Where to Start with Dandy Smith
All of Dandy Smith’s psychological thrillers are standalone novels, meaning you can technically pick up any book and dive right in. However, because they are all set in a shared universe in the English county of Somerset (often referencing Frome and Bath), there is a distinct advantage to reading them in publication order. Reading them chronologically by release allows you to spot character cameos and easter eggs that Smith leaves for her dedicated fans.
For the best experience, we recommend starting with her sensational debut, One Small Mistake. It perfectly introduces her trademark style: sharp dialogue, intense domestic tension, and deeply flawed female characters navigating toxic relationships.
Dandy Smith Books in Publication Order
To see how Dandy Smith's writing and her interconnected Somerset universe have evolved, here is the complete list of her novels in order of publication:
- One Small Mistake (2021)
- The Perfect Match (2023)
- The Wrong Daughter (2024)
- The Wedding Vow (2025)
- Every Little Lie (2026)
Deep Dive into the Standalone Novels
One Small Mistake (2021)
In her debut thriller, we meet Elodie Fray, an aspiring writer living in the shadow of her seemingly perfect sister, Ada. Desperate for validation, Elodie tells a minor lie about securing a major book deal. The lie quickly snowballs, trapping her in her own deception. When Elodie suddenly disappears, Ada must dig into her sister's secret life, uncovering a web of control, obsession, and dangerous secrets.
The Perfect Match (2023)
This novel explores the claustrophobic anxiety of toxic relationships and jealousy. Zara believes she has found the perfect partner in Henry, but her best friend, Ivy, is deeply suspicious that he is too good to be true. As Zara is caught between her friend's warnings and her lover's charm, the tension mounts to a deadly breaking point. Note: Smith released a companion short story, How Much Do You Love Me?, on her website that acts as a spoiler-filled follow-up to this story's events.
The Wrong Daughter (2024)
A gripping tale of childhood trauma and family secrets. Sixteen years after thirteen-year-old Olivia is abducted from her home, a woman claiming to be her suddenly returns. While her parents are overjoyed, her sister Caitlin—who has lived with survivor's guilt—is highly skeptical. Caitlin notices inconsistencies in her memories and behavior, prompting a desperate search for the truth alongside a parallel mystery involving a secluded estate.
The Wedding Vow (2025)
A husband's murder begins a dark investigation into infidelity. Verity and Linden Lockwood appear to have a perfect marriage until Linden is brutally murdered. A year later, Verity discovers hidden love letters, a burner phone, and a laptop revealing Linden's secret affair. Driven to find the identity of the other woman, Verity plunges into a web of lies where everyone around her is a suspect.
Every Little Lie (2026)
Three years after her best friend Matilda was murdered, Tori is preparing to marry the man they both loved. Just as she thinks the past is buried, Tori begins receiving chilling messages sent from Matilda's phone. The anonymous sender knows her deepest secrets and lies, proving that every deception carries a heavy cost.
What to Know Before You Start
If you're new to Dandy Smith, here are a few key details to keep in mind before you open your first book:
- A Shared Somerset Setting: Smith resides in Frome, Somerset, and uses the real-world locations of Frome and Bath as atmospheric backdrops. The local rainy weather and cozy market towns provide a stark, moody contrast to the dark events in her thrillers.
- Reoccurring Characters: While the main plots are self-contained, look out for familiar faces popping up in the background. It is a shared universe, and surviving characters from earlier books sometimes make cameos.
- Focus on Sisterhood and Relationships: Smith's novels heavily focus on the complicated, sometimes toxic bonds between women, whether they are sisters (like Ada and Elodie, or Caitlin and Olivia) or best friends (like Ivy and Zara, or Tori and Matilda).