124+ mystery literary agents whose current PairPi record says they are open to submissions. Each listing includes a source link and last-checked date.
124+ verified agents · 124 currently open
Fiction and non-fiction, audio rights, some playwrights
Children's fiction, historical fiction, mystery and supernatural horror; particularly slick and humorous middle grade fiction and STEM titles for children
Email - submissions@mbalit.co.uk (FAO Sophie Gorell Barnes)
Mystery, suspense, thrillers, crime fiction, upmarket fiction
High-stakes narratives, complex characters, and stories that refuse to be put down. Crime novels with anti-hero main characters, mystery novels that keep him guessing, clear stakes, surprise endings
Check agent's submission page
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, fantasy, science fiction, romance, mystery, young adult, pop culture, select non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, bio, first five pages
She seeks compelling stories with clear concepts, fresh voices and emotional heart that grab readers from the first page. She is especially interested in emerging writers and underrepresented voices, looking to develop long-term relationships.
Email a brief query letter containing information about your book, your bio, and the first five pages in the body of the email. Include the word 'query' and your book title in the subject line.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, narrative non-fiction, cultural history, creative non-fiction, food writing, young adult, middle grade
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
She seeks fresh, unexpected perspectives, particularly from underrepresented communities. She favors character-driven literary fiction that borrows from genre elements, narrative nonfiction that reorients understanding of history and culture, and creative nonfiction that appeals to heart, mind, and humor. For Young Adult she prefers realistic, emotional stories whether contemporary or historical.
Submit via Roma's QueryManager form. Include query letter, synopsis, comparable books, and upload first 20 pages for fiction or full proposal for nonfiction. One agent at a time, but can submit to up to three ALA agents if first passes.
Literary fiction, historical fiction, crime, mystery, thrillers, horror, women's fiction, romance, young adult fiction, memoirs, essays, narrative nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, brief sample in email body
Literary fiction; historical fiction; sophisticated genre (crime, mystery, thrillers, horror); upmarket character-rich women's fiction and smart romance; realism-based young adult fiction; memoirs, essays, and narrative nonfiction. Nonfiction interests include: music, sports, wellness, the natural world, animal welfare, feminism, true crime, sociology, and culture both pop and serious.
Submissions strictly via dedicated email address: submissions@dvagency.com
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, romance, thriller, mystery, middle grade, young adult, narrative non-fiction, essay collections
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
She seeks literary family sagas, genre-blending fiction, heists and cons that critique power systems, murder mysteries with humor, literary fiction about BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ protagonists, feminist revenge stories, whimsical fantasy, high-heat romance, historical fiction with unexpected settings, middle-grade adventures and slice-of-life, Young Adult queer and anticolonial revenge stories, narrative nonfiction connecting journalism to personal experience, and microhistories described as love letters to niche topics.
Submit via QueryManager submission form. Include polished query letter, bio, and manuscript pages according to genre guidelines. Select one agent at ALA to submit to initially.
Fantasy, romance, mystery, horror, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, science fiction, non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, biography, sample pages
She seeks accessibly-written novels that transport readers and make them forget the world around them. She loves deep POV, compelling hooks, and confident voices. She's particularly interested in fantasy, romance, mystery, horror, and upmarket or commercial fiction, especially with speculative elements. In nonfiction, she wants paradigm-shifting, platform-driven books that make readers reconsider what they know about the world.
Submit through Query Manager only. Include query letter, bio, and 10-20 polished pages for novels. No email submissions accepted unless requested or on referral.
Young adult fantasy, middle grade, young adult mystery, adult mystery, folk tales, mythology, graphic novels, adult narrative non-fiction, true crime, investigative journalism
Wants: Query letter, first chapter, synopsis, sample chapter
She is particularly eager to acquire BIPOC/underrepresented voices and prioritizes stories of joy where identity isn't the focus. She's especially excited about stories rooted in history, mythology, and legends, particularly those that are lesser-known or underrepresented in traditional publishing. She's very interested in stories that explore the intricacies of multicultural identities and loves stories of immigration and first/second generation Americans who struggle balancing values.
