The Allure of Getting Cozy
Reading recommendations for the lighter side of mysteries
When Ellie Jacobson asked if I’d write an article on cozy mystery recommendations, I was thrilled!
I immediately knew which two series I’d recommend to anyone who might want to try the lighter side of mysteries.
But before I get into my recommendations:
What makes a cozy mystery a cozy mystery?
Cozies always contain an amateur sleuth. Think Angela Lansbury from Murder, She Wrote. The sleuth might enlist the support of a close friend or relative, but usually it’s the main character who investigates, much to the annoyance of the local police.
The settings are most always quaint little towns or villages. There’s not a lot of gruesome details since the murder is usually off the page, although the main character or another character may stumble across a body. The investigation into the murder is the central focus.
I read a lot of cozies, mainly for the book bingo challenges on Goodreads. Through the challenges, I’ve found some not-so-great reads and some really great ones.
My top two cozy recommendations:
- The Noodle Shop mysteries by Vivien Chien
- The Hat Shop mysteries by Jenn McKinlay
First, the Noodle Shop mystery series is my absolute favorite. Chien’s voice is charming and easy to read, and her stories are fast-paced and tons of fun.
Besides her ability to capture my attention for an entire book, the author can also make me laugh out loud, which doesn’t happen often when I’m reading.
I don’t know that I would’ve picked up this series if it hadn’t been for book bingo and a culinary theme that had been called, but I’m glad I gave it a chance as it quickly became my favorite series. There are 8 books so far, and I’m hoping there will be many more.
The main character, Lana, who works at her parents’ Chinese restaurant, is a character that I could hang out with. She’s friendly, smart, and funny with a great sense of style.
The restaurant, Ho-Lee Noodle House is set in Cleveland’s Asia Village. I find the sense of culture and community fascinating and a bit different than anything else I’ve read in a cozy.
I could go on and on about my love for this series, but I’ll just say I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a mystery with a great cast of characters and stories that keep the pages turning.
My second pick, The Hat Shop mysteries by Jenn McKinlay, came to me at the perfect time. I was quite the Anglophile, still am, really, when I discovered this series that takes place in a London hat shop.
The series starts off with Scarlett Parker living in Florida, her love life in shambles. Her cousin Vivian is busy running the hat shop their grandmother left to both of them. Vivian invites Scarlett to finally come to London and work with her.
The shop’s business manager, Harrison Wentworth, oozes British charm from the moment we see him on the page. The whole ‘book boyfriend’ thing seems kind of silly to me, but if I had to choose one, it’d be Harrison. He’s just that well-written. At any given moment, he’s equally fascinated and annoyed by Scarlett’s antics. The banter between the two is humorous.
Whether Scarlett and Vivian are making hats for a bridal client, a tea party or some other event, these two characters are so much fun.
There are 7 books in this series, with the 8th coming out on my birthday next year! Happy birthday to me!
McKinlay also writes the Cupcake Bakery mysteries, the Library Lover’s mysteries, and several stand-alone romantic comedies. Honestly, anything by Jenn McKinlay is great.
In addition to my top 2 picks, here’s a few more cozy series worth checking out:
Magical Bakery Mysteries by Bailey Cates
Flower Shop Mysteries by Kate Collins
Cat in the Stacks by Miranda James
Coffeehouse Mysteries by Cleo Coyle
Thank you to Ellie Jacobson at Flint and Steel for the opportunity to share my love of the cozy genre of mysteries.
If you liked this article, you might enjoy this one about my summer focus, or lack of.