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Samantha M Bailey

Samantha M. Bailey is a Toronto-based novelist, journalist, and freelance editor. Her work has appeared in NOW Magazine, The Village Post, and Oxford University Press, among other publications. She was a writer-in-residence for Kobo Writing Life at BookExpo America 2013. She is the co-founder of BookBuzz, a promotional and interactive author-reader event held in New York City and Toronto. Woman on the Edge is her debut novel. Connect with her on Twitter @SBaileyBooks and on her website at SamanthaStrohBailey.com.

Genres: Mystery

Novels

   Woman on the Edge (2019)
   Watch Out for Her (2022)
   A Friend in the Dark (2024)
   Hello, Juliet (2025)

Books containing stories by Samantha M Bailey

Unnerving Magazine: Issue #14 (2020)
Another Stephen King-Inspired Extended Edition
(Unnerving Magazine, book 14)

Samantha M Bailey recommends

The Paris Files (2026)
Eva Jurczyk
"In this brilliantly executed suspense, truth and perception are skewed and no one's memory can be trusted as a woman's life hangs in the balance. Told entirely in police transcripts, The Paris Files enthralls with whiplash-sharp turns and tantalizing twists. Eva Jurczyk delivers a superb masterclass in originality that will keep you pinned to every mesmerizing page."

Their Double Lives (2025)
Jaime Lynn Hendricks
"A Jaime Lynn Hendricks book is always the perfect escape."

Tell Them You Lied (2025)
Laura Leffler
"Laura Leffler's Tell Them You Lied is a magnificent dual timeline suspense about toxic friendship at a cutthroat art college juxtaposed against the traumatic days following 9/11... an astonishing masterstroke."

The Hitchcock Hotel (2024)
Stephanie Wrobel
"Stephanie Wrobel is back with another brilliantly unsettling, chilling thriller. Utterly gripping and Hitchcockian in the most literal sense, this staggering novel unravels the decades-old mystery surrounding six former college friends. Wrobel creates an intricately terrifying plot with a cast of suspicious characters, all who have something to hide and one who will die. Sinister, scintillating, and compulsively creepy, The Hitchcock Hotel is an irresistible, genius read that will astound you."

The Bachelorette Party (2024)
Sandra Block
"Terrifying, action-packed, and completely absorbing, The Bachelorette Party is a nail-biting thriller. Sandra Block has once again written a shocking tour de force that will keep you frozen in place. With a dual timeline, interspersed with fascinating message boards, police reports, and prison interviews, the chilling story follows a true crime intern through a harrowing night of survival in subzero temperatures. Each reveal will curdle your blood as she uncovers the truth about a gruesome murder, and the stunning ending will blow your mind."

Till Death Do Us Part (2024)
Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
"Set in the wine-soaked Napa Valley, TILL DEATH DO US PART ignites in the first paragraph, catching fire until the explosive conclusion. This brilliantly written, spellbinding suspense bravely weaves in issues of family, identity, love, and loss. Through every genius twist and turn, Flynn had me in a chokehold, unable to put the book down until I ripped through every delicious page. Seductive, addictive, and penetrating, this domestic thriller will set you ablaze."

The Hollywood Assistant (2024)
May Cobb
"A scorching sizzler of a thriller that grabs you by the neck from the opening line and doesn't release its hold until the brilliantly devious ending. May Cobb is a virtuoso at creating completely absorbing storylines and The Hollywood Assistant is her best work to date. Cobb's endless talent is on full display in The Hollywood Assistant with a protagonist whose once-in-a-lifetime job embroils her in the fiery marriage between an actress and a director. I fell headfirst into the characters' secrets and lies, betrayals and machinations, ripping through the pages as though my own life depended on what came next. Cobb is indomitable, and this is THE book that will get you out of any reading slump."

The Offing (2024)
Roz Nay
"Set in the deep, dark waters of Australia, where danger lurks under and above the surface, The Offing is terrifyingly brilliant. As the boat rocks and sways, so do the suspicions swirling around everyone on board. My heart hammered, nails digging into my skin, as I breathlessly turned the pages, gasping at each stunning reveal. Roz Nay has written a chilling, gripping tale of deceit, revenge, and justice, proving once again that she's an undeniable force in the thriller genre."

The Off Season (2024)
Amber Cowie
"[An] Extraordinary talent."

The Incorrigibles (2024)
Meredith Jaeger
"I was completely enthralled by this powerful and, at times, gut-wrenching historical fiction about social injustice and female empowerment. With dual timelines set eighty years apart, Meredith Jaeger captivates with the inspiring story of two fierce women whose wills of steel carry them through their struggles for independence and retribution. An emotional, beautiful novel, The Incorrigibles both entrances and illuminates."

