Mystery Literary Agents

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, 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.

Fantasy, historical fiction, thriller, mystery, pop science, narrative non-fiction, history

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, sample pages

Claire seeks fantasy (especially non-western inspired worlds), historical fiction, thriller, and mystery with romantic or political subplots and immersive settings. She wants characters who chose to be heroes and stories with symbolic resonance. In nonfiction, she seeks pop-science books that use data to tell clear stories, narrative nonfiction between journalism and ethnography, and new histories touching present issues.

Send query letter with synopsis, bio, and opening 3-4 pages embedded in email body. Do not send attachments without request.

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.

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

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, book club fiction, thrillers, mystery, speculative fiction, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, big idea nonfiction, wellness, history, sports, collaborative writers

Mark Tavani is VP of Business Strategy and Literary Agent at the David Black Literary Agency. He represents both fiction and nonfiction. His fiction list includes a wide range of literary and commercial fiction, book club novels, thrillers, mysteries, speculative fiction, and historical fiction, especially fiction that entertains and enriches readers. In nonfiction, he represents work that illuminates or inspires and works with experts and journalists, especially in narrative nonfiction, big ideas, wellness, history, and sports. He also represents collaborative writers who partner with authors in those spaces.

Mark Tavani is not accepting unsolicited queries at this time according to his official David Black profile. The general David Black submissions page lists the agents currently accepting new queries, and Mark Tavani is not listed there.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, mystery, thriller, crime fiction, young adult, narrative nonfiction, science writing, business books, history

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Sandra represents adult commercial and literary fiction, mystery, thriller and crime fiction, YA, narrative nonfiction, accessible science writing, business books, and history.

Sandra Bond is closed to all queries, her client list is full.

Young adult, adult fiction, romance, women's fiction, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, speculative fiction, science nonfiction, travel writing, cookbooks

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Nicole represents YA and adult fiction across romance, women's fiction, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, and speculative fiction, and is eager to champion diverse voices. In nonfiction she is focused on science-based works, especially biology, forensics, and medicine, plus travel narratives and cookbooks.

Nicole Payne is currently closed to submissions. The Confluence submissions page says to check for updates on when her QueryTracker will reopen.

Literary fiction, speculative fiction, mystery, crime fiction, thriller, history, narrative nonfiction, technology, science, psychology, design

Roz Foster is Senior Agent at Frances Goldin Literary Agency. She is drawn to contemporary literary fiction, especially literary speculative fiction, elevated mystery, crime, and thriller, dark stories with philosophical gravity, spare perceptive prose, and work with emotional and intellectual depth. In nonfiction she is interested in history, narrative nonfiction, technology, science, psychology, and design.

Roz Foster is currently closed to queries according to both her official profile and the official Frances Goldin submissions page.

Horror, thriller, mystery, suspense, paranormal, urban fantasy, western, speculative fiction, romance, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Paige seeks commercial horror, thriller, mystery/suspense, paranormal, urban fantasy, western, speculative fiction, select romance, and informative nonfiction. She is especially interested in hearing from Canadian authors but is not exclusively limited to them.

All submissions should be sent through Query Tracker. Include query letter, synopsis, and first ten pages. Query should contain agent personalization, metadata with title or word count or genre or comps, pitch, and author bio.

Graphic novels, comics, science fiction, adventure, contemporary fiction, mystery, thriller, diverse voices, lgbtq and, gender identity

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Peter represents only graphic novel authors and illustrators. He is interested in classic science fiction, adventure, contemporary stories of life, mysteries, thrillers, stories steeped in diverse cultures and families, and stories that delve into LGBTQ+ and gender identity.

Stimola Literary Studio's submissions page says Peter Ryan is not accepting any new submissions or clients at the moment.

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.

Adult fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, romance, psychological thriller, cozy mystery, memoir, young adult, middle grade, humor

Saba Sulaiman is Senior Agent at Talcott Notch. She is currently closed, but when open she looks for adult upmarket literary and commercial fiction, romance except paranormal, character-driven psychological thrillers, cozy mysteries, and memoir; young adult in all subgenres except paranormal, fantasy, and science fiction, especially contemporary realistic YA with heart, humor, and personality; middle grade that is smart, accessible, funny, sweet, or written with flair; and humor nonfiction. She looks for strong voices, unconventional narratives, complex relationships, fresh perspectives, multicultural perspectives, and themes of immigration, displacement, and cultural adjustment.

