Credit: Bookshop.org
All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article
5 min read
From Richard Osman to a cat who solves a murder, these are the best 10 cosy crime novels to add to your bookshelf right now.
As much as we love a psychological thriller or an action-packed detective drama, sometimes you just want to dive into something a little more low-stakes and, more importantly, cosy. Enter: cosy crime novels. ‘Cosy crime’ has exploded in popularity in recent years with the term garnering millions of views on TikTok and TV shows such as Midsomer Murders and Death In Paradise still going strong with viewers. There are also more recent additions to the genre, including Only Murders In The Building, which began streaming its fourth season in August, and the television adaptation of The Marlow Murder Club, which was released earlier this year.
But, what exactly is cosy crime? Well, this sub-genre of the crime fiction world is less focused on the dark and gritty crime itself but on the ins and outs of the investigation. And these investigations tend to be carried out by amateurs in quiet, idyllic towns and villages. The cosy crime book genre is packed with reads to dig into this autumn, so here are 10 of the best cosy crime novels to bookmark right now.
The Maid by Nita Prose
Since the death of her gran five months earlier, 25-year-old Molly Gray has been all alone in the world. She’s used to being invisible in her job as a hotel maid, but Molly is thrown into the spotlight when she discovers a well-known guest, Charles Black, dead in his bed. But there’s more to his death than first meets the eye, and Molly becomes embroiled in a hunt for the truth – learning who to trust as she navigates the secrets of the Regency Grand Hotel.
Shop The Maid by Nita Prose (Harper Collins) at Bookshop.org, £8.54
The Three Dahlias by Katy Watson
Three rival actors team up to solve a murder at the stately home of the author who made them famous for portraying Lettice’s 1930s detective, Dahlia Lively. Rosalind King, from the original movies; Caro Hooper, the TV Dahlia for 13 seasons; and Posy Starling, fresh out of the fame wilderness to take on the Dahlia name for the new film.
During this English summer weekend, they’ll have to put aside their differences, as the crimes at Aldermere turn anything but cosy. Can the three Dahlias find the answers to the murders among the fans, the film crew and the family?
Shop The Three Dahlias by Katy Watson (Little, Brown) at Bookshop.org, £9.49
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
One of the legends of cosy crime, Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club series continues to take the world by storm – selling millions of copies worldwide. The first book in the series was published in 2021 and follows four friends – Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron – who meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. Living in a retirement village, the foursome suddenly finds a case on their doorstep.
Shop The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (Penguin) at Bookshop.org, £9.49
The Cat Who Caught A Killer by LT Shearer
What’s cosier than an animal detective that helps solve crimes? Mourning the death of her husband, Lulu Lewis meets Conrad the cat, and together they set out to investigate the death of Lulu’s mother-in-law in a nearby care home. And Conrad is with her every step of the way.
Shop The Cat Who Caught a Killer by LT Shearer (Pan Macmillan) at Bookshop.org, £8.54
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice For Murderers by Jesse Sutanto
Self-proclaimed tea expert Vera Wong fancies herself as quite the detective, which effectively translates to checking to see if her son is dating anyone yet. But one morning, Vera wakes up to find a dead man in her tea shop and she sets out to catch the killer herself. Because “nobody spills the tea like this amateur sleuth”.
The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood
Adapted for television in 2024, The Marlow Murder Club follows 77-year-old Judith Potts as she happily goes about her life in her Marlow mansion – with no man telling her what to do. One evening, Judith witnesses a murder, but the local police don’t believe her version of events. And so, Judith and two unlikely friends embark on investigating the case themselves.
Shop The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood (Harper Collins) at Bookshop.org, £8.54
The Dinner Lady Detectives by Hannah Hendy
Eagerly awaiting their retirement while serving meals at Summerview school, Margery and Clementine are enjoying a peaceful life in the small quaint town of Dewstow. But as these cosy crime novels tend to go, they walk into work one day to find their kitchen manager dead in the school freezer. With the police convinced the case is an accidental death, Margery and Clementine dig deeper.
Shop The Dinner Lady Detectives by Hannah Hendy (Canelo) at Bookshop.org, £8.54
The Appeal by Janice Hallett
Set in yet another sleepy town, The Appeal follows law students Charlotte and Femi as they investigate a tragic death in which they and their boss suspect the wrong person has been sent to prison. And with the murderer hiding in plain sight, Charlotte and Femi just need to connect the dots. But will they solve the case?
Shop The Appeal by Janice Hallett (Profile Books) at Bookshop.org, £9.49
Agatha Raisin And The Quiche Of Death by MC Beaton
If there was a prize for the most interesting book title, this would certainly be a contender. Part of the Agatha Raisin series (which has also been adapted for the screen), this story follows Agatha as she decides to take early retirement. In a bid to make friends in her new village home, she enters a quiche-making competition and all hell breaks loose…
Shop Agatha Raisin And The Quiche Of Death by M.C. Beaton (Little, Brown) at Bookshop.org, £8.54
The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett
Ever imagined if Queen Elizabeth II lived a double life as an amateur detective? Well, wonder no more. Described as a mix between The Crown and The Thursday Murder Club, this story is packed with drama, suspense and a murder that the Queen has to solve while also keeping her sleuthing abilities a secret.
Shop The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett (Zaffre) at Bookshop.org, £9.49
Images: courtesy of publishers
Sign up for the latest news and must-read features from Stylist, so you don’t miss out on the conversation.
By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy
Thank you!
You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.