You Know What You Did (2024)
K T Nguyen
"Creepy-crawly and terrifyingly brilliant, You Know What You Did heralds the arrival of the remarkably talented K.T. Nguyen. Intergenerational trauma, mental health issues, and core memories are at the heart of this gripping, raw debut. With expert care, seamlessly structured time jumps, and a propulsive plot, Nguyen has crafted a genius, powerful, emotional thriller I will never forget."

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies (2024)
(Vacation Mystery, book 1)
Catherine Mack
"A brilliant concept so smoothly well-executed, Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is a hilarious, sharp mystery that I couldn't tear myself away from. With laugh-out-loud insight into the world of publishing set in a fabulous locale, this witty novel is the definition of fun. Catherine Mack has penned a fast-paced, addictive story like no other."

Such a Lovely Family (2024)
Aggie Blum Thompson
"Everyone has something to hide in this sharp, clever, and irresistible thriller from the master of suburban scandal. I didn't want this addictive book to end...an absolutely bingeable read!"

A Man Downstairs (2024)
Nicole Lundrigan
"A dark, disturbing drama suffused with gritty suspense, A MAN DOWNSTAIRS is gorgeously written. With astute and terrifying insights into the human condition, Nicole Lundrigan expertly weaves a gripping tale about fractured relationships and the secrets swirling around a small community, rocked by a decades-old murder. The multiple POVs are mesmerizing and the prose is poetic in this intensely captivating and unforgettable read."

Hurt for Me (2024)
Heather Levy
"Hurt for Me is a raw, visceral, unforgettable novel that honestly and openly portrays the kink community while delivering a knockout of a thriller. Heather Levy's talent seems effortless as she beautifully weaves an emotional, suspenseful, hypnotizing story about a fierce, admirable heroine who has to confront her mistakes when her past and present come face-to-face. A tale of love, sex, murder, and redemption, this powerhouse of a book needs to be on everyone's must-read list."

Hollywood Hustle (2024)
Jon Lindstrom
"Humor, emotion, brilliant twists, and heart-thumping action . . . Lindstrom has exploded onto the scene with a resounding bang."

Twenty-Seven Minutes (2024)
Ashley Tate
"Ashley Tate has written a masterful collision course of pain, sorrow, and grief that sliced open my veins and tore out my heart."

The Engagement Party (2023)
Darby Kane
"Chillingly twisty and deliciously wild, The Engagement Party is a cinematic locked room thriller with a cast of fascinating characters. When a violent storm isolates a group of guests on a remote island, murder is on everyone's mind while each tries to survive the night. As the bodies dropped, shocking turns whipped me into such a frenzy that I almost burned my fingers turning the pages. Another addictively terrifying read by stellar talent Darby Kane."

Twisted (2023)
(Twisted Truths, book 1)
Maggie Giles
"With an intricate, inventive plot, TWISTED by Maggie Giles is a fascinating suspense that had me theorizing every which way while enthralled with the clever clues. As a detective trying to solve a jewelry theft stumbles on a high-class escort service, nothing is as it seems. This wild, gritty thrill ride will knock you for a loop and blow your mind."

Someone Just Like You (2023)
Meredith Schorr
"Someone Just Like You gave me all the feels. Hooked immediately by the irresistible premise, I was completely captivated from the first page, wanting to live in Molly and Jude's worlds forever. These enemies-turned-lovers had such clever banter that I smiled throughout the entire book, enthralled by their differences that created off-the-charts chemistry."

Have You Seen Her (2023)
Catherine McKenzie
"I love that each book Catherine McKenzie writes is completely unique. HAVE YOU SEEN HER is no exception. McKenzie immediately hooks us with a wonderfully flawed, layered protagonist trying to unravel her past by returning to the scene of one of her greatest traumas. With the incredibly vivid setting of Yosemite National Park, captivating characters, and superbly executed twists, this thriller is mesmerizing from beginning to end. I absolutely devoured it!"

The Good Ones (2023)
Polly Stewart
"The Good Ones by Polly Stewart is a stunning achievement. With gorgeous writing, a compelling, flawed protagonist whose journey is so authentic, and an intricate mystery in which everyone is a suspect, this debut is captivating. The twists and turns are seamless and subtle, fully immersing us in a world of wealth and power in a small town, where the line between love and hate closely bleeds together. And just when you think you've figured it all out, Stewart wallops you with a mind-blowing ending."

