SWEETHEART SLEUTHS

Here's my updated Short List of Sweetheart Sleuths for Valentine's Day! I'm sure I'm missing a few couples. Make a comment with author and sweetheart sleuths, and I'll add to the list. In the meantime, here's some more great reading for Valentine's Day!

Missed my list of mysteries that take place during Valentine's Day? Here's the link. 

SWEETHEART SLEUTHS 

Ace, Cathy: Cait Morgan and Bud Anderson
Alexander, Tasha: Lady Emily and Colin Hargreaves
Allen, Conrad: Genevieve Masefield and George Dillman Porter

Allingham, Margery: Albert Campion and Amanda Fitton
Andrews, Donna: Meg Langslow and Michael Waterson
Arnold, Margot: Tobias Glendower and Penelope Spring

Bell, Albert: Michael Harrington and Corie Foster; Pliny and Aurora

Berry, Connie: Kate Hamilton and DI Tom Mallory
Billheimer, John: Owen Allison and ex-wife Judith
Black, Lisa: Maggie Gardiner and Jack Renner

Borthwick, J. S.: Sarah Dean and Alex McKenzie
Bowen, Michael: Rep and Melissa Pennyworth
Bowen, Rhys: Molly Murphy and Daniel Sullivan; Lady Georgie and Darcy O'Mara
Burke, Jan: Irene Kelly and Frank Harriman
Carlson, P. M.: Maggie and Nick Ryan
Carner, John: John Fowler and Jessica Hammerstein
Casey, Donis: Alafair and Shaw Tucker
Chappell, Helen: Holly and Sam Westcott
Elaine Raco Chase: Roman Cantrell & Nikki Holden
Charles, Kate: Lucy Kingsley and David Middleton-Brown
Christie, Agatha: Tommy and Tuppence Beresford
Clark, Carol Higgins: Regan and Jack Reilly
Cleeland, Annie: Chief Inspector Michael Sinclair/Lord Acton and Detective Sergeant Kathleen Doyle
Cockey, Tim: Hitchcock Sewell and ex-wife Julia Finney
Craig, Alisa Dittany Henbit and Osbert Monk, Madoc and Jane Rhys
Crane, Frances: Pat and Jean Abbot
Crombie, Deborah: Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James
Curzon, Claire: Mike Yeadings and Rosemary Zyczynski
Cussler, Clive: Sam and Remi Fargo
Davis, Krista: Sophie Winston, domestic diva, and Detective Wolf

Dodge, David: Whit and Kitty Whitney
Evanovich, Janet: Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli—or Ranger—or Diesel—or not
Finch, Charles: Charles Lennox and Lady Jane Grey
George, Elizabeth: Inspector Lynley and Sergeant Havers

Glatzer, Hal: Herman Korn and Teddie Sanderson
Gordon, Alan: Jester Feste and wife Viola, late of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”
Greenwood, Kerry: Corinna Chapman and Daniel Cohen
Granger, Ann: Alan Markby and Meredith Mitchell
Haddam, Jane: Gregor Demarkian and Bennis Hannaford (this one’s a stretch)
Ham, Lorie: Alexandra Waters and Stephen Carlucci
Hammett, Dashiell: Nick and Nora Charles
Handler, David: Mitch Berger and state policewoman Desiree Mitry
Harrington, Jonathan: C. J. and Bridge

Hart, Carolyn: Max and Annie Darling
Hays, Kim: Giuliana Linder and Renzo Donatelli
Haywood, Gar: Joe and Dottie Loudermilk 

Kay, Arlene: Eja Kane and Deming Swann
Iakovou, Takis: and Judy Nick and Julia Lambro

