Frequently Asked Questions About Amanda McKinney & Her Books

Welcome! Whether you're discovering Amanda McKinney for the first time or you've been reading her books for years, you'll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about her novels, writing process, reading order, awards, and more.

Who is Amanda McKinney?

Amanda McKinney is an Amazon Charts bestselling and multi-award-winning author of emotionally driven thrillers with unforgettable twists. Every story is carefully plotted, with clues scattered like breadcrumbs that invite readers to solve the mystery alongside the characters before a final twist changes everything.

With more than 30 published novels, Amanda has built a loyal readership by blending emotional storytelling with tightly woven suspense. Her books explore the secrets families keep, the lies people tell to protect those they love, the masks we all wear, and the impossible choices that can change lives forever. Whether she's writing about a missing woman, a fractured marriage, or a seemingly ordinary life hiding dark secrets, readers can expect a fast-paced story filled with unexpected turns.

Throughout her career, Amanda's novels have earned multiple literary awards and finalist honors while reaching readers across the United States and around the world. Her books have appeared on the Amazon Charts bestseller list, and her readership continues to grow internationally as her novels expand into new countries and print markets.

What kinds of books does Amanda McKinney write?

Amanda writes fast-paced psychological thrillers and domestic suspense novels filled with twists—but the twists are never the point.

"I've never wanted to surprise readers just for the sake of surprising them," Amanda says. "When I'm plotting a story, I try really hard to make sure the twist doesn't come out of nowhere. I want readers to flip back through the pages and realize the clues were there all along."

Every novel begins with a meticulously plotted outline, allowing Amanda to scatter clues like breadcrumbs throughout the story before building toward a final reveal. Her stories often begin with an ordinary person caught in an extraordinary situation—a missing woman, a troubled marriage, a suspicious death, or a devastating secret—and unravel into mysteries that keep readers guessing until the very last page.

Rather than relying on graphic violence, Amanda's books focus on psychological tension, emotional stakes, and the ripple effects of impossible choices. The emotional journey is just as important as the mystery itself, with stories exploring grief, love, betrayal, guilt, and the difficult decisions that ultimately define us.

Setting also plays a starring role. Amanda is drawn to remote wilderness settings where isolation heightens the suspense and nature becomes part of the story. If you enjoy immersive settings that feel like characters themselves, you'll feel right at home in Amanda's world.

What inspired Amanda McKinney to become a writer?

Amanda never planned to become an author.

After leaving her career to become a stay-at-home mom following the birth of her first child, she quickly realized she wasn't wired to spend her days folding laundry and watching daytime television. She needed something creative—something that challenged her mind, gave her independence, and allowed her to build something entirely her own.

One afternoon, while reading a Nora Roberts novel during her son's nap, Amanda looked up from the book and said out loud, "I'm going to write a book."

The very next day, she sat down and began outlining her first novel.

She had no publishing experience, no connections in the industry, and no roadmap—just a dream. That single decision eventually grew into a full-time writing career, more than 30 published novels, numerous literary awards, and readers around the world.

Amanda often says it wasn't that single decision that changed the course of her life—it was the grit to see it through. It's a philosophy reflected in one of her favorite Tom Brady quotes:

"To be successful at anything, the truth is you don't have to be special. You just have to be what most people aren't: consistent, determined, and willing to work for it."

Is Amanda McKinney writing a new book?

Yes! Amanda is always working on her next thriller.

She is currently writing a twisty domestic suspense novel, tentatively scheduled for release in late 2027. While details remain under wraps until the official announcement, fans can look forward to another story packed with secrets, suspense, and unforgettable surprises.

The best way to stay informed about upcoming releases is by subscribing to Amanda's newsletter, where she shares exclusive updates, cover reveals, behind-the-scenes glimpses into her writing process, and occasional personal reflections from life beyond the page.

Does Amanda McKinney still write romantic suspense?

For now, Amanda's focus is entirely on writing thrillers.

Readers interested in her earlier work can still explore her collection of romantic suspense novels at all major retailers.

What awards has Amanda McKinney won?

Over the course of her career, Amanda has earned multiple literary awards and finalist honors, including recognition from the Daphne du Maurier Awards, the National Readers' Choice Awards, the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards), and other organizations celebrating excellence in suspense and romance fiction. Her work has also been featured on the Today Show and POPSUGAR.

Where does Amanda McKinney live?

Amanda McKinney lives in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas.
The region's rolling hills, dense forests, winding backroads, and small-town charm inspire the atmospheric settings found throughout her novels.

The woods are Amanda's happy place, and many of her best story ideas begin during long walks in nature.

AMANDA MCKINNEY BOOKS

Which Amanda McKinney book should I read first?

Every one of Amanda McKinney's thrillers is a standalone novel, so you can jump in anywhere and enjoy the ride.

If you're new to Amanda's books, many readers recommend starting with A Marriage of Lies, one of her bestselling thrillers.

Where can I buy Amanda McKinney's books?

Amanda's thrillers are currently available as Kindle eBooks exclusively on Amazon, while paperback editions are gradually expanding to additional retailers.

