A little while ago I received a letter asking if I could make up a theme that included cozy mystery novels that take place during vacation times. Most of us think of beaches and fun in the sun when we think of vacations… but of course, vacations take place during all times of the year.
Here is a list of authors who have written either one book, two books, or even 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 A – B
Cathy Ace: Cait Morgan Mystery Series – each book takes place in a different country, so allows for armchair travel.
Lydia Adamson: Alice Nestleton Mystery Series: A Cat on a Beach Blanket… Alice house-sits for three months in the Hamptons…
Conrad Allen: Dillman Mystery Series: George Porter Dillman becomes a detective for a cruise line during the early 1900s…
Steve Allen: Steve Allen Mystery Series: Murder on the Atlantic… Steve and Jayne take a cruise on a beautiful ocean liner… AND Murder in Hawaii… Steve and Jayne are at it again. Seems like they can never just relax and enjoy a vacation!
Donna Andrews: Meg Lanslow Mystery Series: Murder with Puffins… Visiting her aunt’s cottage on Maine’s coast isn’t as relaxing as Meg plans for it to be.
Mary Kay Andrews: Weezie & Bebe Mystery Series: Savannah Breeze… Bebe is the new owner of a dilapidated beach town’s hotel…
Margot Arnold: Penny Spring & Sir Toby Glendower Mystery Series: Seeing that Sir Glendower is an archaeologist and Penny is an anthropologist, you can browse through the series books and decide where you want to “vacation”…
Nancy Atherton: Aunt Dimity Mystery Series: Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea… finds the family rushing off to a Scottish island in hopes of some much needed relaxation.
Marian Babson: The Cruise of a Death Time: A wonderful vacation setting… fun on a cruise ship turns deadly…
Donald Bain (aka Jessica Fletcher): Murder She Wrote Mystery Series: Murder on the QE2… Cabot Cove has some time to recuperate while Jessica sails the seas
Murder on Parade takes place in Cabot Cover over the July 4th holiday
Dying to Retire takes place in Florida
Trouble at High Tide takes place in Bermuda
Nevada Barr: Anna Pigeon Mystery Series: As a park ranger, Anna Pigeon works in the exact locations the rest of us would like to visit on our vacations!
M. C. Beaton: Hamish Macbeth Mystery Series: Death of a Nag… Hamish leaves Lochdub (his village) and in Death of a Snob, Hamish takes a vacation on the coast…
K. K. Beck: Iris Cooper & Jack Clancy Mystery Series: Iris is a flapper who flaps her way to several distant locations…
Susan Bernhardt: Kay Driscoll Mystery Series: Paradise Can be Murder
Nero Blanc: Crossword Mystery Series: Two Down… The duo take off to Nantucket, to do a little crossword sleuthing… AND A Crossworder’s Holiday is a collection of several Christmas stories that have our two sleuths “holiday-ing” away from home…
J. S. Borthwick: Deane & McKenzie Mystery Series: This sleuthing duo do their share of travelling…
Rhys Bowen: Naughty in Nice: This is the 5th in Her Royal Spyness Mystery Series…
Simon Brett: Fethering Mystery Series: The Body on the Beach which is the very first book in this series takes place in a beautiful coastal village in England…
If you know of any other authors whose last names begin with A – B 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.♦
Carrie says
I recently read a newly published book called “No Suspicious Circumstances” by The Mulgray Twins – it’s almost a cozy, though the detective is a policewoman, it features a cat called Gorgonzola, who is a sniffer-cat, and takes place in – well, a hotel actually, so not really a planned community – sorry, don’t know why I bothered you with this!! But do read it, it’s good, though the plot and writing are a little creaky in places – first book nerves? – I’m sure the writers’ will grow in confidence and it’s a new twist on a favourite theme.
Carrie
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you so much for telling us about the Mulgray Twins. The premise of the series sounds very interesting! I see that they have another book coming out soon: Under Suspicion.
Rochelle says
Hi, you missed a whole ton of Murder She Wrote books, nearly all of them are in a different state or country.
Hilda says
I read a paperback (picked up at a thrift store). The story has to do with a man who keeps getting flash backs of lying in an operation room, looking at a reflection, and seeing his face being lifted from his head, and presumably having been given a different identity….It was a book I just couldn’t put down, but had to leave the state for a while, and gave the book away…can’t remember the title nor the author, but I think it might be out of print…Does this sound familiar to anyone?…Help!
Shelley says
Early 1960s movie with Rock Hudson. Husband wants to escape his marriage and boring suburban lifestyle. He is contacted to go to discreet place for surgery and new lifestyle. Husband’s life is killed off, he has plastic surgery and instead of suburban New Yorker, is whisked to California art colony (Venice or Santa Cruz?) and new life as a single man. Sorry I don’t remember the name. Just saw it recently in last 6 months on Turner Classic Movies.
Shelley says
The movie was in 1966 and called Seconds from a book by David Ely. Hope this helps. The movie was great. Even included psychedelic scenes and bohemian lifestyle.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Shelley, for the answer!
Nell says
Rhys Bowen’s latest Royal Spyness is a vacation mystery – Naughty in Nice.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Nell, I’ll go add Rhys Bowen’s Naughty in Nice to the Vacation Theme Mysteries.
Cheryl O says
Love these books by: K. J. Emrick
Darcy Mystery Series
There are 16 books so far.
Sharon says
I’d like to recommend three Murder, She Wrote novels that I read last Summer, and I remember how I thoroughly enjoyed them. Perfect for reading this time of year. They are “Murder on Parade” which takes place in Cabot Cover over the July 4th holiday; “Dying to Retire” which takes place in Florida; and “Trouble at High Tide” which takes place in Bermuda.
I’ve been looking over the theme cozies list here for other novels with the vacation/summer/beach theme. I’ll let you know what I select!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sharon, thank you! I’ve added them to the list. If you find some that aren’t on the lists >>> the more, the merrier! Thanks, again!
Susan Bernhardt says
Paradise Can Be Murder (A Kay Driscoll Mystery) by Susan Bernhardt – This mystery takes Kay and company on a cruise in the Caribbean. 🙂 Murder and mayhem takes place on board.