Romantic Suspense without killers

Eggletina · Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 343

Anyone have recs for Romantic Suspense that doesn't involve the sick, twisted mind of a psychopathic killer? I can only read so many before I need a change of pace. I'm thinking something with international intrigue or uncovering a long buried family secret. Criminals are fine as long as their intent is to get away rather than to kill in cold blood.

JaneO · Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 755

Older books like Barbara Michaels? Or even older, Mary Stewart?

I confess that I don't read Romantic Suspense very often, having hit my limit on revolting psychotic serial killers some time ago. Are any current writers doing anything that raises chills without turning the stomach?

Sandlynn · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 1603 Location: Washington, D.C.

It's been a while, but I think the Elizabeth Lowell book, Tell Me No Lies, did not include a serial or psychotic killer. It's an oldie, though.

Also, I'm reading a book by Marilyn Pappano called Passion that doesn't appear to have that type of killer. I'm only 70 or so pages in, there's been an attempted killing, but there may be a different type of motivation.

I'm sure there are others, but sometimes the details escape me. I'll get back to you if I remember any more.

Yulie · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1045 Location: Elsewhere

Eggletina · Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 343

Thanks for the link. Couldn't remember how long ago this was discussed when I started this thread.

I loved Mary Stewart's RS novels when I was young. Still have them all in MMP and go back to them when I can't find anything else. I remember reading some of Barbara Michaels but don't remember which ones.

I have some old Helen McInnes books in my TBR. May have to turn my attention to them. I'd love to find some newer authors in ebook format that are writing more in this vein.

LinnieGayl · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 752

I would definitely second some of the older JAK romantic suspense novels (pre-arcane days) such as Absolutely Positively, Family Man, Sweet Fortune, Trust Me, Wildest Hearts, and the Eclipse Bay series. I loved those books. Definitely no evil serial killers and I'm pretty sure no villain POV (and if I'm wrong about the POV, it has to be very brief because I have little tolerance for villain POV).

In the older vein, in addition to reading Mary Stewart, I also read historical suspense by Jane Aiken Hodge. All the ones I read had a strong romance thread.
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KayWebbHarrison · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1207 Location: SE VA. USA

Old suspense, espionage: Helen MacInnes. I believe that she wrote through the 1970s.

I second Jayne Anne Krentz's books. Oops, I third them.

Kay

Sandlynn · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 1603 Location: Washington, D.C.

This begs for a new topic thread.

ChrisReader · Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Posts: 685

Susanna Kearsley writes books in the same genre as Barbara Michaels and Mary Stewart. There are mysteries, romance and suspense but no psycho killers and body parts. I highly recommend her if you are a Michaels/Stewart fan.

maggie b. · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 2253

Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard did not involve a psychotic killer. There is a romance here.

Maisie Dobbs by Jaqueline Winspear doesn't involve one that I remember. Some Romance.

The Girl is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines No romance but a great read.

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell Same as above.

Most of The Cat Who books deal with simple crimes, not crazed killers. Varrying romances.

Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy series starting with Catering to Nobody does not inovolve psychotic killers. I started with Death by Chocolate which is the far better book. Wasn't lost at all. Lovely romance runs throughout the series.

Cozies tend not to deal with psycho's. They do deal with killers but the killer tends to have a "logical" reason for the crime and we don't get their POV.

For a definition of cozies and a site that discusses them specifically go here http://cozy-mystery.com/Definition-of-a-Cozy-Mystery.html

maggie b.
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