The Best Way to Read Anne Baines's Novels
Anne Baines has carved out a unique space in modern crime and mystery fiction, drawing on her colorful background as a former professional poker player and equestrian to craft tight, suspenseful plots. For readers looking to dive into her work, Baines's bibliography is divided into two distinct series, a standalone romantic thriller, and a gritty revenge novella.
Because her series follow specific character arcs and developmental timelines, the recommended way to read her work is by following the publication order within each series. You can choose either path depending on your preferred subgenre:
- For fast-paced con-artist thrillers: Begin with the Delilah series, starting with Hunting Delilah.
- For classic, atmospheric private investigator mysteries: Begin with the Sam Arbichaut series, starting with A Perfect Alibi.
The Delilah Thriller Series
The Delilah series centers on a cunning con artist, thief, and getaway driver named Delilah. Unlike traditional crime novels where the protagonist is on the side of the law, these thrillers plunge readers into the criminal underworld. The tension escalates as Delilah's high-stakes heists clash with dangerous killers, forcing her to rely on her wits, instincts, and nerve to protect her daughter and survive.
Delilah Books in Order
We recommend reading the Delilah books in their chronological order of publication to follow Delilah's evolving relationships and the escalating danger she faces:
- Hunting Delilah (2011): Delilah is pulled into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a serial killer after a robbery goes sideways. To protect those she loves, she must outmaneuver a lethal predator who is hunting her down.
- Chasing Delilah (2022 / 2023): The sequel raises the stakes, keeping the narrative lean, cinematic, and fast-paced as Delilah's past catches up with her and she is forced back into action.
The Sam Arbichaut Mystery Series
The Sam Arbichaut mysteries follow a traditional, gritty private investigator formula set against the moody backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. Sam Arbichaut is a former Florida police detective who has relocated to Portland, Oregon, seeking a fresh start and a slower pace. However, the misty rain of Portland quickly turns gloomy as Sam finds himself entangled in complex investigations that test his levelheadedness and seasoned police instincts.
Sam Arbichaut Books in Order
While the mystery cases in each book are self-contained and resolved by the end of each novel, we recommend reading them in order to appreciate Sam's personal journey, his struggle to adjust to middle age, and his developing relationships in his new Portland home:
- A Perfect Alibi (2018): Sam's first case as a private investigator in Portland starts simple when a husband hires him to trail a suspected unfaithful wife. The investigation turns homicidal when Sam discovers the wife's murdered body, dragging him into a dangerous web of deceit.
- Butcher's Dozen (2018): A local police officer asks Sam to help locate her teenage cousin. While the authorities dismiss the girl as a runaway and a habitual liar, she claims to have escaped a mass kidnapping. Sam must determine if she is telling the truth or if there are a dozen other victims trapped with a serial killer.
- Cold Sweat (2019): Sam is hired by a woman targeted by a vicious stalker who is using faked video evidence to ruin her reputation. With no one else in her life believing her, she turns to Sam to unmask the hidden culprit trying to destroy her from the shadows.
Standalone Novels and Short Stories
For readers looking for a complete story outside of Baines's two main series, she has written a standalone thriller and an independent novella:
Undertow (2018)
Set on the beautiful island of Kauai, this standalone romantic thriller follows NCIS Special Agent Maia Lamb. Her peaceful island life is shattered when a Navy officer is found mutilated on a local beach. As she investigates the rising body count, she teams up with local surf instructor Kaiko Akoni. Maia must decide if Kaiko is a trustworthy ally or a suspect hiding a dark, deadly secret of his own.
Counting Down the Stars (2014)
This standalone short story/novella is a brief, gritty revenge thriller. The plot follows a young girl who returns to her hostile hometown—referred to as "Nowhereville"—seeking vengeance and justice for the tragic death of her sister.
What to Know Before You Start
Anne Baines's novels are celebrated for their sharp dialogue, tight pacing, and realistic protagonists who lack the typical superhero tropes of modern thrillers. Her background as a professional poker player shines through in her character work; both Sam Arbichaut and Delilah are experts at reading human behavior, identifying tells, and keeping their cool under immense pressure. Additionally, her personal experiences with equestrian sports and show jumping occasionally influence the hobbies and traits of her characters.
Atmosphere plays a major role in her books, especially in the Sam Arbichaut series. The misty forests, constant rain, and rugged terrain of the Pacific Northwest serve as more than just a setting; they establish the moody, noir-like tone of Sam's investigations.