5 Cozy Mystery Books Kindle Readers Are Loving
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If you love a good whodunnit — particularly one set in cozy atmospheres — then it's time to join avid readers everywhere who are attempting to solve the captivating, small-town mysteries in their Kindle libraries. There's nothing quite like curling up with a good book or e-reader and being swept into a different world. And when it comes to the cozy mystery genre, you likely won't be able to set down your Kindle and get much of anything else done.
The number of cozy mystery series out there can be overwhelming at first — which is a good problem to have for any bookworm — but narrowing down your options to best utilize your designated reading time is key. Or perhaps you're an avid fantasy series reader looking to test the waters in a new-to-you genre. Either way, we perused Amazon, Goodreads, and social media to see which cozy mystery books everyone's reading and loving on the Kindle right now. So, if you're a fan of classic mysteries from beloved authors like Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle but also love a softer take on the genre, these might also be right up your alley.
Fangs and Frenemies: A Cozy Paranormal Mystery by Sierra Cross
Thanks to the "Twilight" resurgence and all things paranormal emerging in pop culture once more, it's no surprise that a cozy mystery like Sierra Cross' "Fangs and Frenemies" is popular on Kindle, garnering over 950 ratings. This is the first installment of the three-book "Blue Moon Bay Witches" series and seems to have everything you'd want in a cozy mystery, including a milder rating in terms of spooky reads territory.
When a bully from her past goes missing in her small town, the enchanting Hazel Greenwood and two paranormal frenemies must bury their differences to crack the mystery, finding friendship and love along the way. "Several mysteries need to be solved and a few surprises along the way. This was a great shorter read that leaves you waiting to read the next book," one commenter shared on Amazon. "I love the twists and different plot lines in this book. It has a lot going on but not too much that it's overwhelming."
Ghost Mortem by Jane Hinchey
Carrying on with the paranormal mystery theme, we have "Ghost Mortem" by Jane Hinchey. With 4.47 stars and 3,224 ratings on Goodreads — and making it onto cozy mystery book recommendation lists by book lovers on Instagram — this cozy mystery features protagonist Audrey Fitzgerald and the ghost of her best friend, who insists on her help to figure out who ended his life. We guess that's what happens when you're left with no trace of your memory, including how you passed. While it may sound like a darker read, "Ghost Mortem" readers are well entertained by its humor, likable characters, and, naturally, the dreamy detective on the scene.
"I had to subscribe to Amazon Kindle to read this one, and it was completely worth it," one reviewer wrote on Goodreads. "I almost read this book in one sitting! I couldn't put it down! It fulfilled my need for chick lit/ mystery, and the books are nice and short." Moreover, "Ghost Mortem" is the first book in the nine-part "Ghost Detective" series, so if you're looking for a story that'll hook you and leave you wanting more, it sounds like Jane Hinchey's mysterious world will do just the trick.
Movie Stars and Mayhem: A Bishop's Landing Cozy Mystery by Avery Kent
Set in a charming seaside town, Avery Kent's "Movie Stars and Mayhem" has everything from Hollywood stars and loyal canine companions to a lead actor's disappearance and a stolen reel that contains key evidence. Annie Bishop is a baker who's asked to cater on the set of a movie being filmed in her small town, where she finds herself sleuthing to solve the mystery of the missing lead. This cozy, small-town mystery has readers captivated with top-level suspense.
"Movie Stars and Mayhem" is a part of the "Bishop Landing's Cozy Mystery" series, but stands on its own and doesn't require previous reading. "I thought I had it all figured out but was definitely wrong about the murder. This was an exciting case that was hard to put down," one reviewer wrote on Amazon. "[S]weet mystery that takes place in the filming of a Hallmark type movie..a few typos but overall a very entertaining read," another commenter shared. The book has 4.7 stars on Amazon, so these reviewers certainly aren't alone.
Getaway With Murder: The Mountain Lodge Mysteries by Diane Kelly
A perfectly cozy mystery set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Diane Kelly's "Getaway with Murder" features Misty Murphy, who finds herself navigating a midlife crisis by buying a dilapidated inn. With some elbow grease and sheer willpower, the inn miraculously opens with a yoga retreat at full capacity, but the instructor is soon found dead. This suspenseful book is the first of three in its series ("Mountain Lodge Mysteries"), and it has 4.5 stars on Amazon and 994 ratings on Goodreads that culminate to 3.93 stars. The cozy mystery seems to satisfy the whodunnit craving for many, and you could be next.
"The mountain lodge setting offers a cozy, picturesque mystery environment," one commenter wrote on Amazon. "The central characters are very likable and realistic. The mystery is well done and keeps your interest until you figure out the culprit or until the author reveals whodunnit for you! On to book two!" The series has been recommended by bookstores such as the St. Louis-based The Novel Neighbor on Instagram in recent months, and the latest book in the series, "Snow Place for Murder," makes for an idyllic Christmas-time cozy mystery even outside of the real-world holiday season.
A Book to Kill For: A Bookish Cafe Mystery by Harper Lin
With 4.1 stars on Goodreads, "A Book to Kill For" by Harper Lin follows the life of bookshop employee Maggie Bell, whose devastation after the loss of her boss is coupled with dread when the owner's son wants to convert the quaint store into something it's not for some fast cash. Still, she finds herself falling for him after an electrician is killed in the bookshop, and she works to clear his name.
"A Book to Kill For" has 1,481 ratings on Amazon and is the first suspenseful book of a five-part series called "Bookish Cafe Mysteries." What's more, Harper Lin is a three-time USA Today bestselling author. "I was so excited to read this new series by Harper Lin. I fell in love with Maggie right away and I rooted for her and the bookstore she loves so much, throughout the whole story," one reviewer wrote on Goodreads. "I look forward to reading more books in this series!"