Cozy mysteries are always a great read if you want to get into the crime mystery genre but don’t want something too heavy. These mysteries do have a murder to solve but often take place in a small town or village and don’t go beyond that. Sometimes, there is one more murder to ramp up the tension, but it never goes beyond that. The whole point of the cozy mystery is something you can settle into, especially with a main protagonist who is an amateur sleuth.
How do you know you are reading about an amateur sleuth? Amateur sleuths lack formal training and can’t rely on intuition or unconventional methods. They also seem to have a more personal stake in their mystery. Sometimes it’s because they are personally involved by becoming the main suspect and want to prove their innocence, and other times it’s because a friend or family member is a suspect. So, here are a few of the best crime novels featuring amateur sleuths:
The Thursday Murder Club (The Thursday Murder Club) by Richard Osman
The Thursday Murder Club takes place in a tranquil retirement village which becomes the backdrop of an unexpected and thrilling turn of events. Four unlikely friends, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron, gather weekly to delve into unsolved murders.
However, when a brutal killing occurs right on their doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club is thrust into the heart of a real-life case. Despite their age, this unorthodox group of individuals uses their cunning and collective intelligence to solve the crime.
The Maid (Molly the Maid) by Nita Prose
In The Maid, Molly Gray is a unique individual who struggles with social skills and relies on her late grandmother’s rules to navigate the world. Since her grandmother’s passing, Molly, a hotel maid has managed life on her own, especially with her job at Regency Grand Hotel.
However, her orderly life is disrupted when she discovers the renowned Charles Black dead in his suite, and Molly becomes the prime suspect. As she finds herself entangled in a web of deceit, Molly must rely on unexpected allies to uncover the truth and catch the real killer, before it’s too late.
A Murder of Crows by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
Sarah Yawood-Lovett’s murder mystery, A Murder of Crows, follows Dr. Nell Ward, an ecologist with no detective experience, who becomes the prime suspect in a murder. In the peaceful village of Cookingdean, Nell stumbles upon an unexpected crime while exploring an old tunnel.
As the only person with valuable information, she finds herself entangled in the investigation. Determined to prove her innocence, Nell teams up with her colleague Adam to solve the murder.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder revolves around the murder of schoolgirl Andie Bell five years previously, and Sal Singh was convicted as the killer. With the case seemingly closed, everyone in town is convinced of Sal’s guilt. However, Pippa Fitz-Amobi, who grew up in the same small town, is not entirely convinced.
Choosing the case for her final year project, Pippa begins digging for the truth and uncovers hidden secrets that someone is desperately trying to protect. As Pippa gets closer to the real killer, she realizes they will stop at nothing to keep her from unravelling the truth.
Murder at the Vicarage (Miss Marple) by Agatha Christie
In Agatha Christie’s Murder at the Vicarage, a careless remark made by the parson concerning Colonel Protheroe comes back to haunt him when the colonel is found dead in the clergyman’s study. The parson’s statement, claiming that anyone who kills Protheroe would be doing the world a favour, raises suspicions about his involvement in the murder.
However, as the astute Miss Marple begins her investigation, she finds that the entire village had motives to kill the colonel. With a web of secrets and a village full of suspects, Miss Marple sets out to uncover the true culprit behind the murder.
The Marlow Murder Club (The Marlow Murder Club) by Robert Thorogood
The Marlow Murder follows Judith Potts, a 77-year-old woman who enjoys her independent life in a mansion near Marlow. One evening while enjoying a swim, Judith witnesses a brutal murder. However, the local police dismiss her account, leading Judith to take matters into her own hands.
Joining forces with dog walker Suzie and Becks the vicar’s wife, they form the Marlow Murder Club. As they dig deeper, they uncover a serial killer at large, turning their puzzle-solving adventures into a dangerous situation.
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murder by Jesse Q Sutanto
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murder introduces Vera Wong, a 60-year-old tea shop owner and self-proclaimed detective. While enjoying her cup of Wulong tea, Vera indulges in her favourite pastime, snooping into her son’s dating life.
However, her peaceful routine is shattered when she discovers a dead body in her tea shop. Convinced that she can crack the case better than the police, Vera takes it upon herself to catch the killer.
The Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin) by M.C. Beaton
The Quiche of Death begins the adventures of Agatha Raisin, a retiree who steps away from a thriving PR career to settle down in the serene village of Casely. Seeking excitement and wanting to get to know her new village, she eagerly participates in a local baking competition. However, her aspirations turn sour when the judge, Cummings-Browne, not only dismisses her entry but also dies suddenly from poison.
Agatha finds herself the prime suspect in the investigation. Determined to clear her name and solve the mystery, Agatha dives head first into the dark secrets of the seemingly peaceful village.
The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
Meet Aiden Bishop who is tasked with solving Evelyn Hardcastle’s murder before she can escape a never-ending cycle. For eight days, Aiden will inhabit eight witnesses, hoping to identify the killer and break the cycle.
Each morning brings a new host body, with varying levels of coopering. As he navigates this twisted mystery, Aiden must not only find out who caused Evelyn’s death but also his own identity.
Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rose’s Kitchen Mystery) by Mia P. Mananasala
Follow Lila Macapagal, who returns home after a painful break to find her life changed forever after her ex-boyfriend, a notorious food critic, dies in her aunt’s restaurant. Since he died after having a confrontation with Lila in front of the entire restaurant there, the police believe that Lila is now their prime suspect.
With the police breathing down her neck, and a scheming landlord using the incident to throw her aunts out of their storefront, Lila embarks on her own investigation to prove her innocence and find the murder.
There we have it! If you are looking for a cosy mystery or just want to check out some of the best books with amateur sleuths, we hope these books will have you hooked! Have you read any of these books? Did we miss any of your favourites? Comment below and let us know!