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Samantha Downing

Samantha Downing currently lives in New Orleans, where she is furiously typing away on her next thrilling standalone. My Lovely Wife is her first novel.

Genres: Mystery

Novels

   My Lovely Wife (2019)
   He Started It (2020)
   For Your Own Good (2021)
   A Twisted Love Story (2023)

Novellas and Short Stories

Sleeping Dogs Lie (2022)

Samantha Downing recommends

The Return of Ellie Black (2024)
Emiko Jean
"An emotional gut punch of a thriller, Emiko Jean had me enthralled with her pitch-perfect pacing, elegant prose, and twists I never saw coming. I was glued to this book until the last page."

A Friend in the Dark (2024)
Samantha M Bailey
"Samantha M. Bailey never disappoints! A Friend in the Dark is one of the most intriguing and surprising books I've read in a while. You think you know where it's headed - but you don't. This thriller shocked me to the very end."

Bye, Baby (2024)
Carola Lovering
"Bye, Baby is a searing, intense thriller about friendship, relationships, and motherhood. Lovering has a unique ability to create such realistic characters, it's hard to let go of them. And every twist packs a wallop."

One of the Good Guys (2024)
Araminta Hall
"One of the Good Guys is a mind-bending tour de force. Araminta Hall has always been one of my favorite writers, but what she has done here is groundbreaking. This thriller is shocking, twisted, dark, and absolutely on point."

The Engagement Party (2023)
Darby Kane
"The Engagement Party is a gripping, fast-paced, non-stop thriller! The twists and turns are sharp, they surprised me every time. Sit down with this book and get comfortable, because you won't be able to put it down."

The Fake Wife (2023)
Sharon Bolton
"This book was wild! I really enjoyed reading this. It was such a roller-coaster. The Fake Wife is a thriller that shocked me more than once! An engrossing story with wild twists, you'll never guess where this book is going. Sharon Bolton is an amazing, gifted writer."

The Death of Us (2023)
Lori Rader-Day
"The Death of Us is a powerhouse of a book. Set in a small town with emotional landmines on every corner, Lori Rader-Day has created characters that will stick with you. Completely absorbing to the last page."

Where the Dead Sleep (2023)
(Ben Packard, book 2)
Joshua Moehling
"This book isn't just UNPUTDOWNABLE, its the definitin of the word."

Gone Tonight (2023)
Sarah Pekkanen
"Gone Tonight is an intense, harrowing story about long-buried secrets and the trauma they inflict. The mother-daughter relationship is both thrilling and heartbreaking, with characters you won't soon forget. Captivating from beginning to end."

The Followers (2023)
Bradeigh Godfrey
"The Followers is a thriller that will keep you guessing right up to the end. Everyone has a secret, and I couldn't stop reading until they were all uncovered. Bradeigh Godfrey has created characters that will stay with you for a long time."

The New Wife (2023)
J P Delaney
"The New Wife is a captivating, disturbing, and shocking new thriller from JP Delaney. You never know quite where it's headed or where it will end up. I enjoyed every minute of it."

How Can I Help You (2023)
Laura Sims
"No one writes about obsession like Laura Sims. I may never look at libraries the same again."

Everyone Here is Lying (2023)
Shari Lapeña
"Everyone Here Is Lying is a perfectly plotted thriller that moves whip-fast. It's filled with lies, betrayals, and so many twists. The ending will make your heart stop. Without a doubt, my new favorite book by Shari Lapena."

The Drowning Woman (2023)
Robyn Harding
"Robyn Harding is one of the most daring thriller writers out there, and The Drowning Woman is no exception. This is a wild ride with twists I never saw coming. A perfect summer read!"

The Revenge List (2023)
Hannah Mary McKinnon
"The Revenge List is both twisty and twisted, and that's a good thing. Compulsively readable from start to finish."

