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Favorite Established (5+ books) Cozy Mystery Series?

This is something of a follow-up for last month’s question, which was whether viewers preferred long series or short…

Brooke asks:

What are your favorite established (at least 5 books) cozy mystery series?

That’s a surprisingly hard question! Well, I suppose the first answer springs to mind is that I have a real weakness for the “classics”. I can’t turn down anything by Agatha Christie, or many of the other authors of her generation. Beyond that, I have written about many, many series, all of which have their own charm, and most of which have at least five entries, most linked in the Cozy Mystery Recommendations page.

Recommended Cozy Mystery Series of at least 5 books:

Victoria Abbott (Mary Jane Maffini & Victoria Maffini): Book Collectors 

Ellery Adams (aka Jennifer Stanley, J. B. Stanley, & 1/2 of Lucy Arlington): Books by the Bay

Susan Wittig Albert: China Bayles

Susan Wittig Albert: the Darling Dahlias

Ellie Alexander (aka Kate Dyer-Seeley): Bakeshop

Madelyn Alt: Bewitching

Donna Andrews: Meg Langslow 

Nancy Atherton: Aunt Dimity

Lorna Barrett (aka L. L. Bartlett & Lorraine Bartlett): Booktown 

M.C. Beaton (aka Marion Chesney): Hamish Macbeth

M.C. Beaton (aka Marion Chesney): Agatha Raisin

Juliet Blackwell (aka Hailey Lind): Witchcraft

Heather Blake (aka Heather Webber): Wishcraft

Rhys Bowen: Royal Spyness

Rhys Bowen: Molly Murphy

Susan M. Boyer: Liz Talbot (Lowcountry)

Lilian Jackson Braun: The Cat Who…

Simon Brett: Mrs. Pargeter

Emily Brightwell: Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries (Victorian)

Duffy Brown: Consignment Shop

Rita Mae Brown: Mrs. Murphy

Kate Carlisle: Bibliophile

Kate Carlisle: Fixer-Upper

Elizabeth Lynn Casey (aka Laura Bradford): Southern Sewing Circle

Bailey Cates (aka Cricket McRae & Bailey Cattrell): Magical Bakery

Bailey Cates (aka Cricket McRae & Bailey Cattrell): Enchanted Garden

Laura Childs: Tea Shop

Laura Childs: Scrapbooking

Agatha Christie: Miss Marple

Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot

Edie Claire: Leigh Koslow

Jane K. Cleland: Josie Prescott Antiques

Blaize Clement/David Clement: Dixie Hemingway

Nancy Coco (aka Nancy J. Parra and Nell Hampton): Candy-Coated

Kate Collins: Flower Shop Mystery Series

E.J. Copperman (aka Jeffrey Cohen): Haunted Guesthouse

Cleo Coyle (aka Alice Kimberly): Coffeehouse

Ellen Crosby: Wine Country

Mary Daheim: Emma Lord

Mary Daheim: Hillside Manor Bed & Breakfast

Jeanne M. Dams: Dorothy Martin

Shirley Damsgaard: Ophelia & Abby

Diane Mott Davidson: Goldy Bear

Krista Davis: Paws & Claws

Krista Davis: Domestic Diva

Jo Dereske: Miss Zukas

R.B. Dominic (Emma Lathen): Ben Safford

Selma Eichler: Desiree Shapiro

Lynn Florkiewicz: Sir James Harrington

Joanna Fluke: Hannah Swensen

Earlene Fowler: Benni Harper (Quilting)

Dick/Felix Francis: horseracing

Margaret Frazer (aka Gail Frazer, Monica Ferris): Sister Frevisse Medieval

Margaret Frazer (aka Gail Frazer, Monica Ferris): Joliffe the Player

Paul Gallico: Mrs. ‘Enry

Eva Gates (aka Vicki Delany): Lighthouse Library

Anne George: Southern Sisters

Dorothy Gilman: Mrs. Pollifax

Sally Goldenbaum: Seaside Knitters

Sue Grafton: Kinsey Millhone

Kerry Greenwood: Phryne Fisher

Kerry Greenwood: Corinna Chapman

Elly Griffiths: Ruth Galloway

Jane Haddam (aka Orania Papazoglou): Gregor Demarkian

Carolyn Haines: Sarah Booth Delaney

Victoria Hamilton (aka Amanda Cooper & Donna Lea Simpson): Vintage Kitchen

Lee Harris: Christine Bennett Holiday

Sherry Harris: Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery Series

Carolyn Hart (aka Carolyn G. Hart): Death on Demand

Betty Hechtman

Veronica Heley: Ellie Quicke

Joan Hess (aka Joan Hadley): Maggody 

Joan Hess (aka Joan Hadley): Claire Malloy

Tony/Anne Hillerman: Leaphorn, Chee, & Manuelito (Navajo)

