In my opinion, cozy mystery books offer the best of both worlds—page-turning thrill and suspense, with chill and comforting vibes. You can stay up piecing together the clues and trying to figure out who the criminal is, without being triggered by grisly scenes of violence and horror.
Plenty of these cozy mystery books feature amateur sleuths as protagonists in a quaint small-town setting—perhaps they’ve just returned to their hometown to open a bakery, and then a favorite customer ends up dead and they have to solve the mystery themselves!
The fictional detective, thus, is super relatable and feels like a friend.
Of course, you can enhance the cozy reading experience with the right book sleeves, a crocheted throw blanket, and a warm cup of cocoa, and perhaps add some puzzles and games to nourish your inner detective.
So, if you’re scratching your head for what to get your bookworm friends for the season of giving—or even if you want to treat yourself to something special this holiday—get some help from our gift guide for cozy mystery lovers.
Murder in Chianti by Camilla Trinchieri
Murder in Chianti
You might not be able to physically teleport yourself to an idyllic corner of Italy at a moment’s notice, but you can at least vicariously experience a vacation in Tuscany with Camilla Trinchieri’s engrossing mystery novel, Murder in Chianti.
The book follows Nico, a former NYPD homicide detective who’s mourning his wife; he moves to her Italian hometown for a fresh start, only to be embroiled in a murder mystery case.
With a small cast of suspects and a fluffy white dog for company, Murder in Chianti is a pretty puzzling procedural yet cozy read, preferably accompanied by several glasses of wine.
Cozy Mystery Book Sleeve
Your cozy mystery books deserve the best care and attention, and a pretty book sleeve not only makes it easier to carry your current read around, but also protects it from dust and weather elements.
This cozy mystery book sleeve is made of waterproof fabric, and also comes with a front pocket where you can store a small notepad and pen—very handy when you’re solving a mystery.
It’s pretty easy to clean, and will definitely catch the eye of other bookworms when you’re out reading in a café or a park.
Murder With all the Trimmings by Elaine Viets
Murder with All the Trimmings
If you’re reading this gift guide, chances are that you also love shopping (don’t we all?), and the protagonist of Elaine Viet’s gorgeous mystery novel, Murder With all the Trimmings, is Josie, a mystery shopper who’s also a single parent.
When her good-for-nothing ex returns to town to fight for the custody of their daughter, Josie is far from pleased. But then he ends up being poisoned, and now she’s a person of interest.
Enticing and endearing, Murder With all the Trimmings is a page-turning read that will encourage you to shop for the other books in the series as well.
Murder Most Puzzling: The Missing Will 500-Piece Puzzle
Solving jigsaw puzzles is a pretty relaxing cozy hobby, but you can make that experience even more enjoyable and brainy by adding a mystery to it.
In this jigsaw puzzle, the full image is a secret, as it contains clues that you need to solve the mystery.
The artwork is reminiscent of old Gothic illustrations, and the narrative evokes the vibe of classic mystery novels—solve it solo or with friends for a lovely, puzzling experience.
Moreover, the 500-piece puzzle comes in a beautiful box that makes for an enviable table showpiece.
The Cozy Cookbook: More than 100 Recipes from Today's Bestselling Mystery Authors
The Cozy Cookbook
Several cozy mystery novels unfold in quaint and cozy settings, such as a family coffeehouse, cafe, or a bakery, filled with details of food so delectable it might prompt you to make your own snacks.
And if that’s the case, you need The Cozy Cookbook on your shelf. It is packed with mouth-watering recipes from the top mystery writers working in the genre today, along with excerpts from their bestselling books.
Each entry essentially offers a mysterious snippet and a tasty meal that will definitely leave your book club hungry for more.
Murdoku
Murdoku: 80 Murder Mystery Logic Puzzles
Do you want to keep your brain sharp and feel like a cozy detective every day? Then grab a copy of Murdoku, a puzzle book that combines the format of Sudoku with logic puzzles and presents several murder mysteries for the reader to solve.
With 80 visually striking puzzles unfolding in swanky crime scenes ranging from casinos to mansions, Murdoku promises to be a quite satisfying and addictive experience.
A Beautiful Knitted Throw Blanket
Finally, you can make your mystery reading experience 10 times cozier and comfier with the right throw blanket for snuggling.
This lightweight, machine-washable blanket can spruce up any bed, couch, or bean bag with its simple elegance. A must-have item for cozy mystery lovers!
Featured Image: Nina Mercado/Unsplash
