Thriller romance comp titles for your query letter (updated 2026)

When you’re querying a thriller romance, choosing the choosing the right comp titles can make or break your chances of being published because agents and publishing house editors use comp titles as a quick way to gauge the genre of your book along with its market potential.

I regularly update this list of thriller romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn thriller romance or something fast and spicy, you’ll find titles  below to help you write a killer query letter!

If you’re looking something a bit more specific, check out my romance comp database.

1. A Botanist's Guide to Parties and PoisonsAuthor: Kate KhavariYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, cozy mystery, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
2. A Murder to RememberAuthor: Brynn KellyYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, cozy mystery, mystery, rom com, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
3. A Novel ObsessionAuthor: Caitlin BaraschYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Books about books, adult, contemporary, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
4. A Ruse of ShadowsAuthor: Sherry ThomasYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller, victorian
5. A Sea of Unspoken ThingsAuthor: Adrienne YoungYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, fantasy, magical realism, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller
6. A Serial Killer's Guide to MarriageAuthor: Asia MackayYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
7. A Twisted Love StoryAuthor: Samantha DowningYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
8. Abandoned in DeathAuthor: J.D. RobbYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Futuristic, adult, crime, mystery, romance, science fiction, suspense, thriller
9. Advika and the Hollywood WivesAuthor: Kirthana RamisettiYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
10. All the Colors of the DarkAuthor: Chris WhitakerYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, crime, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
11. An Impossible ImpostorAuthor: Deanna RaybournYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, historical, mystery, romance, thriller, victorian
12. An Unexpected PerilAuthor: Deanna RaybournYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, historical, mystery, romance, thriller
13. As Good As DeadAuthor: Holly JacksonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller, young adult
14. Behind a Closed DoorAuthor: J.D. BarkerYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, crime, horror, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
15. Black SheepAuthor: Alexa HarloweYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Serial killer, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut, thriller
16. Broken CountryAuthor: Clare Leslie HallYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
17. Can't Look AwayAuthor: Carola LoveringYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
18. Class ActAuthor: Stuart WoodsYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Detective, adult, crime, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller
19. Clouds in My CoffeeAuthor: Julie MulhernYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Cozy, adult, cozy mystery, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
20. Corpse RoadsAuthor: J. RoseYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Dark, Slow burn, Why choose, adult, contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
21. Criminal MischiefAuthor: Stuart WoodsYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Adventure, adult, crime, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller
22. Cross My HeartAuthor: Megan CollinsYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
23. Dating After the End of the WorldAuthor: Jeneva RoseYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Post-apocalyptic, adult, dystopia, fantasy, horror, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller
24. Dial A for AuntiesAuthor: Jesse Q. SutantoYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Humor, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
25. Divorce TowersAuthor: Ellen MeisterYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
26. Does It Hurt?Author: H.D. CarltonYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, smut, thriller
27. Eat the Ones You LoveAuthor: Sarah Maria GriffinYear published: 2025Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, fantasy, horror, lesbian, queer, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller
28. Everything We Never SaidAuthor: Sloan HarlowYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Dark, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller, young adult
29. Family of LiarsAuthor: E. LockhartYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Summer, contemporary, mystery, romance, summer reads, thriller, young adult
30. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own GraveAuthor: Elle CosimanoYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Humor, adult, contemporary, cozy mystery, mystery, romance, thriller
31. For You and Only YouAuthor: Caroline KepnesYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, crime, horror, mystery, romance, thriller
32. Forgotten in DeathAuthor: J.D. RobbYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Futuristic, adult, crime, mystery, romance, science fiction, suspense, thriller
33. Four Aunties and a WeddingAuthor: Jesse Q. SutantoYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Humor, adult, chick lit, contemporary, cozy mystery, mystery, romance, thriller
34. Games Untold: An Inheritance Games CollectionAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2024Genre and themes: contemporary, fantasy, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, short stories, thriller, young adult
35. Glamorous NotionsAuthor: Megan ChanceYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Fashion, adult, book club, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
36. Glorious RivalsAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Adventure, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, romance, romantasy, thriller, young adult
37. Good Girl, Bad BloodAuthor: Holly JacksonYear published: 2020Genre and themes: contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, thriller, young adult