Submit queries only through QueryManager. For fiction, include a query letter, first chapter, and synopsis with genre and word count. For nonfiction, include a full proposal with query letter and sample chapter.
Memoir, pop culture, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, horror, romance, cookbook, non-fiction
Voice-driven pop culture writing that brings fresh perspective to contemporary culture, non-fiction histories that recast narratives by centering unexpected or previously unheard voices, and adult commercial fiction featuring diverse casts and original stories, particularly in mystery, thriller, romance, and horror
Submit via Query Manager only. Darga does not represent children's books, political or crime thrillers, fantasy or science fiction, or non-fiction in the self-help, how-to, or business categories.
Debut fiction, horror, mystery, thriller, romance, general fiction, literary fiction, biography, film, television
Wants: Query letter, short bio, synopsis, chapter breakdown, first three chapters, book proposal
Priya represents fiction, nonfiction, authors, and screenwriters, with AALA-listed interests including debut fiction, horror, mystery, thriller, romance, general fiction, literary fiction, and biography.
Email submissions to contact@lotuslit.com with a short bio, query letter, brief synopsis, chapter breakdown, and first three chapters as a Word document. Nonfiction submissions should include a proposal and detailed information on competing books.
Romantic suspense, contemporary romance, young adult, urban fiction, erotica, suspense, thriller, christian fiction, women's fiction, inspirational fiction, mystery
Wants: Query letter
La Sheera is open to romantic suspense, contemporary romance, young adult, urban fiction, erotica, suspense/thriller, Christian fiction, women's fiction, inspirational fiction, mystery, thriller, romance, and general fiction.
Submit through La Sheera Lee's QueryTracker form. Query only one SBR Media agent at a time.
Speculative fiction, horror, romance, mystery, thriller, literary fiction, fantasy, young adult, self-help, spiritual, occult, nature memoir, nature non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages
In fiction, she is particularly drawn to speculative, atmospheric, and voice-driven narratives for both adult and young adult audiences. She has a soft spot for hybrid genres, such as horror-romance or speculative thrillers, and books with big hooks. On the non-fiction side, she is interested in self-help, spiritual (Marina loves the woo woo!), and the occult. She's also very keen to find poignant nature memoirs and other nature-based non-fiction.
Please use this format in the subject field of your email: 'Marina or BOOK TITLE or CREATOR NAME or GENRE'
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, fantasy, mystery, romantasy, horror, humor, narrative nonfiction, nature and ecology, pop culture, women's issues
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters or proposal
Emelie Burl represents books for all ages and across many genres. She is drawn to cozy projects across fiction and nonfiction, found family, magic, nature, self-acceptance, folklore, diversity, queer joy, female rage, immersive storytelling, hopeful stories with edge, grounded fantasy, unusual or offbeat characters, journalistic deep dives with personal narrative, humor, and children's books that meet kids where they are.
Submit to Emelie Burl through her official linked QueryManager form only. Direct email queries will be deleted unread. The form asks for author information, query letter, synopsis, AI-use disclosure, and the first three chapters or, for nonfiction, the full book proposal.
Nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, histories, biographies, science, food, sports, fiction, thriller, mystery, romance, young adult, middle grade, sci-fi
Non-fiction, especially narrative nonfiction histories, biographies, international current events, finance, science and sports; fiction, particularly in the young adult, middle grade, mystery, sci-fi and thriller categories.
Send queries by email to jeff (at) jenniferlyonsliteraryagency (dot) com
Pop culture, pop science, fashion, design, literary commentary, history, folktale-inspired horror, fantasy, gothic mystery, romance, puzzle-driven mysteries, literary fiction
Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages
In non-fiction, she is drawn to narrative projects that bring niche subjects to a wide readership, particularly those that blend memoir with expertise. Her interests include pop culture, pop science, fashion, design, literary commentary, and the history of subcultures and counterculture. In fiction, she loves immersive atmosphere, sharp observation, twisty storytelling, and offbeat wit. She is especially interested in folktale-inspired horror and fantasy, gothic mystery and romance, fantasies featuring mundane magic, puzzle-driven mysteries, and cozy stories that feel hopeful yet grounded, like a Studio Ghibli movie.