Julie Hyzy: Manor of Murder

Sue Ann Jaffarian: Odelia Grey

Miranda James (aka Honor Hartman, Jimmie Ruth Evans, & Dean James): Cat in the Stacks

Dianne Kelly: Paw Enforcement series

Sofie Kelly: Magical Cats

Emma Lathen (aka R. B. Dominic): John Thatcher (Wallstreet)

Jim and Joyce Lavene (aka J. J. Cook & Ellie Grant): All series

Laura Levine: Jaine Austen

Kylie Logan  (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels):  League of Literary Ladies

Jess Lourey: Murder by Month

Karen MacInerney: Gray Whale Inn

Charlotte MacLeod: Peter Shandy & Helen Shandy 

G. M. Malliet: Max Tudor

Margaret Maron: Judge Deborah Knott

Alyssa Maxwell: Gilded Newport

Judi McCoy: Dog Walker

G.A. McKevett: Savannah Reid

Jenn McKinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence): Cupcake Bakery

Jenn McKinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence): Hat Shop

Leslie Meier: Lucy Stone

Barbara Michaels (aka Elizabeth Peters & Barbara Mertz)

Emma Miller: Amish

Patricia Moyes: Henry and Emily Tibbett

Shirley Rousseau Murphy: Joe Grey Cat

Tamar Myers: Pennsylvania Dutch Inn

Gail Oust: Spice Shop

Katherine Hall Page: Faith Fairchild

Sara Paretsky: V.I. Warshawski

Louise Penny: Chief Inspector Gamache

Leigh Perry (aka Toni L.P. Kelner): Family Skeleton

Elizabeth Peters (aka Barbara Michaels & Barbara Mertz): Amelia Peabody

Ellis Peters: Brother Cadfael

Maggie Pill: The Sleuth Sisters

Rhonda Pollero: F. A. T.

Ellery Queen: Ellery Queen

Ann B. Ross: Miss Julia 

Hank Phillippi Ryan: Jane Ryland

Sophie Ryan (aka Sofie Kelly): Second Chance Cat

Alexander McCall Smith: No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

Elizabeth Daniels Squire: Peaches Dann

Rex Stout: Nero Wolfe

Denise Swanson: Scumble River

Leann Sweeney: Cats in Trouble

Ann Swinfen: Oxford Medieval

Marcia Talley: Hannah Ives

Victoria Thompson: Gaslight

Rebecca Tope: Cotswold

Various Authors: Miss Seeton

Robert Van Gulik: Judge Dee

Elaine Viets: Dead-End Job

Lea Wait: Mainely Needlepoint

Lea Wait (aka Cornelia Kidd): Shadows Antique Print

Livia J. Washburn: Fresh-Baked Mysteries

Jacqueline Winspear: Maisie Dobbs

P.S. Brooke, I sure hope this list of recommended Cozy Mystery authors and at least 5-book series gives you a starting point!

Comments

  3. 1. Gray Whale Inn… Karen MacInerney
    2. Paws and Claws… Krista Davis
    3. Lighthouse Library… Eva Gates
    4 Domestic Diva… Krista Davis
    5. Lucy Stone Mysteries… Leslie Meier

    Reply

  4. Emily Brightwell’s, The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries series is very entertaining and very well written Mystery series. The setting is in the late 1800’s, London, England and of course Scotland Yard. Emily has a way to make the characters literally come to life, very believable and the series is an exciting page turner.

    Reply

  5. Kate Carlisle, Author of the Bibliophile Mysteries and Fixer Upper Mysteries.

    Krista Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of the Paws & Claws Mysteries, including Murder Most Howl, The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer, and Murder, She Barked, as well as the Domestic Diva Mysteries, including The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss.

