They ask:
Aimee: I recently read Kristen Ashley’s new book, the Girl in the Woods and also Mia Sheridan’s Bad mother. I am looking for similar books with the mystery or maybe looking for a killler but that also have a romance to them. Thank you for any help.
Cristina: Maryse, do you have a “Romance Suspense” book list? Books similar to Tiffany Snow’s books like the Kathleen Turner series and Corrupted Hearts series? Romance and action all in one?
Theresa: Would love to see a list of Romantic suspense. I prefer series.
MYSTERY ROMANCE READER RECOMMENDATIONS:
Linda: Every Last Secret by A.R. Torre (just finished this read and WOW)
Michele G: I read Every Last Secret by A.R. Torre this week and was completely engrossed in it! I’ve had a mini reading slump…but this book pulled me out in grand fashion. Great domestic suspense. I wouldn’t say the twists were jaw dropping…but it did keep you guessing and wanting to keep reading. I just had to see what crazy thing someone was going to try next….and shake my head in utter shock and disappointment in their lack of humanity 🙂
S. Ann Cole: Self rec: The Golden Garza They’re not looking for a “killer” per se, but they’re digging for something. Lots of mystery and suspense. Also, if she wants something super funny, Jed Had To Die by Tara Sivec.
MichelleS: Jed Had to Die. So funny!
Michele G: The Unknown Beloved by Amy Harmon because…holy crap… it’s great!!
Tasha J: I can’t wait to dive in, she an auto buy author for me.
Lisa A: I just finished Unknown Beloved this weekend and it was so very good. I loved the characters – perfect blend of history (based off true people/events), intrigue, suspense, romance. This kind of had everything, plus Amy Harmon’s talent. I was sad when it was all over – but just because it was over, not because it was sad.
I’ve already read them and I loved them SO much! I’m always thrilled when I’m able to read a plot like this that hasn’t been done before (at least, not that I’ve read). …IMO, they’re kind of a romantic suspense but maybe more of a twisty-turny romantic mystery with some dark mixed in. I was completely enthralled with trying to answer the questions and figure out the mysterious elements. I highly recommend them for any of you who want to read a different kind of romance. Oh, and I just realized, they’re set in Florida!
Nadine:
Feifei: Hmm I think my favorite would be “Sprite” from Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare! It’s the third book in her romantic suspense series 😀
Georgia: Pamela Clare .. Love the I-Team series. If you have not read this series it’s soo good! Intelligent, sexy, very real. The author was an actual Denver journalist. Enjoy ..
- Alexa Grace had an awesome series. Got to meet her at a signing, such a sweet lady. Sadly I heard she passed a few years ago
Tasha J: I’m so sorry to hear of Alexa Grace’s passing. I read Deadly Offerings back in 2013 when I was on a big romantic suspense kick and I really enjoyed it.
Kathy: Alexa Grace is one of my all time favorite romantic suspense writers. The amount of research she does, makes her characters and storylines more believable. I loved her Deadly series, but I have to admit that I am enjoying the Profile books more.
Ashley: If they haven’t read KA’s The Burg series that would be a good one.
Adilia: yes Burg is my favorite series from her.
Victoria: this was going to be my suggestion as well! Love KA
Allison: I’m currently reread the burg series by Kristin Ashley for the millionth time.
MichelleS: Hands down best single dad book EVUH was Games of the Heart, the Burg series, by Kristen Ashley.
Stephanie: Major KA withdrawals now. I wish she could have a new book every week. I would never get tired of them. I’ve read and re-read almost all of her books. Getting ready to read The Promise again even though it was least favorite of the burg series. A least favorite KA book is better than no KA book.
Stephanie: Sweet Memory is the first in a romantic suspense series by LJ Evans! All girl rock band with a murder mystery weaved through all the books!
Adilia: Nora Roberts has some good ones: In Death series as JD Robb, The Obsession, High Noon, The Search, Black Hills, Shelter in Place, Come Sundown and more.
CP Smith A Reason to Breathe, Property Of
Linda: Just finished A Reason to Breathe by CP Smith. Absolutely 5 stars for me. Loved Jack sooo alpha male. I’m so overwhelmed with what to read next. Oh the dilemma 🙂
Marscha: CP Smith: A Reason to Breathe. It has a HOT Alpha sheriff ( and i know you like your alpha man) ,a sassy reporter,plenty of steamy sex and a serial killer.The book has that KA feel about it but mrs Smith gives it her own signature style of writing. Love love loved this book!!
Cindi: Restoring Hope by CP Smith…5 star reading…Alpha Male/Shy but Sassy Women-He’s 42, she’s 38. Hot smexy read with mystery, great sense of family and a great plot. Also a great playlist that matches this story to a T. Based in New Orleans…great detailed background of the city and life living on the Bayou.
Tessa: Shiver by Suzanne Wright. You’d think with that blurb it wouldn’t be, but it really was. It had so much heart and swoony moments, and it all made me smile.
Rachel Caine Stillhouse series
Kathy P: If anyone would like a mystery/thriller, I recommend Stillhouse Lake. …I recently read Stillhouse Lake and that was really good.
- Devney Perry The Edens
- Karin Slaughter Grant County and Will Trent (tv show very different from books but still a good watch)
JulieO: I used to read Karin Slaughter books as fast as they came out. There are lots of characters to keep track of. If you have a lot on your mind it is not a good time to read one of her books. You have to concentrate. Just put it up for awhile. But they are always very good books.
Janie: Recently I’ve been reading books by Karin Slaughter and everything that I’ve read so far has been amazing.
