In these stories, it is often not a professional police officer who takes on solving the crime, but a curious and observant amateur, and the reader can piece together clues alongside them and try to figure out who the real culprit is. Violence usually remains in the background, while the main focus is on the mystery itself and the characters unraveling it.
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The online bookstore patogupirkti.lt presents the most popular and reader-favorite cozy detective books – from classic mysteries to contemporary stories, perfect for immersing yourself in on quiet evenings with a cup of tea.
How did the cozy mystery story begin?
Although the term “cozy mystery” only became widespread at the end of the 20th century, the roots of this genre are much older. Its origins are usually traced back to the so-called golden age of detective literature, which flourished especially in the 1930s and 1940s. It was during this time that classic “whodunit” novels became popular – stories where the reader, together with the detective, receives clues and can try to solve the crime themselves.
The main distinctiveness of cozy mysteries is the atmosphere. While a crime thriller emphasizes tension, danger, action, and sometimes very explicit scenes of violence, a “cozy mystery” much more resembles an intellectual puzzle in a comfortable setting. The crime is serious, but the book itself does not necessarily have to be gloomy.
One of the most important creators of this tradition is undoubtedly Agatha Christie. A. Christie created two characters known worldwide today – Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. The latter is especially often considered one of the most important predecessors of modern cozy mysteries: an apparently simple elderly village woman who, with her keen observation and excellent understanding of people, can unravel even the most complex murders.
Agatha Christie “The Mysterious Affair at Styles”
The debut novel of the queen of detective fiction, English writer Agatha Christie, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” was published in 1920 – the same year often considered the beginning of the golden age of detective literature. This novel was born as A. Christie’s response to a challenge from her sister to write a story – the future legendary author accepted the challenge, and thus the first novel featuring the iconic detective Hercule Poirot was created.
The story begins when Dr. Hastings, wounded in World War I, returns on leave to England. His old friend John Cavendish invites him to spend the holidays at the beautiful Styles Court. Here Hastings meets John’s stepmother Mrs. Inglethorp and her new husband Alfred. Fleeing the horrors of World War I, detective Hercule Poirot settles near the beautiful Styles Court. Mrs. Emile Inglethorp is his old friend.
When Emile Inglethorp is found poisoned and the police investigation hits a dead end, Poirot comes to the rescue – the sharp-minded Belgian detective known for his keen intellect and meticulous attention to detail.
For those wanting to get acquainted with the classic of the “cozy mystery” genre and an engaging detective story for cozy evenings – “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” is an excellent choice.
Richard Osman “The Thursday Murder Club”
British writer, producer, and TV host became famous with the “Thursday Murder Club” detective novel series, and in recent years readers can enjoy his new detective novel “The Thursday Murder Club.”
At the center of the story are two very different characters: retiree Steve Wilers, a former police investigator who enjoys a quiet life and pub quizzes, and his daughter-in-law Amy, who works in private security and much prefers danger and adrenaline. When Amy discovers a dead man and a bag of money on a private island she is guarding, her quiet job unexpectedly turns into an international crime investigation, and she turns to the only trustworthy person – Steve. Soon their path takes them through different parts of the world, and the unexpected detective duo must not only figure out who is behind the murders but also outrun the killer chasing them.
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Nita Prose “The Maid”
An engaging detective story that unravels a serious crime and a sensitive story about how everyone deserves to be seen, in Canadian writer Nita Prose’s book “The Maid.”
In this detective story, readers meet Molly – a meticulous and rule-loving hotel maid working at the luxurious “Regency Grand” hotel. Molly sees the world a little differently than others and does not always easily understand other people’s intentions, but her attentiveness and impeccable attention to detail become very important when one day she finds a dead wealthy man, Mr. Black, in a hotel bed. Soon the police begin to suspect Molly herself, and she is forced to embark on her own investigation to find out what really happened.
Kostas Strielkūnas “No Longer Believing in Devils in the City”
For those wanting to discover a Lithuanian version of the cozy detective genre – the debut book by author Kostas Strielkūnas, “No Longer Believing in Devils in the City.” It is a detective story that combines Baltic mythology, scenes of life in contemporary Lithuanian provinces, a partisan’s diary written in a forest bunker after the war, and the personal problems of a modern Vilnius resident who briefly visits the countryside.
Here three time layers intertwine – a young man’s suicide seven years ago in the village of Kalniškis, maniacal letters sent in the present signed by the devil himself, unexplained deaths, and the eerie history of the partisan war in the Kalniškis area. It is also the journey of self-discovery of Rokas Kėsa, a Vilnius resident who fled to the countryside from unhappy relationships, whose mind is inhabited by animals with different views – Duck and Wolf.
Readers are invited to engage in a comic discussion about the relationship between city and countryside, past and present, God and the devil.
Ann Cleeves “Raven Black”
“Raven Black” is the first book by British crime detective writer Ann Cleeves from the popular Inspector Vera Stanhope series, which later inspired the well-known TV series “Vera.”
The story begins in a remote corner of Northumberland, where three very different women gather to conduct an environmental study. Each has experienced the bitter taste of betrayal, and soon the team leader Rachel finds the body of her friend Bella. At first glance, it looks like a suicide, but Rachel refuses to believe it. When another death occurs, the investigation is taken over by the eccentric Inspector Vera Stanhope, who has a unique talent for noticing what others miss.
Anthony Horowitz “Moonflower Murders”
Becoming a professional writer at just 20, Anthony Horowitz is today one of the most original and prolific contemporary British detective authors. Interestingly, in 2011 the author received special recognition: the Arthur Conan Doyle Foundation chose A. Horowitz as the official successor to the Sherlock Holmes stories.
The book “Moonflower Murders” is an inventive and multi-layered detective story for those who enjoy puzzles and unexpected plot twists. It tells about Susan Ryland, a retired publisher living on a Greek island and running a small hotel. Her peace is disturbed by a couple who tell her about a murder that took place in the hotel several years ago – and about their mysteriously missing daughter Cecily.
Before disappearing, Cecily was reading a detective novel once edited by Susan, “Atticus Pund Takes the Case” – upon hearing this, the woman realizes she must return to London and find out what happened. The key to the mystery of the murder and Cecily’s disappearance seems to lie within the pages of this novel. However, to solve the mystery of Cecily’s disappearance, Susan must risk her life again.
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