Romantic Suspense & Mystery

Here you will find romances filled with intrigue, mystery, and mayhem. Traditional “gothic” romances are included, and suspense or mystery novels with a strong romantic sub-plot may be listed. Romances and suspense featuring spies, warriors, and PIs are generally not included in this list but can be found in theSpies, P.I.s, and Warriors Special Title List To condense the number of entries in the list a series (or trilogy) by a single author is listed as a single entry.

In 07/13 in an effort to make the list more useful we divided the “contemporary romance” section into multiple categories. The first three reflect three different time periods that often carry over into the type of suspense plot that appears: (1) 1940-1989, reflecting World War II and the Cold War period; (2) 1990-1999, reflecting both pre-9/11 and the early stages of cyber-crimes, and (3) 2001 and beyond, reflecting both a post-9/11 world and the increasing role of the internet and modern technologies in many romantic suspense plots. We also listed category/series romances in a separate section and straight “contemporary” mysteries with romantic threads in a final section.

(List begun 09/97, updated 07/13)

  • Heart of Night (2001) by Taylor Chase
  • Masques of Gold (1990) by Roberta Gellis (A at AAR)
  • Silken Threads (1999) by Patricia Ryan (B+ at AAR)
  • Lord of the Night (1993) by Susan Wiggs (A at AAR)
  • Lord Wraybourne’s Betrothed (1988) by Jo Beverley
  • The Rake’s Retreat (1999) by Nancy Butler (A- at AAR)
  • Milady Hot-at-Hand (1981) by Elizabeth Chater
  • Cousin Kate (1968) by Georgette Heyer
  • The Reluctant Widow (1946) by Georgette Heyer
  • The Toll-Gate (1954) by Georgette Heyer
  • The Rake and the Wallflower (2001) by Allison Lane (B- at AAR)
  • The Temporary Bride (1993) by Julie Tetel
  • A Double Deception (1983) by Joan Wolf
  • A London Season (1981) by Joan Wolf
  • Heartless (1995) by Mary Balogh (A at AAR)
  • Step into Darkness (2006) by Naomi Bellis (B at AAR)
  • The Heir of Starvelings (1967) by Evelyn Berckman
  • Beyond Compare (2004) by Candace Camp
  • Swept Away (1999) by Candace Camp (A at AAR)
  • Captives of the Night (1994) by Loretta Chase (A at AAR)
  • Moura (1959) by Virginia Coffman
  • The Woman in White (1860) by Wilkie Collins
  • The Sea Wife (2003) by Holly Cook (A- at AAR)
  • The Wild Baron (1997) by Catherine Coulter (B at AAR)
  • Sea of Secrets (2012) by Amanda DeWees (B- at AAR)
  • Jamaica Inn (1936) by Daphne Du Maurier
  • Frenchman’s Creek (1942) by Daphne Du Maurier
  • Rebecca (1938) by Daphne Du Maurier
  • Daisy Dalrymple mysteries (1994 – ) by Carola Dunn
  • Lily (1991) by Patricia Gaffney
  • To Have and To Hold (1995) by Patricia Gaffney (A at AAR)
  • Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries mystery series (2003 – ) by Ashley Gardner
  • Compass Club series (2002-2004) by Jo Goodman
  • If His Kiss is Wicked (2007) by Jo Goodman (A- at AAR)
  • The Perfect Stranger (2006) by Anne Gracie (B at AAR)
  • Dark Angel (1994) by Anna Grant
  • Beneath a Silent Moon (2003) by Tracy Grant (A- at AAR)
  • Daughter of the Game (2002) by Tracy Grant (A- at AAR)
  • Shadows of the Heart (1996) by Tracy Grant
  • Clara Reeve (1975) by Leone Hargrave
  • The Talisman Ring (1936) by Georgette Heyer
  • Mistress of Mellyn (1960) by Victoria Holt
