One of the most enjoyable things that you can do when you have time to yourself is to curl up with a good book, and there are no better books to do so with than cozy mysteries! If you’re looking to add some lighthearted mysteries with a dose of sweetness to your TBR list, we have you covered. Here are the top 8 cozy mystery series that are perfect for curling up with.
How Are Cozy Mysteries Different From Mysteries?
Cozy mysteries are a lighter take on the typical crime mystery. They don’t have as much of the gore, or violence that a classic whodunit has. These books often take place in friendly small towns and feature amateur sleuths—and even animal sidekicks in some books! The lovable characters band together to solve crimes and catch the culprits. Plus, cozy mystery series tend to have titles full of puns!
As mentioned in a Publisher’s Weekly article, “the heart of why readers love cozies is they know what they are getting. They know they will have a sleuth who is pulled into the crime because that sleuth cares about other people, they know that the sleuth’s friends and family will help and hinder the investigation, they know that humor will abound, and they know that in the end, through all the twists and turns, the killer will be caught.”
1. Daphne Jones Mysteries
by Phillipa Nefri Clark
The outback town of Little Bridges is the perfect location for the wedding Daphne Jones is set to officiate, but someone is determined to stop the union. When a member of the bridal party is found dead in a swimming pool, Daphne’s gut knows this was not an accident. A celebrant sleuth with a love of puzzles, Daphne has a number of suspects after learning of family feuds and missing money. She refuses to give up... unless the killer gets to her first.
This fun cozy mystery series features a traveling wedding officiant with a heart of gold in Australia. One five star review for Till Daph Do Us Part, the first book in the series, says, “there is much to love about this book. The author has an excellent writing style. The plot moves nicely. The characters are interesting and well-developed.” If you’re looking for a series filled with quirky characters, don’t wait to add this series to your virtual library!
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2. A Bookish Cafe Mystery
by Harper Lin
Bookseller Maggie Bell works in a charming Connecticut bookstore. When her boss passes away, his son, Joshua Whitfield, has plans to turn part of the bookstore into a vampire and silly romance book themed cafe. In the middle of the renovation, an electrician is killed. Joshua becomes the prime suspect and Maggie has to put aside their differences to help clear his name. But as her attraction to Joshua grows, will she be able to fall for this man who doesn’t even enjoy reading?
From a USA Today bestselling author comes a series that has it all: a bookstore setting, a cute black cat, and a dash of romance. A highly rated Amazon review says, “Harper Lin does a masterful job of weaving a story with plenty of murder suspects for the armchair sleuth consider… I definitely plan to enjoy more of this author's books.” Start this series today!
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3. A Raina Sun Mystery
by Anne R. Tan
Raina Sun is a graduate student doing her best as bills roll in and her college adviser cons her, but her luck is running out. She ends up finding her advisor’s dead body, becomes the prime suspect, and then her ex reappears as the case’s lead detective. On top of that, Raina’s grandmother shows up at her tiny apartment with her own trouble in store. As she hones her sleuthing skills, Raina learns that when it comes to murder, there isn’t room for amateurs.
With eleven books in the series, you won’t be short on hilarious cozies that feature a Chinese-American protagonist and characters that feel very real. As one rave review puts it, “The twists and turns delivered repeatedly so that I didn't have a moment to grow bored with this mystery. I will read it again and again, and I can't wait to read more in this series.” The 11 books in this cozy series are perfect for any bookworm!
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4. The Murder, Curlers Series
by Arlene McFarlane
Valentine Beaumont is a beautician who is struggling to revive her business after a perm gone wrong. After a socialite is strangled while waiting for her facial, Valentine knows she needs to start figuring out the clues. Despite warnings from a detective who is hard-headed and sexy, Valentine commits to clearing her name before another one of her clients is murdered.
If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries that have laugh-out-loud banter and a little bit of romance thrown in the mix, you won’t want to miss this series from USA Today bestselling author Arlene McFarlane! Highly rated reviews on Amazon describe Murder, Curlers, and Cream as delightful and humorous, and one review states, “If you’re looking for an entertaining escape – this book is for you.” Add this cozy mystery series to your TBR list today!
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5. Moonstone Bay
by Amanda M. Lee
Hadley Hunter lived a normal life up until a grandmother she never knew passes away and leaves her with a lighthouse on Moonstone Bay Island. Ready for adventure, she goes to check out the lighthouse and is intrigued by what she sees. But when she notices magical things happening and sees a body on the beach, it looks like the island has a killer and they’re stalking Hadley, Moonstone Bay’s newest witch.
Witchin’ USA is the first of ten books in the Moonstone Bay series. One rave review puts it perfectly: “This was so much fun to read, expertly written with a whole house full of drama, snark, sass, determination and a background setting that is drool worthy.” What more could you want in a fun and paranormal cozy mystery? Don’t wait to grab this series and add some magic to your virtual library!
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6. Hamish Macbeth Mysteries
by M. C. Beaton
Lady Jane Winters is a widow with a gossip column. After joining a fishing class, Lady Jane wastes no time in using her sharp tongue to ruffle the feathers of the others in the class, including Lochdubh Constable Hamish Macbeth. Hamish believed nobody would silence the widow—that is until her strangled body is found. Hamish may be in over his head as he works through a list of suspects. After all, knowledge is power and killers usually strike more than once…
Visit the Scotland Highlands in this cozy mystery series by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and Queen of Crime, M. C. Beaton! Well-written and full of quirky characters in a beautiful setting, it’s no wonder why readers are hooked. With over 30 books in the series, you’ll never be short on intriguing mysteries. Download Death of a Gossip and get captivated by this cozy series.
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7. Lady Hardcastle
by T. E. Kinsey
It’s 1908 and widow Lady Emily Hardcastle has moved from London to the country in the hopes of living a quiet life with her maid, Florence Armstrong. Once a body is discovered in the woods, Lady Hardcastle and Flo discover a web of intrigue, learning about resentment and rivalries. Surrounded by suspicion and uncertainty, only one thing is for sure: there is no quiet life in the country.
A Quiet Life in the Country is the first book in the Lady Hardcastle series. One highly rated review mentions that the “excellent use of humor combined with a well-written plot and erudite vocabulary” are what make the first book such an enjoyable read. If you’re looking for a witty cozy mystery that’s both relaxing and entertaining, you don’t want to miss this beloved series by T. E. Kinsey!
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8. Florida Keys Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mystery
by Danielle Collins
Located in the Florida Keys is the bed and breakfast that Eva Stewart runs with her parrot. While Eva loves reading murder mystery books and hosting her book club, she unexpectedly ends up with an actual murder mystery on her hands when a body is found near the B&B. Using what she knows from her favorite books, will she be able to help crack the case?
Your next murder mystery is waiting for you in this series written by bestselling author Danielle Collins! There are six books and the most recent one was published in March 2022. With over 1000 five star ratings on Amazon for the first book, this fast-paced cozy mystery is sure to hook you with its unexpected twists. Described as “engaging” and “realistic” by reviewers, you won’t want to skip this series.
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