Killing Me (2023)
Michelle Gagnon
"Killing Me is a twisted humdinger of a book in the best possible way. Thrilling, fast-paced, and funny, this is a page-turner from start to finish."

I Didn't Do It (2023)
Jaime Lynn Hendricks
"I Didn't Do It is a crackling, irresistible thriller, and it's so much fun! Jaime Lynn Hendricks has turned thriller conventions upside down in this entertaining, unputdownable book. Original and unique with an ensemble cast of characters that kept me reading deep into the night."

The Tip Line (2023)
Vanessa Cuti
"The Tip Line is a stunning blend of true crime and fiction. Both funny and disturbing, with complex characters and eye-popping twists. Surprising to the very end."

So Close (2023)
(Blacklist , book 1)
Sylvia Day
"So Close is a dangerous and sultry novel about lies, secrets, and the line between love and obsession. The perfect first entry of a two-book series, So Close drew me in and kept me reading, desperate to know what happened next. Domestic suspense at its sexiest."

Not So Perfect Strangers (2023)
L S Stratton
"Not So Perfect Strangers is a gripping, twisted ride! You think you know what's happening, but you don't. Chock full of surprises, this dark story unfolds perfectly right up to the last page."

I Love It When You Lie (2023)
Kristen Bird
"I Love It When You Lie uncovers all the hidden secrets in a small southern town, where grudges and betrayals run deep. Irresistible and compulsive, this book is packed full of surprises."

How I'll Kill You (2023)
Ren DeStefano
"This chilling book is both twisted and tense. The writing is lean, the plotting is tight, and the story is whip smart. Will have you glued to the page."

Dirty Laundry (2023)
Disha Bose
"Dirty Laundry is a spider's web of secrets and betrayals, each one more shocking than the last. The characters are fascinating, sometimes horrible, and always irresistible. Disha Bose has written a tremendous debut novel."

Stone Cold Fox (2023)
Rachel Koller Croft
"[A] provocative, riveting debut novel. Intense and fast-paced, the book is like driving down a relentless, unforgiving path. The only time you'll stop reading is to catch your breath."

The House Guest (2023)
Hank Phillippi Ryan
"The House Guest is a tantalizing, beguiling thriller. This book has everything...suspicious strangers, a cat and mouse game between a husband and wife, and so many surprising twists. Hank Phillippi Ryan has done it again!"

You Should Have Told Me (2023)
Leah Konen
"Readers are going to love You Should Have Told Me.There's so much to unpack in this taut, compelling thriller: New motherhood, a missing husband, a ton of secrets, all brilliantly written and plotted. Leah Konen's books are always at the top of my list."

The Widowmaker (2022)
(Black Harbor, book 2)
Hannah Morrissey
"The Widowmaker is absolutely enthralling. It's moody and dark, with characters that are heartbreakingly real. Hannah Morrissey has become a must-read author for me."

Sign Here (2022)
Claudia Lux
"A mind-bending, riveting debut...Part thriller, part family drama, with a dash of horror thrown in, and it works beautifully. Engaging characters (even in Hell!), impeccable plotting, and plenty of twists will keep you reading all night."

Suburban Hell (2022)
Maureen Kilmer
"Maureen Kilmer strikes the perfect balance in Suburban Hell. This is a scary, thrilling, and funny ride through a neighborhood nightmare. The pages turn themselves, you can't stop reading this one."

Run Time (2022)
Catherine Ryan Howard
"Run Time is a mind-twisting story about the filming of a horror movie. Compelling doesn't do it justice, this book is flat-out addictive. Catherine Ryan Howard never fails to write something that's inventive, creative, and captivating."

Please Join Us (2022)
Catherine McKenzie
"The claws come out! Please Join Us is a diabolical and fast-paced ride through a women's networking group. This twisty, captivating book will have you reading all night."

The Last Housewife (2022)
Ashley Winstead
"A stunning, disturbing thriller that will have your mind and heart racing. The Last Housewife is a clever, twisty, unnerving ride through feminism, patriarchy, and power, and it had me gasping for air."

