To Be or Not to be Agented

I have an agent for Killer of Killers. But when I told her (them) about The Vase, recently, she (they) didn't want to represent it, because it takes place in the Middle East and involves paranormal elements. That's what they said. I was surprised because they didn't even read it.

Maybe I should have discussed it with them before I wrote it. I think the "Middle East" scared them, but the gist of the story requires it to take place there. It makes it more interesting, more relevant to the story. And as far as the paranormal part, it might not be paranormal at all. I don't want to get into the details, but it's up to the reader to interpret, and that "element" doesn't even happen until the very end.

So I'm submitting it to publishers who don't require agents. Meanwhile, my agent(s) told me they were committed to Killer of Killers. OK. It will be interesting to see which book gets published first.