Picture a Northern California farm girl spinning chilling mysteries under the stars—meet Vivian Barz! This Amazon Charts bestselling author has captivated readers with her eerie, fast-paced thrillers, blending paranormal twists with small-town secrets. Best known for her 'Dead Remaining' series, Barz crafts stories that linger like a foggy night, drawing you into a world where ghosts and killers collide.
With a knack for unforgettable characters and twisty plots, Barz’s journey from a rural storyteller to a celebrated mystery writer is as compelling as her novels. Let’s dive into the life and legacy of this unique voice in crime fiction.
The Making of Vivian Barz
Born in a Northern California town with fewer than 3,000 people—and more cows than neighbors—Vivian Barz grew up on a farm where wide-open spaces fueled her vivid imagination. By age ten, she was already penning tales, including a third-grade show-and-tell story about a bloodthirsty magical scarecrow that left her classmates equal parts spooked and intrigued. This early flair for the macabre set the stage for her future as a mystery maestro. Barz later honed her craft at the University of California, Irvine, studying English and film, disciplines that sharpened her storytelling and knack for cinematic suspense.
Vivian Barz’s Unforgettable Stories
Barz burst onto the scene with her 2019 debut, Forgotten Bones, the first in the 'Dead Remaining' series. This haunting thriller follows police officer Susan Marlan and schizophrenic professor Eric Evans as they unravel a chilling small-town murder mystery tied to ghostly visions. Praised for its 'harrowing, tense, and cleverly twisted' narrative, the novel blends paranormal horror with police procedural grit, earning raves from authors like Kendra Elliot.
The sequel, Hidden Bones (2020), takes Susan and Eric to the eerie town of Clancy, Washington, where missing bandmates and hostile locals deepen the suspense. Barz’s third installment, Campus Bones, and standalone novel Her Last Eclipse further showcase her ability to weave psychological depth with supernatural chills. Her style—marked by vivid characters, small-town dread, and a compassionate portrayal of mental illness—sets her apart in the thriller genre. Eric’s schizophrenia, for instance, is handled with nuance, making him a standout hero who battles both inner demons and real monsters.
Writing under pseudonyms like Sloan Archer and Vivian Casey, Barz also explores paranormal romance and other genres, but her heart lies in mysteries that keep you up past midnight. Her cinematic pacing and knack for 'delicious plot twists' make her books compulsive reads for fans of eerie crime fiction.
Why Vivian Barz Matters
Vivian Barz has carved a niche in the thriller world by blending supernatural elements with grounded, relatable characters. Her focus on mental health, particularly through Eric’s journey, challenges stereotypes and adds depth to the genre. Readers and critics alike praise her for crafting stories that are both chilling and human, with small-town settings that feel like characters themselves. As an Amazon Charts bestseller, Barz has built a loyal following, proving that even lesser-known authors can make a big impact with originality and heart.
Her work resonates with those who love a good scare but crave emotional stakes, making her a must-read for fans of authors like Michael Omer or Danielle Girard. Barz’s ability to turn a quiet farm girl’s imagination into gripping narratives is a testament to the power of storytelling.
- Born: Northern California, exact date unavailable
- Key Works: Forgotten Bones (2019), Hidden Bones (2020), Campus Bones, Her Last Eclipse
- Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Paranormal
- Pseudonyms: Sloan Archer, Vivian Casey
Snag Forgotten Bones and dive into Vivian Barz’s thrilling world of ghosts, killers, and small-town secrets—you won’t look at a quiet town the same way again!