November is almost over, so it’s time to discuss our favorite Cozies that we’ve read last month!
If you read a Cozy mystery last 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 Jane K. Cleland’s Josie Prescott 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 November ? 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 November 2022 that you want the rest of us to know about, and why did you enjoy it?
Rhys Bowen: Royal Spyness Mystery Series
J. C. Briggs: Charles Dickens Investigations Mystery Series (first entry The Murder of Patience Brooke)
Verity Bright: Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Series (first entry A Very English Murder)
Catherine Bruns: Maple Syrup Mystery Series
Colleen Cambridge: Phyllida Bright Mystery Series (first entry Murder at Mallowan Hall)
Ann Clair: Christie Bookshop Mystery Series (first entry Dead and Gondola)
Jane K. Cleland: Josie Prescott Mystery Series
Amanda Flower (aka Isabella Alan): Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series
Earlene Fowler: Benni Harper Mystery Series
Caroline Graham: Chief Inspector Barnaby Mystery Series
Elly Griffiths: Harbinder Kaur Mystery Series (first entry The Stranger Diaries)
Fiona Leitch: Nosey Parker Mystery Series (first entry Murder on the Menu)
Liz Lipperman (aka Lizbeth Lipperman & Liz Roth): Clueless Cook Mystery Series
Faith Martin: Hillary Greene Mystery Series (first entry Murder on the Oxford Canal)
Korina Moss: Cheese Shop Mystery Series (first entry Cheddar Off Dead)
Linda Reilly: Grilled Cheese Mystery Series
Sara Rosett: Murder on Location Mystery Series
Annelise Ryan (aka Allyson K. Abbott & Beth Amos): Mattie Winston 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.
Marianne says
While I prefer Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway series, her Harbinder Kaur series is getting better and better. The third installment, Bleeding Heart Yard, finds Harbinder promoted to DCI and living in London. Almost immediately, she is called to investigate an unusual murder at a high school reunion that involves a member of Parliament. It’s much more a police procedural than the Galloway books and has quite a few twists and turns, with a very exciting ending. I’m looking forward to the next one.
Leah says
This month I read the first Inspector Barnaby mystery (Midsomer Murders) The Killings at Badgers Drift by Caroline Graham and really enjoyed it and am continuing on with the series. I have been a long-time fan of the show but had never picked up the books before. So glad I did, they are oldies but goodies!
Hanna says
I follow last month advice and read Earlene Fowler’s Fool’s Puzzle. It opened a different world for me, the story takes place in the Central Coast of California but away from the ocean, a world of ranchers and farmers. It took me a little time to get into the story but once the pace moved, i.e. a murder took place it was captivating. Interesting characters, from “Dove” Benni’s grandmother, to her friends and the artists of the co-op with their own secrets. Satisfying ending.
MJ says
This is one of my most favorite series. The characters are engaging and unique. The stories are always riveting and so well written. The last book in this series was written in 2011.
Fowler is a very creative author. It doesn’t appear that she has continued to write any additional books or series.
Jaacqueline Johnston says
I just read Peril in Paris by Rhys Bowen. Love the Lady Georgianna seies.
Malvina says
I read The Murder of Patience Brooke by JC Briggs, which is the first of a cosy series involving the author Charles Dickens and Superintendent Jones solving crimes in Victorian London. Loved seeing Dickens as a character, and the peek at life back then.
Chris Wallace says
Would love to recommend Dead and Gondola by Ann Claire. Loved the characters, loved the voice the author uses and enjoyed the plot.
Chris W.
Beth L says
Sara Rosett’s “Murder on Location” series. Well written and enjoy the location – England so far. Kate is a film location scout.
Barb Johnson says
I’ve just finished reading Jinty James’ new book, Catnip and Capture! I had to keep reading it until I finished it. She is my fave author. Annie the Norwegian Forest cat is so cute, and she helps out in the cupcake cafe with Lauren and Zoe.
Deb says
I quite enjoyed Death in door country by Annelise Ryan. Not your usual trope. Well written and even some humour.
barb otter says
I’m really devouring the Cornish Murder books by Fiona Leitch.