38. Grace, Under FireAuthor: Julie GarwoodYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
39. Haunting AdelineAuthor: H.D. CarltonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, fantasy, horror, romance, romantasy, series counter, smut, thriller
40. HiddenAuthor: Laura GriffinYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
41. HideawayAuthor: Nora RobertsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
42. Hit ListAuthor: Stuart WoodsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, crime, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller
43. House of Roots and RuinAuthor: Erin A. CraigYear published: 2023Genre and themes: fantasy, gothic, horror, mystery, romance, romantasy, thriller, young adult
44. Hunting AdelineAuthor: H.D. CarltonYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Dark, adult, contemporary, horror, romance, smut, thriller
45. Hush-HushAuthor: Stuart WoodsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Detective, adult, crime, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller
46. IdentityAuthor: Nora RobertsYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller
47. In an InstantAuthor: Suzanne RedfearnYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Drama, book club, contemporary, family, romance, series counter, thriller, young adult
48. It's ElementaryAuthor: Elise BryantYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Cozy, adult, contemporary, cozy mystery, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
49. Jane and Dan at the End of the WorldAuthor: Colleen OakleyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Humor, adult, book club, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
50. Last Seen AloneAuthor: Laura GriffinYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller
51. LaylaAuthor: Colleen HooverYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller
52. Leather & LarkAuthor: Brynne WeaverYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, Marriage of convenience, adult, contemporary, horror, romance, thriller
53. Lights OutAuthor: Navessa AllenYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Dark, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut, thriller
54. Love & Other KillersAuthor: Brynne WeaverYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Dark, Serial killer, adult, contemporary, novella, romance, short stories, thriller
55. Love & Other KillersAuthor: Brynne WeaverYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Dark, Serial killer, adult, contemporary, novella, short stories, thriller
56. Magic, Lies, and Deadly PiesAuthor: Misha PoppYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Cozy, adult, contemporary, cozy mystery, fantasy, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller
57. MiddletideAuthor: Sarah CrouchYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
58. Mind GamesAuthor: Nora RobertsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, mystery, paranormal, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
59. Murder in Old BombayAuthor: Nev MarchYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, crime, historical, india, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
60. My HusbandAuthor: Maud VenturaYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, france, horror, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
61. My Killer VacationAuthor: Tessa BaileyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, mystery, rom com, romance, series counter, summer reads, thriller
62. My Summer DarlingsAuthor: May CobbYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Summer, adult, book club, mystery, romance, series counter, summer reads, suspense, thriller
63. Next to HeavenAuthor: James FreyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
64. Nine LiarsAuthor: Maureen JohnsonYear published: 2022Genre and themes: contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, thriller, young adult
65. Nosy NeighborsAuthor: Freya SampsonYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Cozy, adult, contemporary, cozy mystery, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
66. Notes on Your Sudden DisappearanceAuthor: Alison EspachYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Coming of age, adult, book club, contemporary, literary fiction, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
67. Nothing More to TellAuthor: Karen M. McManusYear published: 2022Genre and themes: contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller, young adult
68. Nothing to See HereAuthor: Susan LewisYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
69. Now or NeverAuthor: Janet EvanovichYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Humor, adult, chick lit, contemporary, cozy mystery, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
70. One of Us Is BackAuthor: Karen M. McManusYear published: 2023Genre and themes: contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, thriller, young adult
71. One of Us Is NextAuthor: Karen M. McManusYear published: 2020Genre and themes: contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, thriller, young adult
72. OverkillAuthor: Sandra BrownYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
73. Passions in DeathAuthor: J.D. RobbYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Futuristic, adult, crime, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller
74. Payback in DeathAuthor: J.D. RobbYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Futuristic, adult, crime, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller
75. Pen PalAuthor: J.T. GeissingerYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Dark, adult, contemporary, mystery, paranormal, romance, series counter, smut, suspense, thriller
76. Pictures of YouAuthor: Emma GreyYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
77. RemainAuthor: Nicholas SparksYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, fantasy, mystery, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller
78. Salem's FallAuthor: Rektok RossYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Dark, Halloween, adult, book club, horror, mystery, paranormal, romance, series counter, thriller
79. Scythe & SparrowAuthor: Brynne WeaverYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Dark, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, adult, contemporary, romance, thriller
