April is over, so it’s time to discuss our favorite Cozies that we read this month! (As I mentioned last month, I’m doing these at the beginning of a new month as an experiment, though this time is later than I would prefer since I didn’t get a book review up in time. Let me know if you have a preference for this or the old timing!)
If you read a Cozy mystery this month and want to recommend it to the rest of us, be sure to post it here! For this month, I read the first entry of Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs Mystery Series. For the reasons I want to recommend it, be sure to check out the blog entry!
So, what have you been reading that you can recommend in April? Please be sure to tell us why you liked these Cozies so much. I know we’re all always on the lookout for more particularly good Cozy Mystery authors! (If you have a lot of Cozies you think are great, please post the ones you like the most at the top of the list.)
As always, please do not tell us about the Cozy Mysteries you did not like.
What really good Cozy Mystery did you read April 2025 that you want the rest of us to know about, and why did you enjoy it?
Ellie Brannigan: Irish Castle Mystery Series (first entry Murder at an Irish Castle)
Elizabeth Spann Craig (aka Riley Adams & Elizabeth Craig): Southern Quilting Mystery Series
Krista Davis: Domestic Diva Mystery Series
J.C. Eaton: Sophie Kimball Mystery Series
J. C. Kenney: Elmo Simpson Mystery Series (first entry Panic in the Panhandle)
Cynthia Kuhn: How to Book a Murder
Patricia Rice: Gravesyde Village Mystery Series (first entry The Villain’s Fatal Plot)
Jesse Q. Sutanto: Vera Wong Mystery Series (first entry Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers)
Victoria Tait: Waterwheel Cafe Mystery Series (first entry Earl Grey and Shallow Graves)
Cathy Wiley: Fatal Food Festival Mysteries (first entry Claws of Death)
Jacqueline Winspear: Maisie Dobbs Mystery Series
I will list the authors and series that have been recommended, but I urge you to read the comments below so you can see the reasons other Cozy Mystery readers thought these were their best reads of the month.
♦To access more Cozy Mystery Books Recommendations, click on this link♦
P.S. I usually don’t comment on your recommendations since they speak for themselves.
Rob Jarrad says
Dear Danna et all: I read some really great cozies by Elizabeth Spahn Craig about the Southern Quilting mysteries series; Knot What it Seems, Shear Trouble, Fit to be Tied and have ordered some more.
Very good series. likable characters and good plots.
Have a good month and Happy Mother’s Day to you moms out there
Shirley says
Happy mothers day. Keep reading all cozy mysteries. They are the best.they make you laugh cry and go what , how did that happen. Have a great month of May. Also happy nurses month. We all are awesome at what we do.i have been an er nurse for over fifty years grad of 69. Ready to retire.
Georgia says
Good reads in April:
New book Diva Goes Overboard by Krista Davis: Davis immerses the reader in the familiar landscape of old town Alexandria. I live nearby, so I feel I can walk the streets with Sophie as she investigates. Interesting mystery, esp., how Sophie deals with her sudden inheritance.
Murder at an Irish Castle: Ellie Brannigan’s first mystery about transplanted American Rayne McGrath. Not a new book, but I forgot I had read it in 2023 and found it a welcome respite from working on my taxes! Recommend picking up the second book, Murder at an Irish Wedding, as well. I keep hoping Brannigan will write faster and the publisher will publish more.
Shirley says
I have been reading Victoria Tait’s Waterwheel Cafe Series They are really good. I have read the first three and Kenya the police officer and her sister Zivida are funny. Between murder and wedding it has been wild and funny. There are ghost kidnappings and bodies. Oh and her cafe. Already have the next 2 books and can’t wait to read on.
Fortney, Sally says
Puzzled4Murder by J C Eaton was a good mystery with a lot of humor from Phee’s mother, her dog, and friends. An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly was set in Ireland where the sleuth inherits a bookshop. I enjoyed her Scottish series so looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I’ll Bee Home For Christmas by Cathy Wiley is a food mystery with recipes. Murder at the Lemonberry Tea by Darci Hannah is another book with recipes.
The Villain’s Fatal Plot by Patricia Rice is a historical mystery set in the village where her Priory series was set.
Regina Williams says
Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto this was even better than the first book. Vera is a feisty little dynamo who always gets her man!
Panic in the Panhandle by J.C. Kenney was such a fun read and I loved all the characters of Paradise Spring, FL
How to Book a Murder by Cynthia Kuhn
Michelle says
I wanted to thank you for your review of Maisie Dobbs. I just finished it and enjoyed it thoroughly! I had just completed The Library of Lost Dollhouses (which was also excellent–not a cozy, but there is a mystery/secret to be resolved). I wanted something period to read and saw your review–perfect timing.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Michelle, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Yoke says
I recently started new-to-me author Jenn McKinlay’s Library Lover’s Series with “Books can be Deceiving” and unexpectedly went through the whole 15 book series at a rapid pace. The Connecticut Thumb Island Community of Briar Creek and the cast of characters involved with Librarian Lindsay Norris and the local library’s “Crafternoon” group are very engaging. The writing is excellent and the plots have plenty of satisfying variety. I listened on audiobook and the chosen narrator is top notch.