Her earlier romantic suspense novels are available through all major booksellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, and other retailers.

Do Amanda McKinney's books need to be read in order?

Amanda's thrillers do not need to be read in order.

Amanda's romantic suspense novels are a little different. While she has written several standalone romances, she has also created multiple series, including the reader-favorite Steele Shadows series. Check the book detail page for series information.

What is Amanda McKinney's newest book?

Amanda's newest thriller, The Sketch Artist, releases in September 2026.

Her next novel, The Book Club Confession, follows in April 2027.

For the latest release news, cover reveals, and exclusive updates, be sure to subscribe to Amanda's newsletter.

Which Amanda McKinney romantic suspense books should I read?

If you're looking for Amanda's romantic suspense novels, readers consistently recommend the Steele Shadows series as a great place to begin.

Amanda's personal favorite, however, is MINE. Darker, steamier, and more emotionally intense than many of her earlier romances, MINE combines an obsessive alpha hero, high-stakes romance, gripping mystery, and plenty of unexpected twists

What is Amanda McKinney's favorite book she's written?

When it comes to thrillers, The Perfect Murder holds a special place in Amanda's heart. The story follows a bestselling author whose fictional murder suddenly begins happening in real life, forcing her to prove she didn't commit the very crime she imagined. Beyond the mystery-driven premise, the novel explores mental health challenges and grief—themes that are deeply personal to Amanda.

Amanda's favorite romantic suspense novel is MINE. She'll happily admit she developed a bit of a crush on the hero, Astor Stone. Fortunately, her real-life hero—her husband—took it in stride.

How long are Amanda McKinney's books?

Most Amanda McKinney novels are on the shorter side, making them ideal weekend reads. She also prefers writing short chapters that keep the story moving.

Do Amanda McKinney's books feature unreliable narrators?

Without giving away any surprises... Amanda loves keeping readers on their toes.

Her novels often explore perception, memory, hidden motives, and the idea that people aren't always who they appear to be. Readers who enjoy questioning what—and who—they can trust will likely feel right at home in Amanda's stories.

Which Amanda McKinney books feature isolated settings?

Many of them.

Amanda has always been drawn to remote places where the setting becomes a character in its own right. From quiet mountain towns and secluded lakes to sprawling estates and isolated communities, her novels often use atmosphere to heighten the suspense.

The combination of atmospheric scenery and growing unease is one of the hallmarks of Amanda's storytelling.

Are Amanda McKinney's books fast-paced?

Yes. Amanda intentionally writes novels that are difficult to put down, balancing short chapters, escalating tension, and steadily unfolding mysteries with emotionally rich characters readers become invested in.

One of her favorite techniques is scattering clues throughout the story like breadcrumbs, inviting readers to form their own theories while encouraging "just one more chapter."

Do Amanda McKinney's books have multiple points of view?

Most of them do.

Amanda enjoys telling stories through multiple perspectives because it allows readers to experience different pieces of the puzzle as the mystery unfolds. Each point of view adds new information, deepens the emotional stakes, and gradually reveals a larger picture that often isn't fully understood until the final twist.

Do Amanda McKinney's books have happy endings?

Without spoiling anything... Yes.

The journey can be dark, but Amanda believes even the hardest stories deserve to end with hope.

GENRE

What is a psychological thriller?

A psychological thriller is a suspense novel that emphasizes the psychological state of its characters as the primary driver of the plot. Rather than focusing on physical danger alone, these stories create suspense through conflict, manipulation, uncertainty, and the characters' thoughts, emotions, and decisions.

Many of Amanda's thrillers fall into this category.

What is domestic suspense?

Domestic suspense is a subgenre of thriller in which the central conflict arises from personal relationships and everyday life. The story typically centers on spouses, families, friends, neighbors, or other people with close personal connections, with the suspense driven by secrets, deception, betrayal, and conflicts within those relationships rather than external threats or large-scale criminal conspiracies.

Many of Amanda's thrillers fall into this category.

What makes Amanda McKinney's thrillers unique?

Amanda believes the best thrillers don't just surprise readers—they make them feel.

While every novel delivers the shocking twists thriller fans expect, the heart of each story is always the characters. Amanda is drawn to emotionally complicated people facing impossible choices, and she loves exploring how grief, guilt, love, loyalty, and fear shape the decisions they make.

Another hallmark of Amanda's writing is her carefully planted clues throughout every story, inviting readers to solve the mystery alongside her characters. Some readers spot the clues. Others are completely blindsided. Either way, Amanda hopes the final reveal feels surprising, satisfying, and completely earned.

Are Amanda McKinney's books scary?

That depends on your definition of scary.

Amanda's books aren't horror novels, but they do explore dark subject matter, including murder, betrayal, and the devastating consequences of difficult choices. Rather than relying on jump scares or graphic violence, her stories create tension through atmosphere, mystery, and emotional suspense.

Many readers describe her books as chilling, suspenseful, and impossible to put down—but not overly graphic.

Are Amanda McKinney's books good for book clubs?

