First Book in a Series of Cozy Books
Although you can read most cozies as a stand-alone story, no matter where they fall in the series, many readers enjoy starting with the first book of the series. All of the books on this page are the first book in a series of cozy mystery books.
Murder Among the Stacks is an interactive whodunit from bestselling cozy mystery author Rosie A. Point and bestselling puzzler Charles Timmerman. This brilliant mashup is perfect for people who love a good mystery and a good word search.
Life of Delft was written by two authors with a thorough understanding of the mystery genre. This cozy story has an exceptionally charming Dutch-themed small-town setting and a well-crafted puzzle.
Trebled Waters hits all the right notes from the first page to the last. This pitch-perfect mystery boasts an intriguing setting, exceptional writing, country music flair, and song lyrics that you’ll want to sing out loud.
Caturday Crime is a cozy mystery that pounces on your attention and doesn't let go. It has clever humor with genuine heart, snappy dialogue, quirky characters, and just the right dose of claws-out intrigue.
Pride and Prejudice and Potions: Lizzy's Story is the perfect blend of cozy fantasy, mystery, and no-spice sweet romance. The hat tips to the original Pride and Prejudice story are plentiful and a joy to read.
Murder Most Fowl is a kluckin' good time! This culinary mystery delivers plenty of laughs and a clever mystery with a satisfying ending. The bonus food truck style recipes at the end of the book provide a chef's kiss finish.
A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder is a delightful historical cozy mystery brimming with period detail, clever wit, and charming characters. The amateur sleuth, Frances, is sensible, resourceful, and keenly observant.
The Deep End is a genre-blending novel that masterfully blends cozy mystery and women's fiction with 1970s nostalgia. The result is a humorous, engaging whodunit with a unique heroine.
Murder at the Woolen Mill is a crafty yarn with a resourceful sleuth, a quirky group of knitting sidekicks, and a gorgeous woodsy setting. A delightfully warm and witty mystery.
A Ghostwriter's Guide to Murder is a charming, well-constructed mystery with colorful characters and a fantastic London backdrop.
A Matter of Pedigree features a determined fish-out-of-water sleuth, a hilarious mystery with larger-than-life characters, and a scene-stealing spoiled pooch named Poopsie.
Beach Club Bloodshed is a fun beach read with delightfully quirky characters, a fast-paced mystery, an oceanside setting, and a touch of romance. Perfect for a short beach getaway.
Whiskey Business is a wonderfully cozy story with a creative hook, a top-shelf mystery, and a well-drawn character arc. The literature and mixology tidbits are engaging and incorporated seamlessly into the plot.
Hexes and Hush Money is a magical mix of supernatural charm, mystery, and feline mischief in a cozy seaside setting. It's a purr-fect read for fans of cat-centric cozy mysteries and books with witchy vibes.
Bewitch and Bloom is a spellbinding women’s fiction novel with witchy charm, female friendship, and enough excitement to demonstrate that mystery and magic really do begin in midlife.
Candy, Cauldrons, and a Corpse is a sweet and spooky mystery full of small-town charm. Readers will be spellbound from the first page to the last.
Ranch and Red Herrings has a dreamy ranch setting, a swoon-worthy cowboy, a queen bee, a will-they-won't-they romance, small-town suspense, and enough drama to shock your mama. The perfect book date for Hallmark mystery lovers.
An Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murder is a well-written, thoughtfully crafted mystery with a unique island setting, a relatable sleuth, and an interesting hook. Readers will love the protagonist’s “guide” to sleuthing.
Death on Dickens Island is a twisty murder mystery with a richly drawn island setting and a spirited heroine. The blend of family drama, bookish touches, and ghostly goodness makes this series starter a page turner.
Murder at Blackwood Inn boasts an atmospheric seaside setting and a wealth of entertaining elements—from a ghostwriting sleuth and a haunted inn to eccentric aunts who dabble in crystals and poison gardens.
A Very Woodsy Murder is fun and suspenseful with laugh-out-loud moments and a great setting. Author Ellen Byron’s experience as a TV writer brings authenticity to the main character, who is also a former sitcom writer.
The J. Alfred Prufrock Murders is an engaging cozy mystery featuring four senior sleuths, clever writing, and a mysterious murder on a beach. The setting in an upscale retirement community enhances the story's charm.
Murder By Cheesecake is a fun, laugh-out-loud cozy mystery with the four Golden Girls we all fell in love with during their TV run from 1985 to 1992. In many ways, it reads like a script from the TV show—and that’s a good thing!
The Widows’ Guide to Murder is a brilliant start to a new cozy mystery series. It has a relatable senior sleuth and a delightful cast of quirky supporting characters. The English village setting provides a perfect backdrop for the mystery.
