Barbara Copperthwaite Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Anthologies

Barbara Copperthwaite
Barbara Copperthwaite’s writing career began when she became a journalist, a field she worked in for over twenty years. She has written and edited for a number of national newspapers and magazines.

At the beginning of her working career, Barbara also worked in a men’s maximum security prison. It was there that her fascination with crime started, as she realized that bad guys do not always seem so bad, and can often be charming.

Interviewing actual people that have been victims of crime, either directly or through the loss of loved ones, consolidated her interest in crime. And as a result, she knows quite a lot about the emotional impact of wrongdoing and violence. That is why her books are not just about the criminal act, but the consequences that they have. People are always at the heart of her thrillers, along with a genuine ability to get under the skin of even the most evil of characters.

While she’s not writing feverishly at her home in Birmingham, she can often be found hiding behind a camera to take her wildlife photos, or walking her dogs Buddy and Scamp.

“Invisible” is the first stand alone novel and was released in 2014. There is one victim of crime that nobody notices. Something’s wrong. With her husband, with her marriage, and with her. However while pouring her heart out to her diary, it is clear she can’t figure out what.

Until this one explosive night she finds the potential answer. All of a sudden vilified and hated by everybody, she clings to her relationship, even as she wonders if she really knows her husband at all.

This is a gripping, stunningly powerful, and original psychological thriller of subtle insight which takes you on a twisted journey through a woman’s marriage.

This psychological thriller is sure to stay with you for quite a long time after you have put it down. Readers lived and breathed this all consuming novel. It’s a completely gripping read, that is quite unforgettable.

“Flowers for the Dead” is the second stand alone novel and was released in 2015. He sees her, the one. Those sunglasses aren’t fooling anybody, she is obviously upset, with her lips and nose swollen from crying. They’re two lost souls and he knows that his love can really help her out. After all, she’s not the first girl he’s followed home.

Adam is the perfect boyfriend. He buys flowers and he pays attention. He knows everything about Laura and looks after every need she has. He cleans and cooks, even does the dishes without being asked.

However Laura has never even met Adam. Still grieving after this devastating car crash which killed her family, she is forgetful and struggles to put her life back together. She would be terrified to know the depth of this unsettling fantasy in which she’s the star. However there is no denying the chill that she feels every single time she finds another elaborate bouquet on her step, or wakes up during the night sensing she’s not alone.

Adam has been watching every move she makes, and now it is time to act. But there is one small detail that he has missed. Turns out, Laura has been watching him too. After everything Laura’s been through, she is ready to fight back and quit being the victim in her own life story. However in Adam’s world, there aren’t any happy endings.

This is an original and gripping read, with a deep psychological impact. The novel is twisted and satisfyingly shocking, not to mention brilliantly clever. It’s sure to have you looking over your shoulder and under your bed.

“The Darkest Lies” is the third stand alone novel and was released in 2017. A mom desperate for the truth, and a daughter hiding a horrible secret. Melanie Oak seemed to have the perfect life. Married to Jacob, her childhood sweetheart, the couple live with Beth, their loving and beautiful teen daughter, in this pretty village.

Nothing can possibly shake her happiness, until the day Beth disappears and is found beaten almost to death, her broken body lying in this freezing creek on the marshes close to their home.

Melanie, consumed with grief, is bound and determined to track down her daughter’s attacker. Somebody in the village must have seen something. So why won’t they talk?

While Melanie attempts piecing together what happened to Beth, she learns that her innocent teen daughter has been harboring some dark secrets of her own. The truth might lay closer to home and put Melanie’s life in horrible danger.

Readers found this to be a creepy and darkly addictive page turner that had them on the edge of their seat. The novel grabs you by the throat and never lets you go.

“Her Last Secret” is the fourth stand alone novel and was released in 2017. There are some secrets that you can never tell. They were the perfect family. Successful businessman Ben Thomas and Dominique, his wife, live an enviable life, along with their gorgeous kids: Ruby, a teenager, and Mouse, their quirky younger daughter.

However on Christmas Day the cops are called to their London home, just to find this horrific scene: the whole family lying lifeless, victims of some unknown assailant. Everybody but Ruby. When her diary is found, revealing all of her rage at the world all around her, the cops are forced to look closer to home for the key to this tragedy.

Each member of the family harbored their own dark truths, however has keeping their secrets pushed Ruby to the edge of sanity? Or are there much darker forces at work here?

“The Perfect Friend” is the fifth stand alone novel and was released in 2018. She will do anything for you. Her name is Alex, and her world’s been shattered. Her husband has left her, and her kids won’t speak to her.

Carrie, her friend, is the single person she’s got now. She is the only one she can Alex can trust to keep all of her secrets. She would never let Alex down. Would she?