The Drowning Woman (2023)
Robyn Harding
"I'm in absolute awe of Robyn Harding's talent and skill. The Drowning Woman is an astonishing, expertly crafted story of two damaged women desperate for love and a fresh start whose paths collide then epically crash and burn. With one killer twist after another and a masterful plot, I gasped out loud and flipped through the brilliant pages so quickly that my fingers caught fire. It's one of the most gripping books I've read this year."

The Revenge List (2023)
Hannah Mary McKinnon
"Twisty, turny, and featuring a vibrant cast of characters I questioned at every step, this fantastic thriller packs an emotional gut-punch and an ending that will terrify you."

No One Needs to Know (2023)
Lindsay Cameron
"Lindsay Cameron is a genius at putting the players in place and making us sympathize with their wrongdoings. Then, with devilish twists and turns, she unleashes her characters, their secrets spilling out in spellbinding, heart-thumping mayhem. An irresistible read!"

Mothers' Instinct (2023)
Barbara Abel
"Mothers' Instinct had me in its grips from the first page to the last. This gut-wrenching, evocativethriller is brilliantly structured and written so well that I felt the characters' pain and panic in my bones. I was completely entranced by the story of two families struggling with an unbearable tragedy, with an astonishing and jaw-dropping ending."

Fit to Die (2023)
Daniel Kalla
"Enthralling . . . a propulsive suspense, one that raises awareness about a very real, very frightening drug, while also entertaining his captive audience. A feat that only an author of Kalla's caliber could accomplish."

Don't You Dare (2023)
Jessica Hamilton
"Gripping, racy, and bone chilling, Don't You Dare is a beautifully written domestic suspense with a brilliant balance of emotion and fear. Jessica Hamilton has created a raw, heart shattering, tense story of lust and revenge in a game that spins out of control. The build-up kept me on tenterhooks and the climax left me reeling. This is a stupendous, sinister book you won't want to miss!"

The Family Bones (2023)
Elle Marr
"With a fresh take on the locked-room mystery, Elle Marr weaves a perilous and pulse-pounding tale of nature versus nurture. The Family Bones is a clever, wild, riveting ride that amps up the tension until I couldn't flip the page fast enough. The interconnected threads, subtle clues, and jaw-dropping twists lead to a whopper of an ending."

A Death at the Party (2023)
Amy Stuart
"A superb masterpiece. A Death At The Party brilliantly unfolds over the course of a single day, featuring a deliciously imperfect protagonist untwining her past as she prepares for the party of her life. Stuart's crisp writing and tightly paced plot made me hold my breath from the first line to the last. This is an absolutely stand-out book by a phenomenal talent."

The House Guest (2023)
Hank Phillippi Ryan
"An expert in twists and a master of tantalizing suspense, Hank Phillippi Ryan kept me guessing from beginning to end in The House Guest. Gorgeous descriptions, sparkling with Ryan's hallmarks of glamour, wealth, and power, and characters you aren't sure you can trust, this stellar cat-and-mouse read takes you on a thrill ride. An incredibly clever, captivating story that enthralls and surprises on every page."

You Should Have Told Me (2023)
Leah Konen
"Raw, brave and gripping, You Should Have Told Me is a brilliant portrayal of a new mother whose struggles will cut you to the core. The flawless writing is both emotionally resonant and tantalizingly suspenseful as we try to figure out the secrets and lies behind a missing person and a murder. Every chapter is more addictive than the last, leading to a stunning ending that you won't see coming. Leah Konen is an astonishing talent."

Nothing Can Hurt You Now (2022)
Simone Campos
"Gritty, raw, and utterly fascinating, NOTHING CAN HURT YOU NOW is so much more than a story of a missing woman. It's about the power of sex, femininity, and the seedy underbelly of beauty when it's a commodity. A fast-paced and gripping thriller that explores race, class, family dynamics, and identity, this is an absolutely enthralling read."

My Secret to Keep (2022)
Barbara Conrey
"Exceptionally well-written, gut-wrenching, and inspiring, My Secret To Keep is a stunning story of a woman longing to love and be loved. Barbara Conrey has created an immensely compelling, powerful protagonist in Maggie, who struggles to live the life she deserves amidst the cruel condemnation of a society in which she desperately wants to be accepted. With masterfully building tension, perfectly timed surprises, and remarkable depth, this novel is now woven into the fabric of my soul and will touch my heart forever."

Kismet (2022)
Amina Akhtar
"A remarkably original, terrifying read that seized me from the first line. Kismet is an astonishing, expertly structured thriller. Akhtar's signature creepy tone, suffused with dread and laced with wicked humor, is riveting. Her characters make you blur the lines of morality and justice. With brilliantly shifting points of view, a touch of magic, and a jaw-dropping ending, this is a stand-out suspense."

