Crime & Thriller Literary Agents

Non-fiction, book club fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, speculative fiction, crime fiction

Non-fiction across a broad range of subjects, particularly from authors who are authoritative and accessible, including activists, psychologists, creatives and thought leaders. Also growing a fiction list focused on book club, fantasy, historical, speculative and crime fiction. Actively champions marginalised and underrepresented voices.

For non-fiction, email nonfiction@grahammawchristie.com with a one-page topic summary, detailed chapter-by-chapter outline, author credentials, online profiles, market overview, promotional plan, and 1-2 sample chapters. For fiction, email fiction@grahammawchristie.com with a completed manuscript, including genre in the subject line, a one-to-two line elevator pitch, a 500-800 word synopsis (including spoilers), up to five comparative titles, author bio, promotional notes, and the first three chapters or approximately 10,000 words. Attach documents in Word, Pages or PDF format. Do not submit directly to individual agents. No postal submissions accepted.

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, intelligent crime, thrillers, historical fiction, history, nature, science, self-development, biography, memoir, lifestyle, food

Quality commercial and popular literary fiction with emotional heft, original voices and broad appeal, including twisty thrillers, ghost stories, and epic romantic stories. For non-fiction, experts in their fields writing about history, nature, science, self-development, biography, memoir, original thinking, lifestyle and food — particularly books that educate and illuminate worlds readers don't know, strong women's voices, and food writers with fresh perspectives or a built community.

Email submissions@hhbagency.com with the genre in the subject line. Put your covering letter in the body of the email including a brief pitch, relevant background, and comparison titles. Attach the first three chapters or around 50 pages as a Word document, plus a synopsis. Fiction writers must have completed the manuscript before submitting. Non-fiction writers may submit before completion.

Nonfiction, lifestyle, current affairs, health, sport, true crime, family issues, crime, thriller, book club fiction, historical fiction, romance

Wants: Synopsis, first three chapters, covering letter, detailed outline, sample material

Katie Fulford is looking for authors in both nonfiction and fiction. In nonfiction she wants experts and journalists with something new to say, especially in lifestyle, current affairs, health, sport, smart true crime, and books about female and family issues that put women at the heart of things. In fiction she wants high-concept and hooky crime and thriller, commercial locked-room thrillers, emotional uplit, book club books with big issues, memorable characters and immersive settings, historical fiction about forgotten real people or people connected to more famous figures, and romance. She does not want fantasy, science fiction, children's fiction, or picture books.

Email submissions@belllomaxmoreton.co.uk. For fiction, children's and young adult fiction, or narrative nonfiction, send a short synopsis including the full plot for fiction, the first three chapters or no more than 50 pages double spaced, and a covering letter with any previous publications. For illustrated nonfiction send a detailed outline, sample material if available, and previous publication information. Query one Bell Lomax Moreton agent at a time.

Fiction and non-fiction

Fiction: book club/literary, character- and voice-driven crime/thriller/suspense, dark/gothic/uncanny, love stories, family sagas, historical from a slant, Highsmithian thrillers. Non-fiction: accessible social/cultural history, biography/memoir, reportage, popular science, nature, arts, food/cookery, experts, journalists, lived experience

Email charlotte@johnsonandalcock.co.uk with a short covering letter (including a book blurb and brief author bio), a synopsis of no more than two pages, and the opening 50 pages of the manuscript (fiction), or a book proposal of approximately 50 pages (non-fiction). Submissions must be in Word Doc format, at least 1.5 line spaced, page-numbered, on A4. Submit to one agent only, do not blind-copy. Attachments must be under 5MB.

Picture books, author-illustrators, nonfiction picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary fiction, light fantasy, near-future dystopian, speculative fiction, psychological thriller, mystery, literary ghost stories, women's fiction, memoir, bipoc voices, diverse voices

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, picture book manuscript, portfolio

Allison is looking for author-illustrator picture books, nonfiction picture books, middle grade with voice and a strong main character, YA contemporary coming-of-age, fantasy grounded in reality, near-future dystopian and high-concept speculative work, psychological thrillers, twisty mysteries, literary ghost stories, women's fiction, and memoir. She is interested in diverse and BIPOC voices.

