134 agents · 93 currently open to submissions
UK crime and thriller is crowded, steady, and brutally dependent on the opening. Domestic noir, police procedural, psychological suspense, cosy crime, spy fiction, and the literary thriller all live here. Agents know the market is strong, which means the bar for tension is high from page one.
This UK page shows agents who explicitly represent crime and thriller. The broad search toggle catches more who'd consider it under commercial fiction, mystery, suspense, or upmarket fiction.
Fiction and non-fiction, estates
Fiction: originality/style, literary to commercial, imaginative setting, strong voice, compelling premise, active SFF list, high concept, intelligent crime/thrillers, genre-transcending. Not taking new YA/children's, no plays/film scripts. Non-fiction: politics, narrative history, sport, natural history, quirky memoir, popular culture, inventive angles
Email - ed@johnsonandalcock.co.uk
Commercial women's fiction, psychological thrillers, popular science, true crime
Fresh commercial women's fiction with big hooks/diverse characters, pacy psychological thrillers, cutting-edge non-fiction (popular science to true crime)
Email submissions@cmm.agency with: a one-paragraph author biography (including whether the manuscript has been sent to other agents or publishers), a one-paragraph blurb with hook, genre and audience, a short synopsis covering plot, setting, theme and characters, and the first three chapters as an attachment. The manuscript must be double or 1.5 line-spaced, with wide margins, in at least 12-point font (preferably Times New Roman), fully paginated, and with name, address, contact number and email on the first page.
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
Children's fiction, ya, middle grade, chapter books, graphic novels, cosy crime, crime fiction
Wants: See agent page for currently-open genres; query must match listed genres. does not represent picture books
Big-concept commercial series fiction for children and YA, with particular interest in middle grade across all subgenres — mystery, fantasy, historical, funny, adventure, verse, illustrated, animal perspectives — especially with a strong voice or hook. Chapter books with series potential for ages 7 and up, and graphic novels across all children's and YA age ranges. In YA, contemporary novels including rom-coms with a hook, high-concept stories with strong friendships or sibling relationships, mysteries, thrillers, and light speculative fiction; will consider historical YA with action. For adult, only open to cosy crime, smart contemporary crime with humour, crime with a fantasy twist, and crime with a sci-fi element — nothing dark or gritty, no child death or gratuitous violence. Not open to picture books, YA fantasy, contemporary adult fiction, adult non-fiction, literary novels, romance, or poetry.
Email gemmaqueries@gemmacooperliterary.com with the book title, a short pitch, a brief author bio, and the first ten pages pasted into the body of the email — no attachments. Graphic novel or illustrated non-fiction submissions may include a link to a website or social media where work is shared, or attach up to five low-res images. Emails sent to info@gemmacooperliterary.com will be deleted unread.
Fiction and non-fiction
Contemporary, historical and literary fiction, crime and thrillers, memoir, biography, narrative history
Email isobel@blakefriedmann.co.uk with a cover letter in the body of the email. Attach a synopsis of 250-300 words and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words as Word documents (.doc or .docx). Include the book title and your name in the subject line. For non-fiction, attach a synopsis of up to 500 words, a chapter plan, and two sample chapters.
Speculative fiction, historical fiction, upmarket crime and thriller, memoir, narrative-led non-fiction, nature, food, sport, psychology, business, craft and design, social sciences, investigative journalism
Wants: Quality and commercial fiction and non-fiction (no children's). fiction: first 3 chapters/50pp and synopsis. non-fiction: pitch and sample chapter
In fiction, books combining compelling storytelling, engaging characters and strong plotting, especially novels of ambition and scope with big-hearted characters. Particularly interested in speculative fiction with a real-world edge or near-future settings. In non-fiction, broad tastes including memoir, narrative non-fiction with deep focus that expands outward to explain a culture or subculture, immersive journalism, and books where subject-matter expertise meets great writing. Does not represent children's books.
