Where Should You Start Reading A.J. Campbell?
For readers new to A.J. Campbell's twisty world of suspense, there are two ideal entry points depending on your preference:
- For Series Readers: Start with her debut novel, Leave Well Alone (2020). This is the first book in the Eva Barnes duology and introduces you to her signature style of blending family drama with high-stakes psychological tension.
- For Standalone Suspense: Start with her breakout hit, The Phone Call (2022). Shortlisted for the 2023 Selfie Book Awards, this fast-paced thriller is widely considered her most famous work and serves as a perfect showcase of her ability to keep readers guessing until the final page.
The Eva Barnes Duology in Reading Order
While the vast majority of A.J. Campbell's thrillers are standalone stories, she has written one direct two-book series following protagonist Eva Barnes. It is highly recommended to read these two books in order to appreciate Eva's character development and career trajectory.
- Leave Well Alone (2020) – The series opener introduces Eva, a woman whose life is upended when her newborn is diagnosed with a genetic illness. The crisis forces her to reconnect with her estranged mother and confront dark family secrets that were supposed to stay buried.
- Don't Come Looking (2021) – In this sequel, Eva is now a police officer. When her best friend's husband disappears without a trace, Eva gets pulled into a complex web of lies and danger, risking her career and her life to find the truth.
A.J. Campbell's Standalone Thrillers in Publication Order
If you prefer self-contained thrillers where every mystery is wrapped up by the final chapter, Campbell has a growing catalog of standalone suspense novels. Since these books feature completely unique characters and isolated plots, they can be read in any order. However, following them in publication order lets you trace her evolution as a storyteller:
- Search No Further (2021) – A suspenseful tale of hidden motives and domestic tension.
- The Phone Call (2022) – Campbell's breakout hit following Joey Clarke, whose life spirals out of control after a single phone call leads to a web of blackmail and danger.
- The Wrong Key (2023) – A gripping thriller exploring corporate corruption and secrets through a mother-daughter relationship.
- Her Missing Husband (2023) – A dark story of deception and missing persons that tests the limits of trust.
- My Perfect Marriage (2024) – A suspenseful examination of marital facades and what lies beneath a seemingly flawless life.
- Did I Kill My Husband? (2024) – A twisty psychological drama that begins with a shocking premise and keeps readers off-balance.
- First-Time Mother (2025) – A claustrophobic thriller about a new mother who begins to suspect her husband and stepchildren are hiding something sinister concerning her newborn.
- Left at the Altar (2025) – A fast-paced mystery starting with a groom who vanishes on his wedding day, prompting a desperate search.
- Christmas Revenge (2025) – A festive-themed psychological thriller about a woman seeking vengeance fifteen years after her family home was invaded.
- The Village (2026) – A suspense novel set in the close-knit village of Blackstone, where a disappearance exposes local secrets.
- She Must Go (2026) – A tension-filled domestic thriller set in the Lakelands involving a suspicious husband, a wary wife, and a mysterious stranger.
What to Know Before You Start: Novellas and Database Confusions
Before you dive into A.J. Campbell's thrillers, there are two key details to keep in mind regarding her bibliography:
- The Newsletter Novella: If you want a quick taste of Campbell's writing, she offers a prequel novella titled Choices as a free download for subscribers of her official mailing list.
- The "Home Tomorrow" Mismatch: Many online book databases and retail sites list a 2011 anthology titled Home Tomorrow as A.J. Campbell's earliest publication. This is a common metadata indexing error. The 2011 anthology was published by 6th Element Publishing for a short story competition and is entirely unrelated to the psychological suspense author A.J. Campbell, whose writing career officially began with Leave Well Alone in 2020.