26 Romantic Suspense Books to Send Chills Down Your Spine

Love works in mysterious ways.

romantic suspense books tell me no secrets featured image

Love is gentle, love is kind. But in these romantic suspense books, it might be out for blood. From buried family secrets to stumbling across dead bodies, from long-lost lovers to chance encounters, these stories of romantic suspense will keep you guessing and gasping until the very last page.

What are romantic suspense books?

Romantic suspense books are romance novels that also have mystery, thriller or suspense storylines. Oftentimes, the romantic leads must work together to solve a mystery, or outrun a dangerous enemy. Famous romantic suspense authors include Nora Roberts, Linda Howard, and Sharon Sala.

If you’re looking for romance with a side of danger, or vice versa, you can’t miss these romantic suspense books. Your pulse will be pounding and your spine tingling in more ways than one.

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A Field of Poppies

A Field of Poppies

By Sharon Sala

In five minutes, Poppy Sadler’s whole life changes. First, she loses her mother to cancer, and then...her father’s murdered body is found in the river.

Across the river, Justin Caulfield is painfully watching his daughter lose her battle with a deadly disease even wealth can’t cure. And a price he can’t pay is about to be named by the most unexpected person of all.

This twisted tale of two families torn apart by a shared secret will have you on the edge of your seat, begging for more.

desperate escape, a romantic suspense book

Desperate Escape

By Lisa Harris

Dr. Maddie Gilbert has been taken by rebel forces in West Africa, and her only chance of survival is special ops agent Grant Reese. With ruthless drug traffickers trying their best to silence Maddie, Grant has his work cut out for him. But he's quickly fallen for the beautiful doctor, and he'll do whatever it takes to win her freedom—and her heart.

Danger at the Border

Danger at the Border

By Terri Reed

A mysterious toxin is threatening those who live near the border of the US and Canada, prompting authorities to call in Dr. Tessa Cleary. Tessa has built up quite the wall around her heart—but when she's paired with border patrol agent Jeff Steele, she starts to let her guard down.

The two make a great team. But just when they're about to discover the toxin's source, they're kidnapped by gunmen. Now, they need to get out to save themselves—and everyone else.

Beyond Limits

Beyond Limits

By Laura Griffin

Navy SEAL Derek Vaughn has just returned from a difficult mission that already planted the seed for his next case. He'll do whatever it takes to find out more information—including seduce FBI agent Elizabeth LeBlanc. And for her part, Elizabeth just might let him.

Together, Elizabeth and Derek are circling the truth—but they need to move fast to avoid a cataclysmic attack on US soil.

Odd Man Out

Odd Man Out

By B. J. Daniels

After their high school breakup, Denver McCallahan only sees her ex, country music star J.D. Garrison, in the tabloids. But clearly he's been keeping an eye on her—after Denver's uncle is murdered, J.D. is suddenly back in her life. Now, he's warning her away from his former best friend, Pete, who picked up the pieces after J.D. left all those years ago.

Caught in a love triangle, Denver doesn't know who she can trust—or who killed her uncle.

cask strength, a romantic suspense book

Cask Strength

By Layla Reyne

When they're on the job, Aidan "Irish" Talley and Jameson "Whiskey" Walker make a great team. But when these FBI agents are off duty, Aidan is terrified of his feelings for Jamie. He can't handle losing someone else he loves—and death is a strong possibility while the terrorist Renaud has them in his crosshairs.

Little Pink Taxi

Little Pink Taxi

By Marie Laval

Rosalie Heart is unmistakable. In her bright pink taxi, you can’t miss her. As the owner of cab company Love Taxis, Rosalie is far more than a publicity stunt. She is an essential service to those in her rural Scottish town.

When Marc Petersen arrives in Irlwick to acquire a rundown castle, he poses a devastating threat to Rosalie’s unprofitable business—and her childhood home.

The two automatically despise each other. But unbeknownst to our leads in this moving and magical romantic suspense novel, love might be working behind the scenes, hidden and biding its time.

Protective Custody

Protective Custody

By Lynette Eason

U.S. marshal Carly Masterson is used to protecting witnesses, but guarding the judge who was indirectly responsible for the death of her mentor is asking quite a lot. Regardless, she'd determined to do her job and keep him—and his niece and nephew—safe. And she may even be surprised to realize how good it feels to forgive and learn to trust again.

