Choose Your Next Cozy Mystery Read Based on Your Favorite Hobbies

Quilting a blanket for your loved one is a definite labor of love, and one that’s deeply satisfying.

In Door to Door Quilts by Ann Hazelwood, the author’s love for crafts and textiles is apparent, as it follows Claire Stewart, a quilt artist and painter, in the midst of a controversy in her quaint hometown.

Along with a mystery at its heart, the book also dives into the business side of quilting, and features an engaging romance as well.

For many of us, cooking and baking are our go-to de-stress hobbies, and perhaps some of us even dream about opening our own quaint bakeries one day. Until that dream becomes a reality, one can live vicariously in the pages of Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander.

Juliet Capshaw graduates from culinary school and returns to her hometown to help with the family bakery. But then one of her customers get murdered and an old flame is one of the detectives assigned to the case.

Now Juliet’s heart and life are in deep turmoil.

A sweet and enticing read to be savored slowly, like a delicious, decadent dessert.

If you’re one of those artist types who’s always seen with a sketchbook in hand, you should definitely check out the mysterious escapades of retired art teacher Miss Seeton, a fictional heroine created by Heron Carvic and continued by other authors.

However, unlike the average hobbyist artist, Miss Seeton’s sketches are truly special, often containing vital clues and information to help track down the criminal or murderer.

Charming, cozy, and filled with British humor, the popular Miss Seeton series that began in 1968 continues to be adored for a reason.

Both kids and adults can appreciate the joys of scrapbooking and paper crafts, and that sense wonder is something Laura Childs taps into for her book Keepsake Crimes.

The story follows the exploits of Carmela Bertrand, the owner of a scrapbooking supplies shop in New Orleans. The story unfolds during the Mardi Gras festival, and Carmela’s estranged husband is the prime suspect in the murder of an influential man, turning her life upside down.

If you’ve never visited New Orleans before or experienced the creative joys of scrapbooking, Keepsake Crimes will make you want to do both these things, and keep reading, of course!

After a hectic day at work, there’s nothing better than to unwind at a pottery studio, allowing tired fingers to shape wet clay into unique forms and shapes. It’s the fastest way to unlock the zen mode, in my experience, and if you’ve never worked with clay before, perhaps Melissa Glazer’s cozy mystery novel that comes with clay crafting tips might tempt you to give this hobby a try.

It follows Carolyn Emerson, who owns a pottery studio cleverly called Fire At Will, who’s suddenly accused of a murder that threatens to upend her life and business unless she can solve it first.

Original and charming, this one-of-a-kind book also gives a great insight into what working with ceramics actually feels like!

Finally, if you haven’t yet discovered the joys of board gaming, perhaps Amy McNulty’s cozy mystery book will convince you to. Unlike the more contemporary books on this list, this novel features paranormal elements, like witches and vampires, and has a distinctively spooky vibe.

The witchy MC Dahlia uncovers a collection of board games and reestablishes a Games Club in the town, but spooky things are afoot.

With a delicious blend of the mundane and the supernatural, Broomsticks and Board Games makes for a lovely and fun read, especially during the Halloween season.