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23 Cozy Mystery Series for Your Next Whodunit Binge Read
Crime fiction has lots of interesting nooks and crannies. You’ve got your traditional detective stories (invented by Edgar Allan Poe, most historians agree) and classic mystery stories that wander off into subtypes: historical mysteries, police procedurals, legal thrillers, heist stories.
The cozy mystery is a relatively recent term that refers to stories in which the violent and graphic elements are generally kept off-page. These gentle whodunits often come in series and center on unique and often eccentric investigators, like Mumbai police inspectors or 12-year-old chemists. One of the genuine advantages of the cozy mystery series is that if you find a book you like, you’ve instantly got a reading list of several more books. Several dozen, in some instances.
In this specially curated collection, we’ve gathered 23 top cozy mystery series along with a quick description, the series' first installment, and the total number of books in the series so far. Be aware that acquiring a cozy mystery habit can result in thousands of hours of reading pleasure. In fact, we did the math, and if you want to read every title in every series on this list, you’ll want to make time for more than 200 books in total.
Click through the book cover images for more information on each title, and add any interesting leads to your Want to Read shelf.
What's cozier than a dozen cookies fresh out of the oven (with a heaping side of fictional murder)? The misadventures of baker-and-erstwhile-detective Hannah Swensen are a popular staple of the cozy mystery subgenre.
Number of books in the series: 29
Charming is the word that springs to mind for this series, which features a precocious 11-year-old budding chemist who solves crimes in the bucolic countryside of 1950s England.
Number of books in the series: 10
These deliciously tasty culinary mysteries follow the mishaps of Lila Macapagal, chef and amateur sleuth, in the aptly named town of Shady Palms, Illinois. Look for Book 4 to hit U.S. shelves this October.
Number of books in the series: 4
Speaking of culinary mysteries, murder is a dish served hot with this series of books whose food pun titles are simply to die for.
Number of books in the series: 9
This series featuring a classical violinist and a snarky ghost solving crimes in an Irish village hits a lot of high notes with cozy mystery fans.
Number of books in the series: 5
The Secret, Book & Scone Society Series
by Ellery Adams
Start with: The Secret, Book & Scone Society
by Ellery Adams
Start with: The Secret, Book & Scone Society
These small-town mysteries feature a bookshop owner who's as good at uncovering secrets as she is at keeping them. Also: Author Adams has penned several other cozy mystery series, in case your tastes run more toward magical pie shops, antiques and collectibles, or getaway vacations for bibliophiles.
Number of books in the series: 6
The Baby Ganesh Agency Investigation Series
by Vaseem Khan
Start with: The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra
by Vaseem Khan
Start with: The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra
Elephant sidekick! Elephant sidekick! Has there ever been a more adorable Watson than the titular baby elephant of this series, which features crime investigations in modern-day Mumbai? We think not!
Number of books in the series: 7
Elderly sleuths have been in fashion since the days of Agatha Christie, of course, but Osman's runaway hit series set in a retirement home has breathed new life into this old trend.
Number of books in the series: 4
One Goodreads reviewer describes the first book of this historical mystery series as "a weighted blanket for my brain." That's pretty darn cozy!
Number of books in the series: 17
A feisty former PR exec turned amateur sleuth sets up shop in the Cotswolds in this beloved long-running series.
Number of books in the series: 34
A Cuban American TV cooking show star finds herself investigating murder most foul in these savory culinary mysteries.
Number of books in the series: 2
These OG Golden Age cozy mysteries offer surprising depth by pairing deeds of deduction with thematic explorations of post–World War I trauma, the changing roles of women in British society, and more.
Number of books in the series: 11, plus 2 short story collections
Indiana Jones–esque adventures that blend twisty mysteries and travel to far-flung places. If you like these books, also be sure to check out Pandian's new series that kicked off with last year's Under Lock & Skeleton Key.
Number of books in the series: 6
The owner of a bookstore specializing in mysteries gets pulled into some whodunits all her own. We love a genre-savvy amateur sleuth! If you're left hankering for more after finishing this series, try V.M. Burns' newest genre foray, Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder (published as Valerie Burns).
Number of books in the series: 8
Another Golden Age classic, Marsh's Inspector Alleyn series was written over the course of 50 years, from the 1930s until the author's death in the 1980s. Impressive longevity, that.
