As the leaves change and sweater weather sets in, it’s the perfect time to dive into some cozy mysteries! For those participating in the Romanceopoly reading challenge, the autumn prompt can be all about cozy mysteries set in libraries and bookstores—talk about a book lover’s dream! These recommendations are perfect for mystery lovers who want a little romance and quirky small-town vibes this fall.
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8 Cozy Mysteries Set at Bookstores and Libraries | Romanceopoly Recs
Cozy mysteries are the perfect intro to the mystery genre, especially if you’re a romance reader. They’ve got that small-town charm, quirky characters, and just enough romance to keep it interesting without a full blown romance plot. Plus, they’re way more fun than you can imagine, especially when the main character is solving murders between running a bookstore or library.
One of the coolest things about cozies is how each one comes with its own little theme or hobby—think bakers, knitters, or even coffee shop owners doubling as amateur detectives. Not only do you get a fun mystery, but you also get to explore different hobbies you never thought about before. It’s like a double dose of escapism.
Listen to the podcast where Laura from What to Read Next shares some of her book recommendations for cozy mysteries set at bookstores
In the podcast, we had a lot of fun talking about what makes cozies so entertaining—there’s always a sassy grandma helping out, a quirky sidekick, and sometimes even a cat who’s basically the best detective in the story. Cozy mysteries really are just pure fun with a little whodunit on the side.
Laura shared a pro tip too: if you’re in the US and your local library doesn’t have the cozy mysteries you’re after, check out Stark Library in Ohio. For a $50 fee, you can get a non-resident library card, which gives you access to a huge collection of cozy mysteries and audiobooks. Totally worth it if you’re on a cozy mystery binge this fall.
For the 2024 Romanceopoly challenge, the genre only autumn prompt is cozy mysteries, and if you’re doing the prompts instead you can choose from the following: read a book that has either: a red or gold cover; or has trees and leaves on the cover; or is set at a library or bookstore. To make these recs fit no matter whether you are doing the prompt or genre only, these are cozy mysteries set at bookstores or libraries. These picks are perfect to dive into while embracing the fall vibes
The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander
Set in a mystery-only bookstore, this cozy mystery follows an events manager who ends up solving real-life murders during a book festival. With a criminology background and a quirky cast of book-loving characters, this series is perfect if you love bookstore settings and a sleuth who’s trying to balance real life with solving murders.
A Murder at the Movies by Ellie Alexander
In Murder at the Movies, events manager Tess starts to solve real-life murders when a famous film producer brings his latest movie to town—and someone winds up dead. As the second book in the Secret Bookcase series, this cozy mystery is perfect for lovers of books and movies, filled with small-town charm and plenty of twists.
Read to Death at the Lakeside Library by Holly Danvers
In Read to Death at the Lakeside Library, a summer book club finds itself in the middle of an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery after a cyanide poisoning during a club meeting. Set at a lakeside library, this cozy mystery brings together bookish banter, a tight-knit community, and an amateur sleuth who’s out to uncover the truth.
Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett
Set in a small town filled with specialty bookstores, Murder is Binding is about Trisha, a mystery bookstore owner, who must solve the murder of her rival. With rare books, small-town gossip, and sibling drama, this cozy mystery is a delight for book lovers. It’s full of charm, with a dash of family tension and small-town vibes.
Bloodier Than Fiction by Harper Lin
Working at a book cafe, our shy and reserved amateur sleuth must solve the murder of a local bully. Balancing her love life and newfound friendships, she gets tangled in a mystery that challenges her quiet nature. This short cozy mystery is great for readers who love small-town cafes, quirky baristas, and whodunit fun.
The Plot Is Murder by V.M. Burns
In The Plot is Murder, Samantha Washington is opening her dream mystery bookshop when a shady realtor turns up dead in her backyard. With the help of her meddling grandmothers and her passion for writing, Samantha dives into solving the murder. Expect small-town charm, family bonds, and plenty of bookish fun in this cozy mystery.
Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay
Books Can Be Deceiving follows librarian Lindsey Norris as she solves a murder in the small town of Briar Creek. When her best friend is accused of murder after a local author is found dead, Lindsey must use her librarian skills and a little sleuthing to clear her friend’s name. Expect a touch of romance, quirky small-town vibes, and bookish fun!
Read on Arrival by Nora Page
Read on Arrival follows Cleo, a seventy-year-old librarian with a sharp mind for mysteries. When a longtime delinquent patron finally returns an overdue book but is later found dead, Cleo teams up with her loyal bookmobile cat, Brad Butler, to solve the murder. This cozy mystery is perfect for fans of libraries, quirky sleuths, and cat sidekicks!
What are your favorite cozy mysteries set at bookstores or libraries? Leave a comment below with your recommendations?
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