Email Allison Remcheck at the spelled-out SLS submissions address listed on the Stimola submissions page. Picture book manuscripts should be attached as Word documents, dummies or portfolios as PDFs, first ten pages of middle-grade, YA, and adult fiction should be pasted in the email, a synopsis attachment is welcome.

Fiction, thriller, book club fiction, cinematic fiction, film and television adaptation

Wants: Query letter, first twenty-five pages

Charlotte works with Celeste Fine on bestselling fiction. She is seeking surprising thrillers, book club novels with staying power, and atmospheric, cinematic stories that can expand into film and television.

Email queries@parkfinebrower.com and specify Charlotte Cohen Sunderland plus the category and genre in the subject line. Adult fiction submissions should include a query letter and roughly the first 25 pages in the body of the email.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, book club fiction, contemporary fiction, commercial women's fiction, crime, mystery, thrillers, fantasy, genre romance, historical fiction, horror, ghost stories, sagas, science fiction, biography, memoir, cookery, gardening, gift books, humour, history, military history, lifestyle, mind-body-spirit, self-improvement, politics, popular science, psychology, travel, children's, ya

SF/fantasy, sweeping historical fiction, character-driven sci-fi, action/adventure, crime. Non-fiction: history, biography, music

Email submissions@sheilland.co.uk with a cover letter, a one-page synopsis (fiction) or brief outline (non-fiction), a short CV, and the first three chapters or around fifty pages. Submissions should be 1.5 line spaced with margins and page numbers, and must include a word count. Only one work at a time. No AI-generated content accepted.

General fiction, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller, fantasy, science fiction, juvenile fiction, business, finance, mind body spirit, lifestyle, cookbooks, african-american

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal

Felice and ArtHouse Literary represent a diverse and eclectic list, with particular interest in new voices, diverse perspectives, general fiction, mystery, romance, suspense/thriller, speculative fiction, juvenile fiction, business/finance, mind/body/spirit, lifestyle, cookbooks, and African-American work.

Submit through the ArtHouse Literary QueryManager form listed on Felice Laverne's Publishers Marketplace profile.

Nonfiction, how-to, health, wellness, science, technology, nature, outdoors, true crime, history, investigative journalism, international relations, sports, parenting, business, illustrated books, brand books

Wants: Query letter

John is building a wide-ranging nonfiction list including how-to, health and wellness, science, technology, nature and outdoors, true crime, quirky history, investigative journalism, international relations, sports, parenting, business, illustrated books, and brand-led book programs.

Email john@defliterary.com with QUERY: at the beginning of the subject line, followed by the book title. Include a brief description of yourself and the project. Attachments are not opened unless requested.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, domestic suspense, historical fiction, book club fiction, narrative nonfiction

Amy Cloughley seeks authors with unique, clear voices and smart, tightly written prose. She leans toward grounded literary, upmarket, and commercial novels with a distinct sense of place, page-turning mystery, domestic suspense with sharp wit and unexpected twists, well-researched historical fiction, book club fiction with a fresh perspective, small-town contemporary characters, unexpected story arcs, suitable pacing, compelling protagonists, and narrative nonfiction immersed in a culture, lifestyle, discipline, or industry.

Amy Cloughley is currently closed to unsolicited submissions. Her official Kimberley Cameron team page links to a QueryManager form, and the form currently states that she is not accepting queries at this time.

Narrative nonfiction, biography, memoir, commercial fiction, romance, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, cozy mystery, middle grade, young adult

Carrie Pestritto represents projects across a range of genres and is drawn to immersive writing, engaging voices, meticulous world-building, and compelling premises. LDLA lists her interests as adult narrative nonfiction, biography/memoir, commercial fiction with a literary twist, fresh chick-lit, romance, upmarket women's fiction, near-historical fiction from about the Gilded Age on, mystery/thrillers for a female audience, cozies, and high-concept commercial MG and YA in contemporary, historical, mystery/thriller, horror, or fantasy genres, especially featuring POC or marginalized characters, high stakes, and exciting plot lines.