80. SecretsAuthor: Fern MichaelsYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
81. Seven Girls GoneAuthor: Allison BrennanYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
82. Shadows in DeathAuthor: J.D. RobbYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Futuristic, adult, crime, mystery, romance, science fiction, suspense, thriller
83. ShakeupAuthor: Stuart WoodsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Detective, adult, crime, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller
84. So Happy TogetherAuthor: Olivia WorleyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
85. Stars and SmokeAuthor: Marie LuYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller, young adult
86. Swan LightAuthor: Phoebe RoweYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, canada, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
87. The Bachelorette PartyAuthor: Camilla StenYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, horror, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
88. The BayAuthor: L.J. RossYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Summer, adult, cozy mystery, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
89. The Blast from the PastAuthor: Lucy ScoreYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Humor, adult, contemporary, cozy mystery, mystery, paranormal, rom com, romance, series counter, thriller
90. The Blonde Who Came in From the ColdAuthor: Ally CarterYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
91. The Body in the BackyardAuthor: Lucy ScoreYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Humor, adult, contemporary, cozy mystery, mystery, paranormal, rom com, romance, series counter, thriller
92. The Book of CandlelightAuthor: Ellery AdamsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Books about books, Cozy, Friendship, adult, contemporary, cozy mystery, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
93. The Book of LoveAuthor: Kelly LinkYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Magic, adult, book club, fantasy, magical realism, mystery, romance, romantasy, science fiction, series counter, thriller
94. The Box in the WoodsAuthor: Maureen JohnsonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, thriller, young adult
95. The BoyfriendAuthor: Freida McFaddenYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
96. The Brothers HawthorneAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Adventure, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller, young adult
97. The ChallengeAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Drama, adult, contemporary, family, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
98. The Christie AffairAuthor: Nina de GramontYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
99. The CompanionAuthor: Katie AlenderYear published: 2020Genre and themes: contemporary, gothic, horror, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller, young adult
100. The Cuban HeiressAuthor: Chanel CleetonYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
101. The Dead Guy Next DoorAuthor: Lucy ScoreYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Humor, adult, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, paranormal, rom com, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller
102. The Final GambitAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Adventure, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, romance, romantasy, thriller, young adult
103. The FixAuthor: Mia SheridanYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
104. The Girls in the SnowAuthor: Stacy GreenYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, crime, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
105. The Grandest GameAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Adventure, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller, young adult
106. The HaarAuthor: David SodergrenYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, fantasy, horror, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller
107. The Half-Life of Ruby FieldingAuthor: Lydia KangYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller, war, world war ii
108. The Hand on the WallAuthor: Maureen JohnsonYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Dark academia, contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, thriller, young adult
109. The Hawthorne LegacyAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Adventure, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, romance, romantasy, thriller, young adult
110. The House on PrytaniaAuthor: Karen WhiteYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Ghosts, adult, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter, southern, thriller
111. The Inheritance GamesAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2020Genre and themes: book club, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller, young adult
112. The King's RansomAuthor: Janet EvanovichYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Adventure, Humor, adult, crime, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller
113. The Last ExchangeAuthor: Charles MartinYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Christian, adult, book club, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
114. The Last GoodnightAuthor: Kat MartinYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
115. The Late Mrs. WilloughbyAuthor: Claudia GrayYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, cozy mystery, historical, mystery, regency, romance, series counter, thriller
116. The Lost Story of Eva FuentesAuthor: Chanel CleetonYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Books about books, adult, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
117. The Love of My LifeAuthor: Rosie WalshYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
118. The Maid's SecretAuthor: Nita ProseYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Cozy, adult, contemporary, cozy mystery, mystery, romance, thriller
119. The Mayor of Maxwell StreetAuthor: Avery CunninghamYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, chick lit, crime, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
120. The Mimicking of Known SuccessesAuthor: Malka Ann OlderYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, lesbian, mystery, novella, queer, romance, science fiction, series counter, thriller
