June is coming to an end, so it’s time to discuss our favorite Cozy Mysteries that we’ve read over the course of the month!
If you read a Cozy mystery this month and want to recommend it to the rest of us, be sure to post it here! I haven’t had a lot of time for reading unfortunately, so I don’t have any Cozy Mystery recommendations to share myself.
So, what have you been reading that you can recommend in June? 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 during June 2018 that you want the rest of us to know about, and why did you enjoy it?
Here are the current recommended authors who some of you have read and recommended this past month:
Ellery Adams (aka J. B. Stanley, Jennifer Stanley, & 1/2 of Lucy Arlington): Supper Club Mystery Series
Nancy Atherton: Aunt Dimity Mystery Series
M. C. Beaton (aka Marion Chesney): Agatha Raisin Mystery Series
Maymee Bell (aka Tonya Kappes): Southern Baker Mystery Series
Rhys Bowen: Molly Murphy Mystery Series
Kathleen Bridge: Hamptons Home & Gardens Mystery Series
Rita Mae Brown: Mrs. Murphy Mystery Series
Leslie Budewitz: Food Lovers’ Mystery Series
V.M. Burns: Mystery Bookshop Mystery Series
Ellen Byron: Cajun Country Mystery Series
Kate Carlisle: Bibliophile Mystery Series AND Fixer-Upper Mystery Series
Amanda Carmack: Elizabethan Mystery Series
Bailey Cattrell (aka Bailey Cates & Cricket McRae): Enchanted Garden Mystery Series
Ann Cleeves: Vera Stanhope Mystery Series
Blaize/John Clement: Dixie Hemingway Mystery Series
Marla Cooper: Destination Wedding Mystery Series
Catherine Coulter and J. T. Ellison: A Brit in the FBI Mystery Series (non-Cozy, thrillers, first entry The Final Cut)
Cleo Coyle (aka Alice Kimberly): Coffeehouse Mystery Series
Krista Davis: Domestic Diva Mystery Series
Vicki Delany (aka Eva Gates): Year-Round Christmas Mystery Series
Connie di Marco (aka Connie Archer): Zodiac Mystery Series
Claire Donally: Sunny & Shadow Mystery Series
Elizabeth J. Duncan: Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery Series
Kate Dyer-Seeley (aka Ellie Alexander): Rose City Mystery Series
Peggy Ehrhart: Knit & Nibble Mystery Series
Monica Ferris (aka Mary Monica Pulver & 1/2 of Margaret Frazer for first 6 Sister Frevisse mysteries): Needlecraft Mystery Series
Amanda Flower (aka Isabella Alan): Magic Garden Mystery Series
Joanne Fluke: Hannah Swensen Mystery Series
Eva Gates (aka Vicki Delany): Lighthouse Library Mystery Series
Victoria Hamilton (aka Amanda Cooper): Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series
Nell Hampton (aka Nancy Coco and Nancy J. Parra): Kensington Palace Chef Mystery Series
Maddy Hunter: Passport to Peril Mystery Series
D.E. Ireland (pseudonym used by two authors – Meg Mims (aka Meg Macy) and Sharon Pisacreta (aka Sharon Farrow)): Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins Mystery Series
Sofie Kelly (aka Sofie Ryan & Darlene Ryan for Young Adult): Magical Cats Mystery Series
Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): Ethnic Eats Mystery Series
Alyssa Maxwell: Gilded Newport Mystery Series
G. A. McKevett: Savannah Reid Mystery Series
Jenn McKinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence): Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series AND Library Lover’s Mystery Series AND Hat Shop Mystery Series
Julie Mulhern: The Country Club Murders (first entry The Deep End)
Katherine Hall Page: Faith Fairchild Mystery Series
Shari Randall: Lobster Shack Mystery Series
Annelise Ryan (aka Allyson K. Abbott & Beth Amos): Mattie Winston Mystery Series
Misty Simon: Tallie Graver Mystery Series (first entry Cremains of the Day)
Karen Rose Smith: Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery Series
Joyce Tremel: Brewing Trouble Mystery Series
[If you click on the author’s name (blue) link, it will take you to his/her page on the Cozy Mystery site. The pages have all of the authors’ books listed chronologically.]
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.