Yes. Amanda's novels are filled with moral dilemmas, complicated relationships, and endings that inspire discussion. Readers often find themselves debating characters' decisions, revisiting clues they overlooked, and comparing theories about the twists.

Amanda is especially excited for The Book Club Confession, a thriller that was written with book club readers in mind.

READERS ALSO LIKE

Readers often ask, "If I enjoy a certain author, would I enjoy your books?" or "Which authors are similar to Amanda McKinney?"

Rather than guessing, we've looked at hundreds of reader reviews and Bookstagram posts to identify the authors most frequently mentioned alongside Amanda McKinney's books. While every writer has a unique voice, these comparisons can be a helpful starting point when deciding which of her novels to read next.

The authors readers mention most often include Lisa Jewell, Alice Feeney, Freida McFadden, Shari Lapena, Gillian Flynn, B.A. Paris, and Karin Slaughter.

If you're a fan of those authors, there's a good chance you'll enjoy Amanda McKinney's books as well.

WRITING PROCESS

Where does Amanda McKinney get her ideas?

Believe it or not, Amanda isn't a true crime junkie.

She rarely watches crime shows, listens to true crime podcasts, or spends hours reading about real-life murders. Instead, most of her story ideas arrive while she's doing something much quieter—walking alone in the woods. No music. No headphones. Just miles of trails and time to think.

Amanda often jokes that her stories come from a very dark corner of her imagination. She has no idea why her mind dreams up murder and mayhem—but she's grateful readers enjoy following along.

How long does it take Amanda McKinney to write a novel?

Most of Amanda's novels take about six months to write from the first chapter to the final draft—before entering the editing process.

Does Amanda McKinney outline her books?

Absolutely.

Amanda is a meticulous plotter and outlines every novel before writing the first chapter. She enjoys knowing exactly where the story is headed so she can carefully layer clues, character arcs, and twists throughout the book.

Fun fact: Amanda is not a spontaneous person.

How does Amanda McKinney come up with her plot twists?

Surprisingly, Amanda almost always comes up with the final twist first.

Once she knows how the story ends, she works backward, building the mystery piece by piece until every clue, conversation, and seemingly small detail points toward the ending without giving it away.

Which book was the hardest to write?

Without question, The Book Club Confession.

It was Amanda's first novel featuring a true ensemble cast, with multiple main characters, intersecting storylines, and a web of relationships that all had to fit together perfectly.

Balancing so many distinct personalities while making sure every clue landed in exactly the right place made it one of the most rewarding—and most challenging—books Amanda has ever written.

What does a typical writing day look like for Amanda McKinney?

Readers are often surprised to learn that Amanda doesn't wait for inspiration to strike.

Writing is a full-time job, and Amanda writes seven days a week—because she genuinely loves what she does. She considers herself incredibly fortunate to make a living telling stories and never takes that privilege for granted. Most mornings begin with coffee, a detailed outline, and a clear writing goal. Some days the words flow effortlessly. Other days require far more persistence. Either way, Amanda believes consistency—not inspiration—is what turns ideas into finished books.

When she isn't writing, Amanda loves spending time with her family, her dogs, and escaping into the woods for long walks. She jokes that she spends half her life in the real world and the other half living in fantasy land, dreaming up new plots, twists, and characters. It's one of the things she loves most about being an author—the ability to disappear into an entirely different world, if only for a little while.

BOOK CLUBS

Which Amanda McKinney book is best for a book club?

Any of Amanda's thrillers can spark lively discussion, but a few stand out as particular favorites.

A Marriage of Lies raises thought-provoking questions about marriage, loyalty, and the consequences of hidden secrets. The Perfect Murder invites readers to explore the complexities of mental health struggles, perception, and truth.

That said, Amanda is especially excited for The Book Club Confession, which was written with book club readers in mind.

Does Amanda McKinney offer book club discussion questions?

Yes! If your book club is reading one of Amanda's novels and you'd like discussion questions, simply reach out through the contact form on her website. Amanda is always happy to help make your discussion even more enjoyable.

Can Amanda McKinney join my book club virtually?

Absolutely! Amanda loves connecting with readers and is happy to join book clubs virtually whenever her schedule allows. If you'd like to invite her to your discussion, simply reach out through the contact form on her website with your group's details.

CONTACT

How can I contact Amanda McKinney?

The easiest way to reach Amanda is through the contact form on her website.

Does Amanda McKinney do interviews?

Yes! Amanda loves talking all things bookish. If you'd like to invite her for an interview or guest appearance, simply reach out through the contact form on her website.

Does Amanda McKinney attend book events?

Yes! If you're interested in inviting Amanda to an event, simply reach out through the contact form on her website with the details.

How do I subscribe to Amanda McKinney's newsletter?

The easiest way is to visit Amanda's Contact page and scroll to the bottom, where you'll find her newsletter sign-up form.

Subscribers receive exclusive updates, cover reveals, new release announcements, behind-the-scenes writing updates, and occasional personal reflections delivered directly to their inbox.

Last updated: July 2026