You might have heard of a cozy mystery and wondered: how can crime fiction be cozy? I’m here to explain what makes a mystery cozy and tell you about the must read books for the cozy mystery lover. Let’s explore What is a Cozy Mystery together!
Hello! If you got here directly, you might also want to check out my quiz on What Kind of a Mystery Thriller Reader Are You?
And then explore my Master Post of Different Types of Mystery Novels
But if you are just here to learn about Cozy Mysteries, let’s begin!
What is a Cozy Mystery?
I did a very thorough definition of a “cozy” mystery in my post on the three types of mysteries, which is worth a read. But in short:
- cozy mysteries have a crime but nothing overtly violent
- they take place in a small town or a tight-knit community
- they usually have a gentle or even comic tone that balances out the suspense.
- The main detective is an amateur rather than law enforcement.
Other Elements of Cozy Mysteries:
Cozy mysteries have a cozy vibe. They often feature comforting, homey elements like food, wine, and coffee. Or cozy pastimes like antiquing, home renovation, crafting, or reading. The story can center around a cozy setting like a bakery, flower shop, coffee shop, library or bookstore.
Must Read Books for the Cozy Mystery Lover
To me, there are two lanes of cozies: classic and modern. Let’s talk about Modern Cozies first:
Must Read Cozy Mystery Books from the 2020s
As with all mystery genres, the 2020s have brought:
- more writers of color writing cozies, adding welcome new perspectives and settings
- cozies with Gen Z or young millennial characters that bring a different sensibility
- “Quozies,” which are queer cozies with LGTBQ+ themes and characters.
Here are some of my favorites:
It’s a Family Affair Cozy Mysteries
The Aunties series AND the Vera Wong series by Jesse Q. Sutanto
These have family drama, too. If you’re have meddling parents or ARE a meddling parent, these are laugh out loud funny.
Best Quozies (Queer Cozy Mysteries)
Board to Death (Game Shop Mystery series) by C.J. Connor: a gay guy who runs a board game shop in a conservative Salt Lake City suburb
.A Killing in Costumes by Zac Bisonnette: a married couple of soap opera stars who each came out as gay now run a movie memorabilia store and solve crimes.
Other Quozy titles I have not yet read:
The Body in the Back Garden by Mark Waddell: a gay investigative journalist solves crimes on Vancouver Island.
Dead in the Garden by Dahlia Donovan: a titled gay British guy solves crimes and runs a biscuit shop.
Other Amateur Detective Cozies I Loved
The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman
Senior citizens at a retirement community in the UK investigate murders. Such a great series!
The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by Jo Nichols
A new 2025 title featuring a group of cottage colony residents who band together when there’s a murder in their little neighborhood. Really enjoyed it!
The Maid series by Nita Prose
A very quirky hotel maid investigates wrongdoings. Has a Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime feel. There are now two more books and a novella:
- The Mystery Guest
- The Maid’s Secret
- I also have a printable character and plot guide for the Molly the Maid series which you can download here!
Must read Cozy Mysteries by Black and AAPI Authors
I did an entire list of Mysteries and Thrillers by AAPI (Asian-American and Pacific Islander) authors, with a cozy mystery category.
I also did a very comprehensive list of Mysteries and Thrillers by Black Women Authors, which has a cozy mystery category.
Cozy Mysteries with Moms
The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes: two pregnant women investigate a crime in their small English town.
Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro: a new mom with postpartum depression is shocked when her husband is accused of a horrifying crime in their small Martha’s Vineyard community.
The It Girl by Ruth Ware: a pregnant woman learns that the man who killed her college roommate is about to be released from prison.
Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner: in this 2006 novel, a bored Connecticut housewife tries to solve a crime while her kids are in nursery school.
Cozies About Meddling Neighbors
Only Murders in the Building has sparked a bunch of books that have the feel of this wacky, cozy Hulu show. Check out my list of books that I think have that OMITB vibe!
Bestselling Cozy Mystery series of the 1990s and 2000s
These cozy mysteries have been bestsellers through the last decades. Some have also been optioned as Hallmark Cozy Mystery Movies – you can check out my reviews of the adapted books.
But I have to add that I went to my local Barnes and Noble and couldn’t find ANY of these on the shelf. So on the positive side, they are great library reads. On the negative, people may no longer be reading them!
Hannah Swensen Series by Joanne Fluke (2006-2023)
This 29-book series is still ongoing and features a bakery owner who solves crimes in the small town of Lake Eden, Minnesota. It has been adapted as a Hallmark Mystery Movie starring Alison Sweeney.
The Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun (1986- 1998)
A 29-book series featuring journalist Jim Quilleran and his two Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum solving mysteries.
Goldy Culinary Mysteries by Diane Mott Davidson (1990-2013)
A 17-book series about a caterer in a small Colorado town who combines running her small business and sleuthing.
The Mrs. Murphy Mysteries by Rita Mae Brown (1990-2023)
This 31-book series is still ongoing and features a postmistress “Harry” Haristeen and her clever cat, Mrs. Murphy. The two solve mysteries in small town Virginia.
The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries by Charlaine Harris (2010-2017)
Aurora is a librarian in Lawrenceville, Georgia and also runs the Real Murders Society, a group of town residents who like to discuss old cases.
A few more possibilities:
Donna Andrews – The Meg Langslow series often involves humorous situations in her small town.
Nancy Atherton – The Aunt Dimity series features a paranormal twist in cozy mysteries.
Ellery Adams – Her Books by the Bay and Charmed Pie Shoppe series are well-received cozy mysteries.
The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell: murder in a cooking competition (Martha Stewart meets The Great British Bakeoff).
Please tell me about your favorite cozy mysteries in comments as I am always looking for new titles!
Want to explore more mysteries? Read about:
Jen’s Favorite Police Procedurals
Grab my Cozy Mystery Bingo Cards!
Also, grab my fun Cozy Mystery Bingo cards, perfect for using while you read or watch a cozy!