Lauren says
Very much enjoyed Shari Randall’s New lobster shack series. The first book “curses, boiled again” was one of the best cozies I’ve read in quite some time. Looking forward to her next installment at the end of July!
Rickee D says
I really like Kate Carlisle, who writes about bookbinding/restoring/conservation of valuable books, and of course, solves murder mysteries along the way. Her characters are very interesting and her mother is especially humorous. Her stories are set in San Francisco. I have lived there so I find that very reminiscent of that time.
Karen N. says
I’ve been reading the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton and have found it to be light, wonderful and uplifting summer reading. I also read the latest coffeehouse mystery by Cleo Coyle, Shot in the Dark, and it”s the best one yet. Even tho most cozies are stand alone mysteries, I recommend reading series in order since characters and plots often build from one book to the next.
Kathleen says
I agree, the Aunt Dimity series is wonderful. I save them for times of stress. More than one book in the series got me through some difficult times, including the weekend of my dad’s funeral. There is just something so comforting about the series. I also agree that reading most cozy series in order is recommended.
Karen Tulloch Caldwell says
Catherine Coulter and J T Ellison write legal thrillers about a British gentleman who has joined the FBI. Most of the novels are set in an international venue. Not cozy but intriguing.
Kathleen says
I recently read and enjoyed Grounds for Remorse, the second in the Tallie Graver Mystery series by Misty Simon. Tallie is learning to recreate herself after succumbing to the good life with her husband, now divorced and deceased (see first book in the series). What I like about both of these books, but this one especially, are the real characters and relationships that the author skillfully portrays, along with a dash of humor. At one point Tallie says “I’ve about had my fill of dead bodies.” Which I thought was a hoot since she has been living in the family funeral home since her divorce. The thing I liked best is that the mystery plot didn’t have either an obvious solution or too apparent red herrings. The reader was able to enjoy joining Tallie and friends in discovering the solution.
Ellen Byron says
I was at the ALA National Conference where I was lucky enough to be on the mystery panel – along with the amazing Jude Deveraux – and in addition to my own signings, I scored some great books, including an ARC of “Murder at Ochre Court,” the upcoming latest in Alyssa Maxwell’s Gilded Newport series, one of my favorites. Loved it!
Bek says
I’m currently engaged in reading Joanne Fluke’s “Hannah Swensen” series as fast as I can afford to buy them. I’ve gotten up through #13, with the exceptions of #s 1.5 (Candy for Christmas) and 8.5 (Sugar and Spice), which I’ll order in July. I’m in love with all of the cookie recipes, and am planning MARATHON Christmas baking this year!
Having run out of new (to me) books to read, I’ve recently been re-reading Claire Donally’s “Sunny and Shadow” series. I do wish we could get another book in that series! I’m smitten with Shadow, who is such a major player, but who remains so very, very “cat!”
Hanna says
I followed the recommendation here and read Kathleen Bridge’s Better Homes and Corpses. I did not mind the detailed descriptions of decorating with antique items. It reminded me a bit of Ellery Adams’ Book by the Bay – a small tourist town with special bonds between the regulars. ($20,000 a month for a house during the season?) It was interesting that the murder occurred on the second page. Interesting characters and a surprising twist at the end. Can’t wait to read the next in the series.
Going down the list of most recommended i enjoyed Jenn McKinlay’s Sprinkle with Murder, Melanie Cooper, Fairy Tale Cupcakes Bakery Owner. Reminded me a bit of Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swenson’s series. Both young women owner of cookies/cupcakes cafes. It takes place in old town Scottsdale, AZ, which provides the necessary small town feeling for a cozy. (According to the book, never been there). Again, an overbearing but well meaning relative – mother – which makes me want to tell her “enough!” Interestingly that in both series they offer a freebie to friends who visit. But while I often wandered about Hannah’s giving away cookies which has to hurt the bottom line, here Melanie Cooper is aware of it. Looking forward to the next book and how the relations between the three old high school friends develop. Here, too, an interesting twist at the end that I did not see coming.
Continuing with the recommended list, I also enjoyed Katherine Hall Page’s The Body in the Belfry. A New Yorker finding her way in a small New England town with its own characters. A page turning book with, again, the heroine in danger for her life and another twist at the end.
