6 Cozy Mysteries for a Carefree Summer

It’s 1921, and the Lady Eleanor Swift has just checked into an opulent seaside hotel. Yet her hopes for a relaxing holiday are quickly cut short when a guest is found dead at the grand resort.

To make matters worse, Eleanor soon discovers that it’s the body of her husband—who was supposed to have died six years ago. 

Now with the help of her bulldog and her wits, Eleanor must stay safe and get to the heart of the matter, and also find out what other secrets this hotel is hiding beyond its beautiful facade.

If you’re keen on a historical cozy mystery with a refreshing sense of humor, spring/summer vibes, and a quaint English backdrop, Mystery by the Sea can be your next beach read.

Have you always fancied a trip to the Catskills?

Well, in that case, Vicki Delaney’s Deadly Summer Nights might scratch that itch vicariously—it’s set in the 1950s, inside a beautiful resort where none of the guests are prepared for summer to be over.

Least of all, Elizabeth Grady, who is helping her mother run the hotel and keep the guests entertained.

But her workday is about to get a lot worse when she learns that the body of a particularly reclusive guest has been found floating in a lake on the premises and that catching the killer isn’t going to be easy.

Clever, witty, and charming, this one is a knockout mystery that will have you revisiting the Haggerman’s Catskills Resort for more.  

Boiled Over by Barbara Ross is a delectable treat, filled with references to New England cuisine, summer parties, and a recipe for a perfect murder.

It follows Julia Snowden, helping out with the family business, determined to make the Founder’s Day Weekend celebrations a grand success.

But the summer has other plans for her—a body has been found in the oven, and one of Julia’s latest hires has inexplicably disappeared. Now Julia has to use her intuitive and investigative skills to find out who the real killer is.

Packed with twists and even some recipes, Boiled Over is perfect for those who enjoy cooking and cozy mysteries set in an idyllic coastal town. 

Whether you’re a longstanding fan of Donna Andrews’ mysteries or a newcomer to her Meg Langslow series, Birder, She Wrote is an ideal match for an exciting summer read.

It’s a light, breezy, and enjoyable book featuring bees, hummingbirds, an old cemetery, complaining neighbors, and of course, a murder that Meg must solve before the townspeople all lose their calm.

Amusing and engaging, this one will keep you guessing till the last page and can be read as a standalone as well.

Finally, if you like your cozy mysteries with a dash of the paranormal and some birdwatching, give The Grim Steeper by Gretchen Rue a try.

It follows Phoebe Winchester, an amateur witch and bookshop owner, all set to organize her first author event when a murder makes everything go awry.

Now Phoebe must track down the murderer of her guest author while also learning how to control her newfound magical powers. 

This is the perfect book to read in a park or on a summer picnic, with the hum of gentle birdsong as you turn the pages.

Jennifer Weiner’s Big Summer is a cozy contemporary read that blends chick-lit with a compelling murder mystery.

The main character Daphne, is a social media influencer who struggles with self-loathing and other insecurities, as she has been bullied about her appearance.

Then Drue, her ex-best friend, suddenly walks back into her life, requesting Daphne to be her maid-of-honor at the society wedding of the summer. Daphne is understandably confused but unable to resist this strange offer.

Overall, Weiner’s novel is a deep dive into the highs and lows of female friendship, online/offline dramas, and living life on your own terms.

Witty and moving, the plot certainly goes to unexpected places, keeping readers entertained and enthralled throughout.