'm not sure) but the TV show will let you know exactly what it looks like.

I was up for a wedding in Alnwick when the first series of Vera came out. I remember thinking they captured the flatness and greyness.

The Vera books by Ann Cleeves are really excellent reads, much better than many other murder series.

The Vera books are almost unique in that there's not a dud among them.
I haven't read the LJ Ross series but they always seem to be on Kindle 99ps or unlimited if you want to try one.

The Last Kingdom is also a book series!

I know that 😂 - however, there are thirteen in the series and Northumberland is not the main setting. The TV series, despite being filmed in Hungary, is a bit of a short cut to getting the ‘feel’ of the importance of Bebbanburg to Uthred. And of course, the coastal scenes are filmed in the UK.

YY to Vera. Books are better than you might think if you've only seen the TV show.

LJ Ross - I like the stories but I find the love interest & sex bits quite sexist and trite. (Especially book 1) I had to Google because I was quite convinced LJ would be a man but turns out she isn't!

Oo came on here to suggest the Ivy Tree but go beaten to it. Not the coast but up round Hadrian's Wall.
And yy to going to Barter Books while in Alnwick.

I've just read , 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' by Hazel Gaynor. It's one of those dual time line books and features the story of Grace Darling. Off to Bamburgh next week - I can't wait!