Thank you, Danna, for compiling the list of most recommended. It allows me to find new, if not necessarily recent authors.
Margaret StashEmpress says
Yet again I haven’t had any reading time this month! Actually downloaded 3 good library books on my kindle, figuring I can read those anyplace– even from my phone– and STILL nothing! But I do look forward to reading everyone else’s recommendations. My TBR list is growing and growing and GROWING!
Jo Anne Y says
Just finishing GA McKevett’s Hide and Sneak. I had missed Savannah and Dirk and Tammy and Gran so good to catch up with them.
Melanie says
I read several good ones this month.
“Terror in Taffeta” and “Dying on the Vine” (Destination Wedding mystery series by Marla Cooper): As the series’ name implies, the main character, Kelsey McKenna, is a wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings. I found both of these books quite enjoyable…with fun characters, great settings, and mysteries that kept me turning the pages. I hadn’t figured out who did it in the first book, but I guessed correctly in the second book – which didn’t hinder my enjoyment at all. I’m never 100% sure, so I’m still kept guessing to a degree. I particularly liked the relationship and banter between Kelsey and her BFF, a photographer named Brody – which provided much of the humor throughout the books. I hope there are future releases in this series.
“Natural Thorn Killer” (Rose City mystery series by Kate Dyer-Seeley): This is the first book in a new series (which debuted earlier this year). Britta Johnston moves back to her hometown of Portland , Oregon after she discovers her husband cheating on her, and works at her aunt’s floral shop, Blomma. I found the shop and descriptions of the flowers and floral designs to be a delight. I thought the mystery itself was quite good, and it pretty much kept me guessing most of the way through. The descriptions of the groups of shops where Blooma is located made me want to join the other tourists visiting there. I look forward the next installment in this series, scheduled to be released in November.
“The Madness of Mercury” and “All Signs Point to Murder” (Zodiac mystery series by Connie di Marco): Julia Bonatti is an astrologer, but she’s still very much grounded and questions some other occult practices. Both books held very interesting, multi-layered mysteries. They both kept me so engrossed in the story, that I found them difficult to put down. They were a tad (just a tad) darker than most of the cozies I’ve read, so anyone who prefers their cozies more traditional and light-hearted might not enjoy these as much. However, I strongly recommend this series to anyone else. This series is up near the top of my favorites list. I’m very much looking forward the third book, scheduled to be released in August.
“Daisies for Innocence” and “Nightshade for Warning” (Enchanted Garden mystery series by Bailey Cattrell): The setting alone was enough to have propelled this series to my favorites list. Ellie Albright runs a shop in Poppyville, California, called Scents and Nonsense, where she sells custom-made perfumes as well as lotions, soaps, candles and a number of other beautifully scented items. She also lives in a tiny house at the back of her shop property with her Corgi, Dash. Her property is known as the Enchanted Garden, and it’s place where visitors to her shop can enjoy a lemonade while exploring or relaxing. Ellie also uses it to harvest most of the essential oils for the perfumes she makes. Poppyville is a charming tourist town with a rich history, and the author did a fabulous job of bringing it to life. An enchanting series indeed.
Sally A Fortney says
I read The Plot is Murder by V.M. Burns and am reading the second book Read Herring Hunt now. I like the mysteries that Sam is writing in 1938 as well as the current day mysteries. Sam has a mystery bookstore with an employee who bakes. Yea! Too bad there are no recipes. I like her feisty grandmother with her group of friends who help solve the current mysteries. The ones that Sam is writing are like Downton Abbey with mysteries.
Emma H says
I read all the Julie Mulhern’s including the new one.
If you don’t know these they are set in the 1970s and very well written and the protagonist is wonderful.
Carol K says
Both of the ones I read this month are part of A Magical Cats Mystery by Sofie Kelly. Copycat Killing and Cat Trick. Having been owned by cats myself I can understand Kathleen and her cats purrfectly.
MJ says
June Recommendations – 2018
First of all, I’d like to comment about fluent writing. An author is able to write with a fluency that the words smoothly flow into sentences and then into paragraphs, pages, etc. It ‘appears’ effortless. As a reader I appreciate this talent so much! I’ve read many authors whose sentence structure is so choppy it’s difficult to move along in a quick manner. I wanted to highlight the following three authors because they are what I term ‘fluent’ writers, thus making reading their books very enjoyable!
