Claire Allan Books in Order

How to Approach Claire Allan's Books

Claire Allan has had a fascinating evolution as a writer. She spent the first decade of her career writing emotional, heartfelt contemporary women's fiction set in Ireland. In 2018, she made a dramatic pivot to dark, suspenseful domestic noir and psychological thrillers, helping to pioneer the wave of "Emerald Noir." To make things even more interesting, she also writes lighthearted, funny rom-coms under the pen name Freya Kennedy.

Because her thrillers and her early women's fiction are completely different in tone, you should choose your starting point based on the mood you are looking for:

• For Dark Suspense: Start with her breakout thriller, Her Name Was Rose (2018), or the Derry-based mystery The Liar's Daughter (2020).
• For Heartfelt Drama: Pick up her emotional historical-contemporary blend, The First Time I Said Goodbye (2013).
• For Laugh-Out-Loud Rom-Coms: Dive into the Ivy Lane series starting with The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn (2020), published under her Freya Kennedy pseudonym.

Claire Allan's Psychological Thrillers (Publication Order)

With the exception of brief references or recurring atmospheric nods to her home city of Derry, Northern Ireland, all of Claire Allan's psychological thrillers are standalone novels. They do not share characters or plot lines, meaning you can read them in any order you choose. However, reading them in publication order lets you see her development as a master of domestic suspense.

1. Her Name Was Rose (2018) – A gripping look at obsession and guilt, where a woman becomes obsessed with the life of a hit-and-run victim.
2. Apple of My Eye (2019) – A dark tale of maternal paranoia, blackmail, and deep-seated family secrets.
3. Forget Me Not (2019) – A chilling mystery involving a cold case, old secrets, and a tight-knit community.
4. The Liar's Daughter (2020) – Set in Derry, this novel follows the fallout after a beloved community leader is killed, revealing a web of historical abuse.
5. Ask No Questions (2021) – A podcast-style thriller focusing on a cold case involving the murder of a young girl twenty-five years prior.
6. The Nurse (2022) – A tense thriller centered on the professional and personal boundaries crossed in a hospital setting.
7. In the Dark (2023) – A suspenseful story about the dark truths hidden behind seemingly happy relationships.
8. The Affair (2024) – A sharp exploration of infidelity, secrets, and murder.
9. The Perfect Mother (2025) – A domestic thriller dissecting the extreme pressures and dark realities of modern motherhood.
10. People Don't Just Disappear (2025) – A mystery following the sudden disappearance of a woman and the shocking truths uncovered during the search.

Claire Allan's Early Women's Fiction (2007–2015)

Before her thriller era, Claire Allan wrote emotional contemporary women's fiction. Published primarily through Poolbeg Press, these standalone books focus on relationships, family issues, grief, and healing, with a signature Irish warmth. Like her thrillers, these can be read in any order.

• Rainy Days & Tuesdays (2007)
• Feels Like Maybe (2008)
• Jumping in Puddles (2009)
• It's Got to be Perfect (2010)
• If Only You Knew (2011)
• What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (2012)
• The First Time I Said Goodbye (2013)
• Still You (2015)

Uplifting Rom-Coms as Freya Kennedy

Under the pen name Freya Kennedy, Allan writes lighter, fun-filled romantic comedies published by Boldwood Books. Unlike her standalone thrillers, her Freya Kennedy books include distinct series that should be read in order.

Ivy Lane Series

This series centers around the lives, loves, and friendships of characters residing near or visiting the charming Ivy Lane.

1. The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn (2020)
2. In Pursuit of Happiness (2020)
3. Don't Stop Believing (2023)

Fecking Fabulous Forties Club Series

A hilarious, heartwarming series tracking three female friends navigating the trials, triumphs, and romantic escapades of life in their forties.

1. The Fabulous Forties Club (2024)
2. Stuck in the Midlife With You (2025)
3. Everything's Grand (2026)

Other Freya Kennedy Books

• Wartime With the Irish Factory Girls (2026) – A historical standalone novel following the lives of young women working in a Northern Irish factory during World War II.

Reader Advice and What to Know Before You Start

First-time readers of Claire Allan should keep a few details in mind:

The Derry Connection

Claire Allan is extremely proud of her roots in Derry, Northern Ireland. Many of her books, both thrillers and women's fiction, are set there. She vividly captures the local slang, the dry humor, and the historical shadow of the Troubles, which gives her thrillers an atmospheric, authentic edge. If you want to experience this local flavor at its best, The Liar's Daughter and Ask No Questions are highly recommended.

Are the Thrillers Connected?

No. You do not need to worry about character crossovers or cliffhangers in her thrillers. Each book is a self-contained story. You can pick up any thriller based on which synopsis appeals to you most.

The BBC Connection

If you are a fan of BBC's crime drama Blue Lights, you may already be familiar with Allan's storytelling instincts. She worked as a story consultant on the first series of the acclaimed show, bringing her background as a former Derry Journal reporter to the screen's gritty, realistic depiction of Northern Irish policing.