10 Cozy Mysteries to Curl Up With on a Rainy Day

	Title	Author
1.	Academic Curveball	James J. Cudney
2.	The Ginseng Conspiracy	Susan Bernhardt
3.	Murder Wears a Little Black Dress	Debra Sennefelder
4.	Some Like It Hot-Buttered	Jeffrey Cohen
5.	The Good Byline	Jill Orr
6.	The Devil Drinks Coffee	Destiny Ford
7.	The Cost of Living	Rachel Ward
8.	A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder	Dianne Freeman
9.	The Darkness Knows	Cheryl Honigford
10.	Hollywood Homicide	Kellye Garrett

The History of the Mystery Genre

Some of the world's oldest known stories used the same elements that make modern mysteries so enticing. Homer's famous epic poem The Odyssey is something of a prototype of the genre. The hero's life is in constant danger as he uses his cunning to solve problems and overcome his enemies. But the genre isn't exclusive to Western culture. One of the stories in One Thousand and One Nights (commonly known as Arabian Nights) is considered to be the oldest known murder mystery. This tale, The Three Apples, is full of plot twists and revolves around a mysterious death. Centuries later, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle popularized the genre with his stories about the now-famous Sherlock Holmes. Eventually, of course, mystery made its way from the pages of books to the big screen. Some of the most well-known of these movies were directed by Alfred Hitchcock, who worked on several classics throughout his career, including Psycho, Vertigo, and Rear Window.

Classic Mystery Books

If you're new to the genre, consider diving into its rich history with these classics:

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

What is a Cozy Mystery?

In Depth

Waking up to the gentle sound of rain on your window might be a bad sign for some people. For folks who love reading, however, it provides the perfect mood for settling into a delicious new story of tough private eyes, cold cases, and wisecracking detectives with a dark side. Those who adore sinking their teeth into a brand new murder mystery will relish the chance to cozy up with a thrilling new whodunit on a rainy day. In no particular order, here are some of the finest reads to save for the next stormy afternoon.

In the #1 slot is James J. Cudney's "Academic Curveball." Single dad Kellan just wanted to come home to celebrate his father's retirement from academia. He didn't plan on sticking around as the primary suspect in a murder case. But when a professor and family friend turns up dead, it's not just Kellan who needs to clear his name: his whole family is about to fall under suspicion. The campus setting provides the perfect background for this family-oriented tale of intrigue.

At #2 is "The Ginseng Conspiracy" by Susan Bernhardt. It's Halloween, and Kay Driscoll is trying to enjoy her first holiday in a new place without any drama. Unfortunately for her, when a prominent figure from the town dies suddenly, Kay knows that it's not the accident the coroners claim it to be. Together with her new, kooky group of friends, she has to piece together the puzzle of this homespun mystery, no matter how much her new community might resent it.

Together with her new, kooky group of friends, she has to piece together the puzzle of this homespun mystery, no matter how much her new community might resent it.

Coming in at #3 is Debra Sennefelder's "Murder Wears a Little Black Dress." In the fast-paced world of New York fashion, Kelly is queen. She loves her job as a buyer for upscale brands until she gets unceremoniously fired and has to return to her hometown in upstate New York. There, she plans to open up a consignment store in the property her recently-deceased grandmother left her.

When a psychic comes to try on a garment and ends up predicting murder, Kelly laughs it off. But she's not laughing when the woman's prophecy suddenly comes true.

For #4 we find "Some Like It Hot-Buttered" by Jeffrey Cohen. When cinephile Elliot buys an old movie palace, he knows exactly what he wants to do: turn it into a repertory house that shows classic comedies. When a screening of "Young Frankenstein" causes a patron to drop down dead, it's up to Elliot to solve the bizarre case. This comic mystery won't just keep you guessing, it's guaranteed to have you in stitches.

This comic mystery won't just keep you guessing, it's guaranteed to have you in stitches.

At #5 is Jill Orr's "The Good Byline." In the peaceful town of Tuttle Corner, Virginia, librarian Riley is mourning the death of her best friend. When the town newspaper approaches her to write an obituary, she accepts. But when a local journalist starts telling her his conspiracy theories about the town, Riley soon sees that her friend's demise is tied to something much more sinister, including a ring of mobsters and an illicit love affair.

For #6 we get Destiny Ford's "The Devil Drinks Coffee." As the editor of a small town newspaper, Kate is used to reporting on less-than-scintillating stories of farm life. That's all about to change. When a teenager's body is found in the lake, Branson Falls is abuzz. Could there have been something more behind the death? Kate has to find out, even if it leads her down a dark, dangerous path.

In the #7 slot is "The Cost of Living" by Rachel Ward. Bea works at the local supermarket, stocking groceries and wondering if there's more to life than organic produce. When a woman is accosted walking home from Bea's place of work, she knows she has to dig deeper. With the help of a new friend, she's determined to use her unparalleled knowledge of the town's inhabitants to find and apprehend the stalker in question. This cozy crime story features well-developed characters and a quirky, lovable lead.

This cozy crime story features well-developed characters and a quirky, lovable lead.

At #8 is Diane Freeman's "A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder." In Victorian London, widow Frances Wynn is doing quite well. Enjoying the new freedoms of unmarried life, she commits to taking in all the sights, sounds, and excitement that the city has to offer. But when the police receive a letter implicating Frances in her husband's death, she has to use her cunning and connections to clear her name before the real assassin catches up to her.

At #9 is "The Darkness Knows" by Cheryl Honigford. In 1938, the world is on the brink of war and radio is king. In Chicago, a broadcast darling's lifeless body is left in the station lounge. Vivian Winchell, a promising actress, believes she's next. With only a debonair detective by her side, she'll have to catch up to the killer before he puts her dazzling radio career to an end once and for all.

At last, at #10, is Kellye Garrett's "Hollywood Homicide." After years of trying to make it as an actress in L.A., Dayna is starting to feel the financial strain. When she sees a shocking hit and run, she's eager to get her hands on the reward money. But as she starts digging deeper into the case, she finds that her skill for amateur sleuthing might be her true calling. It also might send her to an early grave.