Number of books in the series: 33
Tinseltown makes a dramatic backdrop for this cozy series from author and Goodreads guest columnist Kellye Garrett. (Check out her picks for queer crime series if you're looking for even more great serialized reading!)
Number of books in the series: 2
Commonly compared to Agatha Christie's writing, these modern-day mysteries each also contain a whodunit within a whodunit. That's basically four books for the price of two, if you're counting.
Number of books in the series: 2
If you're a fan of books with sleuthing maids that have been all the rage lately, try this groundbreaking and very funny series from the 1990s.
Number of books in the series: 4
Go back in time to 1920s India with this historical mystery series, featuring an enterprising female lawyer whose championing of women's rights leads her to take on some very thorny cases.
Number of books in the series: 4
Aside from having a very cool name, Odessa Jones also possesses the psychic ability to read other people's emotions and foretell when danger is coming. Turns out, that's a very handy trait for an amateur detective.
Number of books in the series: 3
If talking cats are your thing, you're in luck with this charming series about a hapless pet groomer, her chatty pet feline, and the murder investigations they keep finding themselves involved in. Purr-fect cozy vibes for a rainy day.
Number of books in the series: 3
Author Abby Collette's punny cozy mystery titles might just be the very best in the business—after all, she came up with A Game of Cones! In this new series, fraternal twins reunited as adults attempt to open a bookstore/soul food café together. If only those pesky murders would stop happening…
Number of books in the series: 2
You can't mention cozy, laugh-out-loud mysteries without including Stephanie Plum, author Evanovich's iconic, humorous, down-on-her-luck bounty hunter. Leaving her out would be positively criminal!
Number of books in the series: 33
Do you have a favorite cozy mystery series to binge read? Let's talk books in the comments below!
Comments Showing 1-50 of 55 (55 new)
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Shannon
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Mar 24, 2023 08:18AM
*Happily, adds several books to already huge TBR*
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What a great list! I love the Mystery Bookshop Series by V.M. Burns. I would also suggest Ellie Alexander's Bakeshop Mysteries.
Cleo Coyles Coffeehouse mysteries are on my list, as are Donna Andrews Meg Langslow series. And I agree that Ellie Alexanders series are great. Been reading through her Sloan Krause books lately. I love the list.
koni wrote: "I cannot explain how much I love this genre"Same here!
Surprised this list didn't include S.J. Bennett's Her Majesty the Queen Investigates
Both of Anne Granger's series:Fran Varaday (modern, about a homeless detective in London)
Ben and Lizzie Ross (Victorian, policeman & wife)
Colin Cotterill's series about Dr Siri (a doctor in Laos)
Her Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen is great fun.
Great list! I am a cozy fan and have so many series underway (still can't stop myself from starting more. I have enjoyed quite a few on this list and need to finish or catch up some.I love & have finished Connie Archer's Soup Lover's Mysteries: A Spoonful of Murder . Also Faith Martin's Jenny Starling Mysteries: The Birthday Mystery . Vicki Delaney's Constable Molly Smith: In the Shadow of the Glacier .
And for a modern twist on the cozy: Amita Murray's Arya Winters and the Tiramisu of Death . I recently began Juneau Black's Shady Hollow series featuring woodland creatures in a cozy setting. And Mur Lafferty's Midsolar Murders Station Eternity , a cozy set on a space station in the future. For all of these, I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
Great suggestions for these cozies :)
I have found that Diane Mott Davidson’s series is also a a fun cozy, culinary mystery series as well.
This is a great list! I'd like to add the Benni Harper series by Earlene Fowler. I really liked those.
I'd like to add Juliet Blackwell's Witchcraft Mystery series, Sherry Thomas's Lady Sherlock series, Amanda Flower's Amish Matchmaker series (the Amish Candy Shop series started great but our sleuth has been really annoying me the last few books), and Bailey Cates's Magical Bakery series.
Kristin wrote: "Surprised this list didn't include S.J. Bennett's Her Majesty the Queen Investigates"I adore that series! Highly recommend!
Thanks for the list. I would like to add the Mrs. Jeffries series by Emily Brightwell.
Not comprehensive, but a lot of great ideas! I added several to my Want to Read list.