    Reply

  7. So many to choose from! Here are my fave 5+:

    Sara Paretsky: V. I. Warshawski series
    Tony/Anne Hillerman: the Navajo Tribal Police series
    Dick/Felix Francis: the horseracing mystery series
    M. C. Beaton: Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin series
    Alexander McCall Smith: The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
    Sue Grafton: the “Is For” series

    Reply

  8. Papa Pacelli’s Pizzeria. Author : Patti Benning 27 book series. Easy characters, fun books. Approx 12-15 chapters each. Just my type of cozy mystery.

    Reply

  9. Two of my long time favorites are the G. A. McKevett (Savannah Reid series) – good mysteries with a great touch of “Southern humor”; and the Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swenson mysteries).
    A new to me author I just discovered this year is Marcia Talley (Hannah Ives series).
    Always “patiently” waiting for the next book of each of the above series. It makes it tough when you find a new author and have to binge read all the past volumes, plus keep up with your favorites.
    I find many series can go on and on, while some need to stop after about three. Reading is the greatest pastime.

    Reply

  10. This was very hard, here are a few of mine:
    Denise Swanson- Scumble River Mystery
    Leann Sweeney – Cats in Trouble Mysteries
    Ellery Adams – Books by The Bay
    Lorna Barrett – Booktown Mysteries
    Miranda James – Cat in the Stacks Mysteries
    Livia Washburn – Fresh Baked Mysteries
    Rex Stout

    Reply

  13. James Lee Burke – Dave Robicheaux mysteries
    Jonathan Kellerman – Alex Delaware
    John Sanford – Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers
    Robert Galbraith aka J K Rowling – Comoran Strike
    Lee Child – Jack Reacher

    Reply

  14. I am with you. There’s too many to chose from. But that being said I have to state that my readings of cozy’s stared with Diane Mott Davidson’s series and I haven’t stopped since. And I am always looking for a new series to start. It’s how I relax and I read anywhere from one to 4 books a week. I find most of my books from this blog.

    Reply

  18. Denise Swanson, Scumble River series; Dianne Kelly, Paw Enforcement series; Jenn McKinlay, Cupcake Mystery series, and her Hat Shop Mystery series; and Krista Davis, Paws and Claws series.

    Reply

  19. I absolutely love the Tea Shop Mystery series by Laura Child’s and the Coffee House Mystery series by Cleo Coyle. I feel that the characters in these books are old friends. I read each new book when it becomes available and then eagerly await the next title.
    Thanks for letting me know when new cozy-mystery titles are released. Then I can go to my local library to check them out and indulge a guilty pleasure.

    Reply

  21. My favorites would the Royal Spyness series/Rhys Bowen, Haunted Guesthouse/EJ Copperman, Amelia Peabody/Elizabeth Peters, Dixie Hemingway mysteries/Blaize Clement/David Clement.

    Reply

  23. These are a few of my favorites. Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher, Laura Childs’ Tea Shop and Scrapbook Shop, Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael, Margaret Frazer’s Sister Frevisse and Joliffe the Player, any of Agatha Christie’s.

    Reply

  24. My favorites include series by Donna Andrews, Ann B. Ross, Joan Hess (particularly the Maggody Series), G. M. Malliet, Elly Griffiths, Nancy Atherton’s Aunt Dimity Series (my “go-to” book during stressful times), and Susan Wittig Albert. Does Elizabeth Peters count as a cozy, especially her Amelia Peabody series? For all of these I would likely order books sight unseen, simply based on author’s name.

    Reply

  25. I love Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy series, Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight series, and Alyssa Maxwell’s Gilded Newport series. It’s funny how even though I don’t write historical mysteries, I tend to gravitate toward them to read.

    I’ve also read every Maisie Dobbs (Jacqueline Winspear) and Inspector Gamache (Louise Penny) book. They don’t qualify as cozies, but they’re great reads.

    Reply

  27. One of my favorite cozy series that has more than 5 books is the Southern Sewing Circle Mystery series by Elizabeth Lynn Casey.
    The ladies in this series are really interesting!

    Reply

  28. I would have to say M.C. Beaton’s Hamish MacBeth and Agatha Raisin series. I cannot leave out Cleo Coyle’s Coffehouse mysteries. Love them!

    Reply

  29. I really enjoyed Elaine Viets’ Dead End Job series; the premise was quirky, and the character hooked me right away. I also very much liked Elizabeth Daniels Squire’s Peaches Dann Mysteries series. Also, all of the Jim and Joyce Lavene series. And, of course, the author and series I almost always mention: Anne George’s Southern Sisters series.