  • Angel in a Red Dress (2006) by Judith Ivory (B at AAR)
  • Whispers of the Night (2006) by Lydia Joyce (B- at AAR)
  • Russell and Holmes mysteries (1994 – ) by Laurie R. King
  • The Perils of Pleasure (2008) by Julie Anne Long
  • Three Nights of Sin (2008) by Anne Mallory (B at AAR)
  • Greygallows (1973) by Barbara Michaels
  • The Anglophile (1957) by Egan O’Neil (Elizabeth Linington)
  • Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mysteries (1979 – ) by Anne Perry
  • The Monk mysteries (1990 – ) by Anne Perry
  • Amelia Peabody mysteries (1975 – ) by Elizabeth Peters set in Egypt)
  • Silk and Shadows (1991) by Mary Jo Putney (A at AAR)
  • Mischief (1996) by Amanda Quick (B at AAR)
  • The Paid Companion (2004) by Amanda Quick (B- at AAR)
  • Quicksilver (2011) by Amanda Quick
  • Ravished (1992) by Amanda Quick (A- at AAR)
  • Rendezvous (1991) by Amanda Quick (A- at AAR)
  • The River Knows (2007) by Amanda Quick
  • With This Ring (1998) by Amanda Quick (B-/B- at AAR)
  • A Spear of Summer Grasst (2013) by Deanna Raybourn (B+ at AAR)
  • Lady Julia mysteries (2007 – ) by Deanna Raybourn
  • The Dead Travel Fast (2010) by Deanna Raybourn (B+ at AAR)
  • Scaramouche (1921) by Rafael Sabatini
  • Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane mysteries (1931-1942 ) by Dorothy L. Sayers
  • Dark Desires (2005) by Eve Silver
  • His Wicked Sins(2008) by Eve Silver
  • Seduced by a Stranger(2009) by Eve Silver
  • The Devil Earl (1996) by Deborah Simmons – HH-317 (B+/B at AAR)
  • The Gentleman Thief (2000) by Deborah Simmons – HH-495 (A at AAR)
  • The Bride’s Bodyguard (1997) by Elizabeth Thornton (A at AAR)
  • Strangers at Dawn (1999) by Elizabeth Thornton (B/C at AAR)
  • The Walnut Tree (2012) by Charles Todd (A- at AAR)
  • The Arrangement (1997) by Joan Wolf
  • Nell Sweeney Guilded Age Mysteries mystery series (2003-) by P.B. Ryan
  • Spring Rain (1996) by Susan Weldon (B- at AAR)
  • The Voice of Air (1970) by Evelyn Berckman
  • Abbeygate (1977) by Cecily Crowe
  • Northwater (1968) by Cecily Crowe
  • The Scapegoat (1956) by Daphne Du Maurier
  • Season of Evil (1977) by Elsie Lee
  • Tell Me No Lies (1986) by Elizabeth Lowell
  • North from Rome (1958) by Helen MacInnes
  • The Gabriel Hounds (1967) by Mary Stewart
  • Madam, Will You Talk? (1955) by Mary Stewart (A at AAR)
  • The Moon-Spinners (1962) by Mary Stewart
  • My Brother Michael (1959) by Mary Stewart (A- at AAR)
  • Nine Coaches Waiting (1958) by Mary Stewart (A at AAR)
  • This Rough Magic (1964) by Mary Stewart
  • Touch Not the Cat (1976) by Mary Stewart
  • Wildfire at Midnight (1956) by Mary Stewart (B at AAR)
  • Twins (1989) by Katherine Stone
  • Columbella (1966) by Phyllis A. Whitney
  • Hunter’s Green (1968) by Phyllis A. Whitney
  • Listen for the Whisperer (1972) by Phyllis A. Whitney
  • Exposure (1996) by Susan Andersen (A at AAR)
  • Bodyguard (1999) by Suzanne Brockmann (A at AAR)
  • Exclusive (1996) by Sandra Brown
  • Mirror Image (1990) by Sandra Brown
  • Slow Heat in Heaven (1990) by Sandra Brown
  • The Daughter (1998) by Jasmine Cresswell
  • The Desires and Deceptions (1995) by Jasmine Cresswell
  • No Sin Too Great (1996) by Jasmine Cresswell
  • Welcome to Temptation (2000) by Jennifer Crusie (A at AAR)
  • Every Breath She Takes (1999) by Suzanne Forster (B+ at AAR)
  • Heartbreaker (2000) by Julie Garwood (A at AAR)