Carrie Pestritto is currently closed to queries. LDLA accepts queries via QueryManager only and says writers should submit to one agent at a time with one complete project. Carrie's official linked QueryManager page says she is not accepting queries at this time and suggests checking colleagues' bios while she is closed.

Mystery or thriller, historical, ya contemporary, new adult, narrative nonfiction, memoir

Genre fiction, such as Mystery/Thriller, Historical, YA contemporary, and New Adult, as well as Narrative Nonfiction and Memoir, with a particular interest in underrepresented voices, untold multicultural stories, and any high concept or genre-bending works

Currently closed for submissions

Women's fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, young adult, romance, lgbt, middle grade, memoir, narrative nonfiction, personal finance, business, true crime, sports, popular culture, self-help, religion, health, parenting

Wants: Query letter, book proposal for nonfiction

High-concept book club fiction, queer fiction, destination novels, emotionally satisfying reads, cozy fantasy, horror with modern commentary, and adult dystopian fiction

Use The Knight Agency submissions page and the relevant QueryManager link, do not query multiple TKA agents simultaneously.

Nonfiction, mystery or suspense or thriller, historical fiction, contemporary or commercial, sapphic romance

Stories that reveal the truths of what it means to be a human in our difficult, often oppressive, world. Always looking for writing from historically underrepresented groups, with special place for LGBTQIA+ folks

Submit through QueryManager

Children's, chick lit, contemporary romance, new adult romance, psychological thriller

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Katie is listed for children's, chick lit, contemporary romance, new adult, and psychological thriller.

Katie Monson is currently closed to submissions.

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, mystery, historical fiction, young adult, narrative nonfiction, parenting, relationships

Wants: Query letter, sample chapter

Ellen likes women's upmarket and commercial fiction, smart original thrillers and mysteries, sweeping or revisionist historical fiction, witty YA with big topics, narrative nonfiction, and books on parenting and relationships.

Ellen Coughtrey is currently closed to queries. The Gernert Company asks writers to email info@thegernertco.com when querying open agents, indicate which agent they are querying, and include a query letter plus a sample chapter if appropriate.

Upmarket fiction, women's fiction, romance, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, romantic suspense, fantasy romance, paranormal romance, mystery, suspense, thriller, psychological thriller, young adult, contemporary ya, ya mystery, ya thriller, ya fantasy

Wants: Query letter, first five pages

Christine is interested in upmarket fiction, women's fiction with crossover or multicultural appeal, romance including contemporary, romantic comedy, mystery/suspense, fantasy/paranormal, mainstream mystery/suspense, psychological thrillers, and emotionally layered contemporary, mystery, thriller, or fantasy young adult.

Book Cents is currently closed to new submissions except by referral. When open, submit e-queries through the site submit button with a query and the first five pages. Book Cents does not send personalized responses unless interested.

Non-fiction, autobiography and biography, health, fitness and personal development, humour and language, inspirational real lives, popular culture, history and current affairs, true crime, war and military, crime fiction

Nonfiction across a wide range of categories including autobiography and biography, health, fitness and personal development, humour and language, inspirational real lives, popular culture, history and current affairs, true crime, war and military, and crime fiction.

The Robert Smith Literary Agency is currently closed to new submissions and is not accepting any new book proposals at this time.

Picture books, board books, middle grade, christian fiction, memoir, suspense, mystery

Andrea represents children's and adult books. Her listed favorite children's books are picture books, board books, and middle-grade fiction; her favorite adult books are Christian fiction, memoirs, suspense, and mystery.

Inscriptions is currently closed for submissions. The official site says not to email manuscript submissions and to follow the site submission guidelines when open.

Fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, science fiction, poc fiction, intersectional fiction, young adult, middle grade, women's fiction, suspense, thriller, romance, lgbtq and fiction, children's fiction, mystery, horror, literary fiction, memoir

Autumn Frisse is listed by Prentis Literary under Acquisition and is described as the agency gatekeeper who gives submissions a thorough look-through and can pass suitable work on for consideration. The agency focuses on high-quality fiction, speculative and other, with rare memoir, and centers traditionally marginalized groups. The official genres page lists fantasy/science fiction, POC and intersectional fiction, young adult and middle reader, women's fiction, suspense/thriller, romance, LGBTQ+ fiction, children's fiction, mystery, horror, literary fiction, and limited memoir.

Prentis Literary's official submissions page says submissions are closed and that submissions will be discarded. Do not submit unsolicited material while closed.

Literary fiction, women's fiction, mystery, thriller, narrative nonfiction, memoir, graphic memoir, psychology, self-help, popular culture, women's issues, history, biography, lifestyle, careers, health, medicine, parenting, cooking, nutrition, gardening, gift books

Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises is interested in literary fiction, upscale commercial women's fiction, voice-driven mysteries and thrillers, narrative nonfiction especially by journalists, travelogues, memoirs including graphic memoirs, social issues and trends, psychology, self-help, popular culture, women's issues, history and biography, lifestyle, careers, health and medicine, parenting, cooking and nutrition, gardening, and quirky gift books.

Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises is currently closed to submissions so the agency can focus on existing clients.

Fiction, crime, thriller, narrative nonfiction, estates

Cara Jones is an agent at RCW Literary Agency. She handles most of the estates at RCW and is looking for exciting new voices in fiction, particularly crime and thrillers, and thought-provoking narrative nonfiction.

Cara Jones is currently closed to submissions according to her official RCW profile. Please check the official profile for updates before querying.

Historical fiction, crime fiction, psychological thrillers, women's fiction, adult fiction

Historical fiction, crime fiction, psychological thrillers and women's fiction, open to great adult fiction with a strong hook. Excludes non-fiction, children's and YA. Encourages under-represented writers from the North of England

Email submissions@liverpool-literary.agency with a cover email including details about you, the book genre, blurb, inspirations, comparable authors and titles, and why your book will stand out. Attach a synopsis and first three chapters or first 5,000 words in a Word document with numbered pages.

Genre fiction (and select ya)

Fantasy, sci-fi, romance, horror, thriller, action and adventure, YA fantasy

Submit via QueryManager when open: send the first ten pages, your query letter, and synopsis (if you have one) to https://querytracker.net or query or HelenLane. Personalisation in the query letter is not required.

Historical fiction, horror, contemporary fiction, fantasy, suspense, thriller, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter

Kaitlyn is interested in historical fiction, horror, contemporary fiction, fantasy, suspense/thriller, and graphic novels across age groups, with emphasis on non-mainstream history, psychological or haunting horror, LGBTQ+ storylines, mental health angles, MG/YA and crossover fantasy, and commercial MG graphic novels.

Kaitlyn is closed to queries. When open, submit through her official QueryManager route. Belcastro asks writers to read each agent's wishlist and submit to one agent at a time.

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, psychological thriller, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, young adult, science fiction, paranormal romance, thriller, nonfiction, cookbooks, memoir, self-help, lifestyle

Mariah is interested in upmarket and commercial adult fiction, women's fiction, psychological thrillers, contemporary romance and rom-coms, young adult science fiction, paranormal romance, thrillers and contemporary romance, plus nonfiction including cookbooks, memoirs, self-help, lifestyle and how-to.

Mariah is currently closed to submissions.

Romance, women's fiction, southern gothic, alternate history, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, western, middle grade, young adult, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, first fifteen pages, synopsis, author bio

Nikki is interested in romance, women's fiction, Southern Gothic, alternate histories, grounded science fiction and fantasy, speculative thrillers, fresh westerns, MG and YA with cottage-core or floral magic elements, YA thrillers, and nonfiction on craft, screenwriting, North Carolina history, culinary subjects, hobbies, arts and crafts, and plants or herbs.

Nikki is currently closed. When Holloway is open, email submissions@hollowayliterary.com with the required subject header, query content, word count, genre, pitch, author bio, and first 15 pages pasted in the body.