Include the first ten pages of text only within the body of your email for adult fiction, adult memoir, adult non-fiction essay collection, or children's fiction and non-fiction.
Historical fiction, narrative history, historical fantasy, comedic mystery, book club fiction, genre bended and blended fiction, science for the non-scientist, essays, memoir
All things history. Commercial and upmarket historical fiction that challenges and educates readers, particularly those that explore the margins of history books and those from marginalized perspectives. Book club fiction, essays and memoirs, history and science
Query Frannie
Literary fiction, mainstream fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, historical fiction, contemporary women's fiction, young adult, middle grade, memoir, biography, history, business, psychology, pop culture, popular science
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 5 to 10 pages, writing credentials
Maria Carvainis Agency represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction with special interest in literary and mainstream fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, historicals, contemporary women's fiction, young adult and middle grade, memoir, biography, history, business, psychology, pop culture, and popular science.
Email a query letter, a synopsis of the work, the first 5 to 10 pages, and a note of any writing credentials to mca@mariacarvainisagency.com. Attachments must be Word documents or PDF files. Queries are also accepted by post.
Chick lit, commercial, contemporary, cozy fantasy, cozy romantasy, crime, detective, police, family saga, fantasy, fantasy: magical realism, fantasy: urban, graphic novel, historical, horror, lgbtq and, literary, middle grade, military, espionage, multicultural, mystery, new adult, offbeat, quirky, romance, romantasy, suspense, thriller, upmarket, women's fiction, young adult
Query Letter, Synopsis, One Paragraph Pitch, Comparable Books, First 10 Pages
Submit through Query Manager. Unsolicited queries sent to his email address will be deleted unread.
Romance, fantasy, upmarket or women's fiction, mystery or thriller, young adult fiction, middle grade fiction
Voice-driven YA and romance that balances heart, humor, and hope. High-concept setups with emotional depth: the summer that changes everything, the cruise that goes hilariously off course, the fantasy quest that doubles as a love story, or the play that blurs the line between acting and truth. She loves lush, escapist settings—coastal towns, vibrant cities, magical kingdoms, faraway ships.
Before you hit submit on any queries please verify her #MSWL.
Literary, commercial, mystery, thriller, suspense, romance, business, history, politics, current affairs, memoir, health, wellness, sports, humor, pop culture, pop science, pop psychology
Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages
In terms of fiction, he is seeking literary, commercial, mystery, thriller, suspense and romance. In terms of non-fiction, he is looking for business, history, politics, current affairs, memoir, health, wellness, sports, humor, pop culture, pop science, and pop psychology.
Address your query to the attention of the agent you feel is the best match for your work. Include the first ten pages of text only within the body of your email for adult fiction, adult memoir, adult non-fiction essay collection, or children's fiction and non-fiction.
Women's fiction, upmarket adult, commercial adult, domestic suspense, literary mystery, thrillers, historical, contemporary romance, book club fiction, pop science, business, psychology, cookbooks, memoirs, lifestyle, narrative non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages
In terms of fiction, she is seeking women's fiction, upmarket adult, commercial adult, domestic suspense, literary mystery and thrillers, historical, contemporary romance, and smart book club fiction. In terms of non-fiction, she is looking for pop science, business, psychology, cookbooks, unique memoirs, lifestyle (health, wellness, relationships, parenting), narrative, and platform based non-fiction
For fiction queries, please format email subjects as 'Fiction: TITLE or GENRE or CREATOR NAME' and non-fiction queries as 'Non-Fiction: TOPIC or TITLE or CREATOR NAME'
Mystery, high-concept suspense, domestic suspense, psychological thriller, book club women's fiction, commercial fiction, crime fiction, underrepresented voices
Wants: Query letter, first twenty pages
Michelle Richter is Vice President of Fuse Literary. She represents leaders in the crime fiction community, award-winners, and debut authors, and wants to boost underrepresented voices in her favorite genres. She is especially eager to find high-concept crime fiction with catchy hooks, twisty plots, and complex lead characters. She likes emotionally engaging fiction with a voice that immediately identifies the author, and welcomes BIPOC, LGBTQ, and disabled voices in fiction. She loves twists, unreliable narrators, isolated locales and locked rooms, stories of family secrets, friendships, and sibling relationships, and book club fiction that makes readers think and feel.