  • Dark Paradise (1994) by Tami Hoag
  • Cry Wolf (1993) by Tami Hoag
  • Guilty as Sin (1996) by Tami Hoag
  • Lucky’s Lady (1992) by Tami Hoag
  • Night Sins (1995) by Tami Hoag
  • Still Waters (1992) by Tami Hoag
  • After Caroline (1996) by Kay Hooper
  • Finding Laura (1997) by Kay Hooper
  • Haunting Rachel (1998) by Kay Hooper (B at AAR)
  • Hiding in the Shadows (2000) by Kay Hooper (B+ at AAR)
  • Stealing Shadows (2000) by Kay Hooper (C at AAR)
  • Out of the Shadows (2000) by Kay Hooper (B- at AAR)
  • Dream Man (1994) by Linda Howard (A+/A at AAR)
  • Kill and Tell (1998) by Linda Howard (A+/B+ at AAR)
  • Mr. Perfect (2000) by Linda Howard (A/B at AAR)
  • Long After Midnight (1997) by Iris Johansen
  • The Ugly Duckling (1996) by Iris Johansen
  • The Shadowy Horses (1999) by Susanna Kearsley (B at AAR)
  • Deep Waters (1997) by Jayne Ann Krentz (A at AAR)
  • Trust Me (1995) by Jayne Ann Krentz (A at AAR)
  • Wildest Hearts (1993) by Jayne Ann Krentz (A at AAR)
  • Flash (1998) by Jayne Ann Krentz (B- at AAR)
  • Life Blood (1993) by Caroline Llewellyn
  • Midnight in Ruby Bayou (2000) by Elizabeth Lowell (B- at AAR)
  • Pearl Cove (1999) by Elizabeth Lowell (B+ at AAR)
  • Sleeping Beauty (1991) by Judith Michael
  • In Sinful Harmony (1995) by Marilyn Pappano
  • Passion (1996) by Marilyn Pappano
  • Suspicion (1997) by Marilyn Pappano
  • Garden of Dreams (1998) by Patricia Rice (B+ at AAR)
  • Taming the Night (1999) by Paula Detmar Riggs (A at AAR)
  • Heartbreaker (1998) by Karen Robards (C+ at AAR)
  • One Summer (1993) by Karen Robards (B- at AAR)
  • Walking after Midnight (1995) by Karen Robards (A at AAR)
  • Carnal Innocence (1992) by Nora Roberts (A- at AAR)
  • Divine Evil (1992) by Nora Roberts (D at AAR)
  • Hidden Riches (1994) by Nora Roberts (A- at AAR)
  • Homeport (1999) by Nora Roberts (B/C+ at AAR)
  • Montana Sky (1996) by Nora Roberts (A- at AAR)
  • Private Scandals (1993) by Nora Roberts
  • Public Secrets (1990) by Nora Roberts
  • River’s End (1999) by Nora Roberts (B+ at AAR)
  • Sacred Sins (1987) by Nora Roberts (A- at AAR)
  • Sanctuary (1997) by Nora Roberts
  • Confessions (1996) by JoAnn Ross
  • No Regrets (1997) by JoAnn Ross
  • A Kiss in the Dark (1995) by Meryl Sawyer
  • Tempting Fate (1998) by Meryl Sawyer
  • Maybe This Time (1990) by Kathleen Gilles Seidel
  • Bed of Roses (1998) by Katherine Stone
  • Illusions (1994) by Katherine Stone
  • Imagine Love (1996) by Katherine Stone
  • Promises (1993) by Katherine Stone
  • Rainbows (1992) by Katherine Stone
  • Nightfall (1995) by Anne Stuart (A at AAR)
  • Ritual Sins (1997) by Anne Stuart
  • Shadow Lover (1999) by Anne Stuart
  • Shadows at Sunset (2000) by Anne Stuart (B- at AAR)
  • In the Midnight Rain (2000) by Ruth Wind (A- at AAR)
  • Sea of Suspicion (2010) by Toni Anderson (B at AAR)
  • Lone Rider (2001) by Lauren Bach (B+ at AAR)
  • The “Rather” series (2007 – ) by C.A. Belmond
  • Long Time Gone (2010) by Meg Benjamin
  • Mindhunters series (2009-2011) by Kylie Brant
  • Lethal (2011) by Sandra Brown (A- at AAR)
  • I-Team series (2005 – ) by Pamela Clare
  • Rumble on the Bayou (2006) by Jana DeLeon (B+ at AAR)
  • Unlucky (2007) by Jana DeLeon (B at AAR)
  • Billionaires Prefer Blondes (2006) by Suzanne Enoch (B+ at AAR)
  • Don’t Look Down (2006) by Suzanne Enoch (B+ at AAR)
  • Flirting with Danger (2005) by Suzanne Enoch (A- at AAR)