Things We Do in the Dark (2022)
Jennifer Hillier
"One of the best writers in the genre, Jennifer Hillier is synonymous with the deeply thought-provoking, raw, twisty thriller. With exceptionally structured shifting timelines, Hillier takes suspense to the next level, immediately drawing the reader into the dark world of an incredibly layered, mesmerizing heroine. Stunningly propulsive, brilliantly written, and irresistibly addictive, this is hands-down one of the most powerful books I've ever read."

The Life She Had (2022)
K L Armstrong
"K.L Armstrong's The Life She Had is an alluring, original suspense about the secrets we keep to protect ourselves. With wickedly clever twists, this relentlessly tense page-turner will spin your mind as you follow the haunting paths to the truth."

Stargazer (2022)
Laurie Petrou
"An outstanding book with some of the most beautiful lines I've ever read."

A Kiss After Dying (2022)
Ashok K Banker
"A pulse-racing thriller with jaw-dropping twists and turns, A Kiss After Dying is completely unique from anything else I've read. The action-packed pace and addictive, original rhythm keeps readers on their toes and you won't be able to look away from the shrewd, fascinating characters. This is a sharp, shocking novel I'll never forget."

Dear Seraphina (2022)
Avery Bishop
"In this terrifying, original, unpredictable novella, Dear Seraphina, Avery Bishop accomplishes an incredible feat: hooking the reader through letters, commanding attention, then delivering shocks and twists so powerful they are staggering. I was addicted to this creative, brilliant story that completely flips the script. It will leave you breathless."

Woman on Fire (2022)
Lisa Barr
"Woman on Fire is an exquisite, fascinating read that hooks you with its intensity and captures your heart with emotional depth. A brilliant, seamless tale of art, atrocity, love, family, and courage, this stunning novel, both with the words and the paintings described on the pages, comes alive so vividly it's as if you are right there, seeing every remarkable moment with your own eyes. A truly astonishing novel that builds tension sentence by gorgeous sentence then crescendos to a scorching, utterly satisfying ending."

The Maid (2022)
(Molly the Maid Mystery , book 1)
Nita Prose
"It took only a few lines for me to fall hopelessly in love with hotel maid Molly Gray. Being in Molly's mind is like eating ice cream on a hot summer day: delicious and refreshing."

They Can't Take Your Name (2021)
(Wrongful Conviction, book 1)
Robert Justice
"A gripping, powerful, moving story of hope and determination, and the unwavering strength to right a wrongful conviction before it's too late. Robert Justice's remarkably fluid, lyrical writing is unflinching in its exposure of hard-hitting truths, life after loss, and racial injustice, told through the compelling stories of three interconnected characters. Not only will you be transfixed by this book, but reading it will change you."

Nanny Needed (2021)
Georgina Cross
"Wild, unpredictable, and utterly absorbing, Nanny Needed is a gasp-out-loud thriller that will make your head spin."

The Family Plot (2021)
Megan Collins
"The Family Plot has one of the most original, twisted, genius storylines I've ever read. Megan Collins has created an astonishing, creepy suspense about escaping the bonds and betrayals of family. It's brilliant and bone-chilling, and you won't be able to look away for a second."

Cul-De-Sac (2021)
Joy Fielding
"Set within an upscale neighborhood brimming with dark secrets, this captivating thriller thrums with delicious foreboding on every page. I was entranced by the gifted storytelling and magnetic characters, whose twisted paths converge in a shocking, explosive climax. Cul-de-sac proves once again that Joy Fielding is an ingenious master of domestic suspense."

Confess to Me (2021)
Sharon Doering
"Step by masterful step, Sharon Doering takes readers on a creepy, mind-bending journey through past trauma and present secrets. She skillfully creates characters whose darkest thoughts mirror our own, and every word is woven with sinister foreboding. Genius twists and winding paths lead to a shocking ending you won't see coming. A chilling read!"

Bath Haus (2021)
P J Vernon
"Bath Haus is an electrifying, addictive, and terrifying thriller that lodged my heart in my throat from the first line. The gorgeous writing and masterful, enthralling plot dug into my skin, not letting go until the explosive ending. P. J. Vernon is a spectacular talent with a brilliant voice that will hypnotize you."

Lucky (2021)
Marissa Stapley
"Stapley’s gorgeous writing cuts to the bone, and her grifter heroine, both vulnerable and fierce, is driven by a genius premise. With equally compelling alternate timelines, Stapley takes readers on a gripping, heart-wrenching journey of resilience, hope, and redemption. A stunning read!"

