13+ United Kingdom mystery literary agents whose current PairPi record says they are open to submissions. Each listing includes a source link and last-checked date.
13+ verified agents · 13 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)
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
Fiction, narrative non-fiction
Thrillers, mystery, suspense, knotty relationship and family novels, big-ideas non-fiction, memoir, pop science, food writing. Not children's or YA.
Email emma.submissions@cwagency.co.uk with the first three chapters (or approximately 50 pages) and a synopsis for fiction, or a 30-page proposal for non-fiction, plus a covering letter. Attach files in .doc or .docx format. Do not submit to more than one agent.
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.
Crime fiction, thriller, mystery, psychological thriller, supernatural suspense, ghost stories, romantic suspense, historical fiction, women's fiction, middle grade, ya, horror, non-fiction, self-help, narrative non-fiction, memoir
Crime fiction encompassing thriller, mystery, and psychological thriller; supernatural suspense; ghost stories; romantic suspense; historical fiction; women's fiction; children's fiction at middle grade and YA level; horror; and non-fiction including topical, accessible works such as self-help, narrative non-fiction, and memoir. Does not represent science fiction, fantasy, short stories, poetry collections, erotica, or picture books.
Submit by email only. Fiction submissions should include a cover letter in the body of the email, a short bio, a synopsis, and three sample chapters as separate attachments. Non-fiction submissions should include a cover letter in the body of the email, a short bio, a proposal with chapter breakdown, and three sample chapters as separate attachments. Use the submissions page at https://shesto-literary.com or submissions or to send your materials.
Fiction and non-fiction, children's
Projects with wide international appeal. Fiction: general, mystery, romance, suspense-thriller, fantasy/SF, own voices, children's. Non-fiction: biography, history, mind-body-spirit, health, lifestyle, science
Email - submissions@sheilland.co.uk
Fiction and non-fiction
Commercial women's fiction with strong hook/twisty plots/emotion/drama, eclectic list. Agency also considers crime/mystery/suspense/thrillers, horror, historical, commercial and literary, non-fiction including politics/current affairs, environment, lifestyle, popular science, self-help/how-to, true crime
Email submissions@cmm.agency with a one-paragraph author biography, a one-paragraph blurb or hook including genre and 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, with wide margins, in a font no smaller than 12-point (preferably Times New Roman), fully page-numbered, with your name, address, contact number and email on the first page.
Fiction
Mystery, suspense, thrillers, crime, book club fiction, grounded speculative/high-concept (no high fantasy), stories with escapism, strong series characters, ensemble casts, nature-as-character settings
Online form - https://darleyanderson.com or submissions/
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, thrillers, crime, historical fiction, suspense, mystery, women's commercial fiction, non-fiction, arts and crafts, cookery, biography and autobiography, popular science, business, natural history, sport, travel, health
Wants: See submissions page; requires synopsis and first 3 chapters.
General fiction including thrillers, crime, historical fiction, suspense, mystery, and women's commercial fiction. On the nonfiction side, illustrated books covering arts and crafts, cookery, biography and autobiography, popular science, business, natural history, sport, travel, and health. Open to submissions from new authors.
Email a brief synopsis and the first three chapters as Word or Open Document attachments to mail@limelightmanagement.com. Include 'Submission' in the subject line and the title of your work in the attachment filename. Also include a note about your professional life and writing ambitions.
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.
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.
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