  • Killjoy (2002) by Julie Garwood (A- at AAR)
  • Mercy (2001) by Julie Garwood (A- at AAR)
  • Black Ops Inc series (2008 – ) by Cindy Gerard
  • Bodyguards series (2005-2007) by Cindy Gerard
  • One Eyed Jacks series (2013 – ) by Cindy Gerard
  • The Surgeon (2001) by Tess Gerritsen
  • Echoes (2004) by Erin Grady (A- at AAR)
  • The Tracer series (2009- ) by Laura Griffin
  • Cry No More (2004) by Linda Howard (A- at AAR)
  • Death Angel (2008) by Linda Howard (A at AAR)
  • Drop Dead Gorgeous (2006) by Linda Howard (B+ at AAR)
  • Open Season (2001) by Linda Howard (B+ at AAR)
  • To Die For (2005) by Linda Howard (B+ at AAR)
  • Her Bodyguard (2001) by Michelle Jerott (B at AAR)
  • Drawn in Blood (2010) by Andrea Kane (B- at AAR)
  • Twisted (2008) by Andrea Kane
  • Truth or Dare (2004) by Jayne Ann Krentz
  • All Night Long (2006) by Jayne Ann Krentz (A- at AAR)
  • Light in Shadow (2003) by Jayne Ann Krentz
  • Falling Awake (2004) by Jayne Ann Krentz
  • Something Deadly (2004) by Rachel Lee (B at AAR)
  • With Malice (2003) by Rachel Lee (B- at AAR)
  • Moving Target (2001) by Elizabeth Lowell (B at AAR)
  • Final Stand (2002) by Helen R. Myers (A- at AAR)
  • Kiss the Moon (2003) by Carla Neggers (B at AAR)
  • On Fire (2003) by Carla Neggers (B at AAR)
  • The Waterfall (2003) by Carla Neggers (B- at AAR)
  • Cold Feet (2004) by Brenda Novak (A at AAR)
  • Midnight Angel (2005) by Lisa Marie Rice (B at AAR)
  • Angels Fall (2006) by Nora Roberts (A at AAR)
  • Birthright (2004) by Nora Roberts (B+ at AAR)
  • Black Hills (2009) by Nora Roberts (B- at AAR)
  • Blue Smoke (2005) by Nora Roberts (B at AAR)
  • Carolina Moon (2001) by Nora Roberts (B/D+ at AAR)
  • Chasing Fire (2011) by Nora Roberts (B- at AAR)
  • High Noon (2007) by Nora Roberts (A- at AAR)
  • Midnight Bayou (2002) by Nora Roberts (B at AAR)
  • Northern Lights (2004) by Nora Roberts (A- at AAR)
  • Three Fates (2003) by Nora Roberts (A- at AAR)
  • Tribute (2008) by Nora Roberts (B at AAR)
  • The Villa (2002) by Nora Roberts (B+ at AAR)
  • The Witness (2012) by Nora Roberts (B at AAR)
  • Strong and Sexy (2008) by Jill Shalvis
  • Aftershock (2012) by Jill Sorenson (B+ at AAR)
  • Crash Into Me (2009) by Jill Sorenson
  • The Edge of Night (2011) by Jill Sorenson (A- at AAR)
  • Freefall (2013) by Jill Sorenson (B- at AAR)
  • Set the Dark on Fire (2009) by Jill Sorenson (B+ at AAR)
  • The Devlin Group series (2006-2009) by Shannon Stacey
  • Bullet Catcher series (2005 – ) by Roxanne St. Claire
  • Arousing Suspicions (2007) by Marianne Stillings (A- at AAR)
  • Ice series (2005-2013) by Anne Stuart
  • Still Lake (2002) by Anne Stuart (B- at AAR)
  • Bad Moon Rising (2003) by Katherine Sutcliffe (A- at AAR)
  • Darkling I Listen (2001) by Katherine Sutcliffe (A at AAR)
  • Dream Shadows (2012) by Ingrid Weaver (A- at AAR)
  • The Shelter of Her Arms (11/1995) by Jean Barrett – HI-308
  • A Bride for Saint Nick (1996) by Carole Buck
  • Twice Burned (5/1997) by Pamela Burford – HI-420
  • Some Die Telling (2/1988) by Stella Cameron – HI-83
  • Guinevere Jones mysteries (1986) by Jayne Castle
  • The Bluewater Afair (2003) by Cindy Gerard (B- at AAR)
  • Presumed Guilty (8/1993) by Tess Gerritsen – HI-238
  • Under the Knife (4/1990) by Tess Gerritsen – HI-136
  • Immovable Objects (2004) by Marie Ferrarella (B at AAR)