Get Lucky

Get Lucky

By Suzanne Brockmann

Navy SEAL Luke “Lucky” O'Donlon is missing his squad's latest mission in order to attend his sister's wedding. But his break won't be as relaxing as he thought—a serial rapist is attacking women in San Felipe, and Lucky suspects the assailant may be a SEAL.

Unable to stand aside, Lucky joins a local task force dedicated to finding the rapist. It's there that he meets journalist Sydney Jameson, a smart, no-nonsense woman who seems immune to his usual charms. Now Lucky has a second mission: make Sydney fall head over heels for him.

Under a Desert Moon

Under a Desert Moon

By Laura Martin

Don't be fooled by the cover—there's much more adventure and suspense in this story than in your average historical romance novel! Emma Knight has always dreamed of traveling to Egypt and following her father's ancient map to find an undiscovered tomb. 

The only thing she needs is a guide, and against her better judgment, she accepts help from the charming and arrogant treasure hunter Sebastian Oakfield. Though she's always had a rule about avoiding roguish men, perhaps she should make an exception...

Tell Me No Secrets

Tell Me No Secrets

By Lynda Stacey

Haunted by her past and the deadly car accident she was lucky to walk away from, Kate Duggan is struggling to move forward in life. With an unsupportive and abusive husband harboring a dangerous secret, Kate has nowhere to turn.

When she begins working at a firm for private investigators, she meets Ben, a man just as plagued by a devastating secret as she is. The two begin to grow close, finding strength in each other’s old wounds. But their investigation may re-open some long-healed scars. And someone is going to get hurt.

Domino

Domino

By Phyllis A. Whitney

Laurie Morgan is still reeling from the mysterious loss of her father and her banishment from her family estate. But when her estranged grandmother invites Laurie and her lover Hillary back into the home, Laurie may finally have a chance to uncover long-hidden family secrets.

But Laurie’s family and their suspicious associates are unwilling to discuss the past Laurie is so desperate to reveal. As she begins poking around against her better judgment, Laurie discovers the reason for her return, and what, exactly, she may have caused 20 years ago.

One thing's for sure: In this shocking romantic suspense book, family secrets can’t stay secret for long.

At the Highwayman's Pleasure

At the Highwayman's Pleasure

By Sarah Mallory

Ross Durden is a vigilante, spending his days as a gentleman farmer and his nights as a highwayman. When he spots actress Charity Weston, daughter of his sworn enemy, he can't help but steal a kiss. And Charity can't help but be intrigued by the masked stranger.

Out of the Dark

Out of the Dark

By Sharon Sala

The reigning queen of romantic suspense books is at it again in this gripping and emotional story about an artist on the run from a cult.

When Jade escapes from the abusive cult she and her mother lived under the thumb of, she vows to make her art into her salvation. When her long-lost father stumbles across one of her paintings of her mother, he enlists the help of ex-cop Luke Kelly to track down his missing family.

But as Jade and Luke grow closer, the cult starts to close in, and the two lovers are in grave danger.

Rosemary for Remembrance

Rosemary for Remembrance

By Christine Arness

When young lawyer Abigail James is tasked with finding out the truth behind the death of a fifty-year-old hit-and-run victim, she discovers that a whole host of powerful and influential suspects are at the center of the crime.

Despite the professional guard she vowed to put up, Abigail grows closer to her sexy new partner on the case. As the two learn to trust in and love each other, Abigail may discover that she is on a dangerous and deadly course...

single malt, a romantic suspense book

Single Malt

By Layla Reyne

Eight months ago, FBI agent Aidan Talley was in a car crash that nearly destroyed his life. Now he's back at work in a new department, with a new partner and a new case to bury himself in. He can't deny his new younger partner, Jameson Walker, is highly attractive, but he's told himself he's not ready to move on yet.

For his part, Jamie has had a crush on Aidan for years, and the chance to work together is an incredible opportunity in more ways than one. But with a looming cyber threat growing ever nearer, their chemistry will have to be put on the back burner.