Kidlit, picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary romance, mystery, thriller, illustrators, author-illustrators

Rosa Frazier is a literary agent at The Seymour Agency. Her official Seymour profile says kidlit is her passion, with emphasis on picture books, middle grade, YA contemporary romance, mystery, and thrillers. She is drawn to underrepresented BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled creatives, and encourages Caribbean and South American stories, folklore, and mythologies with representation of second languages and dialects. Illustrators and author-illustrators are also welcome when she is open to them.

Rosa Frazier is currently closed to queries according to her official Seymour Agency profile and linked QueryManager status. Do not send unsolicited queries while closed.

Paranormal, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, psychological thriller, contemporary romance, bdsm, erotica, women's fiction

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Stephanie is listed for paranormal, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, psychological thriller, contemporary romance, BDSM, erotica, and women's fiction.

Stephanie Phillips is currently closed to submissions.

Romance, romantic comedy, women's fiction, thriller, psychological suspense, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters

Tara is seeking completed works with vibrant, fresh voices in romance, especially romantic comedies, women's fiction with fresh hooks, thrillers, psychological suspense, and contemporary young adult.

Tara is closed to submissions until further notice except for personal recommendations and works requested at conferences or events. When open, One Track accepts electronic submissions through QueryManager with a query letter, synopsis, and attachment of the first three chapters.

Thriller, suspense, horror, fantasy, romantasy, magical realism, speculative fiction, romance, mystery, women's fiction, historical fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books

Wants: Query letter

Vicky is interested in adult thriller and suspense with psychological, paranormal, supernatural or gothic elements, horror, dark fantasy, romantasy, magical realism, mystery, women's fiction, historical fiction, young adult horror and fantasy, middle grade, and picture books from author-illustrators.

Vicky's CMA profile links to QueryManager but states that she is currently closed to queries. CMA asks writers to query only one CMA agent at a time.

Nonfiction, investigative journalism, history, culture, parenting, true crime, psychology, pop culture

Nonfiction and is interested in investigative journalism, history, culture, parenting, true crime, psychology, and pop culture

Check agent's submission page

Middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, fantasy, thriller, romantic comedy, mystery, queer fiction, marginalized voices

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, synopsis

Lee is interested in MG, YA, and adult projects across genres, especially fantasy, thrillers, romcoms, strong commercial hooks, high-concept premises, twists, ensemble casts, mysteries, diverse books, marginalized voices, and queer stories.

Lee O'Brien is currently closed to queries according to the query guidelines linked from the Looking Glass profile.

Narrative nonfiction, literary commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, legal thriller, psychological thriller, domestic thriller, biography, history, science, sports, travel

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Anne-Lise Spitzer is president of Spitzer Agency. Current public materials describe interest in narrative nonfiction from writers with diverse voices, literary commercial fiction, mysteries, legal, psychological, and domestic thrillers, plus biography, history, science, sports, and travel.

The Spitzer Agency site says it is not accepting new clients for representation at this time.

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, family saga, friendship fiction, psychological suspense, campus novel, love story, progressive politics, popular science, psychology, self-development, gender, pop culture, food writing, media studies, agriculture, housing

Sarah Phair represents a range of fiction and nonfiction for the adult market. In fiction she focuses on upmarket and literary fiction accessible to a wide audience, with beautiful language and elevated ideas, and particularly likes family sagas, friendship-centered stories, complex psychological suspense, campus novels, anti-heroines, and good love stories. In nonfiction she is interested in progressive politics, popular science, psychology, self-development, gender, pop culture, food, media consumption, food systems, agriculture, and housing.

Sarah Phair's official profile links to QueryTracker for submissions, but the linked QueryTracker form is currently closed and says she is not accepting queries at this time.

General fiction, horror, mystery, thriller, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, cookbooks

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Becky represents adult and teen fiction across general fiction, horror, mystery/thriller, historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy, and has a special place for cookbooks.

Becky LeJeune is open only to queries by referral and submission invitations, including conference invitations. Queries sent by email or contact form will not be considered.