Reading Lists
12 Best Cozy Mystery Books to Curl Up With
Clever puzzles, charming settings, and zero nightmares: the best cozy mysteries for beginners and longtime fans.
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Quick Picks
New to cozy mysteries? Start with one of these.
- Best overallThe Thursday Murder Clubby Richard Osman
- FunniestVera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderersby Jesse Q. Sutanto
- Best classicThe Body in the Libraryby Agatha Christie
- Best puzzleMagpie Murdersby Anthony Horowitz
Table of Contents
Cozy mysteries are the comfort food of the book world. A clever puzzle, a charming setting, a sleuth you’d love to have tea with, and no graphic violence: they are perfect for rainy weekends and reading slumps alike.
This list mixes modern favorites with timeless classics, grouped by the kind of cozy you’re in the mood for. Many are the first book in a series, so if you love one, there is plenty more to read.
1. Village and Small-Town Mysteries
Charming settings, nosy neighbors, and a body where you least expect it.
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Four friends in an English retirement village meet weekly to study cold cases, until a real murder happens right on their doorstep.
Find on AmazonAgatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
by M.C. Beaton
A retired PR executive moves to a sleepy village and enters a quiche competition. When the judge dies after eating it, she has to clear her name.
Find on AmazonThe Body in the Library
by Agatha Christie
The body of an unknown young woman is found in the library of Gossington Hall, and Miss Marple is called in to help.
Find on Amazon2. Food, Family, and Mischief
Cozy mysteries with big families, small businesses, and plenty of humor.
Arsenic and Adobo
by Mia P. Manansala
Lila returns home to help save her aunt’s Filipino restaurant, then becomes the prime suspect when a food critic dies after a meal there.
Find on AmazonVera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
by Jesse Q. Sutanto
A lonely tea shop owner finds a dead man in her shop and decides the police need her help to solve the case.
Find on AmazonDial A for Aunties
by Jesse Q. Sutanto
After a blind date ends in an accidental death, Meddy and her aunties must hide the body while running a lavish wedding.
Find on Amazon3. Unlikely Amateur Sleuths
Ordinary people with sharp eyes, warm hearts, and a habit of finding trouble.
The Maid
by Nita Prose
Molly, a hotel maid who loves rules and order, finds a wealthy guest dead and becomes caught up in the investigation.
Find on AmazonFinlay Donovan Is Killing It
by Elle Cosimano
A struggling novelist and single mom is mistaken for a contract killer after a conversation overheard in a café.
Find on AmazonThe No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
by Alexander McCall Smith
Precious Ramotswe opens Botswana’s first detective agency run by a woman and solves cases with wisdom and kindness.
Find on Amazon4. Clever Puzzle-Box Mysteries
For readers who love to play detective and guess the twist.
Magpie Murders
by Anthony Horowitz
An editor reading the latest manuscript by a bestselling crime writer begins to suspect a real murder is hidden in its pages.
Find on AmazonThe Appeal
by Janice Hallett
A small-town theatre group, a fundraising appeal, and a murder, all told through emails and messages for you to solve.
Find on AmazonMurder Most Unladylike
by Robin Stevens
Two schoolgirls at a 1930s boarding school form a secret detective society and stumble on a real crime.
Find on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
What is a cozy mystery?
A cozy mystery is a gentle crime story, usually set in a small community, with an amateur sleuth and little on-page violence. The focus is on the puzzle, the characters, and the setting.
What is a good cozy mystery for beginners?
The Thursday Murder Club is a great place to start. It is funny, warm, and clever, and the series has several books to continue with.
Are cozy mysteries scary?
No. Cozy mysteries avoid graphic violence and gore. A crime happens, but the tone stays light and comforting.
Are there cozy mysteries for younger readers?
Yes. Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens is a middle grade mystery series set at a 1930s boarding school.
Which cozy mystery will you read first?
Save this list to Pinterest for your next rainy weekend, and explore more mystery books and cozy reads.
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