Picture an Australian storyteller who weaves heart-pounding suspense with sizzling romance, all set against the rugged beauty of rural landscapes—meet Sarah Barrie! A bestselling author of romantic suspense, Barrie has captivated readers with novels like Secrets of Whitewater Creek and her gripping trilogies, earning her a spot among Australia’s top literary talents. From her farm on the Central Coast of NSW, where she juggles writing, family, and her beloved Arabian horses, Barrie crafts stories that keep you up all night.
The Making of Sarah Barrie
Born with a love for stories, Sarah Barrie grew up devouring romance novels, thanks to her grandmother’s stash of Mills & Boon classics. Her early career was a whirlwind of diverse roles—teacher, vet nurse, horse trainer, and magazine editor—each shaping her unique perspective. With degrees in arts, science, and education, Barrie’s passion for crime and romance led her to fiction writing. In 2013, she debuted with Getting Wild, but it was her 2014 bestseller Secrets of Whitewater Creek that marked her as a breakout star.
Sarah Barrie’s Unforgettable Stories
Barrie’s novels are a thrilling blend of romantic suspense, set in vividly drawn rural settings that pulse with danger and desire. Her debut print novel, Secrets of Whitewater Creek, unveils a small town hiding deadly secrets, showcasing her knack for suspense. The Hunters Ridge trilogy—Legacy of Hunters Ridge, Shadows of Hunters Ridge, and Promise of Hunters Ridge—follows characters like Ebony Blakely and Mia Morgan as they navigate love and serial killers in a tense, rural backdrop. Her Calico Mountain trilogy, including Bloodtree River and Deadman’s Track, dives into Tasmania’s wild landscapes, with stories of undercover cops and sinister threats. Barrie’s Lexi Winter series, starting with Unforgiven, introduces a gritty, vigilante-turned-cop heroine, tackling child abuse and crime with raw intensity. Her style is cinematic, blending heart-racing plots with passionate romance, earning comparisons to The Dry and The Dark Lake.
What sets Barrie apart is her ability to craft authentic settings and complex characters. Her rural landscapes aren’t just backdrops—they’re characters themselves, from Tasmania’s haunting mountains to NSW’s sprawling farmlands. Her heroines are tough, flawed, and relatable, often facing both external threats and inner demons, making her stories resonate deeply with readers.
Why Sarah Barrie Matters
Sarah Barrie’s impact on romantic suspense is undeniable. Her novels have not only hit bestseller lists but also earned prestigious nominations, including the RUBY from Romance Writers of Australia and multiple Australian Romance Readers Awards. By tackling heavy themes like child abuse in her Lexi Winter series, Barrie sheds light on societal issues, creating empathetic, boundary-pushing characters. Her work has redefined rural suspense, blending romance and danger in a way that’s both thrilling and emotionally rich, inspiring readers and writers alike.
- Key Works: Secrets of Whitewater Creek, Hunters Ridge trilogy, Calico Mountain trilogy, Lexi Winter series
- Awards: RUBY finalist, Australian Romance Readers Award finalist
- Hobbies: Horse riding, farm life, savoring Irish whiskey
Snag Unforgiven or Deadman’s Track and dive into Sarah Barrie’s thrilling world of romantic suspense—you won’t put it down!