Welcome to the sunnier side of crime fiction.

While many incredible mystery reads stray into a dark and gritty territory, some readers prefer a gentler touch. Cozy mysteries offer a more lighthearted approach to mystery novels, even if most of them still center around murder. The protagonists of these books are usually women, and their sleuthing is usually a hobby or side gig. Personal interest and drama is more heavily featured in these books, as they tend to try to make the story as accessible and relatable as possible.

The crimes in these novels all tie in to the investigator’s personal experience, whether they have a job as a librarian, chef, dog groomer, etc. The stories almost always take place in a small town, and a cast of quirky characters is guaranteed.

Whether you're new to the cozy scene or you'd just like to dive a bit deeper, here are some great places to start: 

• A deep dive into the evolution of the cozy mystery—and how murder became cozy in the first place
   
• A look at the rise of millennial cozies
   
• A few great cozy mysteries to get you started

Be sure to browse the stories below for our eclectic collection of charming cozy mystery books!