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‘Cozies’ (If you have already come across this word) or cosy mysteries is an interesting category under crime fiction storytelling. With its plot set in a small town or a closed community where people live a life tangled in a complex web of secrets, violence occurs offstage revealing itself little by little, and with lots of crime and detective elements- cozies is the realm of bloodless murders or what can be termed as more natural-appearing deaths. The amateur detective is either a likeable character loved and respected by the entire town or is an irritatingly nosy, know-it-all, self-righteous individual who the town loathes but understands the importance of. What makes these cosy mysteries an engaging read, is their ability to focus entirely of one element and spin the whole world of crime and investigation around it. These elements range from- particular holidays like Christmas and Halloween (one of our favourites without a doubt, because tis the season to be spooky), crossword puzzles, new residents in the small town, etc.
If normal everyday characters that might be easily spotted in any regular neighbourhood are what intrigue you, if prolonged torture and exaggerated investigations are not what you want to invest your time and energy in, here are a few cozy mystery books for you, to choose your next read from-
#1 Hannah Swenson Series by Joanne Fluke
With more than 23 cozies in the Hannah Swenson series, Joanne Fluke has crafted a world of lip-smacking recipe-licious murder stories. The tales within as interesting as the cover pages of the books in the Hannah Swenson series, these food themed cosy mysteries are set in Minnesota where Hannah is a baker. A typical amateur sleuth, Hannah Swenson runs a small shop known as The Cookie Jar (predictable bakery title!). But when she’s not baking, Hannah has a taste for investigation. That’s why the Swenson cosy mystery universe exists. Some of the titles are mouth-watering and brain-juggling, as to what could possibly happen in a book titled- Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder or Cherry Cheesecake Murder. There are more interesting titles for you to indulge in once you’ve got the hang of Hannah Swenson style investigation- Carrot Cake Murder, Blackberry Pie Murder, Gingerbread Cookie Murder, Red Velvet Cupcake Murder, and Double Fudge Brownie Murder (I’ll never be able to look at a double fudge brownie the same way after this one).
#2 Witchcraft Mysteries by Juliet Blackwell
The story of a witch skilled in brewing and botanical arts, Blackwell’s Witchcraft Mysteries is set in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood. Laced with supernatural elements and subtle criminal activities, this neighbourhood forms the universe of- A Cast-Off Coven, Hexes and Hemlines, Secondhand Spirits, Spellcasting in Silk, A Toxic Trousseau, A Magical Match, Synchronized Sorcery, Bewitched and Betrothed and many more exciting stories. This literary cozies series comprises of 11 books.
#3 Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs
Another in the league of cozy murder mysteries, is Laura Childs ‘Tea Shop’ mysteries, which revolves around titles that are sure to remind you of an evening tea with friends or family. Wondering what could possibly go wrong over tea? Right? Just take a look at some of these cozy mysteries- Gunpowder Green, Shads of Earl Grey, Blood Orange Brewing, Sweet Tea Revenge, Ming Tea Murder, Broken Bone China, Lavender Blue Murder, Haunted Hibiscus and more. This Tea Shop murder universe has made Laura Childs one of the bestselling mystery authors with more than 40 novels to her name. The tea shop nestled in Charleston is owned and run by Theodosia Browning, another typical mystery book sleuth. Charleston’s famous Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia is constantly in search of killers who through her brews are taking the lives of someone or the other in each book. The appropriate book to indulge in the Tea Shop Murder Mysteries is- Death by Darjeeling, which introduces you to Theodosia and her love for tea.
#4 Miss Marple Series by Agatha Christie
Later adapted into an ITV television program, Christie’s Miss Marple series consists of books that feature one of the most loved and truly interesting characters penned down by the author- Jane Marple. A retired amateur detective Miss Marple who has lived all her life in the small village of Saint Mary Mead, appears in twelve novels, some of which are- The Murder at the Vicarage, The Moving Finger, A Murder is Announced, A Pocket Full of Rye, The Body in the Library, etc. The reason why a lot of readers like Marple, is her skill of blending in with the people/group she is a part of and being genius at what she does!
#5 Hamish Macbeth Series by M.C. Beaton
A delectable and delightful in the genre of cozy reads is the Hamish Macbeth series. Macbeth, a police constable in a little town called Lochdubh, is a funny take on the role of a detective. He is a man who twists the law as per his need and occasionally helps the townsfolk owing to his generous nature. Also made into a TV series, the Hamish Macbeth collection comprises of amusing titles like- Death of a Prankster, Death of a Snob, Death of a Hussy, Death of a Nag and more like these.
Christie’s Miss Marple remains one of the uncontested favourites in the cozy mystery genre, but there are a lot more to explore from- Noodle Shop Mysteries by Vivien Chien, Mrs’ Murphy Series by Rita Mae, Cat Café Mysteries by Cate Conte and so many more, in order to find out which one intrigues you the most.
