Where to Start with Anna George
Because Anna George has written in two distinct styles, your best starting point depends on your mood. She transitioned from writing dark, claustrophobic psychological thrillers to publishing sharp, witty contemporary drama and social satire. Both paths offer excellent entry points:
- For Thriller and Suspense Fans: Start with her debut novel, What Came Before (2014). It is an intense, gripping look at a toxic marriage and the psychological mechanics of control, perfect for readers who enjoy deep, character-driven domestic suspense.
- For Witty Contemporary Drama Fans: Start with Tipping (2021). If you prefer lighthearted but sharp stories about community, modern parenting, and feminist activism, this school-scandal drama is the perfect choice.
Publication Order of Anna George's Novels
Since all of Anna George’s books are completely standalone novels, there is no overarching continuity, recurring characters, or chronological order issues to worry about. Reading them in order of publication allows you to witness her stylistic evolution from dark psychological tension to optimistic social comedy.
- What Came Before (2014)
- The Lone Child (2017)
- Tipping (2021)
Deep Dive into the Novels
What Came Before (2014)
Anna George’s debut novel opens with a chilling and direct confession from David Forrester, a Melbourne solicitor, who admits to killing his wife, Elle. The narrative then backtracks to explore the history of their relationship. Written with dual perspectives, the book examines how a passionate romance can slowly and insidiously devolve into emotional abuse and physical danger. Drawing on her legal background, George delivers a highly realistic and claustrophobic portrait of domestic power struggles. The novel was highly acclaimed, earning a shortlist spot for the 2015 Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction and a nomination for the Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards.
The Lone Child (2017)
Set against the dramatic, windswept backdrop of Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, The Lone Child centers on Leah, a new mother struggling with severe sleep deprivation and isolation. While walking on the beach, Leah spots a young, unaccompanied girl. In a sleep-deprived haze, Leah makes a split-second decision to intervene, triggering a wave of suspicion, police involvement, and neighborhood drama. Alternating between Leah's perspective and that of Neve, a woman haunted by past tragedy, the novel examines the high-stakes pressures of modern parenting and the ethical boundaries of stepping into a stranger's life.
Tipping (2021)
With Tipping, Anna George shifted away from psychological suspense to write a humorous, warm, and highly relevant contemporary novel. Set in a leafy Melbourne suburb, the plot is ignited when an intimate, non-consensual photo of a high school girl is circulated online by grammar school boys. Rather than allowing the school administration to sweep the incident under the rug, a group of mothers and local families launch an accidental revolution against institutional sexism. While tackling serious themes like digital consent and double standards, the book maintains an optimistic, uplifting tone and highlights the power of collective community action.
What to Know Before You Start
Melbourne Settings: All of Anna George's novels are deeply rooted in the geography of Melbourne and its surrounding areas. She paints vivid pictures of local settings, from Melbourne's inner-west suburbs to the coastal beauty of the Mornington Peninsula.
Legal and Cinematic Flair: Before writing novels, George worked in the legal field and wrote screenplays funded by Screen Australia and Film Victoria. This background shines through in her sharp, realistic dialogue, her tight narrative structure, and her visual, scene-by-scene storytelling style.