On with the next section of the cozy mystery novels that take place during vacation times. Here is the list of authors who have written one, two, or a whole series of books that take place during vacations, holidays, or simply at exotic locations.
Vacation Mystery Novels by authors whose last names begin with C – D:
Candy Calvert: Darcy Cavanaugh Cruise Mystery Series: Doesn’t the name of the series make you want to go take a dip in the ship’s pool?
Taffy Cannon (aka Emily Toll): Roxanne Prescott Mystery Series: Guns & Roses… Roxanne, an ex-policewoman, finds herself leading a tour group…
Sarah Caudwell: Hilary Tamar Mystery Series: Thus Was Adonis Murdered… Taking a holiday in Venice ends up not being a good choice…
Lynne E. Chandler has written Mrs. Baul Investigates: Bishop Kidnapped in Egypt. Mrs. Baul is the wife of an Episcopalian priest who is stationed in Egypt.
Agatha Christie: Both the Miss Marple Mystery Series and Hercule Poirot Series provide several vacationing books between them… A Caribbean Mystery, At Bertram’s Hotel, Nemesis, Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, A Holiday for Murder, Evil Under the Sun… (And, I’ll bet there are others!)
Carol Higgins Clark: Regan Reilly Mystery Series: Decked… Regan is off to Oxford & Iced… Regan is off to ski in Aspen & Burned… Where it’s off to Hawaii for Regan…
Susan Rogers Cooper: E. J. Pugh Mystery Series: Don’t Drink the Water… Family reunions don’t always turn out to be relaxing, even if the destination is the Caribbean…
Caroline Cousins (aka Nancy Pate, Meg Herndon, & Gail Greer): Their Mystery Series takes place on Indigo Island at the very hospitable Pinckney Plantation…:
Philip R. Craig: Martha’s Vineyard Mystery Series: Ex-policeman Jefferson Jackson lives (and solves crimes) on this very best of the best vacation spots…
Deborah Crombie: Kincaid & James Mystery Series: A Share in Death… Holiday time for Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid turns out to be more like another day at the office…
Mary Daheim: Hillside Manor Bed & Breakfast Mystery Series: Fowl Prey… Even the owner of a B & B (Judith McMonigle Flynn) is entitled to get away and vacation elsewhere, Murder, My Suite… Judith goes away for a very deserved skiing trip, Dead Man Docking… Judith is on a cruise, but sleuthing is on the agenda, & Scots on the Rocks…finds Judith (where else?!) in Scotland…
William Doonan: Henry Graves Mystery Series: Henry Grave is a senior cruise ship investigator who is also a senior citizen…
If you know of any other authors whose last names begin with C – D and who have written at least one mystery that falls under the Vacation Mystery Theme, please write a comment to the blog or a letter to the site. Thanks!
VACATION MYSTERIES or MYSTERIES THAT TAKE PLACE IN EXOTIC LOCATIONS:
♦To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.♦
Sue says
How about listing mysteries by where they take place. I enjoy reading mysteries set in my northern home state, but I’d like to read about Texas, Florida, or Hawaii.
I’ve never read a mystery set in Russia, India or Japan, but I would like to. How about expanding our knowledge of the world through Cozy Mysteries?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sue, that sounds like a fun idea… I will start compiling a list of the books’ locations from the Cozy site. Thanks for the recommendation!
Jim says
I second that. Most often I choose a cozy mystery based on location. For example, it’s summertime now and I’d like to read a few “beach-reads” in the cozy mystery genre. If you could list mysteries by location (ocean liner, the beach, seaside town, etc.), that would be great!
Thanks for a great website!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jim, when I said “location” I simply meant by state. But, I do like your idea. Maybe once I’m finished with the states and various countries, I should start working on locations like ocean liners, beaches, etc. Great idea!
Elizabeth says
Are you going to do Hawaii? Thanks.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Elizabeth, I have just made a note to myself to do a Hawaii theme page when I get back home.
Nan says
A list of locations for the mystery setting would be wonderful. I personally am partial to New England settings and B & B. I loved the Willard Scott mysteries and hate it that he has no plans to write more. Have also enjoyed Mary Daheim B & B Series and the Jill Churchill Grace and Favor mysteries.
Thanks so much for a grand site for all of us “devoted cozy” folks.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I’m glad you found the site, Nan.
I am slowly accumulating a list of the different areas… and hope to start posting them. The lists are my next big project on the site…
Loretta says
Try William Doonan -he has three Henry Grave books. Henry is 84 years old and books are insightful and funny. Henry solves murders on cruise ships and I highly reccomend these books.
Dawn says
Several other Mary Daheim’s Hillside Manor series take place off-site. I just got done reading A fit of tempera last month. While I can’t recall the name of the town, I remember it was at a family cabin in the boondocks. It didn’t have modern plumbing, just an outhouse. And of course, their vacation doesn’t turn out as relaxing as it should be.
I think Murder with peacocks by Donna Andrews fits this theme too. Because Meg Langslow returns to her hometown to plan and attend 3 weddings, AND solve a murder or 2.