Fiction: first 3 chapters or 50 pages and synopsis. Non-fiction: pitch and sample chapter
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.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, crime, sci-fi, short story collections, poetry, narrative non-fiction, history, travel, food, nature writing, investigative journalism, popular science, popular psychology, children's, ya
Wants: Cover letter and ~500-word synopsis and first 3 chapters; include contact details
Literary, book club, and commercial fiction including thrillers and YA; short story collections and poetry; narrative non-fiction with strong style; well-crafted crime and sci-fi; history, politics, science, psychology, true crime, travel, food, nature writing, investigative journalism, and popular psychology. Writers for children and young adults are also welcome.
Submit by email or post. The postal address is 29 Wardour Street, London W1D 6PS. For email, visit georginacapel.com or contact to find the address.
Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, crime, sci-fi, poetry
Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, well-crafted crime and sci-fi, building a curated list of poetry
Send a covering letter, a synopsis of approximately 500 words, and the first three chapters by post to Georgina Capel Associates Ltd, 29 Wardour Street, London W1D 6PS (mark envelope 'Submissions Department'), or by email to irene@georginacapel.com. Include your email address and or or telephone number. AI-generated content is not accepted.
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/
Fiction and non-fiction
Story-led commercial/literary: romantic or suspense fiction, compelling memoir, iconic history, edgy humour, 'gleam in the author's eye'
Email - sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com
Fiction and non-fiction
Crossover romantasy/romance/dark academia, SFF with strong hook, gothic/horror/thriller, magical MG, adventure, funny books all ages, inspiring non-fiction all ages, diverse authors
Online form - https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk or submissions/
Sff, romance
SFF across genres for all ages, romance including romcom/paranormal/romantic suspense/dark/historical/fantasy, wants big worlds, strong hooks and distinctive voice
Online form - https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk or submissions/
Commercial fiction, literary fiction, romance, crime, thriller, historical fiction, narrative non-fiction, true crime, cookery and food writing
Wants: Commercial to accessible literary fiction; plot-driven stories exploring big emotions; romance; family/friendship sagas; twisty crime/thrillers; grounded dystopian; narrative-led non-fiction (true crime/untold histories etc.)
Plot-driven fiction from commercial to the accessible end of the literary spectrum, including romance and rom-coms (particularly with queer love or interesting backdrops), sweeping family and friendship sagas, unputdownable crime and thriller standalones, upmarket psychological crime, contemporary and historical fiction (especially based on real events, with gothic elements, or focusing on underrepresented lives), narrative non-fiction that reads like fiction, literary true crime, untold histories, accessible books on complex topics, and cookery and food writing with uncomplicated recipes. Keen to hear from authors whose voices are underrepresented in publishing. Not currently taking YA, children's, poetry, fantasy, romantasy, science fiction, diet, or business projects.
Email sian@blakefriedmann.co.uk
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.
Fiction and non-fiction
Original fiction and non-fiction with international appeal. Non-fiction: stimulating/voice-led, humour, travel, sport, finance/worlds you can enter. Fiction: predominantly crime and thrillers, also rare comic novels
Email charlie@greyhoundliterary.co.uk with a cover letter and pitch in the body of the email. For fiction, attach the first three chapters and a synopsis. For non-fiction, attach a proposal and sample writing. Submit to one agent only, do not send by post.
Fiction, non-fiction
Fiction: crime/thrillers across commercial-literary, atmospheric/setting-as-character, accessible speculative, ghost stories, folk horror, originality and distinctive voice, humour threaded. Non-fiction: narrative history/prehistory, memoir, nature/landscape, folklore
Email submissions@hardmanswainson.com. For fiction, attach a one-page synopsis and the full manuscript. For non-fiction, attach a proposal and a sample chapter (or the full work if completed). Name your chosen agent in the cover email. Submit to one agent only, do not email individual agent addresses.
