
Mystery and romance are two book genres that, when done right, can pair up as nicely as steak and red wine. After all, both are akin to a rollercoaster ride, taking you through ups and downs toward a satisfying conclusion.
From cozy mysteries to exciting psychological thrillers, explore 18 mystery romance books that will keep you guessing—and swooning.
What is a Mystery Romance Book?
It’s a type of story where the emotional journey is twofold—it combines the thrill of a puzzle with that of a blossoming romance. Usually, the romance develops between two characters as they unravel the central plot, which is generally a mystery that needs to be solved.
This genre offers a variety of styles. For instance, a thriller romance book often includes tension and heart-pounding moments, while cozy mystery romances tend to take a light-hearted approach.
The following mystery romance books celebrate that variety, promising you shocked gasps, heartfelt smiles, and heart-pounding thrills.
Top 18 Best Mystery Romance Books
by Janet Evanovich
Billie Pierce is a stable and responsible divorced mother of two who decides to take polo lessons. Her instructor is Nick Kaharchek, a wealthy and charming playboy who refuses to settle down but finds himself inexplicably attracted to her.
Unfortunately, someone else is watching—and is not too happy about it.
Full House by Janet Evanovich is a thrilling and engaging romantic suspense novel that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The writing is witty and highlights humor on every page, prompted by a colorful, almost caricaturesque cast of characters. Overall, this mystery romance book is a laugh-out-loud experience.
by Willow Rose
When 12-year-old Sophie Williams went missing, life in Cocoa Beach changed forever—and when her body is found three months later and another child disappears, a new era of terror begins.
Ex-FBI profiler Eva Rae returns to her hometown after her divorce, only to be caught up in the chaos. Now leading the investigation, she must team up with her old flame Matt Miller, who is now in charge of the local police. It is then that things get far more dangerous and personal than they anticipated.
Don’t Lie to Me by Willow Rose is the first installment of the Eva Rae Thomas Mystery series.
by Nora Roberts
Town newcomer Abigail Lowery is mysterious, reserved, and very protective of her safety. Her enigmatic allure intrigues Police Chief Brooks Gleason, who suspects she might be hiding something.
And he might be right—after all, she seems strangely connected to Elizabeth Fitch, a young woman whose life changed forever after being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The Witness is a novel by renowned author Nora Roberts, a master of mystery romance, known for its exceptional writing and carefully laid-out mystery.
by Colleen Hoover
Struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh finds a life-saving job when Jeremy Crawford hires her to complete the work of his bestselling wife, Verity Crawford, who cannot write due to an injury. However, as Lowen sifts through Verity’s drafts and notes, she discovers her autobiography—and the chilling horror that lies within.
Despite her “love it or hate it” status, Colleen Hoover boasts immense popularity among her target audience. As the It Ends with Us book reviews can attest, she is often praised for evoking deep emotions and sparking heated discussions.
Verity is no different in that regard, but it’s also unique compared to her previous work. Considered one of the best Colleen Hoover books, it’s almost a love letter to Gothic novels, featuring bone-chilling thrills, dark romance, and characters that are not what they seem.
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Avery Grambs is a regular girl in unusual circumstances. Despite having no connection to billionaire Tobias Hawthorne, she becomes his sole heir upon his passing. But why her? What’s their connection?
Without any clues at her disposal, Avery finds herself caught in the intrigue within the Hawthorne family—and between the magnetic Hawthorne grandsons. Now it’s up to her to solve the late man’s games and play to survive.
The Inheritance Games is a thriller romance and the first entry in the bestselling series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. If you enjoy clever twists, layered mysteries, and high-stakes mind games, don’t miss her other gripping series, The Naturals—a must-read for fans of fast-paced YA thrillers.
by Toni Anderson
Mallory Rooney became an FBI Special Agent to discover the secret behind the abduction of her twin sister 18 years ago. Alex Parker is a former CIA assassin who secretly murders the worst of criminals before they enter the judicial system.
But now the criminal responsible for Mallory’s sister’s disappearance is after her, and Alex is set to protect her.
A Cold Dark Place by Toni Anderson is an award-winning mystery romance novel that balances the spine-tingling plotline with the chemistry between the leads, making it an excellent choice for true crime enthusiasts.
by Karen Rose
An assault left Evie Wilson with a wound that paralyzed half of her face. Traumatized, she rejected the real world and buried herself in the digital one to heal, emerging as a changed woman.
Now a graduate student, she researches online communities and addiction. But when one of her test subjects dies tragically, she becomes skeptical of the official ‘suicide’ ruling. Detective Noah Webster agrees with her, and together, they embark on a mission to uncover the truth and discover how—and why—it might be connected to Evie’s past.
I Can See You by Karen Rose is a 2009 murder mystery romance book exploring the genre through the lens of the digital world.
by Catherine Cowles
Wren and Holt are a young couple in love whose lives derail when tragedy strikes their small town. Changed by this experience, Holt leaves Wren behind to confront his demons. Ten years later, he returns—but not everyone is pleased, and danger lurks around the corner once more.
