SARA FOSTER
Sara Foster is an internationally published, bestselling psychological suspense author living in Western Australia. Her latest novel, When She Was Gone, was released by Blackstone (US/Can) and HarperCollins (ANZ) in April 2025, and is available in bookstores now.  
 
Sara has previously published seven novels: the near-future acclaimed thriller The Hush, and suspense thrillers You Don’t Know Me, The Hidden Hours, All That is Lost Between Us, Shallow Breath, Beneath the Shadows and Come Back to Me. Her novella, The Deceit, was first released as an Audible Original and is published by Blackstone in the US and Canada.
 
Sara is passionate about writing strong female characters and often incorporates contemporary cultural themes into her stories. She graduated from Curtin University in 2023 with a Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for her PhD work on maternal relationships in dystopian fiction with young adult heroines. Two of Sara’s novels have been optioned for television and You Don’t Know Me was turned into a chart-topping crime podcast dramatisation by Listnr.
 
Sara writes for her readers on substack at Story Matters, and for writers at The Resilient Author.

 

Discover Sara’s books

Click on each cover for more details and links to purchase. 

HUSH US book cover
'Dark, compelling and truly memorable. Foster is one of my favourite writers.'
Dervla McTiernan onYou Don't Know Me
‘This book has it all: a gripping opening, characters I cared deeply for, a compelling mystery and heart-stopping pace. I couldn’t put it down. This is Sara Foster’s best book yet.’
Natasha Lester onYou Don't Know Me
‘You Don’t Know Me proves yet again that Sara Foster is a writer at the top of her game. A compelling story of secrets, lies, and heartache.’ 
Emma Viskicon You Don't Know Me
'an enthralling mystery full of secrets determined to resurface ... will keep readers guessing till the end.'
Jane Harperon The Hidden Hours
'Classic suspense but with a wonderful modern edge'
Hannah Richellon All That is Lost Between Us
'Gripping, touching and close to my heart. I was hooked from start to finish.'
Favel Parretton Shallow Breath
'This vividly written novel will leave you breathless and as chilled as the starkly beautiful North Yorkshire moors, where this compelling story unfolds.'
Heather Gudenkaufon Beneath the Shadows
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GALLERY

  • Very surprised but highly delighted to tell you that When She Was Gone is shortlisted in the Likewise Choice Awards in the US - alongside a whole heap of household names (including Freida McFadden, Emily Henry, Taylor Jenkins-Reid, Rebecca Yarros and Suzanne Collins … 😱) As you can see I’m a tiny little minnow in this incredible field but I would absolutely love your vote (check bio or stories) 🙏🏻 🎉🎉 @likewise @blackstonepublishing #likewisechoiceawards
  • If we're living in a post-literate, post-hope, post-truth era, what does that mean for our writing? In my latest Substack post I talk about how we can keep fighting for our art, our minds, our humanity. #publishingindustry #latestinpublishing #publishingnews #australianpublishing #australianpublishingindustry
  • Thank you @briswritersfest for inviting me to be part of your incredible festival! Loved being on panels and listening to so many incredible writers - finding warmth and generosity everywhere. Getting together like this to share books and ideas feels like the antidote to so much we are all worried about right now - grateful for every bit of it! Thanks to all those who made the weekend so special ❤️ @dranitaheiss @lauramccluskey__ @angie_faye_martin @zahidgamieldien @megbignell @naima_brown_official @mama_sita_1981 @suzannedoauthor @jackieryan_inc @kimberleyallsopp #brisbanewritersfestival
  • Such a privilege to be on a panel today with these incredible women at the #brisbanewritersfestival - new friendships made, new authors to admire! And we had the best moderator in @mama_sita_1981 - such a joy to chat to. If you haven’t read their books yet then go find them asap - they are all bloody brilliant, witty and wise @megbignell (The Good Losers) @naima_brown_official (Mother Tongue) @suzannedoauthor (The Golden Sister) Sita Walker (The God of No Good) ❤️❤️❤️❤️
  • Someone turned this splotch into a cat. Just a doodle - or could it be a clue or a message to someone? You can expect stuff like this in the book I’m working on next year (follow up to The Hush). Fun to spot this one this morning on my coastal walk.
  • The algorithms picked up on the fact that Jane Goodall was significant to me - Substack fed me the first one, Facebook the second image (fake AI). The problem was that I saw the Facebook post first and had to double take (and then was annoyed at those wasting people’s time and messing with their heads like this), so by the time I saw the second one (and had no idea that Jane G had recorded an interview to be released after her death) I was full prepped for that to be AI too and almost dismissed it. This is the tip of the iceberg. So important to a) have these conversations b) hang out online in spaces we trust, and c) be kind not condescending to people who believe in something AI has fed them, because this is bigger than the individual - and who knows how we might get fooled one day as the tech improves.
  • Have you heard the scary story that AI is meant to become smarter than we are by 2027? Well, judging by this Google AI response to my question ‘Which authors are not on social media?’ I don’t think we need to panic just yet - but at least we can confirm that neither Shakespeare or that other famous author Sandra Bullock are wasting their time on the socials 😜
  • This week in Story Matters, a personal reflection and tribute to Jane Goodall and the power of the ripple effect. I once had the opportunity to ask Jane who inspired her, her answer is in this week's post. #writersofinstagram #janegoodall
  • I am devastated to learn that Jane Goodall has passed away. She was and always will be my ultimate heroine. She is the one I always think of when I want inspiration and guidance as to how to carry myself through this world. I’m going to write more about Jane’s life and what she meant to me very soon - for now, linking arms with the millions across the world who loved her and are feeling the depth of this tremendous loss today. @janegoodallinst #janegoodall

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