Eat, Pray, Hex is one of those books that looks and sounds good from the start and just gets better and better as you read. This brilliant witchy cozy mystery has some genuine laugh-out-loud moments thanks to the author’s wickedly good sense of humor.
Pretty Is As Pretty Dies is a hilarious and well-written cozy mystery laced with humor, suspense, and Southern charm. Myrtle Clover may be in her eighties, but she has a sharp mind, keen observation skills, endless curiosity, and a penchant for meddling.
Ms. Renfield and the Inheritance Trap is a wickedly fun paranormal rom-com with sharp banter, clever twists, and a vampire boss who’s equal parts menace and allure. It's a wildly entertaining read that sinks its teeth in and doesn't let go.
The Polaroid Murder is a witty mystery with intriguing characters and a warm, immersive New England setting that makes you want to crawl into the book and stay awhile. The sharp-nosed dachshund, Duke, is a scene-stealer!
The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is a well-plotted whodunit with over-the-top humor and hijinks to tickle your funny bone and unlikely female friendships to warm your heart. The many outrageous shenanigans are sure to make many readers laugh out loud.
The Potter’s Final Piece is a warm, twisty cozy mystery that hooks you in from its first chapter. It is engaging and satisfying; the perfect read for those who love mysteries full of personality and female friendship.
Hammers and Homicide has a relatable sleuth, lighthearted moments, a puzzling mystery, a great community, yummy food descriptions, and heartfelt relationships.
Essence of Foul Play is a great start to a new cozy mystery series with a unique hook, a likeable sleuth, and just a touch of fairy magic.
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 selection of holiday recipes.
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.
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.
Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen is part of the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series, so it's fitting to read all year long, but it is particularly lovely to read around the holidays since it is set in the Christmas season.
Murder in the Scottish Highlands offers a compelling mystery with twists and turns, carefully laid clues and red herrings, and a satisfying, action-packed conclusion. Dee MacDonald's genre skills make this book shine.
The Murders in Great Diddling has a delightfully bookish theme, a murder mystery book festival, and loads of fun book references. It reads like a love letter to traditional and cozy English mysteries.
The Jig Is Up is a page-turning cozy mystery debut with a murder mystery and a family history mystery at its heart. Author Lisa Q. Mathews clearly has a knack for plotting mystery stories.
Schooled in Murder smartly combines amateur sleuthing and closed-door romance. The amateur sleuth is thirty-two years old, intelligent, kind, and grounded. The setting comes from Victoria Gilbert's Blue Ridge Library Mysteries
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.
The Antique Store Detective has an antique store theme and many fun references to vintage fashion, music, and merchandise. The amateur sleuth is a no-nonsense gal who is determined, relatable, curious, and observant.
Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop is a fun read with a layered mystery. The book's Halloween-themed setting and the inclusion of a Spooky Season Literary Festival create the perfect festive atmosphere for readers who love Halloween and holiday cozies.
The Body in the Bookstore has a fun mystery bookshop setting, and a community of quirky characters, including an eccentric bookstore owner who claims to be a lost descendant of Agatha Christie and a bookstore employee who is a Sherlock Holmes scholar.
Caught on Camera is a great cozy debut. Thanks to Kara Lacey's deft writing, the mystery is quite compelling. She does a great job of balancing small-town cozy vibes with suspense and finds a way to use the photography hook to support the mystery's resolution.
Misery Hates Company is a good match for readers who like rich, witty prose and gothic mysteries. The amateur sleuth, Miss Marigold Manners, is also easy to admire. She is a strong and determined New Woman who plans "to do what she was meant to do and let the world learn to catch up."
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.
Death by Deception is a family-centric cozy with a picturesque lakeside setting and a hint of romance. The camaraderie between the three supportive Shepherd sisters is a highlight of this delightful mystery.
Death Among the Stitches is a creative entry into the craft-themed cozy genre from experienced handicrafter. Readers will enjoy the fun and easy craft at the end.
One Sharp Stitch is a crafty cozy mystery with a charming setting and a millennial protagonist with a big heart. An authentic and enjoyable read.
Haunting and Homicide is a fun paranormal mystery with an original hook and a great setting. Well-drawn characters, including the sleuth, a ghost buddy, and an adorable beagle pup, make the book extra charming.
Instagoner is a fun contemporary cozy mystery and a solid start to a new series. The book starts off with action right away, and suspects pile up quickly. There is no easy answer to who committed the crime and why.
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.
Murder at Gulls Nest is an extraordinary mystery with a seaside setting, a fascinating protagonist, and dynamite storytelling. This whodunit will stick with you long after you close the book.
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