Cowboy with a Cause

Cowboy with a Cause

By Carla Cassidy

Melanie Brooks had left her small Oklahoma town to dance on Broadway, but when her mother died, she returned home to grieve. Then, her own health kept her from going back to New York. 

On the bright side, her too-cute-for-his-own-good tenant Adam Benson seems to be looking past her wheelchair. As they grow closer, he can tell she's haunted by more than her injury and her mother's past…and he'll do anything to keep her out of danger.

Ballet!

Ballet!

By Tom Murphy

This enthralling romantic suspense book, set in the professional ballet world during the Cold War, finds two lovers dancing ever closer and closer to the edge.

As Soviet defectors are found dead all across the globe, only one target remains: Dima Lubov. A rising ballet star, Dima is more concerned with his love affair with the stage and American ballerina Jennifer Hale than he is with his Soviet entanglements.

But his past is sneaking up on him, and the unsuspecting pair are rushing towards the final, bloody, brilliant act.

Treacherous Trails

Treacherous Trails

By Dana Mentink

Ella Cahill has been accused of murder, and only one person can help prove she's innocent. It's up to her brother's best friend and former marine Owen Thorn to protect her—even though he once promised her brother he'd leave her alone. 

Shadow of Suspicion

Shadow of Suspicion

By Christy Barritt

Laney Ryan is a computer specialist who's in real trouble. She's accused of kidnapping her neighbor's daughter—and someone is out for her blood. The police don't believe a word she says, except for Detective Mark James, whose gut tells him she's innocent.

Together Mark and Laney search for the truth. But can they figure out who's really behind everything—and their feelings for one another—before it's too late?

my deadly valentine, a romantic suspense novel

My Deadly Valentine

By Valerie Hansen, Lynette Eason

Rachel Hollister is being stalked, and it's deputy Jase Morgan's duty to find the perpetrator before he escalates. Can Rachel trust Jase with her life—and her heart?

Night Before

Night Before

By Lisa Jackson

A serial killer is terrorizing Caitlyn Montgomery Bandeaux’s idyllic Southern town, and her life is caught in the murderer’s crosshairs.

When she wakes one morning covered in blood and with no memory of the night before, she discovers that her estranged husband was the killer’s latest victim. As the cops close in and Caitlyn struggles to regain her memories, she turns to the town’s hot new psychologist for help.

But as the bodies begin to pile up, Caitlyn must ask a dangerous question: how much can she trust Adam Hunt?

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romantic suspense books close up amanda quick

Close Up

By Amanda Quick

In this new romantic suspense book from prolific author Amanda Quick, a killer is on the loose in 1930s Hollywood, and Vivian Brazier may be his next victim.

Artist by day and crime scene photographer by night, Vivian Brazier stumbles upon connections between a string of famous murders she’s photographed, and they’ve put her life in immediate danger.

Together with psychic investigator Nick Sundridge, the pair will have to delve deep into the glitz and glamor of the Hollywood elite to uncover the truth.

romantic suspense books i see you mary burton

I See You

By Mary Burton

FBI Special Agent Zoe Spencer recreates faces from skeletal remains to help solve missing persons and cold cases. As she begins to piece together a teenage victim’s face, she finds herself haunted by the chilling facts of the girl’s case.

Determined to bring her and her family justice, Zoe travels to the girl’s hometown and finds herself back in the arms of on-again, off-again lover William Vaughn, the lead detective on the case. As the two search for the killer, they discover that this case may not be so cold. In fact, as more women go missing, it may just reveal itself to be burning hot.

The Lawman's Legacy

The Lawman's Legacy

By Shirlee McCoy

Small town police captain Douglas Fitzgerald is determined to find the murderer of a nanny—especially since his brother is currently the prime suspect. Sure that his brother is innocent, Douglas questions the single mother who found the victim.

Merry O'Leary is nervous—and beautiful. And Douglas isn't sure whether she's scared of the killer…or someone else.

Tailspin

Tailspin

By Elizabeth Goddard

Sylvie Masters is determined to go on a scuba diving mission to find her mother's downed plane, but the hit man responsible for the crash is just as desperate to stop her. Luckily for Sylvie, bush pilot Will Pierson is there to help. 

Will's mother was also on the plane—in fact, she was its pilot. Both are searching for answers about the crash, but neither is sure they can trust one another.

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