Q&A: Letizia Lorini, Author of ‘A Killer Kind of Romance’

We chat with author Letizia Lorini about A Killer Kind of Romance, which follows a crime podcast host must solve a chilling serial killer case while navigating an unexpected romance with her mysterious next-door neighbour.

Hi, Letizia! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

I’m Letizia Lorini, the author of A Killer Kind of Romance. I’m Italian and currently live in Sweden, where, before writing books, I got a degree in criminology. I eventually pivoted to romance, which might not sound like the most natural progression, but it makes perfect sense considering I’ve been writing stories, fanfiction, diaries, and blogs for most of my life. These days, I spend my time making up stories about people kissing—though every now and then, a murder or two sneaks onto the page as well.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I was a huge reader as a kid, and I loved writing just as much. My best friend and I even wrote a series of (very likely highly plagiarized) stories about forest animals, had my dad print them, and handed them out at every family event. Unfortunately, this still haunts me to this day—quite literally, because most relatives kept their copies.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry. The first romance book was Diving In by Kate Cann.
• The one that made you want to become an author: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood.
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Hoax and Kisses by Elodie Colliard.

Your new novel, A Killer Kind of Romance, is out January 13^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Murder, banter, spice, chaos, happily-ever-after.

What can readers expect?

A very packed story—that’s true of all my books—but also a swoony hero who’s dead set on getting the girl, a bookish heroine who slowly falls in love with romance, and an epic love story that explores grief, redemption, and facing your fears. Oh, and murder!

Where did the inspiration for A Killer Kind of Romance come from?

I wanted to write a story that made readers think: what if I fell in love with someone… but also suspected they might be a serial killer? The blend of comedy, romance, and crime fiction felt like a natural fit. High stakes heighten the need for closeness, making every soft moment feel even more special, while the characters use comedy to face the very unique situation they’re in.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I absolutely adored writing Scarlett. As someone who loves romance, it was fun to step into the mind of a character who despises it and watch her worldview shift as she finally understands love. Rafael is also my favorite hero I’ve ever written: charming, confident, mysterious… and maybe, a serial killer.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Plenty! This was a completely new genre for me, and that came with its own learning curve. But I’ve been told I have a knack for planting hints at just the right moments to create satisfying twists, so it was exciting to apply that skill to a story centered around a serial killer hunt.

What’s next for you?

I’ve been hard at work on my next project, a lawyer romance I’ve been describing as Suits meets Erin Brockovich. It’s a very different vibe from A Killer Kind of Romance, but I think readers who loved Rafael and Scarlett will fall for this story too. And that’s just the beginning. There’s plenty more to come, so stay tuned.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

Too many to count. I’m currently reading Every Version of You by Natalie Messier, and I have a feeling it’ll skyrocket to the top of my favorite reads this year: just gorgeous, emotional writing. I also highly recommend Betty Corello’s 32 Days in May, a heartwarming story that beautifully portrays life with an autoimmune disease.

For readers who enjoy the darker side of romance, Willing Prey was a fantastic read, and I really loved Poisoned Ivy by Ava Rani, which gives off similar vibes to A Killer Kind of Romance with its central mystery. I could go on forever, so I’ll stop myself here, but I’m looking forward to Love and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm, (Mostly) Human Resources by Grace Viall, Extra Curricular by Rachel Lynn Solomon, and I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell by Mackenzie Reed. 2026 will be fun!

Will you be picking up A Killer Kind of Romance? Tell us in the comments below!