Picture a Toronto storyteller who spins nail-biting thrillers while coaching youth hockey and nurturing aspiring writers—meet Amy Stuart! This bestselling Canadian author has captivated readers with her 'Still' series and standalone novel A Death at the Party, blending suspense with raw human emotion. Her unique path as a novelist, educator, and one of only four female head coaches in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) makes her a literary force with a story as gripping as her books.
Born and raised in Toronto, Stuart’s multifaceted life infuses her writing with authenticity and heart. Whether she’s crafting mysteries or inspiring the next generation of writers through her Writerscape community, her passion for storytelling and connection shines through.
The Making of Amy Stuart
Amy Stuart grew up skating on Toronto’s rinks, playing hockey at Leaside, and later channeling that competitive spirit into coaching. Her early career as a high school educator, teaching English and guidance in alternative schools, honed her ability to understand complex characters—a skill that would define her novels. In 2012, she earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia, marking a pivotal step toward her literary career. Stuart’s love for plotting, sparked by news stories and human mysteries, set the stage for her thriller-writing journey.
Before novels, Stuart’s short fiction earned accolades, including the 2011 Writers’ Union of Canada Short Fiction Competition and a finalist spot for the 2012 Vanderbilt/Exile Award. Her transition from educator to full-time writer wasn’t without challenges, but her dedication to storytelling and teaching never wavered, leading her to found Writerscape in 2019 to mentor emerging writers.
Amy Stuart’s Unforgettable Stories
Stuart’s debut novel, Still Mine (2016), introduced readers to Clare O’Dey, a private investigator on the run, unraveling a woman’s disappearance in a haunting small town. A bestseller and Arthur Ellis Best First Novel Award nominee, it showcased Stuart’s knack for taut pacing and psychological depth. Its sequels, Still Water (2018) and Still Here (2020), deepened Clare’s story, earning praise for their atmospheric settings and intricate plots. The trilogy, optioned for television by Lark/NBC Universal, cemented Stuart’s place in the thriller genre.
In 2023, Stuart released A Death at the Party, a standalone thriller unfolding over a single day. The story, centered on Nadine standing over a dead body in her basement during a party, grips readers with its relentless tension and emotional stakes. Stuart’s style blends analytical plotting with character-driven narratives, drawing comparisons to The Girl on the Train while carving her own niche. Her recent collaboration with hockey legend Mats Sundin on his memoir Home and Away (2024), a #1 nonfiction bestseller, highlights her versatility, weaving Sundin’s journey from Sweden to the Toronto Maple Leafs with humor and heart.
Stuart’s themes often explore isolation, secrets, and resilience, reflecting her fascination with human behavior. Her settings, from rural Canada to Toronto’s urban pulse, feel alive, grounding her mysteries in vivid, relatable worlds.
Why Amy Stuart Matters
Amy Stuart’s impact extends beyond her page-turning novels. As a female head coach in the male-dominated GTHL, she’s a trailblazer, advocating for inclusion and equity—themes that echo in her Writerscape workshops, where she empowers aspiring writers to find their voice. Her ability to juggle coaching, teaching, and writing inspires readers and creators alike, proving that passion can fuel multiple paths. Stuart’s stories resonate with those who crave suspense with soul, making her a vital voice in Canadian literature.
Her work’s adaptability—spanning novels, memoirs, and potential TV adaptations—shows her storytelling prowess. By mentoring through Writerscape and sharing her hockey journey, Stuart builds communities that value creativity and resilience, leaving a legacy that’s as dynamic as her thrillers.
- Born: Toronto, Canada
- Key Works: Still Mine, Still Water, Still Here, A Death at the Party, Home and Away (with Mats Sundin)
- Awards: 2011 Writers’ Union of Canada Short Fiction Competition winner, Arthur Ellis Best First Novel Award nominee
- Fun Fact: Stuart is a lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs fan!
Snag Still Mine or A Death at the Party and dive into Amy Stuart’s thrilling world of secrets and suspense!