Crime writer Sarah Barrie on the five stories that made her turn from romance to rogues … and worse

Sarah Barrie reveals how she was lured from making a living through romance to the grittier side of life – and death – and shares the stories that made her turn.

Don’t we all love a good mystery? … Rebecca Ferguson and Justin Theroux in the movie adaptation of The Girl On The Train, one of Sarah Barrie’s favourite novels.

I love writing romantic suspense. The fusion of genres allows me to combine the emotional depth and chemistry of a romance with the tension and thrill of a suspenseful plot, with a satisfying resolution.

So why the shift to crime? I found the intrigue of crime fiction irresistible. My romantic suspense novels were becoming more and more heavily reliant on crime elements with each book I wrote, so it was a natural progression for me to take that step.

‘I was hooked’ ... Sarah Barrie on her turn to a life of crime (writing).

Once I began my first crime novel, Unforgiven, I was hooked. The complexities, darker tones, and intricate plotting required to write in this genre offered a refreshing challenge compared to the emotionally charged narratives in romance.

For me, exploring various genres is about personal growth as a writer. It allows me to expand my horizons and test new writing techniques. Writing crime fiction offers the chance to delve into unconventional aspects of human behaviour. The lure of crime fiction’s mysterious nature is undeniable – the genre inspires me to write fresh and compelling new stories, though I do still love a good interwoven romance if it suits the plot!

‘The lure of crime fiction’s mysterious nature is undeniable’ … Sarah Barrie’s new book, Vendetta.

Of course, the big reason behind wanting to write crime is the extraordinary number of incredible crime novels I’ve enjoyed over the years. We are so spoiled for choice within the genre. In Australia alone we have names such as Candice Fox, Jane Harper, Liane Moriarty, Nicola Moriarty, Chris Hammer, Sarah Bailey, Dervla McTeirnan and so many others.

While it would be impossible for me to whittle down those who have influenced my writing to just a handful, a few I’ve read in recent years do pop to mind as standouts.

‘Kept me fascinated throughout the story’s many twists and turns’ … Gone Girl was made into a movie starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.

One that had me falling in love with psychological thrillers was Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. The story revolves around a husband’s search for his missing wife. The clever use of unreliable narrators was a first for me at the time, while Flynn’s exploration of the dark facets of human behaviour kept me fascinated throughout the story’s many twists and turns.

‘Layers of tension and mystery’ … Emily Blunt starred in the film adaptation of The Girl On The Train.

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins is another absorbing psychological thriller I found particularly memorable. The story follows an alcoholic woman who becomes entangled in a missing persons investigation. Once again, we have an unreliable narrator due to her alcoholism and memory lapses, which effectively adds layers of tension and mystery onto themes of dark manipulation and obsession amid a plotline full of distorted perceptions and misleading threads.

‘Some stories stay with you a long time’ … The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. More of a psychological mystery, this explores the story of a woman who stops speaking after allegedly murdering her husband, and the psychologist determined to uncover the truth behind her silence. Some stories stay with you a long time and this was one of those for me. The story is told from dual perspectives alternating between the psychotherapist and the silent patient’s diary entries. It delves into the intricacies of the human mind, exploring themes of trauma and mental health and the shocking revelation towards the end of the book is a literary slam dunk.

‘Crisp, precise writing’ … author Michael Connelly.

The Reversal by Michael Connelly was one I wasn’t sure I’d like, but I’m a huge fan of underdog stories, so I took a chance and quickly discovered legal thrillers can be completely engrossing. The story features defence attorney Mickey Haller and LAPD Detective Harry Bosch as they work together to prosecute a child molestation case. Connelly’s mastery in creating unexpected plot twists and turns is undeniable and his background in journalism contributes to his crisp, precise writing and his ability to portray the complexities of the legal system compellingly and realistically.

‘Anything by Candice Fox’ … the author, pictured, wrote Crimson Lake among other crime novels.

Crimson Lake by Candice Fox, but really anything by Candice Fox. This one just popped first to mind. A go-to author of mine, Fox can be relied upon to produce compelling characters, unique settings, unpredictable plots, engaging writing and memorable characters every time. In Crimson Lake, Ted Conkaffey, a former police detective accused of a crime he didn’t commit, partners up with convicted murderer Amanda Pharrell. How could this be anything but tense and complex? Their unconventional partnership and layered personalities make for compelling reading.

Vendetta by Sarah Barrie is out now, published by HarperCollins. Check it out and tell us what gets your heart racing at The Sunday Book Club group on Facebook.

For even more suspense, try our new Book Of The Month: A Shadow At The Door by Jo Dixon. Get 30 per cent off the RRP with the code SHADOW at Booktopia. T & Cs: Ends 31-Jan-2024. Only on ISBN 9781867250326. Not with any other offer.

Originally published as Crime writer Sarah Barrie on the five stories that made her turn from romance to rogues … and worse