Saba Sulaiman is currently closed to queries according to her official Talcott Notch profile.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary middle grade, historical middle grade, literary middle grade, mystery middle grade, contemporary young adult, historical young adult, literary young adult, young adult mystery, juvenile nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, popular science

Shari Maurer is an agent at The Stringer Literary Agency. The official Stringer site lists her fiction interests as picture books; middle grade contemporary, historical, literary, and mystery; and young adult contemporary, historical, literary, and mystery. In nonfiction, it lists juvenile YA and middle grade nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, and popular science.

Shari Maurer is currently closed to queries according to the QueryManager or QueryTracker form associated with Stringer Literary. The official Stringer site says the agency works with Query Manager only, deletes queries sent otherwise unread, and closes submissions from time to time to catch up.

History, biography, art, architecture, science, religion, literary fiction, thrillers, mystery, science fiction, fantasy

Howard Morhaim represents authorities in history, biography, art, architecture, science, and religion, as well as canonical authors in literary fiction, thrillers, mystery, science fiction, and fantasy.

Howard Morhaim does not accept unsolicited submissions at any time. The agency says he only considers exclusive submissions that come as recommendations from colleagues or clients.

Nonfiction, health, wellness, spirituality, lifestyle, food writing, drink writing, sustainability, running, fitness, memoir, narrative nonfiction, women's fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, crime fiction, mystery, thriller

Stephany Evans is an affiliate agent at Ayesha Pande Literary. Her official APL profile says she has represented nonfiction writers in health and wellness, spirituality, lifestyle, food and drink, sustainability, running and fitness, memoir, and narrative nonfiction for more than 25 years. She also represents women's fiction from literary to upmarket commercial, romance, crime fiction including mysteries and thrillers, and the occasional literary or commercial novel not aimed at a female market.

Stephany Evans is permanently closed to unsolicited queries according to her official APL profile and is listed as closed on APL's official queries page. Queries submitted by any method while she is closed will not be considered.

Adult fiction, young adult fiction, adult nonfiction, young adult nonfiction, history, cultural anthropology, arts, memoir, science fiction, fantasy, noir thriller, horror, mystery

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, table of contents, sample chapter, sample bibliography, first twenty five pages

Jael Morrill represents adult and young adult fiction and nonfiction. In nonfiction she wants rarely told history, cultural anthropology, arts, and memoir from marginalized voices, especially disability, queer experiences, and people hurt by fundamentalist movements. In fiction she wants immersive science fiction and fantasy, fresh takes on noir thrillers, horror with hope, campy mysteries, speculative elements, queer characters, whimsical worldbuilding, and witty but grounded dialogue.

Jael Morrill is currently closed to queries while catching up on her inbox. When open, nonfiction submissions should include a query, 1-2 page synopsis, table of contents, sample chapter, and for history a sample bibliography. Fiction submissions should include a query, 1-2 page synopsis, and the first 25 pages. JDLA asks writers to query one agent at a time and does not accept snail mail queries.

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

Trodayne Northern is Co-President and Lead Agent at Prentis Literary. The official about page says his passion is good storytelling, that science fiction and fantasy are his first love, and that his genre interests are wide-ranging. The agency focuses on high-quality fiction, speculative and other, with rare memoir, and centers representation of traditionally marginalized groups. The official genres page lists agency interest areas including 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.

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime fiction, mystery, suspense, book club fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction

Rebecca Scherer is an agent at Jane Rotrosen Agency. She represents commercial fiction across genres, with particular interest in women's fiction, crime and mystery, suspense, book club fiction, and upmarket or literary-leaning fiction.

Rebecca Scherer is presently closed to queries except by referral according to her official JRA contact page.

Commercial fiction, select nonfiction, book club fiction, historical fiction, women's fiction, older young adult, fantasy, contemporary fiction, crime fiction, thrillers, suspense, mystery, romance, psychological horror, magical realism

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, requested materials

Marlene Stringer represents commercial fiction and select nonfiction. Her official wishlist includes book club fiction that straddles the commercial/literary line, historical fiction, contemporary and historical women's fiction, older YA in fantasy and contemporary, crime fiction, all types of thrillers, suspense, all types of mysteries, romance except erotic romance, psychological horror, and magical realism.

StringerLit uses QueryManager and accepts queries only through the linked form, but Marlene Stringer's official linked QueryManager page currently says she is closed to catch up on requested manuscripts. When open, use the official QueryManager link only, queries sent otherwise are deleted unread. Submit to only one StringerLit agent at a time and only one manuscript at a time.

