Barbara Bourland

Barbara Bourland has published 3 books. The recommended reading order starts with I'll Eat When I'm Dead (2017).
Barbara Bourland, author of FAKE LIKE ME, a finalist for the 2020 Edgar Award for Best Novel, writes fiction that explores intriguing worlds. Her debut novel, I’LL EAT WHEN I’M DEAD, was named an Irish Independent Book of the Year in 2017 and received positive reviews, with Refinery29 listing it among the Best Books of that year. Bourland also wrote THE FORCE OF SUCH BEAUTY, published in 2022. Before becoming a novelist, she worked as a freelance writer and web producer for publications such as Condé Nast and Hearst. She is currently at work on her fourth novel, FIELDS AND WAVES, which will be published by Dutton. Bourland lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Standalone Novels
- TagsmysteryDescriptionEvery weekday morning, a particular building drew ambitious women. They were smart, stylish, sophisticated. Even Hillary Whitney, found dead in a locked conference room at RAGE Fashion Book. Her death is ruled a consequence of pressure to be thin. But her friend, fellow editor Catherine Ono, suspects more. If beauty could kill, it would take more than that. Two months later, a cryptic note from Hillary lands with the NYPD. Detective Mark Hutton enters the world of RAGE and the life of Cat, Hillary's friend, who joins the investigation. With Bess Bonner, Cat navigates a world of party girls and socialites. Their amateur sleuthing leads to drugs, sex, lies, and moisturizer. Their lives are changed forever.Publication dateMay 2, 2017Amazon rating3.7/5Print length336LanguageEnglishPublisherGrand Central Publishing
- Tags---DescriptionHer paintings are gone. Her career is on the line. A fire destroys a young painter's exhibition-ready canvases, leaving her three months to recreate them or face ruin. Homeless and desperate, she seeks refuge at Pine City, an exclusive artists' retreat. It's known for its parties, its glamour, and the black lake where prodigy Carey Logan drowned. The painter moves into Carey's studio, working with feverish intensity. But secrets lurk at Pine City. She falls for Carey's boyfriend. And one question haunts her: What really happened to Carey Logan?Publication date2019
- TagscrimemysteryDescriptionPrincess Caroline, a former marathon runner groomed for royalty, believes she can escape her gilded cage by driving away from the palace. But her freedom is short-lived, and her return to the marble prison is met with a breaking point. This is not her first attempt, nor will it be her last, leaving her to suspect true escape is impossible. Yet, within a grotesque and gaudy prerecession 2000s Europe, Caroline begins to examine her reflection and the world around her, discovering that the seemingly unbreakable bargain of marriage and a crown may hold a hidden cost. Barbara Bourland’s ambitious novel, inspired by real-life princesses yearning for freedom, is a phantasmagorical fable that reveals how power structures rest on the subjugation of women's bodies.Publication date6 September 2022Amazon rating4.3/5Print length400LanguageEnglishPublisherDutton
Frequently Asked Questions about Barbara Bourland
Barbara Bourland's novels can be read in any order, as they are standalone works. The order in which they were published is I'll Eat When I'm Dead in 2017, Fake Like Me in 2019, and The Force of Such Beauty in 2022. Knowing the publication order can offer insight into the evolution of her writing, but it is not necessary for understanding the plot of any individual book. Each novel presents a distinct narrative and characters.
A good starting point for Barbara Bourland is her debut novel, I'll Eat When I'm Dead, published in 2017. This book was recognized as an Irish Independent Book of the Year and was listed among the Best Books of that year by Refinery29. Another option is Fake Like Me, which was a finalist for the 2020 Edgar Award for Best Novel. Both offer a strong introduction to her style of writing intriguing worlds.
No, you do not have to read Barbara Bourland's books in order. Her novels are standalone stories, meaning each book has its own complete plot and characters. Readers can begin with any of her published works without missing crucial plot points from other novels. The publication order is I'll Eat When I'm Dead (2017), Fake Like Me (2019), and The Force of Such Beauty (2022).
Barbara Bourland writes standalone novels. This means each of her books tells a complete story with its own set of characters and plot, and they are not connected in a series. Readers can pick up any of her novels and enjoy a full narrative arc without needing to read any other books by the author first.
Barbara Bourland has written three published novels: I'll Eat When I'm Dead (2017), Fake Like Me (2019), and The Force of Such Beauty (2022). She is also working on her fourth novel, titled FIELDS AND WAVES, which is scheduled for publication. Therefore, she has three books currently available and a fourth forthcoming.
The first book Barbara Bourland wrote is I'll Eat When I'm Dead, published in 2017. This debut novel was recognized as an Irish Independent Book of the Year and was included in Refinery29's list of Best Books for that year. It introduced readers to her distinctive approach to crafting compelling narratives and intriguing fictional worlds.
Barbara Bourland's most recent book is The Force of Such Beauty, published in 2022. This novel follows her earlier works, I'll Eat When I'm Dead (2017) and Fake Like Me (2019). She is currently working on a fourth novel, FIELDS AND WAVES, which is expected to be published by Dutton.
Barbara Bourland writes fiction that explores intriguing worlds. Her novels often delve into complex themes and character dynamics within carefully constructed fictional settings. While not confined to a single genre, her work has been recognized with awards and mentions that suggest a focus on suspense and narrative depth, as seen with Fake Like Me being an Edgar Award finalist.
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We verified the reading order for Barbara Bourland's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: July 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Barbara Bourland Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/barbara-bourland