Fiction and non-fiction (also scripts)
Action thrillers, crime, espionage, political thrillers, eclectic but list described as pretty full, not children's/YA/poetry, not fantasy/SF/dystopian, prefers UK-based writers/stories
Email julian@blakefriedmann.co.uk with an introductory cover letter in the body of the email, and attach a synopsis (250-300 words, including the ending) and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words as Word documents (.doc or .docx). Include the book title and your name in the subject line. Name each attachment with the book title, your name, and either SYNOPSIS or CHAPTERS.
Fiction and non-fiction
Crime fiction, unputdownable literary and commercial fiction, non-fiction that makes you think/question the world
Email submissions@lutyensrubinstein.co.uk with a covering letter, a short synopsis, and the first three chapters or up to 5,000 words. If you have a particular agent in mind, note this for Susannah Godman. No scripts, no postal submissions.
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, commercial fiction, non-fiction
Horror fiction, non-fiction relating to education, politics, and feminism
Email submissions@cmm.agency
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.
Ki Agency
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.
Fiction, non-fiction and children's books
Children's books across all ages, narrative non-fiction, biography, sport, music, autobiography, crime fiction and 'weird and wonderful'. Not poetry, short stories/novellas, educational textbooks, or film/stage scripts
Synopsis and first 3 chapters (max 50 pages) and covering letter (Word or PDF). Picture books: up to 3 full texts plus sample illustrations. Do not submit to more than one BLM agent
LBA Books
Crime, historical fiction, historical romance, women's fiction
Crime, historical fiction (especially historical romance), women's fiction
Alison is not currently receiving submissions. When open, email the agent directly. Include the manuscript title and genre in the subject line. For fiction, send a covering letter in the body of the email, a brief synopsis, and the first three chapters or first 5,000 words as a Word document.
Horror, fantasy, suspense, thrillers, romantasy, romance
Jenny is currently looking for clients she can co-rep with her colleague James Mustelier. They are seeking all kinds of high concept genre fiction for adults and young adults: horror, fantasy, suspense/thriller, romantasy, and romance. Of particular interest are authors who have successfully been working in the indie space and are now looking to transition into traditional or hybrid publishing, and submissions from BIPOC authors are additionally welcomed. Jenny tends to prefer plot-driven books with strong pacing, novels with an element of magic or fantasy, and stories that are dark and weird in content but traditional in structure and storytelling — she is not the right fit for books with overtly political or extremely complicated plotlines.
Email your chosen agent at the address listed on their individual page, or use their QueryManager link if indicated. Include the title of your project 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, illustrators should also include a link to your website or two to three PDFs or JPEGs of your work. For graphic novels, paste the first ten pages of your script plus the first five pages of your dummy in the body of the email.
Commercial fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, crime or psychological thriller, historical, gothic, magical realism or urban fantasy, selected non-fiction (per wishlist)
Not children's, YA, sci-fi, epic fantasy, or romantasy
Email - eg.submission@dhhliteraryagency.com
Book club, crime or thriller, upmarket, literary fiction, narrative non-fiction
Characters that linger, strong setting, book club, high-concept crime/thriller, upmarket/literary, narrative non-fiction with investigative/social commentary. Not children/YA, not SFF
Email - booksubmissions@42mp.com
Adult fiction, select children's or ya and non-fiction
Upmarket commercial/book club and accessible literary, female-lens storytelling, historical with hook, romcoms, unusual structures, thrillers/crime with point of difference, select children's/YA crime/thrillers and MG adventure
Email - sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com
Fiction and non-fiction
Non-fiction: craft, cookery, biography, memoir, health, mind body spirit, travel, history, natural history, true crime, pop culture. Fiction: commercial women's, crime, thrillers, literary (not experimental), YA, children's
Agency is currently closed to new clients and not accepting submissions.
