Cape Cod Books You’ll Love This Summer

Discover the best Cape Cod books to enjoy this summer! From poetry and coastal fiction to thrilling mysteries, dive into unforgettable stories rooted in the spirit of the Cape.

Whether you're lounging on the beach or relaxing on the porch, there’s nothing better than a good book, especially one inspired by the beauty and mystery of Cape Cod.

Here are seven Cape Cod books you’ll love this summer.

Moon Tide by Mary Petiet

A lyrical collection of Cape Cod poems that capture the spirit of the sea, the rhythm of the tides, and the voice of a place steeped in natural wonder.

Water Music by Marcia Peck

In the summer of 1956, twelve-year-old Lily Grainger’s world shifts as the Sagamore Bridge closes and her family drifts into uncertainty. Against the backdrop of Cape Cod’s rugged beauty, Lily navigates family strife, secrets, and the search for hope beyond the salt marshes.

Wash Ashore by Mary Petiet

An unforgettable summer on Cape Cod unfolds as Olive Adams inherits her aunt’s old house and faces shifting fortunes. With a fierce hurricane approaching, she fights to protect the land—and her heart—while waiting for love to return.

Small Craft by Janet Edmonds

Poetry anchored in place and perception, Small Craft delivers meditative reflections on weather, water, and women’s lives along the New England coast.

Macabre Trophies by Declan Rush

Cape Cod turns deadly in this fast-paced literary thriller that blends atmospheric setting with gripping suspense. One of the most chilling Cape Cod books for mystery lovers.

Ronnie Willow and the Devil’s Shadow by W.C. Chidress

A genre-bending Gothic adventure that brings a paranormal twist to the classic coming-of-age tale, with deep ties to coastal folklore and Cape Cod shadows.

Spring in Cranberry Harbor by Candace Hammond

In this heartwarming coastal novel, a woman returns to her Cape Cod hometown to face her past, find unexpected love, and rebuild a life on her own terms.

These Cape Cod books span poetry, fiction, and suspense—each one rooted in the landscapes, legends, and lives of coastal New England. Add them to your summer reading list and let the Cape come alive on the page.