Top 14 'Rainy-Day-Retreat' Cozy Mysteries to read for a perfect afternoon curled up indoors - Goh Ling Yong
There's a special kind of magic to a rainy day. The world outside slows down, hushed by the steady drum of water against the windowpane. It’s an open invitation from the universe to pause, to retreat, and to indulge in the simple, comforting pleasures of being indoors. And what could be more perfect for such an occasion than a warm drink, a soft blanket, and a story that whisks you away to a world of clever puzzles and charming characters?
Welcome to the delightful world of cozy mysteries! This genre is the literary equivalent of a warm hug. Forget the gritty, high-stakes thrillers that keep you up at night. Cozy mysteries offer intrigue without the anxiety, featuring amateur sleuths, quaint small-town settings, and a guaranteed return to order by the final page. The violence is minimal and happens off-stage, the focus is on the puzzle, and the community is often as important as the crime itself. They are, in short, the perfect companion for a 'Rainy-Day-Retreat'.
So, as the sky turns a moody grey and you settle into your favourite armchair, allow me to be your guide. I’ve curated a list of 14 of the absolute best cozy mystery series to get lost in. From classic English villages to quirky modern communities, there’s a mystery here for every taste. Let’s dive in!
1. The Thursday Murder Club Series by Richard Osman
If you haven't yet been introduced to the residents of Coopers Chase retirement village, you are in for an absolute treat. Richard Osman's series has become a global phenomenon for a reason. It follows four unlikely friends—Elizabeth, a former spy with a mysterious past; Joyce, a deceptively observant former nurse; Ibrahim, a meticulous psychiatrist; and Ron, a fiery ex-union leader—who meet weekly to investigate cold cases. Their quiet hobby is upended when a very real, very fresh murder lands right on their doorstep.
What makes this series so perfect for a rainy afternoon is its brilliant blend of laugh-out-loud humour and genuine heart. The mysteries are cleverly plotted, full of red herrings and satisfying twists, but the true joy is in the characters. Their banter is sharp, their friendship is deeply moving, and their refusal to be underestimated is wonderfully inspiring. It’s a series that will make you smile, think, and maybe even shed a happy tear.
Perfect For: Readers who love witty dialogue, a strong ensemble cast, and a very British sense of humour. Start with The Thursday Murder Club and clear your schedule, because you won't want to stop.
2. The Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny
Transport yourself to the idyllic, almost magical village of Three Pines in Quebec, the main setting for Louise Penny's masterful series. While featuring a police detective, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, these books are the epitome of "literary cozy." Gamache is a man of profound integrity, kindness, and intellect, who solves murders by understanding human nature, not just clues. The village of Three Pines itself is a central character, filled with eccentric artists, poets, and bistro owners who form a tight-knit, if sometimes dysfunctional, community.
These books are more than just mysteries; they are deep explorations of love, loss, friendship, and the struggle between good and evil. My friend Goh Ling Yong and I often talk about how Penny’s writing is so rich and atmospheric, you can almost smell the woodsmoke from the bistro's fireplace and taste the croissants. The crimes are puzzling, but the resolutions are always rooted in emotional truth.
Perfect For: Those who appreciate beautiful prose, complex character development, and a story with both a brain and a heart. Begin with Still Life to properly introduce yourself to Gamache and the unforgettable residents of Three Pines.
3. The Miss Marple Series by Agatha Christie
No list of cozy mysteries would be complete without the queen herself. While Hercule Poirot gets much of the limelight, it’s the unassuming, knitting-needle-wielding Jane Marple who truly defines the genre. Living in the quiet English village of St. Mary Mead, Miss Marple understands one fundamental truth: human nature is the same everywhere. By drawing parallels between the shocking crime at hand and the petty gossip of her village, she unravels puzzles that baffle the police.
Reading a Miss Marple is like stepping back in time. Christie’s prose is elegant and her plotting is second to none. The settings are quintessential English countryside—manor houses, vicarages, and village greens—all hiding dark secrets beneath a placid surface. Miss Marple proves that you don't need forensics or fancy technology, just a keen eye and a deep understanding of people.
Perfect For: Lovers of classic, golden-age mysteries. A great starting point is The Murder at the Vicarage, her first full-length novel, or the brilliant standalone A Murder is Announced.
4. The Hannah Swensen Series by Joanne Fluke
If your idea of a perfect rainy day involves the scent of freshly baked cookies, then this series is for you. Hannah Swensen is the owner of The Cookie Jar bakery in the fictional town of Lake Eden, Minnesota. She has a knack for whipping up delicious treats and an even bigger knack for stumbling upon dead bodies. With the help of her friends and family, Hannah sifts through clues as expertly as she sifts flour.