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Christmas Cookie Crumbles — Leslie Budewitz
I prefer ‘Christmas’ cozies to be released in the fall. BUT, I wasn’t going to wait to read this fifth book in the series.
I love, love the setting…Northwest Montana. A far cry from the very crowded ‘cozy’ seacoast settings on the east coast. The scenic descriptive writing brings you there and you can almost just feel the ‘views’.
Protagonist Erin Murphy manages her family’s ‘Merc’ – a foods general store in a small touristy type community. It has been in the family for generations. There is plenty of focus on Montana sourced foods sold here. Erin is an intelligent, independent, and loveable character.
It’s a busy season as this community focuses on Christmas festivities to draw tourists into town. Also Erin is planning her Christmas Eve wedding to Adam Zimmerman (NOT a detective or lawyer).
After 20 years Merrily comes back to the community with hopes to reunite with her family and friends. She has secrets that some don’t want revealed. I liked her and didn’t want her to be the victim. But she was.
The characters are very well developed with a variety of traits. The story is paced well and moves along quickly. The culprit will probably be a surprise to most readers.
This story is VERY ‘Christmasy’, so you may want to put off reading it until late fall.
Budewitz is a gifted author writing with cleverness, wit, and plenty of heart. She gives a lot of depth of her stories.
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Flowers and Foul Play — Amanda Flower
If there’s ‘magic’ in the description – count me out. If it’s set in a tiny town in Scotland, centered around a pub (way too many authors are now using this setting) – count me out. IF it’s authored by Amanda Flower – count me in (at least I’ll give it a try). This is the first book in a new series.
I like Flower’s magical bookshop series, so I thought I would try this one. It is enjoyable without being ‘over the top’. Although there’s nothing believable about the ‘magical’ parts – it is whimsical.
The initial background follows the cozy ‘formula’. Fiona Knox leaves her community because her fiancé was having an affair with the wedding cake decorator!!!!
Fiona travels to a small Scotland town because her godfather, Ian McClellan (her father’s best friend), has died and left his cottage to her. She is to meet with the local lawyer to discuss the terms of Ian’s will. BUT she finds him murdered in the dilapidated garden near the cottage.
Ian’s good friend and caretaker of the cottage and garden, Hamish, is under suspicion for the murder. Fiona knows he’d never murder anyone, so she steps in to ‘help the investigation’. It is well plotted mystery with an ending I certainly didn’t figure out. There’s also an inkling of a romance.
I’ve said it numerous time, Flower is a great storyteller. Her cozy mysteries are always well researched with interesting characters, developed with depth. The stories (including this one) never lag nor are they boring. One thing, though, I found a couple of ‘errors’ in this book, something I’ve not seen in any of her other books I’ve read.
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Spook in the Stacks — Eva Gates
We thought this series was done, but so happy it’s been ‘revived’! The author dedicates this book to: “SAVE OUR COZIES.” You know who you are and you did it!
This is the fourth book in this series set in the Outer Banks – Cape Hatteras, NC. The library is in a historic lighthouse. It’s Halloween season and the library is hosting several related events.
A famous octogenarian is looking for place to house his valuable historical collection. He has narrowed it down to two facilities, the lighthouse library being one of them. During an event he wants to spend some time in the rare books room. It is where he is murdered.
Lucy Richardson is an assistant librarian who lives on the top floor of the lighthouse. She becomes friends with the granddaughter of the victim. Naturally the granddaughter is one of the suspects. Lucy becomes involved in finding a solution.
The characters in this series are different and bring interesting dynamics to the table. The story is woven together with complexity. The plot is laid out nicely, and moves along swiftly.
An interesting side story is Lucy’s relationship with Connor, who is running for reelection as mayor. As expected, it has its up and downs to add some more ‘drama’ to the story.
Sandir says
Only 2 to recommend this month – first is Untimely Death by Elizabeth J Duncan. It is the first of the Shakespeare in the Catskills series and the sleuth is a British ex-pat who does wardrobes for a Shakespeare acting troupe.