  • New Man In Town trilogy (2010) by Jennifer Greene
  • Loving Evangeline (1994) by Linda Howard (B at AAR)
  • Midnight Rainbow (2/1986) by Linda Howard – SIM-129 (B+ at AAR)
  • Triple Dare (2004) by Candice Irvin (B at AAR)
  • Mommy Said Goodbye (4/2004) by Janice Kay Johnson – HSR-1197 (B/B- at AAR)
  • A Touch of the Beast (2004) by Linda Winsted Jones (B at AAR)
  • Fever (2004) by Linda Winsted Jones (B- at AAR)
  • The Winter Sea (2008) by Susanna Kearsley (B+ at AAR)
  • Exile’s End (1992) by Rachel Lee (A at AAR)
  • If a Man Answers (1998) by Merline Lovelace (B+ at AAR)
  • Return to Sender (1998) by Merline Lovelace
  • Armed and Devastating (2008) by Julie Miller
  • Forbidden Captor (2005) by Julie Miller
  • The Taylor Clan series (2000-2004) by Julie Miller
  • A Teaspoon of Murder (11/1989) by Elizabeth Morris – HI-125
  • Most Wanted (1999) by Maggie Price – SIM-948 (A- at AAR)
  • Bones of Contention (12/1991) by M.J. Rodgers – HI-176
  • Dead Ringer (3/1991) by M.J. Rodgers – HI-157
  • For Love or Money (11/1988) by M.J. Rodgers – HI-102
  • One Tough Texan (6/1997) by M.J. Rodgers – HI-423
  • To Have vs. To Hold (10/1996) by M.J. Rodgers – HI-392 (A at AAR)
  • Who Is Jane Williams? (9/1994) by M.J. Rodgers – HI-290
  • The Arms of the Law (10/1998) by Jenna Ryan – HI-488 (A- at AAR)
  • Belladonna (3/1996) by Jenna Ryan – HI-364
  • Stranded with her Ex (2011) by Jill Sorenson (A- at AAR)
  • Tempted by his Target (2011) by Jill Sorenson (B+ at AAR)
  • Murder by the Book (10/1992) by Margaret St. George (Maggie Osbourne) – HI-198
  • The Second Mrs. Malone (8/1997) by Amanda Stevens – HI-430
  • Hand in Glove (2/1987) by Anne Stuart – HI-59
  • The Night before Christmas (12/1995) by Joyce Sullivan – HI-352
  • Fugitive Hearts (2001) by Ingrid Weaver
  • In Destiny’s Shadow (2004) by Ingrid Weaver (B at AAR)
  • The Insider (2004) by Ingrid Weaver (B- at AAR)
  • For Your Eyes Only (2/1997) by Rebecca York – HI-407
  • Duncan Kincaid and Jemma James mysteries (1993 – ) by Deborah Crombie
  • Stephanie Plum series (1994 – ) by Janet Evanovich
  • Death on Demand mysteries (1987 – ) by Carolyn Hart
  • Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn mysteries (1979-1998) by Charlotte MacLeod
  • Camelot Caper (1969) by Elizabeth Peters
  • The Legend in Green Velvet (1989) by Elizabeth Peters
  • Vicky Bliss mysteries (1973-1994) by Elizabeth Peters
  • Liam Campbell mysteries (1999 – ) by Dana Stabenow
  • The Man that Got Away (5/1998) by Harper Allen – HI-468 (A- at AAR)
  • World of Harmony series (1999 – ) by Jayne Castle
  • Dream Man (1995) by Linda Howard (A+/A at AAR)
  • Now You See Her (1998) by Linda Howard (C+/C at AAR)
  • Son of the Morning (1997) by Linda Howard (B+ at AAR)
  • The Rose Garden (2011) by Susanna Kearsley (A- at AAR)
  • Copper Beach (2012) by Jayne Ann Krentz
  • Dream Eyes (2013) by Jayne Ann Krentz
  • Fired Up (2009) by Jayne Ann Krentz
  • In Too Deep (2010) by Jayne Ann Krentz
  • White Lies (2011) by Jayne Ann Krentz
  • In Death series (1995 – ) by J. D. Robb
  • When Night Falls (3/1994) by Jenna Ryan – HI-265
  • Green Darkness (1972) by Anya Seton (A at AAR)
  • Bride of the Mist (1996) by Christina Skye (B+/B at AAR)
  • An Inquiry into Love and Death (2013) by Simone St. James (B at AAR)
  • The Haunting of Maddy Clare (2012) by Simone St. James

This list currently closed for submissions.