Jameson, Emma: Lord & Lady Hetheridge
Jarvis, Nancy Lynn: Regan McHenry and Tom Kiley
Kellerman, Faye: Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus
Kelly, Susan B.: Alison Hope and Nick Trevelyan
Kelner, Toni L. P.: Laurie Ann and Richard Fleming
Kenney, Susan: Roz Howard and Alan Stewart
Kincheloe, Jennifer: Police Matron Anna Blanc and Detective Joe Singer
King, Laurie R.: Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
Levinson, R. S.: Neil Gulliver and Stevie Marriner
Lindquist, N. J.: Paul Manziuk and Jacqueline Ryan
Liskow, Steve: "Woody" Guthrie & Megan Traine; Zach Barnes & Beth Shepard
Lockridge, Frances and Richard: Pam and Jerry North
Lupoff, Richard: Hobart Lindsay and Marvia Plum
MacLeod, Charlotte: Max and Sarah Kelling Bittersohn, Peter and Helen Shandy
McBride, Susan: Maggie Ryan and John Phillips
McCafferty, Barbara Taylor & Herald, Beverly: Bert & Nan Tatum
McDermid, Val: Tony Hill and Carol Jordan
McGown, Jill: Chief Inspector Danny Lloyd and Inspector Judy Hill
Maron, Margaret: Deborah Knott and Dwight Bryant
Marsh, Ngaio: Roderick Alleyn and Agatha Troy
Matthews, Alex: Cassidy McCabe, Zack
Maxwell, A. & E.: Fiora and Fiddler
Moyes, Patricia: Emmie and Henry Tibbetts
Newman, Sharan: Catherine Levendeur and husband Edgar
Paige, Robin: Charles and Kate Sheridan
Palmer, Stuart: Hildegarde Withers and Inspector Piper
Parker, Robert: Spencer and Susan
Pears, Iain: Flavia Di Stefano and Jonathan Argyle
Perry, Anne: Thomas and Charlotte Pitt
Peters, Elizabeth: Amelia Peabody and Radcliffe Emerson; Ramses and Nefret;Vicky Bliss and John Smith
Pickard, Nancy: Jenny Cain and Geoffrey Bushfield
Pomidor, Bill: Drs. Calista and Plato Marley

Rafael, Lev: Nick and Stefan
Raybourn,  Deanna: Nichloas Brisbane and Lady Julia Grey
Robb, J.D.: Eve Dallas and Roark
Roos, Kelley: Jeff and Haila Troy
Rozan, S. J.: Bill Smith and Lydia Chin
Rubino, Jane: Cat Austen and Victor Cardenas
Sale, Medora: John Sanders and Harriet Jeffries
Saulnier, Beth: Alex Bernier and Brian Cody
Sayers, Dorothy L.: Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane
Schumacher, Aileen: Tory Peters and David Alvarez
Simas, Ann: Chloe Faust and Marsh Fielding

Smith, Charles Merrill: Reverend Con Randollph and Samantha Stack
Spencer-Fleming, Julia: Claire Ferguson and Russ Van Alstyne
Sten, Viveca: Thomas Andreasson and Nora Linde
Thompson, Victoria: Sarah Brandt and Detective Frank Molloy
Whitney, Polly: Ike and Abby
Wilhelm, Kate: Charlie Meiklejohn and Constance Leidl
Wright, L. R.: Karl Alberg, RCMP, and Cassandra Mitchell

Cartoon of the Day: Valentine's Day Crime

YOUR OWN CHOCOLATE & WINE PAIRING: Valentine's Day

Maybe you're going to a chocolate/wine pairing at your favorite winery or chocolate shop for Valentine's Day? If you're not, it's still not too late to set up one of your own at home for your sweetie. This would make a great Valentine's Day gift. 

I came across this fabulous guide to wine and chocolate pairing from ProFlowers several years ago. Taylor Poppmeier pairs 14 popular chocolates like peanut butter cups and chocolate covered espresso beans with complimentary wines. Enjoy! 

Taylor Poppmeier

As a self-admitted chocoholic, it's obvious that I enjoy my fair share of my favorite treat. I have always enjoyed a glass of red with a square (or bar) of dark chocolate but was hesitant to enjoy anything more adventurous out of fear that the taste of both would clash. Some connoisseurs argue that the bold flavors make pairing difficult so I am sharing a handy guide with you. ProFlowers created an easy cheat sheet for wine and chocolate pairings. They included everything from high end lavender truffles to the classic favorites like peanut butter cups. So peel open that candy bar and pour yourself a glass of wine. Cheers!

Basic Wine and Chocolate Pairing Rules:

1. The wine should be as sweet as the chocolate.
2. Begin pairing by color. The darker the chocolate, the darker the wine.
3. When possible, opt for a high quality chocolate bar.
4. Consider texture as well as taste.

Retro Mystery Related Valentine's Day Cards

Remember those Valentine's Day cards you punched out and gave to all the other children in your class? Even if you don't remember, here are a few that are perfect for readers. I love these Retro Mystery and Book-Related Valentine's Day Cards. Be sure and view them all. Happy Valentine's Day!

And then there are the Bookish Valentines...

And my Favorite

VALENTINE'S DAY MYSTERIES. //VALENTINE'S DAY CRIME FICTION

Although Valentine's Day is all about love, but love and hate are often quite close emotions. Valentine's Day is perfect for mystery crime fiction, and there are so many books filled with spurned lovers, poisonous treats, and idyllic celebrations turned deadly.

Here's my 2026 updated Valentine's Day Crime Fiction list: Mysteries that take place on or around Valentine's Day. Be sure and check out my other blog, DyingforChocolate, for Valentine's Day Chocolate Reviews, Recipes, and Vintage Chocolate Ads. And, I'll be posting my Sweetheart Sleuths mystery list shortly!