    Reply

  30. Have to start out with Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Then Rex Stout with Nero Wolf and Ellery Queen’s Ellery Queen. Patricia Moyes’s Henry and Emily Tibbet. More recent series are Shirley Damsgaard-Abby and Olivia Witch series, R.B.Dominac-Ben Stafford(Ohio Congressman) and Emma Lathen-John Thatcher, banker.(R.B. and Emma are the same 2 women). Dorothy Gillman’s Mrs Pollifax. Jane Haddam’s Gregor Demarkian. Charlotte Macleod’s Peter Shandy. Madelyn Alt’s Witch series. Bailey Cates/Bailey Catrell- Bakeshop and Scent series. Juliet Blackwell’s witch series. as well as Heather Blake’s. Sofie Kelly/Sophie Ryan Cat series. as well as leann Sweeney’s Cat Books. Finally Leigh Perry with her Skeleton- the 5th book will be out in Nov. Of course there are many others, some only having less then 5 so far. You can never have to many series to go back to that you can read again and again. And lest we forget(!)- Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, Dana Girls, 3 Investigaters, Cherry Ames and my very Favorite-Judy Bolton. Good Times Good Memories.

    Reply

  31. Oh, goodness! Where do I start?

    The “Joe Grey” series by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
    The “Pensylvannia Dutch” series by Tamar Myers
    “The Cat Who” series by the late Lilian Jackson Braun

    Those are the “Big Three,” but there are others. And not to forget Miranda Jame’s “The Cat in the Stacks” series, and it’s companion series (not yet five, I don’t think), “The Southern Ladies” series.

    Reply

  32. 1.LONGMIRE by Craig Johnson. Way above the rest!

    2.Leaphorn, Chee series. by Tony Hillerman
    3.CAT WHO…by Lilian Jackson Braun
    4.MRS. POLIFAX by Dorothy Gilman
    5.Quilt series by Earlene Fowler
    LONGMIRE is an easy #1…. an immensely well written and always interesting series! The rest were difficult to order and, also, so many other series are tied for 6th place.

    Reply

  33. *Elle Alexander’s Bake Shop Mystery series
    *Victoria Hamilton’s Vintage Kitchen series
    *Vicki Delany’s Lighthouse Library series
    *Rebecca Tope’s Cotswold Mystery series
    *Agatha Christie, M.C. Beaton, Paige Shelton
    All great books to curl up with and enjoy.

    Reply

  34. There are some great series, here. I might also add, for me, as well as several of the above, the ‘Corinna Chapman’ books by Kerry Greenwood (Always an immediate buy) and the ‘Judge Dee’ mysteries by Robert van Gulik.

    Reply

    • Susan*, I remember listening to the Judge Dee mysteries while waiting to pick up my children from school – years ago. I am so glad you mentioned this series. I haven’t thought of them in years… perhaps it’s time to re-visit them!

      Reply

  35. Lots of great series have been listed here. Have many favorites. Tried to list a few I did not see already listed.
    Definitely Agatha Christie as my classic series.
    Amelia Peabody by Elizabeth Peters
    Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
    No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (Also love his 44 Scotland Street series)
    Death on Demand by Carolyn Hart
    Cat in the Stacks by Miranda James
    The book collector mysteries by Victoria Abbott

    Reply

  36. Barbara Michaels ( also Elizabeth Peters) was a long time favorite…while the reference to her as a bit into the paranormal steers some folks away, her talent as a solid mystery writer puts her high on my list.
    Also, I am curious…how many much time per day do most of you spend, sitting still, reading? As an avid reader, I have spent countless hours with books but find, as I age, that sitting too much can become uncomfortable even with breaks. Thank goodness for memory foam..wish it helped my recall as well as my bottom.
    Knowing that it is healthy to move around, I am considering audible books which allow me to multitask doing physical chores or walking, etc. Podcasts have been another alternative and yes, there are fascinating topics there as well from anthropologists to Anne Bogle’s ‘what should I read’..hope I recalled that title correctly. She has a new book describing her reading journey. And thanks to you all for your many suggestions..my reading bucket list is long.

    Reply

    • Kim, that’s a good question! I’m not sure it will get answered here, as this is already a very long post and I’m not sure how many people are going to revisit it as it has been up a few days, but I’ll add it to the list of reader questions I intend to ask at some point!

