A retired serial killer’s quiet life is upended by an unexpected visitor. To protect her secret, there’s only one option left—what’s another murder? From bestselling author Samantha Downing.

Lottie Jones thought her crimes were behind her.

Decades earlier, she changed her identity and tucked herself away in a small town. Her most exciting nights are the weekly bingo games at the local church and gossiping with her friends. 

When investigative journalist Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep asking questions about Lottie’s past and specifically her involvement with numerous unsolved cases, well, Lottie just can’t have that.

But getting away with murder is hard enough when you’re young. And when Lottie receives another annoying knock on the door, she realizes this crime might just be the death of her…
Praise for Too Old for This

"This riveting story unfolds with heart-pounding suspense, showcasing Downing’s masterful storytelling from start to finish."
—Liv Constantine
, New York Times Bestselling author of The Next Mrs. Parrish

“Downing delivers once again with her signature wit and impeccable pacing. Don’t bother trying to put this book down—give in and let it take you on one hell of a ride!”
Hannah Mary McKinnon, author of Only One Survives

Praise for Samantha Downing


“Witty and macabre.”
—Caroline Kepnes

"Slick and chilling."
—Megan Miranda

“I read all of her [books]. I've read everything.”
—Cecily Strong from SNL for Vanity Fair

“A perfect summer book.”
—NPR

"No one writes a twisted character quite like Samantha Downing."
—HelloGiggles

“Once I sat down to read For Your Own Good—a clever, twisty thriller—it was difficult to stop reading. It's the perfect read to get lost in this summer."
—Buzzfeed

“Just finished reading this wonderfully dark, twisty and compelling thriller set in a prestigious private school. I raced through it, desperate to know how it would end.”
—B.A. Paris, New York Times bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors

“Dark, sly and delicious...totally original—and totally compelling.”
—JP Delaney, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Before

"I'm a huge fan of Samantha Downing, who is masterful at creating diabolical characters and deliciously chilling plots. An absolutely terrific book!"
—Sarah Pekkanen, New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Between Us

“Samantha Downing is totally the real deal. Wry and dark and witty and clever. I didn't think she could outdo My Lovely Wife but I think this one tops it.”
—Sarah Pinborough, New York Times bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes

"Samantha Downing has achieved something so special in For Your Own Good. A story that is dark as night, sinister as hell, clever, twisting and downright fun."
—Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End

"Samantha Downing serves up another cast of deliciously mendacious characters in an exclusive private school setting, where the deadly action drives a brilliantly tense, taut and twisty plot. I may never look at my coffee in the same way again."
—Gilly Macmillan, New York Times bestselling author of What She Knew

"All the dark fun of Election, but with Downing's signature, diabolical spin. For Your Own Good is so utterly unputdownable, I look forward to reading it again. I think even the novel's own trickiest private school teacher, Teddy Crutcher, would have to give it an A+."
Chandler Baker, New York Times bestselling author of Whisper Network
© Jacqueline Dallimore
Samantha Downing lives in the Bay Area and is currently working on her next book. View titles by Samantha Downing

About

A retired serial killer’s quiet life is upended by an unexpected visitor. To protect her secret, there’s only one option left—what’s another murder? From bestselling author Samantha Downing.

Lottie Jones thought her crimes were behind her.

Decades earlier, she changed her identity and tucked herself away in a small town. Her most exciting nights are the weekly bingo games at the local church and gossiping with her friends. 

When investigative journalist Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep asking questions about Lottie’s past and specifically her involvement with numerous unsolved cases, well, Lottie just can’t have that.

But getting away with murder is hard enough when you’re young. And when Lottie receives another annoying knock on the door, she realizes this crime might just be the death of her…

Reviews

Praise for Too Old for This

"This riveting story unfolds with heart-pounding suspense, showcasing Downing’s masterful storytelling from start to finish."
—Liv Constantine
, New York Times Bestselling author of The Next Mrs. Parrish

“Downing delivers once again with her signature wit and impeccable pacing. Don’t bother trying to put this book down—give in and let it take you on one hell of a ride!”
Hannah Mary McKinnon, author of Only One Survives

Praise for Samantha Downing


“Witty and macabre.”
—Caroline Kepnes

"Slick and chilling."
—Megan Miranda

“I read all of her [books]. I've read everything.”
—Cecily Strong from SNL for Vanity Fair

“A perfect summer book.”
—NPR

"No one writes a twisted character quite like Samantha Downing."
—HelloGiggles

“Once I sat down to read For Your Own Good—a clever, twisty thriller—it was difficult to stop reading. It's the perfect read to get lost in this summer."
—Buzzfeed

“Just finished reading this wonderfully dark, twisty and compelling thriller set in a prestigious private school. I raced through it, desperate to know how it would end.”
—B.A. Paris, New York Times bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors

“Dark, sly and delicious...totally original—and totally compelling.”
—JP Delaney, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Before

"I'm a huge fan of Samantha Downing, who is masterful at creating diabolical characters and deliciously chilling plots. An absolutely terrific book!"
—Sarah Pekkanen, New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Between Us

“Samantha Downing is totally the real deal. Wry and dark and witty and clever. I didn't think she could outdo My Lovely Wife but I think this one tops it.”
—Sarah Pinborough, New York Times bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes

"Samantha Downing has achieved something so special in For Your Own Good. A story that is dark as night, sinister as hell, clever, twisting and downright fun."
—Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End

"Samantha Downing serves up another cast of deliciously mendacious characters in an exclusive private school setting, where the deadly action drives a brilliantly tense, taut and twisty plot. I may never look at my coffee in the same way again."
—Gilly Macmillan, New York Times bestselling author of What She Knew

"All the dark fun of Election, but with Downing's signature, diabolical spin. For Your Own Good is so utterly unputdownable, I look forward to reading it again. I think even the novel's own trickiest private school teacher, Teddy Crutcher, would have to give it an A+."
Chandler Baker, New York Times bestselling author of Whisper Network

Author

© Jacqueline Dallimore
Samantha Downing lives in the Bay Area and is currently working on her next book. View titles by Samantha Downing