Samantha M. Bailey
Samantha M. Bailey has published 4 books. The recommended reading order starts with Woman on the Edge (2020).
Samantha M. Bailey is a Canadian author of psychological thrillers. Her novels have appeared on the USA TODAY and international bestseller lists, selling in fourteen countries and earning screen options. Bailey burst onto the literary scene in 2019 with her debut novel, Woman on the Edge, which explores the tension of domestic noir with sharp pacing. The book's success caught the attention of screen producers, launching a career marked by suspenseful narratives. Woman on the Edge was optioned for series adaptation, and her subsequent novel, Watch Out for Her, was shortlisted for Canada Reads 2025. A Friend in the Dark became an Amazon Charts bestseller, with her latest novel, Hello, Juliet, scheduled for release in April 2025.
Before dedicating herself to fiction, Bailey worked as a journalist and freelance editor. Her writing and editing contributions appeared in publications such as Now Magazine, The Village Post, and Oxford University Press. Bailey lives in Toronto, where she can often be found working on her next novel, curled up with a book, or enjoying activities like walking her dog, practicing yoga, or playing tennis.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Standalone Novels
- TagsthrillersuspensecrimemysteryDescriptionMorgan Kincaid is standing on a train platform when a stranger presses a baby into her arms, whispers her name, and steps in front of an oncoming train—all in the space of a heartbeat, all before Morgan can even process what's happening. The fluorescent lights, the screech of metal, the weight of an infant she's never seen before, and then the police, their questions circling tighter and tighter around her until she realizes no one believes her story. The dead woman is Nicole Markham, a CEO with everything to lose, and Morgan is now the only witness to a tragedy that doesn't add up. With no one to corroborate her account, Morgan becomes the prime suspect in what might not be a suicide at all. She begins to dig into Nicole's final days, trying to understand why a successful woman would abandon her child to a stranger, and why that stranger had to be Morgan—someone Nicole had never met, or so she thought. But the deeper Morgan goes, the more the ground shifts beneath her. Strange occurrences shadow her movements, and she starts to feel the same creeping dread that must have consumed Nicole in her last moments. Samantha M. Bailey has crafted a taut, relentless thriller that asks how far a mother will go to protect her child, and what happens when you become entangled in someone else's desperate, dangerous endgame.Publication date3 March 2020Amazon rating4.2/5Print length272LanguageEnglishPublisherSimon & Schuster
- TagsthrillersuspensemysteryDescriptionSarah Goldman hired Holly Monroe to care for her six-year-old son Jacob last summer, and what began as an ideal arrangement—a devoted babysitter, a grateful young woman seeking maternal warmth—slowly twisted into something Sarah couldn't ignore. She watched Holly closely, perhaps too closely, and what she discovered beneath the surface raised questions that wouldn't quiet, until one day she witnessed something so disturbing that running felt like the only option. Now Sarah has relocated her family across the country, desperate to leave Holly and her secrets behind. They've landed in a suburban neighborhood where vigilant residents pride themselves on keeping watch, where everyone seems invested in safety and order. It should feel like sanctuary, but Sarah's relief is short-lived. When she discovers hidden cameras planted throughout her new home, the fragile sense of security she's been building shatters. Someone is watching her, tracking her movements, invading the privacy she fled so far to reclaim. The question that haunts her isn't just who installed the cameras—it's whether Holly has somehow followed her, whether the past she tried to outrun has caught up with chilling precision. In this taut psychological thriller longlisted for Canada Reads 2025, Samantha M. Bailey explores the paranoia that blooms when trust erodes, when the line between protector and threat blurs, and when a mother realizes that no distance may be far enough to escape what she's seen.Publication dateApril 26, 2022Amazon rating4.2/5Print length330LanguageEnglishPublisherSimon & Schuster
- TagsthrillerfantasyromancemysterysuspenseDescriptionCan you ever truly know the person on the other side of the screen? Eden Miller is unraveling. Her husband wants a divorce. Her daughter won't talk to her. So she does something reckless: she sends a friend request to Justin Ward, the college crush she left behind twenty-three years ago. One night back then changed everything. It closed the door on Justin. It opened the door to Dave. Now Eden wonders what might have been. The online relationship ignites fast. Justin's words awaken something dormant in her. His voice makes her feel alive again. But the fantasy sours when Eden realizes he knows too much. Details about her family. Her routines. He's been watching. The man she thought she was reconnecting with isn't who he claims to be. Eden must confront the truth about Justin—and about that fateful night two decades ago—before it destroys her family. What begins as a digital escape becomes a fight for survival. Bailey delivers a taut domestic thriller about the dangers of nostalgia, the lies we tell ourselves, and the strangers hiding behind familiar faces.Publication date2024Amazon rating3.8/5LanguageEnglishPublisherBrilliance Audio