February 14, Valentine's Day, is also International Book Giving Day, so books are the perfect Valentine's Day gift. Bundle some of the following Valentine's Day Mysteries with a box of chocolate truffles, tie it all up in a red ribbon, and you're good to go!

As always, let me know if I've missed any titles.

Valentine's Day Mysteries

As Gouda as Dead by Avery Aames
Regulated for Murder by Suzanne Adair
Murder in the Paperback Parlor by Ellery Adams  

Love Lies Bleeding by Susan Wittig Albert
Death by Baguette by Jennifer S. Alderson
A Victim at Valentine's by Ellie Alexander

Valentine's Day is Murder by Carolyn Arnold
In Cold Chamomile by Joy Avon

Not My Valentine by Tony Bassett
Death of a Valentine by M. C. Beaton

Donut Hearts Homicide by Jessica Beck

Hot Chocolate and Homicide by Cindy Bell
Marked Down for Murder by Josie Belle
Now You Sesame, Now You Don't by Virginia K. Bennett

Valentines and Murder; Killer Valentine Cookies; Vicious Valentine; The Heart of Murder by Patti Benning
Killer Cupid by Laurien Berenson

A Manhattan Murder Mystery by Susan Bernhardt
The Broken Hearts Club by Ethan Black
Murder Borrowed, Murder Blue by Stephanie Blackmoore
Murders of a Feather by Eileen Brady

Mind Over Murder by J.J. Brass
A Witchy Valentine by Danica Britton

What Happened to Romance? by Franky A. Brown
Hearts & Hostages by Katherine H. Brown (novella)
Claws and Effect by Rita Mae Brown

Butter Off Dead by Leslie Budewitz
A Valentine for the Silencer by Cora Buhlert
Mystery on Valentine's Day by Beth Byers and Lee Strauss

Cajun Kiss of Death by Ellen Byron

Valentine Vendetta by Aconite Cafe

How To Murder The Man Of Your Dreams by Dorothy Cannell
The Chocolate Cupid Killings by JoAnna Carl
The Mortsafe by Lillian Stewart Carl

This Old Homicide by Kate Carlisle
The Valentine's Day Ball by Susan Carroll
Sucker Punch by Sammi Carter
Cat Got Your Secrets by Julie Chase

Secret Valentine by Cherry Christensen
Lethal Treasure by Jane Cleland
A Holiday Sampler by Christine E. Collier
Red Roses for a Dead Trucker by Anna Ashwood Collins
A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette

Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage

St Valentine's Day Cookie Massacre by Elisabeth Crabtree
A Catered Valentine's Day by Isis Crawford
Murder on Valentine's Day by P. Creeden
Cupid's Curse; The Saint Valentine's Day Murders; Shamrock Shenanigans; The Valentine Mystery by Kathi Daley
Hard Feelings by Barbara D’Amato

A Valentine Wish by Sylvia Damsell
Deadly Valentine by B.J Daniels

Lucy and the Valentine Verdict by Rae Davies

Be My Pink Valentine by Vella Day
Love on the Rocks by Debbie De Louise

A Valentine Murder by Steve Demaree
Love With The Proper Killer by Rose Deshaw
My Fatal Valentine by Leighann Dobbs

Valentine's Day by Liz Dodwell

My Lady Valentine by Lindsay Downs
Death at the Anchorage by Jan Durham

The Saint Valentine's Day Murders by Ruth Dudley Edwards
Operation: Romance by Jessica L. Elliot

The Stolen Valentine by K.J. Emrick
Plum Lovin’ by Janet Evanovich
My Funny Valentine by Caroline Fardig (novella)
Corridor Man: Valentine by Mark Faricy

A Valentine's Day Miracle by Tammy Falkner
Happy Valentine’s Day: My Funny Valentine by Michelle Fitzpatrick
The Living Daylights by Ian Fleming
Addressed to Kill by Jean Flowers (Camille Minichino)
Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke
A Flair for Truffles by Deborah Garner

The Heartless Valentine by Kacey Gene
A Fatal Slip by Melissa Glazer
Valentine by Celina Grace

St. Valentine's Night by Andrew M. Greeley
Caveman's Valentine by George Dawes Green
A Valentine for One by Patrice Greenwood
My Bloody Valentine by Alastair Gunn
Bleeding Hearts by Jane Haddam
Sweetheart in High Heels by Gemma Halliday
The Valentine's Day Murder by Lee Harris
Deadly Valentine by Carolyn G. Hart