Valerie: Say My Name by Logan Chance
Kim: Rebecca Zanetti’s Laurel Snow and Deep Ops series are both similar and great reads
Mony: You Can Run (Laurel Snow #1) by Rebecca Zanetti – Intriguing & well-done whodunnit plot, lots of action, smart FBI woman, hot elusive ranger guy, and some wonderful offbeat characters. 5★
Ana: Catherine Cowles is great!
Nay: …a romantic suspense that’s very crime thiller-ish!
Linda: Just completed Mia Sheridan’s duet Where the Blame Lies and Where the Truth Lives. Both 5 stars for me. Brilliant writing. Must be read in order.
Stacy: I also recently read Mia Sheridan’s duet Where the Blame Lies and Where the Truth Lives and completely agree with Linda….definitely 5 stars. I highly recommend them and I think you would enjoy them Maryse.
Kathy: Where the Blame Lies is definitely in my best of 2019. …It was definitely different than a few of the other books i read (more thrillerish if that is a word. Not a light read). I would definitely recommend reading it.
Leslie M: Sugar Bowl series by Sawyer Bennett. 4.5 stars. I typically don’t like romantic suspense, but this was exciting and hard to put down.
Fran: Do you know ‘One Summer’ from Karen Robards? It’s a great romantic suspense. The heroine used to be the hero’s teacher and is a bit older than him. It has some great steamy scenes 🙂
Stacy: the most recent book I cried because I was laughing so hard was Janet Evanovich…Stephanie Plum series.
Penny: I love the Stephanie Plum books, Ive never laughed so hard with a series as with those books! Not to mention I still have a major crush on Ranger and still hope her HEA is with him 🙂
Char: …This is embarrassing to admit but I have an obsession with Ranger from The Stephanie Plum series. It’s been a year since I read the series I should be able to get this guy out of my head right? If I had to pick a guy from a indie book it would be Lee Nightingale or Vance Crowe but Ranger tops them all. I know it’s sad. lol
bev: I just remembered something I ate with pb because of a book. Pb and green olive sandwich because of Stephanie Plum. It wasn’t that bad, lol.
Stephanie: Maryse, The Kathleen Turner series by Tiffany Snow would definitely fit into this category. Its action-packed, suspenseful, and angsty! Plus, each book gets better and better. It’s one of my all-time favorite series ever written! I highly recommend it!
Tasha J: All the books in Tiffany Snow’s Corrupted Hearts series …I loved this series as much as her Kathleen Turner series.
Leslie M: I am in my happy reading place right now. On book 3 of Tiffany Snow’s Risky Business series. Ms. Snow sure knows how to write love triangles!! I have no idea who the h will choose AND both options are fabulous & swoon worthy. *happy book sigh*
They are all stand alones, but…. best part is they have recurring characters – just the private investigator and cop – but I adore them. So you don’t need to read them in any order. They take place in England, so I love the dialogue. So fun. I kept telling myself, “I bet Maryse would love these books”, so I thought I’d pop in and recommend them. They are suspense novels, and that’s been a genre I have been exploring more of.
Jan: Hi Michelle *waves* Nice to hear from you. Hope all is going well in your life. I might try Teresa Driscoll. I like suspense/investigators sometimes as a change from my fav books – romance of course!
MichelleS: I loved Dartmoor and Lean Dogs – Lauren Gilley is an amazing writer. I fall hard for her characters. And you get a nice long story – not some short little book! yipee.
Rae: The Dartmoor Series by Lauren Gilley. It was so well written and I devoured the whole lot one after the other some years ago. If you haven’t read this series grab it.
Linda: The Dartmoor series and all the characters. Loved. What is it about these MC men???? ONLY in books!!! Right??!!
Ela: I absolutely ADORE the Dartmoor Series!
Lisa: Read Dartmoor! Such a great series. And while there is a central ‘romance’ in each book there is so much more happening in the ongoing story.
Jan: I love the Lean Dogs books and it’s SO LONG since I read a five star book. My last one was probably Tastes Like Candy (in this same series). Loverboy was too confronting for me, but I’ve really floved all of the others. Hope this one is as good as TLC.
Diane M: I’ve been on a Sandra Brown romantic suspense binge, good stuff!!! LOVED Lethal and Slow Heat in Heaven (which is like 20 yrs old!!!) Some good dirty talking bad boys
Kim: I loved No Limit By L.P. Dover. It’s about an undercover cop who goes to Vegas to help with a case. Instead of being able to work alone, he’s forced to work with an FBI Agent who is a woman. The banter and dialogue between the two of them was great. It’s an awesome romantic suspense!
Cristina: I just finished it last week and I loved it! Definite steam factor! I also enjoyed the suspense!
…It’s basically a modern re-telling of Jane Eyre with a few twists. It was a fantastic series and I highly recommend!
Megan: Private property just went to the top of my list!!
- Harper Sloan,
- K.C Lynn,
- Katie Reus
- Lynn Rae Harris
- Julie Ann Walker,
- Christin Harber all are good.
P.S. Here are a few more options to peruse after this big list:
- Dark Reads, Dark Romance & Thriller Recommendations
- Highly Recommended Psychological Thriller Books
- Reader Recommendations – Our Favorite Cozy Mysteries
➔➔➔ Love this genre? Browse more thrillers and/or mystery romance book features and reviews on my blog.
Toni Anderson – Cold Justice series
fbi/ standalone
Kaylea Cross – Suspense series
action/ stand alone
Cynthia Eden- Shattered (Lost series)
Riley Edwards – Gemini Group Series
ex navy seal
Cindy Gerard – Black Ops Inc. #4 #6
Rachel Grant – Evidence Series
archaeology, politics, and war
Amanda McKinney-Berry Springs Series
short books
Nora Roberts – The Witness
Kylie Brant – Mindhunter series