Also Stiffs and Swine – the fourth in the Supper Club series by Ellery Adams. I am greatly enjoying this series as it always makes me laugh. Plus I do think Bennett the postman is possibly my favorite cozy character of all time.
Susan* says
I’ve been re-reading – For about the third time. 🙂 – Monica Ferris’ Needlework mysteries. Great stuff! Traditional cozy mysteries with a well-researched craft theme. I *hate* when an author obviously hasn’t done their research, but Ms Ferris obviously has.
Small-town setting, regular characters who become almost familiar friends after a book or two and even though I’m not really a stitcher, a lovely pattern in the back of each one.
Classic cozies, highly recommended.
Marla Lawless says
Love the Passport to Peril series by Maddy Hunter. Her Grandma and Bernice are a hoot. Plus you get to explore places with the group. Also love Amanda Carmack’s Elizabethan series. I’ve read them all, but apparently there won’t be anymore since it’s been a couple of years since one came out. And thanks to whomever it was that recommended Nell Hampton’s new series set in Britain.
marilyn kros says
I watched “Vera” on dvd and bought Ann Cleeves Vera book. there are 8 in the series, all very good. I read “Get Me to the Church on Time” by D.E. Ireland, a take off from MY FAIR LADY a fun series, and last “The Witches’ Tree” by M.C. Beaton, an Agatha Raisin mystery.
KG says
I read To Brew Or Not To Brew by Joyce Tremel. This is first in the Brewing Trouble Series. It is about Max (Maxine), a brewmaster, trying to open a craft beer brewery while solving the murder of her chef and friend. I look forward to reading more books in this series soon.
Right now I am reading Hark The Herald Angels Slay by Vicki Delany ( a Christmas in July book) and getting ready to watch Christmas in July movies on Hallmark and Christmas product shows on QVC.
Brenda J Erickson says
This is what I’ve read this month (it’s been a really good month):
Dead as a Doornail
The Spook in the Stacks
Cake and Punishment
Shelter in Place
Dance Upon The Air
Heaven and Earth
Face the Fire
To Ride Pegasus
Pegasus in Flight
Claws for Alarm
Pegasus in Space
Fade To Black
The Rowan
Damia
Year One
The Liar
Morrigan’s Cross
Dance of the Gods
Valley of Silence
Island of the Mad
Come Sundown
A Souffle of Suspicion
Venom in the Veins
The Collector
The Witness
The obsession
Revelealing the Dead
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Janice G says
I read a lot of good books this month. MJ already recommended two that I also liked As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles by Leslie Budewitz and Flowers and Foul Play by Amanda Flower.
The Diva Cooks Up a Storm is an excellent addition to this series by Krista Davis. A severe storm causes a power outage that serves as a legitimate reason for all of the characters from the neighborhood to spend a lot of time together. The mystery element was good and Natasha’s rules for proper etiquette following a death are a hoot.
A new book Cake and Punishment by Maymee Bell (Tanya Kappes?) was also very good. The mother/daughter relationship was warm but also quite humorous. I’m looking forward to a second book in this series.
Other recommendations are Murder with Cinnamon Scones by Karen Rose Smith, Murder She Knit by Peggy Ehrhart, No Grater Danger by Victoria Hamilton, and Italian Iced by Kylie Logan.
MJ says
WOW, Janice, we DO HAVE similar tastes. I also read Diva Cooks Up a Storm and Murder With Cinnamon Scones. I have Italian Iced on my bookshelf waiting to be read!
Thanks for the heads up on No Grater Danger. I had missed the release of this book even though I’ve read the other books in the series.
Janice G says
I am just about finished with your third recommendation Spook in the Stacks by Eva Gates and would also recommend it. I love the Outer Back lighthouse setting of this series.
Miriam GP says
No love for Molly Murphy? She’s a great amateur detective, and Rhys Bowen’s descriptions are excellent. Her evolving relationship to a police officer in New York City is well written too.
I’ve been reading a lot of Rita Mae Brown’s Mrs Murphy too (no relation to Molly, since Mrs Murphy is a lovely cat!) Dialogues between cats and dogs are hilarious.
Barb E says
I so appreciate this Cozy Mystery Site. And I enjoy reading all the recommendations. It made me smile to see one of the authors on my A list participating. Ellen Byron. I love her Cajun Country Mystery series.