Adult fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, thrillers, mystery, book club fiction, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, women's issues, cross-cultural nonfiction, history, humor, quirky nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Liza Dawson specializes in smart, plot-driven bestselling fiction; memorable, confidently written literary fiction; page-turning thrillers with spycraft, foreign intrigue, or unusual careers; mysteries with brainy detectives; literary fiction for book clubs; and breakout historical novels. In nonfiction she is drawn to cross-cultural and women's issues by experts, narrative history, memoirs about escape from closed or repressive societies, and books by journalists and poets making sense of place, race, the environment, Wall Street, Washington, or the South.

Liza Dawson is currently closed to queries according to her official profile. Her profile says to send only a query letter in the body of the email to queryliza@lizadawsonassociates.com, and the agency submissions page says to query only one Liza Dawson Associates agent at a time.

Narrative nonfiction, true crime, psychology, pop culture, technology, pop science, parenting, crime fiction, mystery

Victoria is most interested in expert-driven narrative nonfiction in the areas of true crime, psychology, pop culture, technology, and pop science. She is also looking for investigative deep dives, illuminating books about parenting (either prescriptive or narrative), and anything geared toward a millennial audience. While nonfiction makes up the bulk of her list, she is also willing to consider crime fiction or mysteries that involve a murder.

Email your chosen agent using the address indicated on their page, or via QueryManager if listed. Include the title in the subject line. Paste the first ten pages of your manuscript in the body of the email — no attachments. For picture books, include the complete text, for illustrated work, include a link to your portfolio or two to three PDFs or JPEGs. Do not query multiple Bent Agency agents simultaneously.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, gaming

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages, portfolio link

She seeks character-driven stories that explore what it means to be human while leaving room for hope, with diverse characters and high-stakes, fast-paced plots. She particularly wants author-illustrators for picture books, graphic novels, and non-fiction, cozy mysteries with fantasy and romance elements, and gaming-related books.

Submit queries via QueryManager only. For picture books, send query with full text and portfolio link for author-illustrators. For middle grade and Young Adult or adult fiction, send query, synopsis, and first 10 pages. For non-fiction, send query, table of contents, and sample chapter. For graphic novels, send query only with materials available upon request.

Book club fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, thriller, memoir, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, mystery, romance

Erin Niumata represents book club fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, thrillers, memoir, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, mystery, and romance.

Erin Niumata's official profile links to QueryManager, but her official linked QueryManager page currently says she is not accepting queries and will open again before the end of the year.

Women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, romance, romantic comedy, horror, science fiction, fantasy, young adult, humor, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Courtney represents women's fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, romance and rom-coms, horror, science fiction and fantasy, YA novels, humor, and nonfiction. Her list emphasizes work from underrepresented voices.

Check Handspun submission status and submit through the agency query system when open. Query each project once with the agency.

Fantasy, science fiction, horror, mystery, thriller, graphic novels, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, sample pages

Shannon seeks dark gothic fantasy, horror across all speculative levels, science fantasy that blurs magic and science, mysteries with cinematic feel, and graphic novels with found families or unsettling elements. She values experimental styles, unreliable narrators, excellent prose, strange concepts, botanical uncanniness, and stories incorporating religious elements.

Submit via QueryManager only. Select one agent to submit to initially. Include polished query letter, bio, and appropriate sample pages based on format.

Women's fiction, thriller, speculative fiction, commercial fiction, horror, mystery, historical romance, poetry, picture books

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, bio, title/genre/word count

She seeks stories that surprise and delight with characters readers can't stop thinking about and sharp writing. She wants high-concept, twisty stories with strong voices in women's fiction, thriller, and speculative fiction. She's particularly interested in timely commercial fiction where the personal intersects with world events, stories about female rage and friendships, complex family dynamics, incisive horror with social commentary, and atmospheric mysteries set in close-knit communities.

Submit through Query Manager with a brief bio including writing credentials, title or genre or word count, query letter, and first ten pages.

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.

General fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, biography, history, african american literature

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

The Philip G. Spitzer Literary Agency lists genres and specialties as general fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, biography, history, and African American literature.

The agency is not accepting new clients for representation at this time.

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.

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.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, narrative non-fiction, memoir, history, pop culture, children's non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages

Jim is particularly interested in literary fiction, underrepresented voices, fantasy, mysteries, romance, anything unusual or unexpected, and any book that makes him cry or laugh out loud. He wants to see more children's nonfiction.

Submit to Jim McCarthy only via Query Manager at https:// queryManager.com or JimMcCarthy. Include query letter in body with first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction.

Fiction and non-fiction

Upmarket and accessible literary/commercial 'sweet spot', thrillers/suspense, book club fiction, epic multi-generational family drama, powerful love story with mystery

Online form - https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk or submissions/