Literary fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, crime fiction, thrillers, cookery, food writing, comedy, travel writing
All types of writing, with particular interests in cooking and food journalism, comedy, and travel writing. Also loves literary fiction, contemporary and historical novels, crime fiction, and thrillers. Also works closely with radio and television production companies, and the speakers and presenters side of the agency.
Claudia is not currently accepting submissions. When open, submissions go to submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with the agent's name in the subject line. Include a covering letter in the body of the email. Fiction: attach the first three chapters (or around fifty pages) and a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending, as Word documents. Non-fiction: attach three sample chapters and a chapter summary or synopsis. Postal submissions are not accepted.
Crime, thriller, horror, romance, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, cookbooks, food writing, lifestyle, wellbeing, investigative journalism, nature writing
Hannah represents quality commercial and upmarket fiction and non-fiction. In fiction, she is drawn to crime, thriller and horror novels with a confident voice and fresh approach, love stories ranging from smart romcoms to epic weepy narratives, and general contemporary fiction about complicated people and families—often with a mystery at its heart. She also takes on a small amount of historical fiction set in the 19th and 20th centuries. In non-fiction, she seeks lifestyle and wellbeing titles, narrative non-fiction such as memoir, nature writing and investigative journalism, cookbooks and food writing, and thought-provoking non-fiction across the arts and academia. She is not the right agent for sci-fi, fantasy, action, spy or military thrillers, children's and YA novels, scripts or poetry.
Hannah is currently closed to submissions.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, book club fiction, romance, romantasy, fantasy, gothic fiction, horror, historical fiction, crime, thriller, speculative fiction
Wants: Covering letter, one-page outline, first three chapters, first fifty pages
Actively seeking wide-ranging fiction: excellent writing, compelling plots, diverse/unexpected voices, engrossing reads, especially literary/commercial crossover, romantasy, psychological thrillers/suspense, family dramas, savvy love stories, ambitious crime/thriller, smart historical/speculative/magical realism. Not looking for children's/YA/MG, short story collections, poetry or drama, no straight sci-fi or high fantasy that is not romantasy
Email nelle@rmliterary.co.uk with a one-page outline, the first 3 chapters or 50 pages, and a covering letter.
Fantasy, sf, horror, crime, thriller, historical fiction, urban fantasy, space opera
Wants: Plot-driven fantasy and sf (not tolkien-derivative); monsters/magic; also hybrids incl horror/thriller/crime/historical
Plot-driven narratives where a character faces a problem and the story is driven by forward momentum. Considers all kinds of fantasy and SF but not Tolkien derivatives; likes cool monsters, heavy magic, and magic seeping into contemporary life. Will read urban fantasy but only at the highest quality. Open to space opera, horror, thrillers, crime, historical fiction, and combinations thereof. Not interested in political treatise disguised as fiction, overly whimsical writing, or failed comedy.
Email berlyne@zenoagency.com following the agency's submission guidelines. Currently closed to submissions.
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.
Literary fiction, horror, mysteries, thrillers, suspense, fantasy, romantasy, speculative fiction
James represents high concept literary and genre fiction for adults and young adults, co-repping with his colleague Jenny Bent. Together they are specifically interested in compact horror and mysteries with unique hooks and intricate plotting, atmospheric thrillers and suspense novels with a strong sense of place, and unique fantasy/romantasy. They are particularly interested in authors who have successfully been working in the indie space and are now looking to transition into traditional or hybrid publishing. On his own, James is looking for voice-driven literary fiction (including books with genre elements but literary execution) and grounded speculative fiction with high stakes that touches on contemporary issues. Across all genres, he prizes direct, economical prose, complex characters, building tension, narrative gravity, and a distinct sense of humor.
Email your query to James Mustelier at the address listed on his agent page, or use his QueryManager link if indicated there. Include the title of your project 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 website or two to three PDFs or JPEGs. Do not query multiple Bent Agency agents simultaneously, if James passes, you may then query another agent at the agency.
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