Culinary Cozy Mysteries

Culinary cozy mysteries are one of the most popular subgenres in the cozy world. From tea and coffee shop cozies to bakery and retail shop cozies, there’s something out there for every taste. Many culinary cozy mysteries have recipes at the end so you can keep the fun going after you read. All of the books on this page are culinary cozy mysteries.

This list of 10 Must-Read Culinary Cozies showcases books with bakeries, coffeehouses, candy shops, and everything in between.

Joanne Fluke’s Lake Eden Cookbook: Hannah Swensen’s Recipes from the Cookie Jar features title recipes from the first 29 books in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series.

Ill-Fated Fortune is well-written, sweet, and suspenseful with the perfect mix of mystery and magical realism. It features delightful streaks of humor, delectable food descriptions, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the final reveal.

Murder by Cheesecake isn’t strictly a cozy mystery, but it does describe a lot of St. Olaf foods and ends with an amazing cheesecake recipe you won’t find anywhere else. The mystery is a real hoot, too.

Murder Most Fowl is a kluckin' good time! This culinary cozy mystery delivers plenty of laughs and a clever whodunit with a satisfying ending. The bonus food truck style recipes at the end of the book provide a chef's kiss finish.

Wand, Waffles, and Whispers is an engaging, heartwarming read that fans of paranormal cozies and culinary mysteries will devour. Readers should prepare to be enchanted by Skylar, the talking cat who steals every scene with sass and sharp insight.

Peppermint Cookie Murder is a whimsical Christmas whodunit that is part fairy tale, part murder mystery, and part coming-of-age story. It has a sweet heroine, a furry sidekick, an enchanting adventure, and a sweet selection of holiday recipes.

Linzer Cookie Murder is a charming holiday confection of a mystery with a big-hearted sleuth, a festive theme, and a pinch of mistletoe magic. The coziness of this sweet mystery will have you reaching for a cup of cocoa and a plate of jam-filled cookies.

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes is a rich mystery set on Chicago’s South Side. It is flavored with fantastic food descriptions, sharp dialogue, and cultural depth. It is smartly plotted with heart, humor, and soul to spare.

At Death's Dough is a deliciously cozy mystery seasoned with pizza sauce, mobster family intrigue, and suspense. The lively setting, charming cast, and twisty treasure hunt combine to create a warm, satisfying read you don't want to put down.

French Quarter Fright Night strikes a delightful balance of humor and suspense. The culinary cozy mystery wraps up with a delightful collection of vintage recipes that perfectly complement the vintage cookbook theme.

Crescent City Christmas Chaos whisks readers into the festive frenzy of New Orleans with a blend of wit, holiday cheer, Louisiana-themed recipes, and creative investigation techniques.

Murder at the Lemonberry Tea is set on the shores of Lake Michigan, making it feel like a sunny but suspenseful getaway. The story concludes with six related (and doable) recipes from the Beacon Bakeshop, including several yummy lemon recipes.

Gingerbread Danger is sweet and suspenseful with plenty of suspects and clever clues. This cozy culinary mystery from award-winning author Amanda Flower also includes lots of Jethro, the toaster-sized polka-dot pig, to break the tension.

Death in the Dice has a fun double hook, a strong friends and family theme, and a delicious mystery. There are lots of tasty food descriptions, gaming references, and recognizable pop culture references mixed in with the mystery.

Cheddar Off Dead is a really delightful series debut. It has a great amateur sleuth with an interesting profession, a likable supporting cast, a charming setting, a well-plotted food mystery, and a generous helping of fun cheese facts.

Fondue or Die is the perfect mix of suspense and cozy fall vibes. Author Korina Moss has a real knack for writing cozies. This culinary cozy mystery ends with three cheesy recipes, including a unique fall fondue recipe.

Bait and Swiss is a tightly plotted culinary cozy mystery that keeps you guessing without ever feeling too heavy. The small-town setting is inviting, with quirky characters and plenty of flavor.

Deck the Halls with Homicide is heartwarming and wickedly fun to unwrap. The twin sleuths, small town suspense, and tasty treat descriptions make it as irresistible as a box of holiday truffles!

Cozy mystery veteran Tonya Kappes stirs up autumnal charm and coffee-shop camaraderie in Brewing Up Bones. This story is full of Southern sass and enough small-town secrets to keep you guessing until the last sip.

Steamed Secrets is a cozy whodunit with a charming setting, entertaining characters, and a sassy sleuth. The mystery is a whodunit, whydunit, and howdunit all in one. The bonus recipes would make perfect treats for a book club or an afternoon of cozy reading.

A Perk of Trouble features a caffeine-fueled amateur sleuth with smarts and Southern sass and a twisty mystery involving a writer's retreat. This culinary cozy mystery has lots of humor and ends on a sweet note with two completely doable dessert recipes.

Killer Candy Corn

Killer Candy Corn is a cleverly plotted whodunit that delivers a bewitching blend of coastal charm and light-hearted spookiness.  It features everything a reader could want from a Halloween-themed cozy mystery.

The sleuth in Killer Granola has a fascinating profession and a group of lovable sidekicks. This warm and cozy mystery is well-paced and a perfect fit for fans of light-hearted mysteries with found family elements.

Mango Murders masterfully blends mouthwatering culinary details with an engaging whodunit, a vibrant Key West backdrop, and colorful characters. It’s a delightful read for fans of light mysteries with a tropical twist.

Murder on the Page is a well-planned bookish mystery with clues sprinkled in all the right places. The story has a believable sleuth, a wonderful literary-themed dining hook, and recipes at the end to keep the delicious fun going.

10 Culinary Mysteries to Satisfy Every Craving

Recipes From Mystery Writers

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