It almost seems impossible, but we are on the cusp of finishing the first half of 2021. And while it’s had more ups and downs than the Elevador Lacerda, the onslaught of genuinely great book releases has remained constant. Perhaps no genre has had a better year than my beloved cozy mystery. Yes, the genre in which an idyllic community is plagued by a series of murders all while its denizens try to get on with their quirky annual shenanigans—like pickle festivals and knit-a-thon fundraisers—feels more popular than ever. So for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, click on the reading lamp, cozy up on the couch, and enjoy these ten upcoming cozies that should bring your through to 2022.
Be My Ghost
A Haunted Haven Mystery #1
by Carol J. Perry
The Cider Shop Rules
A Cider Shop Mystery #3
by Julie Anne Lindsey
Digging Up Trouble
Sweet Fiction Bookshop #1
by Kitt Crowe
Killer Words
Mystery Bookshop #7
by V.M. Burns
Mango, Mambo, and Murder
A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery #1
by Raquel V. Reyes
The Moonshine Shack Murder
Southern Homebrew Mystery #1
by Diane Kelly
Murder by the Bookend
Antique Bookshop Mystery #2
by Laura Gail Black
Once Upon a Seaside Murder
Beach Reads Mystery #2
by Maggie Blackburn
A Perfect Bind
Beloved Bookroom Mystery #2
by Dorothy St. James
Slashing Through the Snow
Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #3
by Jacqueline Frost
Note: Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Be sure to check out her weekly post to find other participants.
These books have such a devoted following and I’ve never read one. My recent and upcoming books
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It’s true! The fanbase is very strong with these. If you’re ever up for a light mystery, I can’t recommend checking one of them out enough!
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I love your twist on this week’s prompt!
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Thank you so much! I read cozies so often I figured I should show some of them off.
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I read the odd cozy mystery in the fall so definitely taking notes of some of these when the mod strikes! Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/top-ten-books-worth-rereading/
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That’s kind of the perfect time for them, isn’t it? Nothing like getting wrapped up in a mystery during the fall.
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The cover of Killer Words made me laugh.
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I love that one, too!
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Wow, there are so many of these series now! I have enjoyed the Benni Harper quilting ones and really like the Southern Sisters because it’s set in (the other) Birmingham, plus there were some tea shop ones I liked. All US books that don’t travel far so a bit hard to get here, though!
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I read the first Benni Harper mystery not that long ago and really loved it! It’s a lot of fun. And I have the Southern Sisters books waiting on my shelf. Glad to know enjoyed them!
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I’ve been in a real cozy mystery mood lately. This list is perfect. 🙂
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-most-anticipated-books-of-the-second-half-of-2021/
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Hopefully you can find a couple on here to satisfy the cozy mood!
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I haven’t read a cozy in a while. I really need to pick one up.
Here’s my post: http://readbakecreate.com/?p=441
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They’re a lot of fun! I read them often and they’re really great, light reads that I always find relaxing … you know, aside from the murder.
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Fun tweak of the topic. I did Best Books of 1st half of 2021. I wasn’t read for the rest of the year.
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That I can totally understand! At this point, I don’t think I’m ready for the rest of the year either…
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Great list – I love a good cozy mystery!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
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They’re always a ton of fun!
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Those look like some great cozy mysteries! Here’s my TTT: https://daniellegrandinetti.com/2021/06/29/top-ten-tuesday-most-anticipated-releases-of-the-second-half-of-2021/
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There are so many great ones coming out this year! Seriously, I’m going to have no free time.
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Yes!
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I do love me a good cozy and I actually haven’t heard of most of these series, so thanks for the heads-up! I don’t think I’ve ever asked you this, but what are your all-time favorite cozy mystery series? I’d love to know.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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That’s such a good (and difficult) question! Although I there’s a debate over whether it’s a cozy, the Stephanie Plum series really introduced me to the contemporary genre. I have a soft spot for the Agatha Raisin series. Abby Collette’s Ice Cream Parlor Mysteries are a ton of fun. Everything Laura Jensen Walker writes is great—same with Vivien Chien. But honestly, I like most of what I end up reading! It’s very rare for me to hate one.
What about you?
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I spent a lot of years avoiding cozies, so I feel like I’m still a noob to this genre. My favorites so far have been Vivien Chien’s Noodle Shop series, Amanda Flowers’ Amish Candy Shop series, and Ellie Alexander’s Sloan Krause series. I haven’t read many of the ones you suggested, so I’m going to get right on that! Thanks for answering my question 🙂
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I haven’t read any in the Sloan Krause series, so that’s going on my TBR pile. Looks like a ton of fun. And I just finished the first Amish Candy Shop book, which I enjoyed a lot. Flowers definitely knows how to craft a solid mystery!
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These cozy mysteries will be perfect for the remainder of the year!
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Now if only I could actually get around to reading them…
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I’ve never read a cozy mystery, but I’m seeing them everywhere nowadays!
Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday list this week.
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They’re definitely seeing a resurgence in popularity … which is great for me! They’re a lot of fun.
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So many of these are on my TBR. Great list Christopher.
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We’re really being spoiled with the number of great cozies coming up. Can’t wait to finally get around to all of these!
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We sure are Christopher. I just requested several from NG. Kensington just posted quite a few. I wish I could read instead of sleep.
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I hope you enjoy all of these!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/06/29/top-ten-tuesday-322/
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Fingers crossed!
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Okay… what is it about today’s cozy mysteries that publishers think a cartoonishly drawn cover – almost always with a cat or a dog – and a bad pun for the title is what they need? These turn me OFF to be honest.
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I definitely get that they’re not for everyone, and a lot of publishers have fallen into that general style. There are some newer ones that are taking more risks, though!
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Cozy mysteries always interest me, but I don’t know where to start.
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There are a ton of great ones out there, so I understand that it’s difficult finding one to start with! My biggest recommendation: find a series that has a hook you really enjoy, whether it’s quilting or baking or whatever, and start with the first one. Even if you don’t love the mystery, you still might enjoy all of the references.
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Great list of cozies!
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We’re really being spoiled with all of these. So many great cozies this year!
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