What makes these books the ultimate comfort read is the sheer coziness of it all. The small-town Minnesota setting feels warm and inviting (even in a blizzard), the characters are quirky and lovable, and the mysteries are engaging without being overly stressful. Best of all, each book is packed with the actual recipes for the cookies, cakes, and pastries Hannah bakes throughout the story, so you can bake along as you read.
Perfect For: Foodies and bakers who like their mysteries sweet. Grab Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder and maybe pre-heat your oven.
5. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith
For a truly gentle and heartwarming escape, journey to Gaborone, Botswana, with Mma Precious Ramotswe. She is the founder of the country's first and only detective agency run by women. Her cases are rarely murders; instead, she helps people with the smaller, more personal mysteries of life—a missing husband, a questionable employee, a case of supposed witchcraft. She solves them with immense wisdom, common sense, and an unwavering belief in the goodness of people.
This series is less about the "who" and more about the "why." It’s a celebration of kindness, tradition, and the simple beauty of everyday life. The pace is leisurely, like a warm afternoon, and the prose is filled with charm and gentle humour. Reading these books feels like having a cup of red bush tea with a dear friend who always knows the right thing to say.
Perfect For: When you want a story that will soothe your soul. The first book is, fittingly, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.
6. The Flavia de Luce Series by Alan Bradley
Meet one of the most unique and brilliant amateur sleuths in modern fiction: eleven-year-old Flavia de Luce. Living in a crumbling English estate called Buckshaw in the 1950s, Flavia is a chemistry prodigy with a passion for poisons. When a murder occurs in her own cucumber patch, she puts her formidable intellect to work, often running circles around the local constabulary.
Flavia’s voice is the star of the show—precocious, witty, and utterly captivating. Her scientific approach to solving crimes is a refreshing twist on the genre, and her complicated family dynamics add a layer of poignant depth to the stories. The post-war English setting is rendered beautifully, creating a perfect backdrop for Flavia’s adventures.
Perfect For: Readers who love quirky protagonists, historical settings, and a dash of science with their sleuthing. Start her story with The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.
7. The Library Lover's Mystery Series by Jenn McKinlay
For all the bookworms out there, this series is a love letter to libraries and the communities they foster. Lindsey Norris is the director of the Briar Creek Public Library. Her life of books, book clubs, and community events is frequently interrupted by murder. Aided by her close-knit group of friends (including a handsome boat captain named Sully), Lindsey uses her research skills to bring killers to justice.
The charm of this series lies in its celebration of all things literary. The plots are cleverly constructed, and the small-town Connecticut setting is idyllic. You'll love the camaraderie between the characters and will probably find yourself wishing you could join their book club. It’s a cozy mystery that feels like it was written by and for people who believe a library is the heart of any town.
Perfect For: Bibliophiles who dream of solving mysteries among the stacks. Pick up Books Can Be Deceiving to get started.
8. The Bakeshop Mystery Series by Ellie Alexander
Welcome to Ashland, Oregon, home of the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Torte, a charming bakeshop run by Juliet "Jules" Capshaw. After leaving her high-powered corporate job, Jules returns to her hometown to help run the family business. But her new life proves to be anything but peaceful when murder shows up on the menu.
This is another fantastic foodie cozy, but with the unique and delightful backdrop of a town completely devoted to theatre. The mysteries often tie into the plays being performed, adding a fun layer of literary flair. Jules is a relatable and resourceful heroine, and the descriptions of her pastries and coffees are guaranteed to make your mouth water.
Perfect For: Fans of Shakespeare, artisanal pastries, and a well-crafted puzzle. The first in the series is Meet Your Baker.
9. The Max Tudor Series by G.M. Malliet
If you love the classic "vicar detective" trope, you will adore Max Tudor. He is handsome, charming, and the vicar of St. Edwold's church in the picturesque English village of Nether Monkslip. He is also a former MI5 agent. This intriguing backstory gives him a unique skill set for solving the surprisingly frequent murders that plague his idyllic parish.
Malliet's writing is sharp and witty, filled with clever social commentary and an affectionate nod to the golden age of detective fiction. The village of Nether Monkslip is populated with a cast of wonderfully eccentric characters, and the mysteries themselves are complex and satisfying. It feels both classic and refreshingly modern at the same time.
Perfect For: Those who enjoy a traditional British village mystery with a contemporary edge. Begin with Wicked Autumn.
