Antique Themed Cozy Mysteries
Must-Read Books With Antique-Loving Amateur Sleuths
Antique-themed cozy mystery books take place in the world of antique shops, auctions, and estate sales. The amateur sleuth is often an antique dealer, antique hunter, appraiser, authenticator, auctioneer, or collector. Sleuths usually stumble upon a mystery (or a body) while handling or hunting down a valuable antique with a past.
The amateur sleuths in antique-themed cozy mysteries rely on their knowledge of antiques and keen observation to solve a mystery. They can spot a fake Tiffany lamp, date a piece of Victorian jewelry, and recognize when a "junk" item is anything but. They know where things come from and why that history matters now—and if they don't, they're very good at hunting down people and information.
Antique-themed cozy mysteries are fun to read because they often include a treasure hunt alongside the mystery. They also offer an opportunity to learn about antiquing while reading a traditional whodunit.
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with an antiques theme, here are a few books to try. All of them are the first book in an antique-themed cozy mystery series.
The Mystery of the Missing Book is the first book in the Antique Shop Mysteries by Judith Cutler. In this English village mystery, a feisty antique dealer in the coziest corner of Kent tries to unlock the secrets of a medieval mystery to find her father.
To Helvetica and Back is the first book in the Dangerous Type Mystery by Paige Shelton. In this antique-themed cozy mystery, an amateur sleuth and her grandfather repair antique typewriters, restore old books, and solve mysteries in Utah.
Paws, Claws, and Curses is the first book in the Purr-fect Relic Mystery Series by DeAnna Drake. In this paranormal cozy mystery, a woman takes over her grandfather's curious antique shop and teams up with a talking cat to solve a mystery.
The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder is part of the Antique Hunter’s Mystery Series by CL Miller. In this mystery, a former antique hunter investigates a suspicious death at an isolated English manor during an antique festival.
For Whom the Book Tolls is the first book in the Antique Hunters Mystery Series by Laura Gail Black. In this antique-themed mystery, a woman inherits a mystery, an antiquarian bookstore, and trouble in North Carolina after the death of her uncle.
Ruby Red Herring is the first book in the Avery Ayers Antique Mystery Series by Tracy Gardner. In this cozy mystery, a New York antiques appraiser hunts for a priceless stolen ruby that may be connected to the death of her parents.
Consigned to Death is the first book in the Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery Series by Jane K Cleland. In this antique-themed cozy mystery, an auctioneer opens her very own auction house and investigates curious whodunits on the New Hampshire coast.
The Antique Store Detective is the first book in The Antique Store Detective Mystery Series by Clare Chase. In this English Village mystery, the owner of a small antique store in an English Village tries to dig up secrets after the death of a treasure hunter.
A Killer Collection is the first book in the Antiques and Collectibles Mystery Series by Ellery Adams. In this antique-themed cozy mystery, a reporter covering auctions and antique shows all over the South gets mixed up in a deadly mystery in North Carolina.
A Dream of Death is the first book in the Kate Hamilton Mystery Series by Connie Berry. In this antique-themed cozy mystery, an American antiques dealer investigates the reenactment of an old murder on a remote Scottish island.
Death of a Toy Soldier is the first book in the Vintage Toy Shop Mystery Series by Barbara Early. In this cozy mystery, a vintage toy shop manager in New York investigates the mysterious death of an antique toy collector to save Christmas.
Stranger in the Looking Glass is the first book in the Antique Shop Mysteries by Jan Fields. In this cozy mystery, a woman inherits a Maine manor, a treasure-filled antiques shop, and an old family mystery with deadly implications.
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