The Love…
The Lies…
& The Spies…
Books About Romance and Mystery
Romystery? Mystmance? The portmanteau doesn’t fit together as nicely as “romantasy”, but we can vote on it later. The books about romance and mystery subcategory takes the best tropes and plotlines from both the mystery and romance genres, giving you a roller coaster ride and raising your heartbeat on several levels. When done well, those two categories are a natural, complementary fit that appeal to a broad range of readers.
Still not sure Mancestery entails, exactly? Check out this list of excellent reads to jumpstart your reading in this newly popular niche!
Fall in love or fall for the lies now.
The Takedown by Carlie Walker
If you are a fan of Lifetime movies and seasonal romantic tension, this book is for you! The debut novel is full of Christmas, feelings, laughs, some mystery…and some spiciness of course!
CIA agent Sydney Swift is undercover on a case that hits very close to home. She is observing a local prince of organized crime, which is easy since Johnny recently proposed to her sister.
Luckily the investigation is happening over the Christmas holidays, so Sydney has the perfect excuse to head home for an extended visit.
Her sister is over the moon with happiness, but Sydney is rapidly reaching the end of her rope. She’s trying to gather evidence that will be enough to take Johnny down, in full view of her family and in a way that won’t make her sister turn against her. Word is that Johnny is planning a holiday heist, and only Sydney can get the details. Sydney always gets her man…and this time she also has her sights set on Johnny’s devastatingly handsome best friend/bodyguard. Can she save the day, keep her sister in her life, and manage new and sudden romantic feelings? All by Christmas?!
THE MEDIA’S THOUGHTS:
“Riotously fun and perfectly swoony, The Takedown is the spy romcom you didn’t know you needed. I loved every page.” —Allison Winn Scotch, bestselling author of The Rewind
“Sizzling with romantic tension, The Takedown effortlessly blends romance, action, and shifting sibling dynamics into one firecracker of a story—you won’t want to put this one down!” —Kayla Olson, author of The Reunion
“Walker makes her adult debut with this might-be-mob caper that is both a romantic comedy and a holiday mystery, complete with snow, carols, and gorgeous bodyguards wrapped in a bow.”—Library Journal (starred)
A Daughter of Fair Verona by Christina Dodd
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene…a BIZARRE scene because it turns out that Romeo and Juliet have been alive this whole time. They have seven children, the oldest of which is a twenty-year-old single daughter, which basically means a twenty-year-old spinster.
It’s hard not to be turned off by romance when your parents’ relationship has been filled with romantic gestures, passionate monologues, and constant – CONSTANT – making out. It is exhausting. But of course, Romeo and Juliet both want their kids to find their true loves so they keep trotting grooms-to-be in front of their oldest daughter. Until Duke Stephano, she’s been able to pawn all of them off on more suitable brides. It feels like he wants to stick around, but since he has had three previous wives who all have died under mysterious circumstances…maybe he won’t be the one who isn’t here later.
And that is what happens. The duke’s body is discovered, a knife sticking out of the chest. Half of Verona had a reason to want him dead, including his mistress and his servants. How will the murder be unmasked? Perhaps with the help of a dreamy stranger who could make you believe in love at first sight!
THE MEDIA’S THOUGHTS:
“Fun, funny, charming, and absolutely delightful. If you’re looking for a novel to sweep you away and lift your spirits, look no further.” —Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Shakespeare may roll over—then he’ll sit up and applaud!!”—Mary Bly (Eloisa James), Shakespearean professor and New York Times Bestselling Author of Lizzie and Dante“This delightful, fast-paced mystery is a balm for the soul, with an ending that’s not only satisfying but leaves you wanting more of this heroine, this family, and Christina Dodd’s playful and clever voice.” —Megan Chance, bestselling author of A Splendid Ruin
Love Of My Lives by Yamile Saied Méndez
Many years ago, the initials “JR” appeared to Madi in a dream. It was more of a “visitation” really, during which her beloved abuela revealed this tiny peek into her future. And now she lives with Jayden, who has the right initials and everything! But Madi wishes for a bit more romance in her life, even though her friends think that she could be happy with Jayden if her expectations weren’t so high. But…they are.
When the opportunity for a trip to Puerto Rico presents itself, Madi is overjoyed. She can finally scatter her grandmother’s ashes on the beach and maybe some time apart will help clarify things between her and Jayden.
But Madi meets a man in Puerto Rico. He’s handsome, he makes her heart beat triple-time, and he just might be perfect for Madi. And she’d be all in if it weren’t for those pesky initials…this new twist on the soulmate trope (one of our faves!) will have romance lovers dreaming of their own legendary love story!
Yamile Saied Méndez identifies as an Argentine American author. She is also the mother of five kids and wrangler of two adorable dogs. She was an inaugural recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Grant and a graduate of Voices of Our Nation (VONA). Her young adult novel, Furia, received a Pura Belpré gold medal.