121. The Mistletoe MysteryAuthor: Nita ProseYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Christmas, Holiday, adult, cozy mystery, mystery, novella, romance, series counter, short stories, thriller
122. The Most Wonderful Crime of the YearAuthor: Ally CarterYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Christmas, Holiday, adult, book club, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
123. The Murder of Mr. WickhamAuthor: Claudia GrayYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Retellings, adult, cozy mystery, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
124. The Nurse's SecretAuthor: Amanda SkenandoreYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
125. The Perils of Lady Catherine de BourghAuthor: Claudia GrayYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, cozy mystery, historical, mystery, regency, romance, series counter, thriller
126. The Red PalaceAuthor: June HurYear published: 2022Genre and themes: fantasy, historical, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller, young adult
127. The Same Backward as ForwardAuthor: Jennifer Lynn BarnesYear published: 2025Genre and themes: contemporary, fantasy, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller, young adult
128. The Seventh Veil of SalomeAuthor: Silvia Moreno-GarciaYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
129. The Spare ManAuthor: Mary Robinette KowalYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Space, adult, crime, fantasy, mystery, romance, romantasy, science fiction, series counter, thriller
130. The Summer She Went MissingAuthor: Chelsea IchasoYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Summer, mystery, romance, series counter, summer reads, suspense, thriller, young adult
131. The TakedownAuthor: Carlie WalkerYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Christmas, Holiday, adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
132. The ThrashersAuthor: Julie SotoYear published: 2025Genre and themes: contemporary, horror, mystery, paranormal, romance, series counter, thriller, young adult
133. The Three Lives of Cate KayAuthor: Kate FaganYear published: 2025Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, mystery, queer, romance, series counter, thriller
134. The Unknown BelovedAuthor: Amy HarmonYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, crime, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
135. The UnravelingAuthor: Vi KeelandYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
136. The VanishingAuthor: Jayne Ann KrentzYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, mystery, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter, suspense, thriller
137. The Water KeeperAuthor: Charles MartinYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Christian, adult, book club, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
138. There Are No SaintsAuthor: Sophie LarkYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, Serial killer, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut, thriller
139. These Violent DelightsAuthor: Micah NemereverYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Dark academia, LGBT, adult, contemporary, historical, mystery, queer, romance, series counter, thriller
140. Thieves' GambitAuthor: Kayvion LewisYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Adventure, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller, young adult
141. Till Death Do Us PartAuthor: Laurie Elizabeth FlynnYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
142. To Have and to HeistAuthor: Sara DesaiYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, chick lit, contemporary, mystery, rom com, romance, series counter, thriller
143. Tourist SeasonAuthor: Brynne WeaverYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
144. TreasonAuthor: Stuart WoodsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Detective, adult, crime, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller
145. TriangleAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, france, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller
146. Voyage of the DamnedAuthor: Frances WhiteYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, Magic, adult, fantasy, mystery, queer, romance, romantasy, series counter, thriller
147. We Fell ApartAuthor: E. LockhartYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Summer, contemporary, mystery, romance, series counter, summer reads, thriller, young adult
148. Welcome to Murder WeekAuthor: Karen DukessYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Cozy, adult, contemporary, cozy mystery, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller
149. You Can HideAuthor: Rebecca ZanettiYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, crime, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller
150. You Love MeAuthor: Caroline KepnesYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, contemporary, horror, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller

Other resources to assist with your querying journey

Comp titles are only a small piece of the querying puzzle! Here are other resources I offer to help writers achieve their dreams of publishing their novels:

• Developmental editing services
• Pre-querying package
• Publishers accepting manuscript submissions this month
• Romance tropes list
• Random romance trope generator

Frequently asked questions

How recent do comp titles need to be?

Comp titles should be published within the past five to seven years so it is representative of the current market potential of your manuscript.

Can I use bestselling books as a comp title?

Yes, you can! However, the bestselling books aren’t always the most suitable options. While it’s integral that a comp title has sold well, it’s better to choose a comp title that’s sold less well but closer represents the tone and overall vibe of your own book.

How many comp titles should I include in my query letter?

You should aim for two comp titles in your query letter. You can include three, but agents would expect more than one.

Can I use a series as a comp titles?

You can, but it’s best to pick a specific book within that series that best represents your manuscript.

What if I can’t find a thriller romance comp title that fits my book?

You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!