"Cozy" mysteries are probably your best bet.
http://www.cozy-mystery.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cozy_mystery
To add to Catlady's suggestion of Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney, and Mary Stewart, in the romance/suspense category there's:
Helen MacInness
Jane Aiken Hodge
Dorothy Eden
Re suspense, there's:
Alistair MacLean
Desmond Bagley