Hmmm. No Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency mention
I've always wished Liz would add reviews of the ones she's read, but she's more into just providing a list of what's out there in the culinary cozy mystery world. The list is beyond extensive....Because direct html links are not allowed, let's just say it's culinarymysteries dot net
Adding the Aurora Teagarden series by Charlaine Harris!
Another from the Golden Age of Detection: Miss Maud Silver Mysteries by Patricia Wentworth. There are about 30 books, and each has a gentle romance.
Two of my fav coastal cozy series:The Maine Clambake Mysteries by Barbara Ross
The Grey Whale Inn Mysteries
by Karen MacInerney
You've put Ngaio Marsh and Dorothy L Sayers in a Cozy mystery list? The definition of cozy must have really opened up.
Can’t agree about Maisie Dobbs. An excellent series but quite dark. Far too much social realism for a cosy.
Really love the Pebble Cove series! By Eryn Scott Fab cosy mysteries with an awesome setting...narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya...
Additional cozy mystery series I'd add: Ellie Alexander's Sloan Krause series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/2159...
Kate Carlisle's Brooklyn Wainwright series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/4659...
Adam Christopher's Robot Detective series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/1443...
Julie Kaewert's Plumtree Press series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/4243...
T E Kinsey’s Lady Hardcastle series is a lot of fun.
I seriously question including Ngaio Marsh, Dorothy L. Sayers and Jaqueline Winspear in a "cozies" category. These are "classic" mystery series, and way beyond the baking/bookshop/knitting/cats type series I think of as "cozies."
I would like to include the Tea Shop Mystery series by Laura Childs. They are fun to read, and have likable characters.
Yep, I will have lots of books to read, if I live until I'm 180.
The Cat Who… series, by Lillian Jackson Braun is one of my all-time favourites.
I agree with adding Donna Andrew's Meg Langslow series to this list. I also enjoy the Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries historical series. But you have a great list going.
I'd like to add a series by Iona Whishaw. The books are set in 1946 in a charming backwater community in BC that the author lived in as a child.The stories are not as "cute" as some cozies but there's no gore or violence (okay, there ARE murders!). Includes interesting history of the place. The protagonist, Lane Winslow, is realistic despite her somewhat exotic background as a spy during WWII - she's independent and capable but not hard-bitten. Other characters are very good too.
Seven books so far - HIGHLY recommended.
Deb wrote: "I seriously question including Ngaio Marsh, Dorothy L. Sayers and Jaqueline Winspear in a "cozies" category. These are "classic" mystery series, and way beyond the baking/bookshop/knitting/cats typ..."I agree completely. There needs to be a "classic mysteries" genre (maybe there is already!) because the books you reference don't fit the cozy category for me.
Helen wrote: "The Cat Who… series, by Lillian Jackson Braun is one of my all-time favourites."I completely agree! One of my favorites too!
What about Kerry Greenwood's "Phryne Fisher" series?
I enjoyed Laura Levine’s Jaine Austen mystery series. Good mysteries and funny, too!
I cannot believe nobody added Krista Davis and her Domestic Diva series. Her two other series are great too. And what about Paige Shelton and her Scottish series?
Rita Mae and Sneaky Pie Brown have written a wonderful, long-running series called The Mrs. Murphy Mysteries
Lynda wrote: "Another from the Golden Age of Detection: Miss Maud Silver Mysteries by Patricia Wentworth. There are about 30 books, and each has a gentle romance."Love her!
Jana DeLeon’s Fortune series is great! It’s set in the LA bayou with a CIA agent in hiding, 2 surprising older women, a baker, a small time deputy, a few mobsters and lots of secrets.
Me: *Worriedly adds almost entire list to my already huge TBR*Me: *Sobs*
Tethysnz wrote: "Can’t agree about Maisie Dobbs. An excellent series but quite dark. Far too much social realism for a cosy."I was also surprised to see her listed as a cozy--not!
Sunday wrote: "I'd like to add a series by Iona Whishaw. The books are set in 1946 in a charming backwater community in BC that the author lived in as a child.The stories are not as "cute" as some cozies but th..."
Was going to add these but glad someone already did!
Catharine wrote: "What about Kerry Greenwood's "Phryne Fisher" series?"While I adore Miss Fisher, I'm not sure I would classify her as cozy. Her stories are a bit grittier at times and there is a fair amount of casual sex!
