Best Amateur Sleuth

Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy series transports readers to early 20th-century New York City, following the adventures of a spirited Irish immigrant who becomes an accidental detective. Molly's sharp wit a...

Laura Childs' Tea Shop Mysteries immerse readers in the delightful world of Charleston, South Carolina, where Theodosia Browning, a tea shop owner, finds herself solving mysteries. Theodosia's passion...

Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen Mysteries follow the adventures of a baker in Lake Eden, Minnesota, who finds herself embroiled in a series of puzzling crimes. Hannah's delicious baked goods and her sha...

The first in the Tea Shop Mystery series, this book follows Theodosia Browning, who inherits a tea shop in Charleston, South Carolina, and finds herself investigating a murder. Childs writing is warm...

The first book in the Hannah Swensen series, 'Dinner and Death,' combines a cozy mystery with delicious recipes. Hannah, a baker in Lake Eden, Minnesota, finds herself investigating a murder after a l...

Terry Lovullo's 'Death by Chocolate' introduces Sue Wellington, a baker who finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation after a customer dies from eating her chocolate cake. The series is known...

This is the first book in the Goldy Schulz series, featuring a caterer who finds herself investigating murders in Aspen Meadows, Colorado. Davidsons writing is straightforward and the mysteries are we...

Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Schulz series introduces readers to a caterer in Colorado who finds herself solving mysteries within her close-knit community. Goldy's culinary skills and her keen observat...

Joanne Fluke's 'The Lemon Orchard Mystery' is the first in a series featuring Hannah Swensen, a baker who solves crimes in her small Minnesota town. The series combines mystery with delicious recipes,...

The first in the Edelweiss Mystery series, this book introduces a woman who inherits a chicken farm and discovers a murder. Adams writing is engaging and the characters are well-developed. The unusual...

The first book in the Christy Miller series, this mystery is set in a charming antique shop in a small town. Christy, the shop owner, discovers a hidden secret and a murder. Woods writing is accessibl...

The first in the Dixie Montgomery series, this book introduces a former New York City detective who retires to a small town in North Carolina and finds herself drawn into a murder investigation. Patte...

Katherine Reay's The Beach House Mysteries follow the adventures of a young woman who inherits a beach house and finds herself solving mysteries within her new community. The series combines engaging...

Elizabeth Peters' 'Murder on Black Swan Lake' is a delightful blend of mystery and theatrical intrigue. Set in the world of ballet, the story follows Amelia Peabody's niece as she investigates a murde...

This is the first book in the Mystery at the Tea Shop series, featuring Kira Harding, who inherits a tea shop in a quaint English village and finds herself investigating a murder. Hamiltons writing is...

Ellery Adams' Secret, Book, and Scone Society Mysteries introduce readers to a group of friends who run a bookstore in a charming small town and find themselves solving mysteries together. The series...

The first in the Farmer & Me Mystery series, this book introduces a woman who moves to a small town in New England and finds herself investigating a murder. Rileys writing is straightforward and the c...

Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan series follows the adventures of a Baltimore-based private investigator who finds herself entangled in a series of complex and intriguing cases. Tess's sharp wit and dete...

Laura Childs' 'Rosemary and Rue' introduces Megan Dashwood, a tea shop owner who finds herself investigating a murder in Charleston, South Carolina. The series is known for its charming setting, quirk...

The first in the Hat Shop Mystery series, this book follows a woman who inherits a hat shop and finds herself investigating a murder. McKinlays writing is lighthearted and the characters are quirky. T...

Anne George's A Curious Beginning introduces readers to Charlotte Gold, a retired English teacher who finds herself solving mysteries in her Florida community. Charlotte's sharp wit and keen observati...

Victoria Hamilton's Aunt Dimity series follows the adventures of a young woman who discovers a hidden aunt and a series of clues that lead her on a journey of self-discovery and mystery-solving. The s...

Laurie R. King's 'The Beekeeper's Apprentice' is a unique and engaging mystery set in the 1920s, featuring a young woman who learns the art of deduction from a brilliant but eccentric beekeeper. The b...

Leslie Meier's 'The Patchwork Puzzler' introduces Penny Farmer, a quilter who finds herself solving mysteries in her small Connecticut town. The series is known for its charming setting, quirky charac...

This book introduces a group of retirees who meet weekly to discuss unsolved crimes and find themselves investigating a real murder. Osmans writing is witty and the characters are quirky. The retireme...

This is the first book in the Olsen & Claire series, featuring a fashion editor who finds herself investigating a murder. Clarks writing is suspenseful and the characters are well-developed. The vinta...

Elizabeth S. Craig's 'The Hollow Tree' is a historical cozy mystery set in the 1880s, featuring April Pitt and her husband as they investigate a series of unsettling events in their new Ohio town. The...

This book follows a woman who discovers a hidden manuscript and finds herself investigating a mystery surrounding its author. Reays writing is elegant and the characters are well-developed. The litera...

Jenn McKinlay's Hat Shop Mysteries follow the adventures of a woman who inherits a hat shop and finds herself solving mysteries in her new community. The series combines engaging characters, clever pl...