- TagsthrillermysterysuspenseDescriptionSamantha M. Bailey knows how to craft a thriller that keeps you guessing. With Hello, Juliet, she delivers another standalone that pulls you into a web of secrets and suspense. A woman's life unravels when a stranger reaches out with a message that changes everything. The connection between them isn't what it seems. Trust becomes a dangerous game. Bailey writes with precision and pace. Her characters feel real, flawed, and desperate in ways that make you turn pages faster than you should. The tension builds steadily, each revelation tightening the noose. You think you know where it's going, but she's always one step ahead. This is domestic suspense done right—intimate, claustrophobic, and unsettling. If you loved her previous work, you'll find the same sharp storytelling here. If you're new to Bailey, this is a perfect entry point into her world of ordinary lives hiding extraordinary lies.Publication date29 April 2025Amazon rating4.1/5Print length301LanguageEnglishPublisherThomas & Mercer
Frequently Asked Questions about Samantha M. Bailey
Samantha M. Bailey writes standalone novels, so they can be read in any order. The publication order is Woman on the Edge (2020), Watch Out for Her (2022), A Friend in the Dark (2024), and Hello, Juliet (2025). Readers may find that starting with the earliest published novel provides a sense of the author's development, but each book is designed to be enjoyed independently. The focus is on the individual story each novel tells, offering a fresh experience regardless of when it is read.
A good starting point for Samantha M. Bailey's books is Woman on the Edge, published in 2020. As her debut novel, it introduces her style of suspenseful storytelling. Alternatively, readers might choose Watch Out for Her (2022) or A Friend in the Dark (2024) if they prefer to begin with a more recent work. Since all her novels are standalones, any book will offer a complete and engaging reading experience without requiring prior knowledge of other titles.
No, you do not have to read Samantha M. Bailey's books in order. She writes standalone novels, which means each book tells a complete story and can be read independently of the others. While they were published in a specific sequence, starting with any of her novels will provide a full narrative arc. The themes and characters are distinct in each book, allowing readers to jump in at any point and enjoy the story.
Samantha M. Bailey writes standalone novels. This means that each of her books is a complete story with its own set of characters and plot. Readers do not need to follow a specific series or read them in a particular order to understand the narrative. Each novel offers a self-contained experience, allowing readers to pick up any title and enjoy it on its own merits.
Samantha M. Bailey has written four novels as of 2024. These include Woman on the Edge (2020), Watch Out for Her (2022), A Friend in the Dark (2024), and Hello, Juliet, which is scheduled for publication in 2025. Each of these is a standalone work, meaning they are not part of a larger series. The count reflects her published and forthcoming works.
The first book Samantha M. Bailey wrote is Woman on the Edge, published in 2020. This novel marked her debut as an author. It established her voice in suspenseful storytelling and introduced readers to her approach to crafting compelling narratives. Following its release, she continued to develop her craft with subsequent standalone novels.
Samantha M. Bailey's most recent book is A Friend in the Dark, published in 2024. This novel continues her pattern of writing standalone suspense stories. It offers a complete narrative that readers can engage with independently. Her next book, Hello, Juliet, is slated for release in 2025.
Samantha M. Bailey writes suspenseful thrillers. Her novels typically explore themes of relationships, secrets, and danger, often featuring complex female characters. While primarily known for thrillers, her work often contains elements that keep readers engaged with unexpected twists and psychological depth. Each book offers a distinct plot within this genre framework.
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We verified the reading order for Samantha M. Bailey's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: April 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Samantha M. Bailey Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/samantha-m-bailey