Legit, I've been asking for an adult murder mystery romance JUST LIKE THIS for three years now #mswl

Since I'm open to queries again:
MUST HAVE: Adult romance only. NO YA. Fantasy or sci-fi sub-genre ONLY.
Prefer: High heat level
#MSWL list:
1. Vampires or witches (still looking for something different)
2. mystery & humor even if dark
3. Bridgerton w/PR element
4. Surprise me

#MG
•Feel good adventure stories amongst friends like the Goonies.
•Quests with female protagonists that display bravery and perseverance that’s not in spite of gender.
•Solving age old mysteries that no one thought were real. Bring me prepubescent Indiana Jones.

We love propulsive mysteries and thrillers -- stories that keep you guessing until the end like THE FIREKEEPER'S DAUGHTER, TRULY DEVIOUS, ACE OF SPADES, THE INHERITANCE GAMES, GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER, etc. #MSWL

I love books that challenge societal norms, especially gender norms; great or complicated sibling relationships; small town or midwestern settings; intriguing villains; mysteries woven into other genres #MSWL

Cozy mysteries for younger audiences—I would love to see millennial protagonists, stories with drag queens, boozy brunches, bachelorette parties, all the things! #MSWL

"Cozy mysteries like THE BOOK CLUB MURDERS by Leslie Nagel.” @CurtisPSLA #MSWL psliterary.com/submissions/

In #horror, I'm not afraid to go dark and am open to supernatural of some kind. However, I do prefer things be grounded. Like how Midnight Mass was OUT THERE, but also very realistic? Somehow? I also love the psychological horror that overlaps with #mystery or #suspense. #MSWL

I'd really like to work on a great novel or two this year. I'm looking for propulsive #suspense, edgy #mysteries, and grounded #horror. I love dark books that keep you guessing, with characters that are well drawn and memorable. #MSWL

Mystery/adventure such as Da Vinci Code/ National Treasure. The Holiday but make it a book. Fairy tale retelling. Magical realism. 🌟✍️⭐️

ENGLISH BOARDING SCHOOLS/ MANOR HOUSES. Portal fantasy in the vein of Stardust or Narnia. Pure fantasy -think LOTR. Anything with a tournament. Lighter crime/mystery set in a small English village. Historical romance that Julian Fellowes would be proud of.

mysteries: millennial cozy mysteries with unique younger settings, quirky characters, and the charm and sharp sleuthing that make cozies so much fun

(i’d also like to see some genre blending romventures that combine romance/action and adventure/mystery/comedy. love pointing to DIAL A FOR AUNTIES; it’s so good)

I will also take villains who are the MCs, heroes who are made heroes because they’d be too powerful if they were baddies, some murder mystery, himbos & bimbos being best friends, the vibes of Miles Morales leaping off the building, also the vibes of Nick Miller doing anything

✨ cozy mysteries w/ high personal stakes, found family, and evocative settings
✨ "unlikable heroines" in the vein of Dorothy in A CERTAIN HUNGER and Lynnette in THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP
✨ feminist horror, thriller, suspense, you name it

#MSWL

First read of 2022 (not counting requests with offers or client manuscripts 😊): Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong. So glad to finally begin the Chief Inspector Chen series!

Hint: looking for adult mysteries like these when I reopen to queries 1/3/22. #MSWL

Here are the ADULT GENRES I am seeking in 2022:
Women’s Fiction
Book Club/Commercial Fiction
Contemporary Romance/Rom-Coms
Non-Political Thrillers/Mysteries/Suspense
Horror
Historical Fiction - with a contemporary feel

Big changes in 2022. Along with my writing (under pen name), I'm now an agent with @blueridgeagency #MSWL blueridgeagency.com/LeslieTruex.ht…

Also, bring me the opposite: dark, suspenseful, unsettling, atmospheric (YA) mystery and horror. Make it creepy and intense and full of wonderful characterization, and keep me guessing. I'm talking HOUSE OF HOLLOW, ACE OF SPADES, TRULY DEVIOUS, THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE... #MSWL

I really enjoy noir mysteries. They are so sinister and devious and delicious. I really enjoy flawed characters that you should hate but kinda love. Send me your messed up, nefarious, duplicitous, shrewd, sneaky, deceitful, calculating, manipulative, scheming, anti-heroes! #mswl