Submit to Michelle Richter only through QueryManager. Fuse says unsolicited submissions to email or social media will be deleted unread. For conference, press, or rights inquiries only, use michelle@fuseliterary.com.
Mystery, romantic suspense, psychological suspense, speculative, crime, thriller, horror, book club
Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first 3 chapters or 50 pages
Jade represents adult commercial fiction, especially thriller, suspense, horror, book club fiction, romantic suspense and speculative fiction with a darker edge.
Submit via the Darley Anderson online submissions portal. Include a cover letter, one-page synopsis, and the first three chapters or first 50 pages or 10,000 words.
Middle grade, ya, crossover, new adult, picture book, adventure, mystery, horror
Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first 3 chapters or 20 pages
Kat is actively building her own list from middle grade through YA, crossover and New Adult, with a character-led taste and interest in adventure, mystery, darker YA and select picture book authors.
Email Kat directly at kat@darleyanderson.com. For novels, send the first three chapters or first twenty pages plus a one-page synopsis. Picture book writers may send up to three full texts.
Picture books, mg fiction, ya fiction, adult commercial fiction, fantasy, mystery or thriller, upmarket women's fiction
Picture Books: Author/Illustrators ONLY. MG fiction: funny, mad-cap adventures; epic fantasy; magical realism; high-concept twists; strong plots and voices. YA fiction: commercial and high-concept fiction (all genres). Plot-driven and escapist books. Humor, imagination, adventure, romance. Adult commercial fiction (accessible fantasy, mystery/thriller, upmarket women's fiction). Fun, escapist reads. Great hooks. Great writing.
Use QueryManager link provided
Women's fiction, romance, historical fiction, ya, fantasy, mystery, suspense
Bestselling authors in women's fiction, romance, historical fiction, YA, fantasy, mystery, and suspense, and is always looking for exciting new voices in fiction
Complete the form
Young adult, new adult, adult fiction, speculative fiction, genre fiction, fantasy, mystery, romantasy
Wants: Query letter
Ramona is looking for YA, New Adult, and adult stories, especially fiction with speculative elements, genre mashups such as horror/romance or fantasy/mystery, found family, heists, magic, enemies-to-lovers romantasy, strong lore, and world-building.
Submit through Ramona Pina's QueryManager form linked from her BookEnds profile. BookEnds asks writers to submit to one BookEnds agent at a time and follow the form instructions.
Middle grade, young adult, new adult, adult fiction, fantasy, dystopian, mystery, horror, contemporary fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, science fiction
Wants: Query letter
Jenissa is looking for middle grade, YA, New Adult and adult projects, especially high-concept fantasy, near-future dystopia, mysteries in fresh settings, genre-blending horror and coming-of-age contemporary work centered on strong emotional journeys.
Submit through Jenissa Graham's QueryManager form from her official BookEnds profile.
Fiction and non-fiction
Sexual politics, relationships, lifestyle how-tos, erotica, thrillers, whodunit, historical crime
Email submissions@cmm.agency with: a one-paragraph author biography, a one-paragraph blurb or hook including genre and intended audience, a short synopsis covering plot, setting, theme and characters, and the first three chapters as an attachment. Manuscript must be double or 1.5 line-spaced, in 12-point font (preferably Times New Roman), with wide margins and full page numbering. Include your name, address, contact number and email on the first page.
Crime fiction, thriller, mystery, book club fiction
Adult commercial fiction paired with punchy concepts and irresistible voice. Particularly drawn to psychological thrillers where nothing is as it seems, groundbreaking mysteries that blur genres, and literary crime writing that crosses boundaries. Also actively looking for book club novels with exceptional writing that create emotional resonance, as well as imaginative cross-genre works that blend mystery with horror, romance, or other unexpected combinations.