Safe and Sound (2021)
Philippa East
"In this taut, tantalizing suspense, Philippa East constructs a seamless plot with a breathless pace. Safe and Sound is gripping, spellbinding, and completely addictive. East is a stunning, must-read voice in the thriller genre."

Do No Harm (2021)
Christina McDonald
"With her trademark emotionally gripping, outstanding writing, Christina McDonald tackles the moral and ethical lines crossed by a doctor desperate to save her child. A stunning gut-punch of a suspense novel, Do No Harm expertly merges the dangers of the opioid crisis with a mother's love, leaving readers gasping for more. A breathtaking read."

Hidden Lies (2021)
Rachel Ryan
"A fast-paced, gripping thriller... As the heart-pounding tension unfolds page after page, Rachel Ryan expertly unravels the mystery, leaving readers guessing until the satisfying, surprising ending. Emotional, captivating, and suspenseful, this is a fantastic debut by an author to watch."

The Lady Upstairs (2020)
Halley Sutton
"An astonishing and brilliant debut. A twisty, perfectly plotted, feminist crime noir that juxtaposes the glittering LA social scene with its gritty underbelly, this thriller sizzles with tension. Sutton is a sensational writer, with one of the most intriguing protagonists I've ever come across. She is an author everyone will be talking about."

They Never Learn (2020)
Layne Fargo
"They Never Learn by Layne Fargo is a fierce, feminist suspense that gives power to the powerless and takes vigilante justice to a whole new, brilliant level. Fargo’s protagonist is a woman hell-bent on righting the wrongs done to women, and I cheered her on through every raw, gripping word. My heart pounded, and like the main character, I was filled with rage and ultimately completely satisfied with each of her actions. Spectacular and propulsive, this is a powerhouse of a novel."

What You Don't Know (2020)
Bianca Sloane
"It was pure joy to read and edit What You Don't Know . . . Masterful and gripping, this is a suspense novel that any thriller lover will devour."

Three Single Wives (2020)
Gina LaManna
"Fun, quirky, and clever, Three Single Wives is a darkly comedic mystery with snappy dialogue, sharp wit, and wonderful twists and turns that will keep readers hooked from the first line to the last. Full of glamour and intrigue, it's an addictive story you won't want to miss."

For the Best (2020)
Vanessa Lillie
"In her sophomore novel, For the Best, Vanessa Lillie proves once again she is a master of the final twist. With an expert hand, Lillie creates a fascinating, gripping, thought-provoking thriller that weaves past trauma and present-day consequences for a protagonist accused of her beloved colleague’s murder. Complex, edgy, and smart, For the Best reveals secrets page after page, leading to a shocking ending you won’t see coming."

The Perfect Marriage (2020)
(Perfect , book 1)
Jeneva Rose
"With a tantalizing premise and twists at every turn, The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose is a sizzling, masterful debut about betrayal and justice. Expertly plotted with gripping characters who are all suspects, this brilliant suspense is a must-read for any thriller lover."

Sorry I Missed You (2020)
Suzy Krause
"Quirky, original, hilarious, and poignant, Sorry I Missed You is an unforgettable read with a knockout premise. With ghosts from their pasts, and perhaps real ones in their present, four strangers connect through one rental unit and their combined searches for someone who has disappeared from each of their lives. Inspiring and heartwarming, this novel is an absolute must-read!"

Stories We Never Told (2020)
Sonja Yoerg
"Stories We Never Told is a superb, slow-burn suspense that brilliantly ratchets up the tension and character development notch by notch, layer by layer, culminating in a chilling, emotional ending. Sonja Yoerg is a master at creating characters you fall into, and her writing is stunning. A must read!"

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany (2020)
Lori Nelson Spielman
"In The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany, Lori Nelson Spielman has created a stunning, heartwarming, multi-generational story of family secrets and self-discovery, spanning the globe from New York to Italy. Emilia, Poppy, and Lucy's deeply emotional, life-changing, and life-affirming journeys instantly captured my heart, broke it then put it back together. Spielman will make you believe everything you want to be is possible."

He Started It (2020)
Samantha Downing
"Samantha Downing is an absolute genius at creating twisted characters you're desperate to follow...A psychological thriller like none other, this addictive read is impossible to put down."

Framed (2020)
S L McInnis
"Absolutely sensational! With a stunning blend of brilliant psychological suspense and hard-hitting police procedural, this explosive thriller has a cast of vivid, well-developed characters, a gripping, taut plot with twists in every chapter, perfectly placed clues, and a shocking, fully satisfying ending. It's one of the best thrillers I've read this year!"

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