THE MEDIA’S THOUGHTS:
“Love of My Lives is a lush, vibrant and enchanting story. Escape into the magic of a love destined to be… You won’t regret it.” –Jayci Lee, author of Booked on a Feeling
Swiped by L.M. Chilton
I was 100% in on this book when I ran across this review:
“As if Bridget Jones found herself in a Scream film. Murderously clever!” —Rupert Holmes, New York Times bestselling author of Murder Your Employer
^^^ I mean. What else does a 90s kid need to hear?
Gwen has screwed up her life in a variety of ways. She would actually go so far to describe it as “a bloody mess”, and she has no one to blame but herself.
Break up with the most wonderful man in the world for reasons she doesn’t want to admit even to herself? Check. Her fault.
Quit a lucrative job to try and make it on her own as a coffee shop owner? Check. Her fault.
Her best friend getting married and leaving Gwen behind to wallow in singlehood? Okay, maybe that one isn’t her fault.
She is making an effort, though. After a lot of booze and too much TV, she signs up for a dating app, thus beginning the most disastrous time of her social life. There just are not that many eligible SINGLE men nearby! But when her small town is rocked by a series of murders, Gwen gets the shock of her life; every one of the victims has been on a date with her. Recently.
Suddenly, Gwen finds herself as the main suspect in a serial killer’s crime spree! Can she solve the mystery before she is found guilty of crimes she didn’t commit? And nearly just as surprising is the fac that she might be falling in love for the very first time at the actual worst time.
THE MEDIA’S THOUGHTS:
“Chilton shines a blackly humorous light on male misbehavior and love in the age of the internet—plus the timeless and ridiculous societal pressure of finding “the one.” Bound to become a classic of the singles scene.” — Kirkus Reviews
“When the author of one of our favorite books, Murder Your Employer, says that a novel is like ‘Bridget Jones found herself in a Scream film,’ there is no choice but to read that book… ” — Amazon Book Review
It’s Elementary by Elise Bryant
Mavis Miller is not PTA material. She has a precocious seven-year-old, Pearl, who requires a ton of time and energy. She is working herself to death at a local, floundering nonprofit, and she is navigating the complexities of a multi-generational family at home. No quiet, no rest, and definitely no downtime. So no one is more shocked than Mavis is when she gives in to the super-intense PTA president, Trisha, and finds herself in charge of the school’s new DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) committee. Because she needs MORE to do!
Mavis tells herself that this is a great opportunity for community change. She is one of the few Black parents involved at Pearl’s school and she feels a responsibility to make sure that kids of color are represented on the PTA.
After a public argument between Trish and the principal, Mavis spies the PTA president wearing yellow gloves and booties, lugging around giant black trash bags and a bunch of cleaning supplies. And she is dragging those trash bags to her waiting van…what other conclusions should Mavis draw except the Worst Possible Scenario. Did Trish murder the principal?
Principal Smith does in fact fail to show up for work the next morning. Mavis shares her fears with the uber-hot school psychologist, with whom she also shares some sexy chemistry. Will working together to solve the Mystery of the Murdered Principal bring Mavis and the psychologist together in an unexpected way? Is it inappropriate to explore their feelings when Principal Smith might have been killed? Written by an NAACP Image Award nominee, this book will have you laughing out loud and doing some soul searching of your own!
THE MEDIA’S THOUGHTS:
“Filled with snappy dialogue, laugh-out-loud scenes, quirky characters, a solid mystery, and a dash of romance, here’s hoping there’ll be more stories about Mavis.” —Library Journal
“Witty suspense that just goes to prove: Moms can do it all.”—People Magazine
The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray
We were HUGE fans of The Murder of Mr. Wickham, so we were super-excited to get our hands on the sequel! Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney are back with another twisty mystery to solve: the scoundrel Willoughby’s wife has died by poison!
Willoughby was Jonathan’s schoolmate, and his parents are thrilled when an invitation to stay with him arrives out of nowhere. Maybe Jonathan’s social status is rising! Jonathan himself is less thrilled, Willoughby was a known bully as a child. He also used to court Marianne Brandon, who happens to have a friend named Juliet Tilney. And thus, Juliet and Jonathan find themselves reunited again, which is fine by him.
Marianne is accused of killing her former suitor’s new wife. After all, she has a reputation of instability, and Willoughby HAD jilted her. Suspicious continue to mount against her, but Jonathan and Juliet know that Marianne could never have done such a thing. Can they uncover the identity of the real killer before someone else dies?
THE MEDIA’S THOUGHTS:
“[A] superior blend of humor and detection. . . . Gray makes her endearing leads’ sleuthing both plausible and entertaining while evoking the wit and feel of Austen’s classic novels.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A delectable treat of a read, blending the world of Austen with a gripping and gorgeous detective story—the word romp was practically made for this book!”—Sophie Irwin, author of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting
“Wonderfully reimagines the lives of Austen’s characters yet stays faithful to the spirit of the classic works. . . . It’s fun to anticipate the other Austen characters the young sleuths might encounter in future novels.” —Library Journal
Now that you have a better idea of what this fun, sexy subcategory entails, you can start a dedicated TBR. The good news is that there are a ton of books and series of all ages that fit this bill, you’ll never run out of things to read!