Send your submission to EdSubmissions@theblairpartnership.com. Include your manuscript or sample pages along with a cover letter outlining your concept and voice.
Fiction and select non-fiction
Commercial and book-club fiction, selective romance, thrillers/mystery, different-feeling historical fiction, selective YA, selective non-fiction (popular history/untaught areas, cultural deep-dives, narrative non-fiction). Not children's, not sci-fi, not grisly horror
Submit via the online form on Hannah Schofield's agent page at https://lbabooks.com or agents or hannah-schofield
Literary fiction, mystery, suspense, memoir, cookbook
Upmarket fiction with strong commercial potential, particularly mystery, suspense, and psychologically layered narratives. Also select cookbooks and literary memoir from exceptional storytellers whose work resonates with national media and has film and television potential.
Submit through Query Manager at QueryManager.com or QueryLoriGalvin. Lori only accepts submissions via this platform.
Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, book club fiction, mystery, crime fiction, psychological thrillers, speculative fiction, horror, historical fiction, history, science, memoir, idea-driven nonfiction, diverse voices
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, proposal, ai disclosure
Melissa Danaczko represents a wide range of adult fiction and nonfiction. In fiction, she gravitates toward high-concept novels with a fresh perspective, energetic writing, deep emotional connection, and an immersive sense of place; favorite categories include contemporary book club fiction, mystery, crime, psychological thrillers, speculative fiction, horror, and historical novels. She also represents history, science, memoir, and idea-driven nonfiction that is rigorous, emotionally compelling, and has something big to say about the world. Across categories, she seeks diverse voices and projects that are both entertaining and enlightening.
Email Melissa Danaczko at mdquery@skagency.com with a query letter and the first 10 pages of your manuscript or proposal in the body of the email, not as an attachment. SKLA asks for full disclosure in the query if AI tools have been used or are intended to be used in creating the work. Due to volume, SKLA responds only if interested in reading more.
Commercial fiction, horror, thriller, suspense, romance, mystery, young adult, non-fiction, true crime, essays
Wants: Query letter
Kristen seeks commercial fiction including horror, thriller/suspense, and romance. She wants horror novels with dark twists, ghosts, and romance, plus young adult slashers. For mysteries/thrillers, she prefers ambiguous endings, contained whodunits, and surprising twists. In romance, she loves second chances, beach settings, and coming-of-age stories, plus crossover romance with fantastical elements. She also accepts respectful true crime and personal essay collections.
Send a query letter using the online form to one literary agent only. The query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and your contact information. Do not include a manuscript, proposal, or writing samples. Do not send a manuscript or proposal until requested.
Commercial, contemporary, family saga, genre-bending, horror, lgbtq and, literary, multicultural, mystery, offbeat, quirky, short stories, suspense, thriller, upmarket, women's fiction, cultural, social issues, current affairs, history, journalism, lifestyle, narrative, nature and ecology, politics, pop culture, psychology, relationship and dating, science and technology, women's issues
Wants: Query letter, sample pages
She seeks writers driven by curiosity and discovery, whether through formal inventiveness in fiction or rigorous investigative journalism. She is drawn to poets who have turned to prose and writers whose dexterity with language allows them to articulate emotions or sensibilities. She loves moody atmosphere, setting-as-character, and fantastical elements in literary and upmarket fiction, particularly when genre elements explore where language fails us.
Send query letter and 5 sample pages to only one agent with the word QUERY and the title of your project in the subject line, or submit through Query Manager. Do not send attachments, include all materials in the body of the email.
Mystery, thriller, suspense, historical fiction, young adult
Wants: Query letter
Ella Marie is looking for adult mysteries, thrillers, suspense, historical fiction, and YA thriller, suspense, mystery, detective fiction, and historical fiction. She is looking for diverse authors and fast-paced stories.
Submit through Ella Marie's official QueryManager route. Belcastro asks writers to read each agent's wishlist, submit to one agent at a time, and use the Submit a Story button to reach the query form.
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