Deadly Valentine by Jenna Harte
Valentine Victim by Kelly Hashway
Faith, Rope, and Love by Wendy Heuvel

Romantically Ever After by Liwen Y. Ho
Death of a Chocoholic by Lee Hollis
The Ghost of Valentine Past by Bobbie Holmes
Cupid's Revenge; The Sham by Melanie Jackson

Handmade Hearts by June McCrary Jacobs
Ghoul You Be My Valentine? by Olivia Jaymes

Valentine's Day Vandal by Annie Jones
Vistas, Vices, & Valentines by Tonya Kappas
Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz

My Funny Mayfair Valentine by Kassandra Lamb

Valentine Vendetta; Poisoned on Valentine's Day by Daisy Landish 

A Big Surprise for Valentine's Day by Jackie Lau
Killing Cupid by Laura Levine
Valentine's Victim by Harper Lin

Love from A to Z by Lia London
A Fatal Slip by Meg London 

February Fever by Jess Lourey
Roses and Revenge by London Lovett

The Venom in the Valentine; Lady Rample and Cupid's Kiss by Shea MacLeod 

Moonshine Valentine by Tegan Maher 

Heart Attack by Terri Main

The Scent of Murder by Jeffrey Marks
Valentine's Cupcake & Murder by Ann S. Marie
A Valentine's Kill by Mona Marple
The Winter Mystery by Faith Martin
Sugar and Spite by G.A. McKevett
Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinlay
The Valentine Victim by Dougal McLeish

Scot on the Rocks by Catriona McPherson
Valentine Murder; Chocolate Covered Murder: Valentine Candy Murder by Leslie Meier

St. Valentine's Day Murders by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Love You to Death by Grant Michaels
Cupid's Corpse by Willow Monroe

Murder Bites by Addison Moore & Bellamy Bloom
Cat Playing Cupid by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Valentines & Victims Donna Muse
Tequila Shorts & Valentine Knots by Tricia O'Malley
The Body in the Attic, The Body in the Snowdrift by Katherine Hall Page

Murder by Cupid Cake by Rosie A. Point

A Blossom of Murder by Summer Prescott

Be My Valencrime by Amy M. Reade
A Judgment in Stone by Ruth Rendell

My Deadly Valentine by David W. Robinson
Valentined by Patricia Rockwell
The Valentine's Day Clue by Rupali Rajopadhye Rotti

Chocolate Covered Murder by Necole Ryse
Valentine by Tom Savage
The Treble Wore Trouble by Mark Schweizer
Sweet Hearts by Connie Shelton
Gilt by Association by Karen Rose Smith
My Wicked Valentine by Lotta Smith 

Mystery on Valentine's Day by Lee Strauss
Deadly Valentine by Kathleen Suzette

Murder of a Pink Elephant by Denise Swanson
One Rough Man by Brad Taylor
My Nerdy Valentine by Vicki Lewis Thompson

The Coniston Case by Rebecca Tope
Pineapple Valentine Mystery by Amy Vansant
Thou Art with Me by Debbie Viguie 

Outside Valentine by Liza Ward
A Murderous Valentine by Beverley Watts

The Lucy Valentine mystery series by Heather Webber
Valentine's Blizzard Murder by Linnea West
Murder at First Sight by Shelly West

The Haunted Valentine by J.A. Whiting
Red Roses by J.A. Whiting and Nell McCarthy  
Daughter Of The Stars by Phyllis A. Whitney
Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine by Traci Wilton

Short Stories

Crimes of Passion with stories by Nancy Means, B.J. Daniels, Jonathan Harrington and Maggie Right Price
Cupid Shot Me, a collection of  Valentine's Day LGBTQ+ mystery stories, edited by Frank W. Butterfield

Valentine's Madness: a 1920s Historical Mystery Anthology, edited by Beth Byers
"My Heart Cries Out for You" by Bill Crider
Valentine's Day Is Killing Me edited by Leslie Esdaile, Mary Janice Davidson, Susanna Carr
"Sweetheart in High Heels" by Gemma Halliday
Crimes of the Heart edited by Carolyn G. Hart
Love and Death, edited by Carolyn G. Hart
Valentine’s Day: Women Against Men-Stories of Revenge edited by Alice Thomas
Homicidal Holidays: Fourteen Tales of Murder and Merriment, edited by Donna Andrews, Barb Goffman & Marcia Talley

Children's  

The Valentine's Day Villain by Elaine Heney
Valentine's Day Disaster by Geronimo Stilton

Scooby-Doo! A Very Scary Valentine's Day

As always, let me know if I've missed any titles! Happy Valentine's Day!

Cartoon of the Day: Cat Valentine's Day