Truly, Darkly, Deeply (2022)
Victoria Selman
"Truly, Darkly, Deeply is a gripping, disturbing story. Victoria Selman is a beautiful writer, jumping between past and present seamlessly. This is the kind of book that will keep you up at night."

The Perfect Neighborhood (2022)
Liz Alterman
"In theory, The Perfect Neighborhood is the ideal place to raise a family. In reality, it's disturbing and completely riveting. Inside every house is another fascinating character, another lie, another betrayal. Reading this book made me feel like I lived in Oak Hill, and I refused to leave until every secret was uncovered."

An Honest Living (2022)
Dwyer Murphy
"Dwyer Murphy beautifully intertwines a noir mystery with the lore of New York. A captivating, beguiling novel right up to its shocking conclusion."

The Second Husband (2022)
Kate White
"Immersive, spellbinding thriller about a woman questioning everything--including her husband. In Kate White's perfectly plotted novel, it's impossible to predict what will happen next."

A Kiss After Dying (2022)
Ashok K Banker
"Ashok Banker is a master at manipulation. Ingenious and thrilling, this novel about family, revenge, and murder will have your head spinning in the best possible way."

Hide (2022)
Kiersten White
"There is nothing creepier than an abandoned amusement park, especially when Kiersten White is writing about it. Each character is astonishingly real and the pacing is spot-on. This book held me captive, I couldn't put it down."

The Girl Who Outgrew the World (2022)
Zoje Stage
"Zoje Stage has crafted the perfect fairy tale: Magical, brutal, and full of heart. A beautifully written story that I can't stop thinking about."

Blood Sugar (2022)
Sascha Rothchild
"One of the best debuts I've read in a while, with a fascinating story, wicked sharp writing, and an unforgettable narrator. Blood Sugar needs to be on your 2022 reading list."

The Night Shift (2022)
Alex Finlay
"The Night Shift weaves together two crimes, past and present, into a fast-paced, page-turning, slam-dunk of a thriller. An exciting, entertaining read that I couldn't put down!"

Like a Sister (2022)
Kellye Garrett
"Like A Sister is a wholly captivating novel, one that grows more complicated--and tense--as the story unfolds. Loaded with twists and turns, this book will keep you guessing, and reading, until the last shocking page."

One Little Word (2022)
Audra McElyea
"One Little Word is a riveting suspense novel packed with sharp turns and unexpected twists. Single mother and widow Madeleine Barton is the perfect protagonist, capturing your heart and bringing you along for this crazy, thrilling ride. Audra McElyea is one to watch!"

The Long Weekend (2022)
Gilly MacMillan
"Spellbinding . . . Bold, suspenseful, and impossible to put down. This one will stay with me for a long time."

The Overnight Guest (2022)
Heather Gudenkauf
"The Overnight Guest is not only compelling, it's addicitive, I'll be thinking about this book for a long time."

Her Perfect Twin (2022)
Sarah Bonner
"Sarah Bonner's debut novel made my jaw drop. There are so many twists in this story, I never knew what was coming next. You won't want to miss this one!"

My Sweet Girl (2021)
Amanda Jayatissa
"My Sweet Girl is like nothing else I've read. Set in San Francisco and Sri Lanka, this is a story about friendship, lies, and guilt. A stunning and original must-read."

The Lighthouse Witches (2021)
C J Cooke
"Right from the start, I was hooked on this eerie, cryptic novel. I don’t know how C. J. Cooke does it, but every time I pick up one of her books, I can’t stop reading until the last page."

Where I Left Her (2021)
Amber Garza
"Garza has upped the game."

The Receptionist (2021)
Kate Myles
"The Receptionist is the best kind of guilty pleasure. Unlikeable characters? Check. Twisty plot? Check. This book has a pervasive sense of dread throughout, which made me turn the pages even faster. I couldn’t wait to see how it ended."