      Reply

  37. My all time favorite is:
    Ellery Adams-Books by the Bay series

    2. Susan Wittig Albert- the Darling Dahlias series

    3. Veronica Heley-Elle Quicke Series

    4. Lea Wait- Mainly Needlepoint

    Reply

  38. Most of my favorites are on here but I’d like to add a few:

    Betty Hechtman (all of hers)
    Sherry Harris (Garage Sale)
    Jane K Cleland (Antiques)
    Duffy Brown (Consignment Shop)
    Ellie Alexander (Bakeshop)
    Julie Hyzy (Grace)
    Nancy Coco (Fudge)
    Emma Miller (Amish Mystery)

    And I could go on……….

    Reply

  39. Oh my goodness! What a wonderful response! I have a LOT of reading to do 🙂 I’m so thrilled to have this list because I have the habit of getting attached to a series, only to wind up disappointed when it’s discontinued after 3 books. Thanks so much for publishing this question and to everyone who responded!

    Reply

  40. Quite a few of my favorite authors are listed …. I also enjoy the following:
    Simon Brett – Mrs Pargeter series
    Lee Harris – Christine Bennett
    series
    Jo Dereske – Miss Zukas series

    Happy reading to all!

    Reply

  41. I agree with so many of the series listed but one that I also enjoy and who has been writing her series since 1995 and I dont see on your list is Jeanne M. Dams and her “Dorothy Martin Mysteries” that takes place in an England cathedral village and environs.

    Reply

  42. Wow! What a great response. I agree with many of the choices. However, I’ll put in my 2 cents worth because I think a few have been overlooked. I think these are must reads, especially for the quality of the writing and story-telling abilities by these excellent authors.

    Katherine Hall Page — Faith Fairchild series
    Margaret Maron – Judge Deborah Knott series
    Hank Phillippi Ryan – Jane Ryland series
    Joan Hess – Claire Malloy series
    Kylie Logan – League of Literary Ladies

    AND, I’m shocked, shocked that Danna didn’t put Edie Claire’s ‘Leigh Koslow’ series on the list ( HA!? )

    Reply

    • MJ, I know! As I read these recommendations, I am also shocked at how many authors I didn’t even consider. I am reminded of authors like Anne George and Charlotte MacLeod – who I totally forgot to mention! You are so right about Edie Claire. I’m still waiting for her 2018 Cozy! I’m going to go add your recommended series, and then add Edie Claire.

      Reply

      • In case any ‘newer’ blog readers are wondering about this exchange between Danna and I regarding Edie Claire, I mentioned it because Danna on numerous times spoke highly of the Leigh Koslow series.

        Since she mentioned it several times, I decided I should read it. I enjoy it and will at times put an individual book on the recommendation list. I am not caught up with the series, though.

        Reply

  44. Thanks for all the great suggestions. Here are some of my favorites I did not see on the lists:

    * Kate Collins – Abby Knight, Owner of Bloomers Florists, Indiana
    * Mary Daheim – Emma Lord, Editor and Owner of a Newspaper
    * Mary Daheim – Judith McMonigle, Owner of a Bed and Breakfast
    * Selma Eichler – Desiree Shapiro, Private Investigator, New York
    * Sue Ann Jaffarian – Odelia Grey, Queen-Size Paralegal, California
    * Laura Levine – Jaine Austen, Author, Los Angeles
    * Jess Lourey – Mira James, Reporter, Librarian, Minnesota
    * Judi McCoy – Ellie Engleman, Owner Dog Walking Business
    * Gail Oust – Piper Prescott, Spice Shop Owner, Georgia
    * Rhonda Pollero – Finley Anderson Tannery, Paralegal

    Reply

    • I thought of a couple of others after I sent my email:

      Sir James Harrington series by Lynn Floriewitz (I’m not sure of the spelling of the last name, but you can find by putting in using his name.) set in 1950s Britain

      Alexander McCall Smith: 1st Ladies’ Detective Agency

      Maggie Pill: The Sleuth Sisters — about three middle aged sisters who start a detective agency — their interactions with each other are pretty funny and they get into some hairy situations—set in present day Michigan.

      Miss Seeton—a British series by three different authors as the series continues.
      Carvic, Crane and I don’t know the third.

      Paul Gallico — Mrs. ‘arris series—older series

      That’s all for now—

      Reply

  45. Do you have any idea when Bailey Cates will publish the next Magical Bakery installment?? I hope she isn’t ending the series. Its one of my favorites!!

    Reply

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