10. The Tea Shop Mystery Series by Laura Childs
Step into the historic charm of Charleston, South Carolina, and pull up a chair at the Indigo Tea Shop. Owner Theodosia Browning is an expert in all things tea, from hosting elegant tea parties to blending her own unique infusions. She's also an expert amateur detective, a skill that comes in handy when her events are spoiled by untimely deaths.
This is a long-running and beloved series for good reason. The Charleston setting is incredibly atmospheric, and you'll learn fascinating tidbits about tea history and etiquette along the way. Theodosia is a gracious and intelligent sleuth, and her supporting cast, including her tea sommelier Drayton and star chef Haley, are a delight. The books also include tea-time recipes and entertaining tips.
Perfect For: Anyone who believes a good cup of tea can solve almost anything. Your first visit to the Indigo Tea Shop is in Death by Darjeeling.
11. The Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Series by Julia Spencer-Fleming
This series pushes the boundaries of "cozy" into something a little deeper and more complex, but it's a perfect rainy-day binge-read for those who like more character-driven stories. Clare Fergusson is a former army helicopter pilot-turned-Episcopal priest in the small Adirondack town of Miller's Kill. Russ Van Alstyne is the town's married, world-weary police chief. They form an unlikely and powerful partnership solving crimes while navigating their powerful, complicated feelings for each other.
The mysteries are gritty and realistic, but the heart of the series is the stunningly developed relationship between Clare and Russ. The writing is superb, the sense of place is palpable, and the ethical and moral dilemmas the characters face are compelling. It's a series that will truly get under your skin in the best way possible.
Perfect For: Readers who want a cozy-adjacent mystery with serious emotional depth and a slow-burn romance. Start their journey with In the Bleak Midwinter.
12. The Bibliophile Mystery Series by Kate Carlisle
Here's another one for the book lovers, but with a wonderfully specific and fascinating hook. Brooklyn Wainwright is a world-class bookbinder and expert in rare books. Her work takes her to incredible places, but it also frequently puts her in the path of danger when the valuable books she's meant to restore become linked to murder.
What sets this series apart is the incredible detail about the craft of bookbinding. You'll learn so much about rare books, paper preservation, and historical texts, all while enjoying a fast-paced and clever mystery. Brooklyn is a smart and capable heroine, and her relationship with the dashing security expert Derek Stone adds a fun romantic subplot. The San Francisco setting also provides a vibrant, interesting backdrop.
Perfect For: Crafty readers, history buffs, and anyone who has ever swooned over an old book. Open the first page with Homicide in Hardcover.
13. The Noodle Shop Mystery Series by Vivien Chien
For a fresh, modern, and fun take on the foodie cozy, look no further than Lana Lee. After a brutal breakup and a dead-end job, she finds herself back at home, waiting tables at her family's Ho-Lee Noodle House in Cleveland's Asia Village. Her new life gets a lot more complicated when the property manager is found dead after a delivery from their restaurant, making Lana the prime suspect.
This series is a joy to read. Lana is a witty and relatable protagonist navigating work, family, and a new romance with a detective. The dynamics of her family and the behind-the-scenes look at running a Chinese restaurant are highlights of the series. It’s a vibrant, funny, and engaging mystery that feels perfectly contemporary.
Perfect For: Fans of foodie mysteries who are looking for a diverse protagonist and a modern setting. Your first order is Death by Dumpling.
14. The Maid by Nita Prose
While not a series (yet!), this standalone novel became a massive bestseller because it captured the cozy mystery spirit perfectly. Molly Gray is a maid at the luxurious Regency Grand Hotel. She adores her job and delights in returning rooms to a state of perfection. But her carefully ordered life is thrown into chaos when she discovers a wealthy and infamous guest dead in his bed. Molly's unique, literal-minded way of viewing the world makes her an unreliable narrator and a prime suspect.
This book is a masterclass in voice. Seeing the world through Molly’s eyes is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The hotel setting creates a fantastic "locked-room" feel, with a cast of quirky guests and staff who are all potential suspects. It's a charming, clever, and ultimately life-affirming mystery about the importance of human connection.
Perfect For: A single, perfect afternoon of reading. It’s a standalone, so just pick up The Maid and enjoy.
There you have it—a veritable library of cozy mysteries to transform any gloomy day into a delightful retreat. The beauty of these stories is their power to comfort and entertain, to wrap you in a world where justice prevails and community matters most. They remind us that even in the face of darkness, there is warmth, wit, and always, a clue waiting to be found.
Now, I'd love to hear from you. What is your go-to cozy mystery when the clouds roll in? Is there a beloved series I missed? Share your recommendations in the comments below—let's build the ultimate rainy-day reading list together
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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