The Other Me (2021)
Sarah Zachrich Jeng
"The definition of unputdownable...This is one of the most innovative thrillers I've read in a long, long time."

The Stranger in the Mirror (2021)
Liv Constantine
"Liv Constantine never fails to deliver, and The Stranger in the Mirror is no exception. The one takes the old trope of a woman losing her memory and twists it into something new. Be prepared to stay up late reading this one!"

Safe in My Arms (2021)
Sara Shepard
"No one writes about secrets like Sara Shepard! Safe In My Arms is a whopping page-turner of a book, packed with lies, betrayals, and head-spinning twists. I’ll never think about preschools the same way again."

Kill All Your Darlings (2021)
David Bell
"A dark, twisty journey through the labyrinth of academia. This book has everything—a missing girl, a murder, a book-within-a-book and so much more! One of David Bell’s most unique and engrossing novels."

The Final Girl Support Group (2021)
Grady Hendrix
"The Final Girl Support Group is funny, scary, and a roaring good time. Grady Hendrix puts his own spin on final girls and I loved it."

Confess to Me (2021)
Sharon Doering
"Somewhere between Ozark and Sharp Objects, there is Doering’s Confess to Me. This book has everything—small town, family secrets, wild animals—and it’s all blended together into one tense, irresistible story. Get settled in for a long night of reading, because you won’t put this one down."

The Next Wife (2021)
Kaira Rouda
"One of the most insidious, compulsive books I’ve read recently. Kaira Rouda has a way of drawing you in with great characters, fast-paced writing, and a story that won’t let you go. Brilliant, dark, and dazzling."

The Hunting Wives (2021)
May Cobb
"The Hunting Wives is just like Texas...big, bold, and hot! This spicy novel is filled with unpredictable twists and unforgettable characters, and it's impossible to put down."

Just One Look (2021)
Lindsay Cameron
"Lindsay Cameron takes obsession to a whole new level and I am here for it! With each twist, Just One Look becomes more intriguing, more shocking, and more fascinating."

The Three Mrs Greys (2021)
(Three Mrs Greys, book 1)
Shelly Ellis
"The first book of Shelly Ellis's new series is saucy, wicked, and a whole lot of fun! The Three Mrs. Greys is a thriller wrapped around three sexy love stories. The wives all have distinct voices, personalities, and agendas. I can't wait to see what Ellis does with this story in the next book!"

Saving Grace (2021)
Debbie Babitt
"Saving Grace is a big, southern gothic thriller packed with secrets. The characters jumped off the page, drawing me in until it was impossible to put down. Original, dark, and staggering."

The Girls Are All So Nice Here (2021)
Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
"THE GIRLS ARE ALL SO NICE HERE is twisted, compelling, and so very dark. This devastating story about the friends we keep—and those we don’t—is surprising in the best possible way. Flynn's first adult fiction book makes me wonder what she'll come up with next."

Do No Harm (2021)
Christina McDonald
"Christina McDonald knows how to pack an emotional punch! Do No Harm is a riveting, thought-provoking novel that keeps you reading even as it breaks your heart. This might be my favorite book by McDonald yet."

The Wife Upstairs (2021)
Rachel Hawkins
"I was completely blown away by The Wife Upstairs. This is a compulsive, irresistible retelling of Jane Eyre with a modern, noir twist – and wow, does it work."

People Like Her (2021)
Ellery Lloyd
"Social media has never been so dark or so compelling. A disturbing peek into the world of influencers and how it affects their families, People Like Her had me hooked right up to the jaw-dropping end."

Following You (2021)
Eva Lesko Natiello
"FOLLOWING YOU is a raw, unflinching story about obsession as it follows three characters through a maze of twisted lies. Guaranteed to shock, this one will keep you reading late into the night."

