Zibby Mag

By Catherine McKenzie

I’ve spent lots of time on the West Coast over the years—particularly California. My latest novel, Have You Seen Her, is set in Yosemite National Park and the surrounding towns of Lee Vining, Mammoth, and Bishop. Reading a book set where you’re traveling can enrich the traveling and reading experiences simultaneously. So, in the spirit of summer getaways in beautiful landscapes, here are ten great books to read on your next West Coast adventure.

Vancouver, British Columbia: Fit to Die by Daniel Kalla

Daniel Kalla’s latest book is set in Vancouver, BC, which is a highly modern city against the backdrop of the Rockies and the Pacific. Kalla always writes evocatively about the places his books are set; this novel is no exception. A series of bizarre deaths potentially related to toxic diet pills come under investigation in this riveting thriller.

Seattle, Washington: The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding

When a woman on the run witnesses a woman trying to kill herself by drowning, she rushes to save her from the cold Pacific. Their lives quickly get entangled, and Harding’s Seattle setting is the perfect backdrop for this tale of deception and redemption.

Pacific Northwest: Adrift by Lisa Brideau

If you woke up on a boat with no memory of how you got there and a note that told you to run, what would you do? A chilling premise that will have you turning the pages deep into the night, it’s the perfect companion for your PNW vacation—but maybe not if you’re on a boat!

Outside San Francisco: The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

This book about a woman whose husband disappears suddenly one day leaving her in charge of her stepdaughter and a sack of cash is partially set in Sausalito. A visually stunning place—imagine colorful houseboats on a pier side—that’s well-evoked in both the book and the limited series that’s available on Apple+, it will make you want to visit Northern California.

Los Angeles, California: Year on Fire by Julie Buxbaum

When Ro attends his first day of high school in California after leaving London, he’s expecting it to be a hard transition. But when a school fire throws him together with twins Arch and Immie, sparks fly in ways he never expected. A grounded LA story about what it feels like to actually grow up in the shadow of Hollywood but also be on the forefront of climate change.

Los Angeles, California: Hazel Fine Sings Along by Katie Wicks

Lights! Camera! Action! Hazel Fine joins the latest reality singing competition show to try to revive her singing career. But Hazel’s got a secret. Can she keep it until the show is over, or will her past erase her chance at her future?

Hollywood, California: Strangers in the Night by Heather Webb

Frank Sinatra and Eva Gartner had a storied love that played out across the world but began in Hollywood in the late 1950s. Webb specializes in bringing real people to life; this fascinating tale is no exception. Old Hollywood meets doomed love.

Hollywood, California: The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

A romance novelist and a documentary filmmaker are trying to craft the perfect love story. . .but trying not fall in love. Can they manage it? Probably not! Christina Lauren is a master of contemporary romance.

Hollywood, California: The Work Wife by Alison B. Hart

A thirty-eight-year-old personal assistant to a Hollywood celebrity and his family gives us an insider look at stardom. This is a delicious exploration of what really goes on in Hollywood. Required reading for your bus tour of the stars’ homes!

Long Beach and Pasadena, California: Forever Hold Your Peace by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke

When the protagonist of this novel finds out her daughter is getting married mere months after meeting her fiancé, she vows to stop the wedding. But when she meets the intended groom’s parents, that task becomes infinitely more complicated, as the two families are connected in more ways than anyone realizes.

Catherine McKenzie was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. A graduate of McGill in History and Law, Catherine practiced law for twenty years before leaving the practice to write full time. An avid runner, skier, and tennis player, she’s the author of numerous bestsellers including Hidden, Fractured, The Good Liar, and I’ll Never Tell. Her works have been translated into multiple languages and Please Join Us and I’ll Never Tell have all been optioned for development into television series. Her next novel, Have You Seen Her, is releasing on June 27, 2023!