I'm still searching for a mystery ala CLUE--quirky, funny, with murder. #MSWL

I would love some mysteries and/or thrillers with twists that will leave me breathless (BUT they have to make sense!) I ask for a synopsis and I expect spoilers because I LOVE to see the dominoes being set up on the page! #MSWL

I'm opening to queries on Monday and will be posting some #MSWL thoughts today. Check my website for full guidelines but I'm open to adult fantasy, adult science fiction, adult horror, adult mystery/suspense, and young adult horror. I'm not looking for MG, most YA, or romantasy at this time.

"I would love atmospheric and speculative mysteries and thrillers that skew psychological and cerebral with unreliable narrators. Stories where the setting is the main character and characters have full and dynamic backstories!"
Marina Green #MSWL

I'm open to middle grade queries!
#MSWL

For MG: poignant novels in verse à la Thanhhà Lại, Jacqueline Brown; fantasy/speculative exploring profound themes à la The Last Cuentista or The Girl Who Drank the Moon; survival stories like Hatchet or Alone; silly & humorous illustrated like The Last Kids on Earth or Dav Pilkey; mysteries 2/3

Hi agents, I’m on the hunt for high-concept layered YA & MG novels! #MSWL

For YA: romantic fantasy; dark academia; mystery/thrillers like We Were Liars or Firekeeper’s Daughter; thought-provoking horror or gothic; romantic coming of age like Aristotle & Dante & Last Night at the Telegraph Club 1/3

#MSWL A book akin to “The Apothecary Diaries.” Think June Hur—a historical mystery with a slow burn romance, preferably in an underrepresented location and culture.

#MSWL A YA thriller/mystery in the vein of Angeline Boulley with deep layers of character, story, and theme.

"Send me cozy mysteries like THE BOOK CLUB MURDERS by Leslie Nagel."
curtisrussell.bsky.social #MSWL

I’m super in the mood for a good mystery right now - send me all the upmarket mystery, especially if it’s got a speculative bent! #mswl

Now reopened to queries! Updated my #mswl with everything I’m looking for but the pic shows my number 1 type of story/genre. This does not exclude the rest of my MSWL tho! #writingcommunity
#anquerying

"Send in your stylish mysteries and thrillers. I want bold, fun, and clever takes on the genre’s common tropes like KNIVES OUT, KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE, and WHITE COLLAR. I'm looking for the next THE BIG SLEEP by Raymond Chandler."
mariavicente.com #MSWL

Getting ready to reopen to queries so sharing some MSWLs

YA mermaid book
Atmospheric unsettling mermaids
Mermaid amusement park
Mermaid dysphoria
Cozy mystery in YA
Yearning and longing in romantasy and romances
Not spicy times
Classic summer beach read romance but set in a fantasy world for YA

Adult genre fiction, especially horror (send all your horror!!!), mystery/thriller, and romance. Selectively happy to consider sci-fi and fantasy.

And as many know I’ve spent a long time in children’s, and I’m still considering all children’s titles for Zando. Many more…

I've updated my #MSWL for 2026!

I'm still very focused on Crime, Mystery, Suspense, and Thrillers, but I'd also love to find upmarket/BookClub, Literary fiction, and True-crime!
manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/tommy-dean/

"Send me thrillers (legal, medical, political, etc.) and mysteries (cozy, private eye, police procedural, etc.)"
curtisrussell.bsky.social #MSWL

Hello 2026! As we get closer to the new year—and my query inbox reopening—it’s time for me to update what I’m looking for. I saw a lot of fabulous projects in 2025 (but more on that later), and I’m excited about what I might find in 2026. #mswl

"I would love an atmospheric environmental thriller or mystery akin to WILD DARK SHORE by Charlotte McConaghy or FORCE OF NATURE by Jane Harper where the wild setting is a main character."
Marina Green #MSWL

"I would love to find a super cozy and quirky mystery."
clgslr.bsky.social‬ #MSWL