They Never Learn (2020)
Layne Fargo
"They Never Learn is a fierce, provocative thriller that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. A twisty book with a razor-sharp edge, revenge has never looked so good—or so appealing!"

For the Best (2020)
Vanessa Lillie
"For the Best is a riveting story of a woman who is accused of murder and launches her own investigation. Plotted to perfection, the events of that night unfold in a series of shocking and disturbing twists. A clever, captivating book you need on your list."

Don't Look For Me (2020)
Wendy Walker
"Wow! I hate to be repetitive but…WOW! Wendy Walker always writes amazing books but Don’t Look For Me may be her finest novel yet. It’s unsettling in the very best way and truly riveting."

In Case of Emergency (2020)
E G Scott
"In Case of Emergency begins with a phone call and unfolds into a sharply plotted, dark story packed with lies, betrayals, and so many secrets. Fast-moving and clever!"

The Eighth Detective (2020)
Alex Pavesi
"Alex Pavesi has written one of the most creative detective novels of the year…if not of all time. Sharp writing, crisp dialogue, and the end will leave you reeling. An incredible debut novel!"

Behind the Red Door (2020)
Megan Collins
"In Behind the Red Door, Megan Collins has achieved something remarkable--a dark, disturbing story that is both elegant and fascinating. Exquisite writing, compelling characters and a story so captivating I finished it in a weekend. Few books live up to the word chilling, but this one does."

The Perfect Marriage (2020)
Jeneva Rose
"The Perfect Marriage is a twisty, compulsive book that will keep you reading all night! Fast-paced with crisp writing and an intriguing plot. Jeneva Rose is one to watch."

Stranger in the Lake (2020)
Kimberly Belle
"STRANGER IN THE LAKE is a spellbinding tale of lies and deceit that unfolds piece by devastating piece. Another outstanding novel by Kimberly Belle, masterfully written to lure you in and never let go."

Safe (2020)
S K Barnett
"SAFE is a fast-moving, perfectly paced book about what happens when a missing child returns home twelve years later. Intense, dark, and full of unpredictable twists. Don’t miss this one."

His & Hers (2020)
Alice Feeney
"No one can plot – or write – a story like Alice Feeney. His & Hers is a stunning, addictive novel that makes you wonder who you can trust – if anyone. Captivating from beginning to end, this book should not be missed!"

Precious You (2020)
Helen Monks Takhar
"An incredibly addictive thriller that examines women in the workplace, ageism, and the clash of generations. It’s creepy and unnerving, with observations that are often dead-on."

The Herd (2020)
Andrea Bartz
"Fascinating and chilling."

Darling Rose Gold (2020)
Stephanie Wrobel
"One of the most captivating and disturbing thrillers I've read this year. An astonishing debut."

The Broken Ones (2020)
Ren Richards
"an ending that left me awestruck. Put this one on your 2020 list!"

The Memory Wood (2020)
Sam Lloyd
"Brilliant writing, a terrifying story, and characters so real it feels like you know them. If you enjoy dark, twisty thrillers that stay with you, read this book."

The Other People (2020)
C J Tudor
"The Other People is a creepy, intense novel that drew me right in and never let go. C. J. Tudor’s books keep getting better and better, and this one won’t let you stop reading until the very last page!"

The Other Mrs (2019)
Mary Kubica
"In The Other Mrs., Mary Kubica weaves a labyrinth of deception and family secrets, each one more shocking than the last, with an ending that left me thunderstruck. If you have any doubts Mary Kubica is a master of the genre, this book will change your mind."

Here To Stay (2019)
Mark Edwards
"Here to Stay is a relentless, chilling novel that never lets up. I’m now afraid to let anyone stay in my house—in-laws or otherwise."

More recommendations

Award nominations

	2022 International Thriller Writers Award for Best Audiobook (nominee) : Sleeping Dogs Lie
	2020 International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel (nominee) : My Lovely Wife
	2020 Edgar Award for Best First Novel (nominee) : My Lovely Wife

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