Must-Read Builder’s Books For Fiction Lovers

It’s time to pick a new read for Book Lover’s Day.

August 9th marks International Book Lover’s Day, offering a chance to take a break from your busy schedule and spend some time in another world. But have you ever considered whether there are any great fiction novels set in or around a construction site? 

Well, we’ve compiled a list of fantastic reads about the industry that you could pick as your next literary adventure. From sci-fi epics to a comedy of errors, it turns out that construction can provide the basis for many great stories! 

Skimp and Skarpa by J.C. Kincaid

A comedy caper set in a mid-sized construction company in Manchester, the novel follows the disasters of a workplace that has been shaped by the incompetence of its managers. It is Geoffrey Palmer who serves as the protagonist, a man who believes he is the only truly reliable person on site! 

Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Serving as the first entry into the Final Architecture trilogy, this futuristic, sci-fi piece examines what happens to humanity after the destruction of Earth. While it may act as a huge space opera akin to Star Wars, what’s interesting is that the villains of the piece are The Architects, who take joy in using planets to construct twisted monuments. 

The Red Admiral's Secret by Matthew Ross

A crime novel, full of dark humour, The Red Admiral’s Secret is a murder mystery set on a construction site. It is builder Mark Poynter, from Kent, who stumbles upon various crime scenes, finding himself at the centre of dangerous investigations. A chaotic workplace and an array of compelling puzzles make this a real page turner. 

The House That Berry Built by Dornford Yates

Semi-autobiographical with a fictional reimagining, The House That Berry Built is a historical novel that traces Yates’ building of a lavish estate. With plenty of humour, lots of social context for the 1940s period and detailed coverage of the building process, the book aims to provide a grounded account of this massive project.