Whispers of You by Catherine Cowles is a romantic suspense novel about second chances. It delves into trauma, PTSD, and how a tragic event can forever change people, yet hope always remains.
by Nora Roberts
Naked in Death is the first installment of Nora Roberts’ In Death murder romance series, written under the pen name J.D. Robb.
Set in the futuristic year of 2058, this mystery thriller series stars Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the New York City Police and Security Department, with each book following her pursuit of justice as she unravels the mysteries of her past.
In Naked in Death, Eve Dallas investigates the death of a senator’s daughter and unveils her secret life of prostitution. While navigating the dark side of politics and society, she encounters an unparalleled attraction to Roarke, a wealthy and handsome man who is also the lead suspect in the crime.
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Hawthorne Legacy is the direct sequel to The Inheritance Game, building on the plotlines and twists established in the first book, so beware of potential spoilers.
Heiress Avery Grambs received the DNA test results that reveal the truth but now leave more questions than answers. It is now up to her to find the man who might answer her questions and, finally, reveal the truth of her connection with the Hawthorne family.
by Karen Rose
Another installment of Karen Rose’s Romantic Suspense series, Closer Than You Think is set in the same universe as I Can See You but can be read as a stand-alone novel.
It follows Psychologist Faith Corcoran, stalked by a dangerous individual. Running away from her present fear, she is forced to face past ones when she moves to her late grandmother’s old house in Cincinnati and the memories that haunt her—memories that connect with crimes happening in the area, investigated by FBI Special Agent Deacon Novak.
A quintessential FBI crime thriller, Closer Than You Think is a mystery romance book perfect for procedural fans and true crime enthusiasts.
by Tiffany Snow
The third book in the Kathleen Turner series intensifies the mystery, thriller, and romance to unforeseen levels.
The story builds on what has been established in the previous two novels—Kathleen’s advancing career, the dangers she faces, and the conflicting affections she feels for her serious and driven executive boyfriend, Blane, and his brother, the assassin-for-hire Kade.
While you may need to read the first books to understand the setting and characters, this series could be for you if you enjoy spicy romances mixed with a procedural mystery.
by Ruby Todd
Sylvia Knight is a young widow, losing hope of ever finding the culprit of the hit-and-run that ended her husband’s life. But two meetings will change her life.
Theo St. John is an astronomer who discovered a comet that will soon become visible in the night sky. Joseph Evans is a local mystic who rallies the folk into joining his belief in the comet as a divine message.
Trapped between two worldviews and conflicting perspectives, the comet’s arrival sends the town into chaos, entangling her quest for justice.
by Lucy Score
There are many things that amateur psychic detective Riley Thorn may see coming, but her ex-husband’s desperate plea for her help was not one of them.
When it becomes clear that someone is out to get her famous yet self-absorbed news anchor Griffin Gentry, it’s up to Riley Thorn and her private investigator boyfriend to solve the mystery—if they can handle the tension.
Please note that this book is the fourth installment in the Riley Thorn series, so consider starting from the beginning if you’d like to follow the full journey. Want to explore more of Lucy Score’s work? Check out Lucy Score Books in Order to find your next read.
by Nora Roberts
Ceremony in Death is the fifth installment of the previously described In Death series.
In this novel, Lieutenant Eve Dallas attends the funeral of a fellow police officer. Everyone seems to believe he died of natural causes, but his granddaughter confesses to Eve that it was murder, and she might be next.
What follows is a dangerous case that tests her beliefs unlike any other before.
by Gregory Ashe
Returning home was not what Emery Hazard had in mind—he had no desire to be the only gay police officer in town or to revisit the painful reminders of his first boyfriend’s death.
But now he’s home, and his new partner is John-Henry Somerset, one of his worst bullies back then and a man who may be connected to his late boyfriend’s demise. As Emery tries to navigate his feelings, a conspiracy of murder and betrayal begins to unravel—and his former bully may be his only ally. Maybe something more.
Pretty Pretty Boys is a murder mystery romance book featuring an enemies-to-lovers LGBT couple.
by Holly Jackson
Fairview’s worst tragedy came when pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself.
Pip hesitates to believe the official narrative. Something is wrong—she knew Sal when she was a child, and he was kind and gentle. Now, as a senior, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, but she begins to unravel secrets that were long buried, and someone in town is not happy about it.
by Nora Roberts
Reece Gilmore is the sole survivor of a horrific crime, and it has left her with perpetual nightmares and panic attacks.
After moving to Angel’s Fist, Wyoming, she relishes the peace of nature. That is until she witnesses a man choking a woman while hiking. As she rushes down the trail, she seeks the help of the gruff loner Brody, but by the time they both return, the couple has vanished—along with any evidence of a confrontation.
It seems that no one but Brody believes the anxious and jittery newcomer. Still, Reece knows there is a murderer in Angel’s Fist. And when it becomes evident that someone is after her, it will be up to Reece and Brody to uncover the truth.
Mystery Romance Books: Found a New Favorite?
Do you prefer your mystery romance novels with extra romance or extra mystery? Are silly and light-hearted books right up your alley, or would you rather read a heart-pumping thriller? If dark romance books (like The Haunting Adeline book series) that dive into intense and forbidden love are more your style, we’ve got you covered.
No matter your preferences, there is something in this list for every taste—and BookScouter has them all.