If one episode of Only Murders in the Building per week isn’t enough to satiate your cozy mystery cravings this season, you’ve come to the right place. While murders certainly aren’t “feel good” content, there is something unmistakably soothing about the way a good mystery novel can wrap up a messy problem in an orderly way. And if said mystery novel features an unforgettable cast of spunky senior citizens or takes place in a grand manor or hotel, all the better! I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed each of the books pictured below. Each of these reads would be perfect to curl up on front of a crackling fire with!
The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell (2023; 288 pages) // This book is described as Clue meets Great British Bakeoff and that is basically all you need to know. During a popular baking competition set in a Vermont mansion, someone dies under mysterious circumstances. A very fun read to cozy up with!
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto (2023; 352 pages) // From the author of the popular Dial A for Aunties series, this book is a delightfully cozy mystery about an elderly woman who takes it upon herself to solve a local murder after a corpse is found in her tea shop. A lovely story of friendship, found family, and purpose! A sequel to this book, Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping [on a Dead Man], is expected to be released in April 2025.
The Maid series by Nita Prose // What a delight! The Maid’s protagonist is a quirky, socially-unsure young woman who finds herself at the center of a murder investigation. Unlikely friendships, amateur sleuthing, and workplace hijinks ensue! If you enjoyed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, or The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, you’ll absolutely adore this series. The first book in the series was a Good Morning America book club pick and is slated to become a movie starring Florence Pugh. The sequel is every bit as satisfying as the first book (perhaps more so!) and I’m excited to learn that the author just released a holiday themed novella on October 1, with a full length sequel for us in the works next April. I do recommend reading the books in order to get the most out of them.
1. The Maid (2022; 304 pages)
2. The Mystery Guest (2023; 304 pages)
3. The Mistletoe Mystery (2024; 128 pages) Just launched this week! I hope to read it soon!
4. The Maid’s Secret (April 8, 2025; 304 pages) Looking forward to this one!
The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman // I have a soft spot for stories about elderly adults living their best lives, so this quirky murder mystery about an unsolved crimes club in a retirement community was right up my alley! Richard Osman doesn’t shy away from the difficult aspects of aging, but treats his characters with tenderness, highlighting the joy of community and kinship. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed The Maid by Nita Prose, A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman, or anyone looking for a page-turning, feel-good, escapist novel. I do recommend reading them in order. Although we don’t yet have any news on when the next book in the series will come out, Osman just released a new mystery book featuring new characters that I can’t wait to get my hands on.
1. The Thursday Murder Club (2021, 384 pages)
2. The Man Who Died Twice (2022, 400 pages)
3. The Bullet That Missed (2023, 368 pages)
4. The Last Devil to Die (2023, 368 pages)
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