7 Culinary Cozy Mysteries: Savor These Delicious Reads

Sassy redhead Hannah Swensen runs The Cookie Jar bakery. When a delivery man is found dead surrounded by crumbs of her Chocolate Chip Crunchies, her life takes a turn. Hannah must catch the killer crumb-handed before she’s nabbed for the crime.

This first book in the New York Times bestselling Hannah Swensen mystery series features a feisty heroine you’ll love and a mystery you’ll enjoy unraveling. If you’re a cookie fan like me — and who isn’t? — your mouth will be watering by the time you get to the recipes at the end.

This first book in the long-running Agatha Raisin series is a classic and was adapted for British television.

You’ll adore a trip to the village of Carsely, where successful businesswoman Agatha retires after moving from London. To stay busy, she enters a quiche in a local baking contest — unfortunately, one that’s bought, not baked. Even worse? The judge dies after tasting the aforementioned entry. As Agatha starts receiving mysterious notes, she becomes determined to catch the culprit before her retirement leads to an early grave.

You’ll laugh out loud at this book smack dab in the middle of New York Times bestselling author, Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series.

When a celebrity chef is beheaded at a barbecue cook-off, bounty hunter Stephanie helps the witness, her office assistant Lulu, nab the killer in exchange for a million-dollar reward.

Following the series’ other crime novels, this spicy installment is packed with humor and hijinks, and it’s worth dipping into, whether it’s your first Stephanie Plum or your 15th.

I love a good homecoming story, and this mystery has that and more.

After losing her job and relationship, Lana Lee comes back to work at her family’s Chinese restaurant, Ho-Lee Noodle House. When their property manager, Mr. Feng, dies after eating some shrimp dumplings, Lana’s family’s reputation is in hot water. To solve the case, Lana and her best friend turn to sleuthing.

You’ll enjoy this humorous mystery, which is served with a side of romance as sparks fly between Lana and a local detective.

If you love The Golden Girls as much as I do, you’ll devour this cozy mystery treat. The series starter brings back to life Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophie as they help plan a St. Olaf-themed wedding for Rose’s cousin. Meanwhile, Dorothy, not wanting to go stag to the nuptials, goes on a date with a man who ghosts her… and is later discovered dead in a freezer at the wedding venue, face smooshed into a cheesecake.

Now, along with navigating wedding shenanigans and slinging barbs at one another, the ladies turn to sleuthing. This is an absolute comfort read, with great 1980s nostalgia and four unforgettable personalities.

This Anthony Award–winning mystery is deliciously enjoyable. Lila is busy at her family’s Filipino restaurant and dodging her matchmaking aunties. When her ex-boyfriend, a harsh food critic, dies after a fight all fingers point to Lila as the primary suspect. She needs to figure out what really happened — and fast.

Throw in an assortment of quirky characters, including Lila’s loyal best friend, and an adorable Dachshund, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a satisfying cozy mystery that will keep you turning pages.

I’m a tea lover, so no list of culinary cozies would be complete without a mystery set in a tea shop!

Theodosia runs the charming Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston. Trouble boils over, however, when she caters a large garden party and an esteemed guest dies clutching a teacup. To clear both herself and her employees, Theo decides to follow the clues to the killer.

After a sip of this delicious cozy, you might just want to gulp down the rest of the lengthy Tea Shop Mysteries series.