Picture an Australian IT whiz turned master of mind-bending plots—meet Natalie Barelli! With a knack for crafting psychological thrillers that keep you guessing, Barelli swapped coding for storytelling, debuting with Until I Met Her in 2017. Her tales of deception and dark humor have hooked readers worldwide, proving she’s a thrilling new voice in domestic noir.
From her home in Australia’s Blue Mountains, Barelli spins stories that unravel the human psyche with a wicked twist. Curious about the woman behind the suspense? Let’s dive into her journey, her gripping novels, and why she’s a must-read for thriller fans!
The Making of Natalie Barelli
Natalie Barelli didn’t always plan to write novels. Before becoming an author, she thrived as an IT consultant, navigating the tech world with precision. A lifelong lover of psychological thrillers, she devoured books by authors like Gillian Flynn, fueling her passion for suspense. It was a bucket-list challenge over glasses of wine with a friend that sparked her writing career. Barelli decided to pen a novel, just to see if she could. The result? A sparkling debut and a house that’s never been cleaner, thanks to her writing breaks!
Living in the scenic Blue Mountains near Sydney with her extended family, Barelli draws inspiration from her surroundings and her love for podcasts. Her transition from tech to tales wasn’t just a career shift—it was a leap into a world where lies and secrets drive her gripping narratives.
Natalie Barelli’s Unforgettable Stories
Barelli’s novels are a rollercoaster of suspense, blending domestic noir with dark humor. Her debut, Until I Met Her (2017), introduces Emma Fern, a celebrated author entangled in a web of lies about her literary success. Its sequel, After He Killed Me (2017), deepens the intrigue with morally ambiguous characters navigating betrayal. These Emma Fern novels showcase Barelli’s knack for complex protagonists and unexpected twists.
Other standouts include The Loyal Wife (2018), where a scorned wife uncovers her husband’s dark secrets, and The Housekeeper (2019), a chilling tale of revenge and obsession. Barelli’s style is sharp and witty, weaving themes of deception, identity, and hidden pasts. Her plots often explore the literary world’s underbelly, inspired by real-life stories like French author Romain Gary’s pseudonym scandal. Readers love her ability to keep them guessing until the final page.
With a growing bibliography, including Unfaithful (2020) and Finders Keepers (2023), Barelli’s stories resonate for their psychological depth and relatable, flawed characters. Her dark humor adds a playful edge, making her thrillers both thrilling and delightfully unsettling.
Why Natalie Barelli Matters
Natalie Barelli has carved a niche in the psychological thriller genre, captivating readers with her unpredictable plots and sharp storytelling. Her self-published successes, like Missing Molly and The Accident, caught the eye of publishers like Bookouture, expanding her global reach. Fans on Goodreads and Amazon praise her for delivering “unputdownable” reads with twists that “knock you sideways.”
Barelli’s impact lies in her ability to make the ordinary feel sinister, turning everyday settings into stages for betrayal and suspense. By exploring themes of trust and ambition, she invites readers to question the secrets we all keep. Her rise from self-publishing to bestseller lists inspires aspiring authors, proving that a bold leap can rewrite your story.
- Key Works: Until I Met Her, The Loyal Wife, The Housekeeper, Finders Keepers
- Hobbies: Cooking, knitting (badly), and riding her Vespa
- Location: Blue Mountains, Australia
Snag The Housekeeper and dive into Natalie Barelli’s twisty world of psychological suspense! Her books are perfect for anyone craving a thrilling escape with a side of dark humor.