Also not really but sort of a” cozy” the Coroner series by Paul Austin Ardoin has great recurring characters. Just finished Donna Andrew’s latest great read.
Sally Fortney says
I read Enchi Lotta Bodies by Liz Lipperman and Peanut Butter Panic by Amanda Flower. Both had quirky characters and food! Murder at the Blueberry Festival by Darci Hannah also has those elements. I met Darci at the Kensington Mini-Cozy Con in Shiremanstown, PA.
Dee Falkinburg says
I started a series by Verity Bright. I will say I am finding the first book a bit slow, but I find that many of the first in a series spend a lot of time introducing the characters. Hopefully it will pick up once the murder happens
MendoGirl says
This month I would like to recommend Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge. It is the first in the Phyllidia Bright mystery series.
Phyllidia is the head housekeeper at Mallowan Hall for none other than the queen of mystery herself Agatha Christie.
Phyllidia is an aficionado of crime novels and has a soft spot for Hercule Poirot, so when a body is found in the library (where else?), Phyllidia starts to look for clues.
The characters are well written, the plot has great twists and turns and there are quite a few humorous moments.
You also get a peak into what life was like for all workers at a large English manor.
It was really a fun read!
MJ says
November Recommendation – 2022
This was a month of ‘failure’ reads. I read several books, many of which I didn’t feel strongly enough about to recommend. In fact, one long running series I read really came up short. I recommended all previous books. I read more about 2/3rds of it waiting for it to get interesting. It just didn’t. I stopped reading it and didn’t even go to the end to see ‘whodunit’ (because I just didn’t care.)! I gave it to my daughter to read. She, too, thought it was too dull to go beyond page 50 or so.
However, I’m recommending ONE book, I’m really excited about 🙂
A Doomful of Sugar — Catherine Bruns
This is the first book in a new series by this author, set in Vermont on a Maple Syrup farm.
Leila Khoury returns to her home town to attend the funeral of her father. She’s a teacher in Florida. At the will reading she finds he has selected her to run his business. Her father was murdered and she wants to find the culprit.
This story is filled with SOOOO much drama, page after page after page! I REALLY enjoyed this book and think you may, too. In many ways it’s a typical ‘cozy’, ticking off the usual cozy ‘requirements’ (Ha!)
It’s very difficult to put the book down. The characters’ dialogue and interactions are well written, with a lot of depth to the main characters. The pacing is excellent. It’s an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to the next book.
ginger says
I read No Parm No Foul, the second book in the Linda Reilly’s Grilled Cheese Series. I loved it and cannot wait until 3rd one comes. Now I’m reading Korina Moss first in a series, Cheddar off Dead. It is about a Cheese shop. I loving it and already have the second one to read too.
MJ says
I totally agree with Ginger. Both of these series are very enjoyable reads. A two-thumbs up for Ginger’s ‘CHEESY’ recommendations!!! (Sorry folks, I couldn’t resist it!)
K Simpson says
I completely enjoy the Faith Martin series. Have read all of the Monica Noble (the Vicar’s young wife), all 19 of DI Hillary Greene (just great), and several of the Fran Varady series. Haven’t yet read Jenny Starling. Faith Martin isn’t yet one of your listed cozy authors and I highly recommend adding her to your available list.
Her characters are a bit different from the usual suspects as DI Greene lives on a narrow boat and Fran Varady is homeless as her series begins. Monica Noble is a 30’s beautiful woman with a teenage daughter who is married to the local vicar, an unhappy circumstance for the local ladies, I might add.
I hope you’ll consider adding Faith Martin to your recommended list. AND the publisher is offering multi book packages of the initial books at a very good price.
Thanks.
Patti S. says
I want to thank everyone who writes in and recommends their books. I have read many titles from the comments here. Thank you to Danna, too, for keep this wonderful site going! Thank you, Danna!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Patti, you’re welcome, and yes, definitely thanks to all the people writing in with recommendations!