Which cozy mysteries are right for me?

Update: 2025-11-18

Description

Dipping a toe into a new genre can feel equal parts overwhelming and exciting. Today I’m talking with a reader about where to start with a genre she’s eager to explore.

Amber Richcreek lives in Bellingham, Washington with her family, where she’s a pre-k teacher and enjoys baking and photography in her spare time. She’s also a lifelong reader and a fan of emotional, character-driven contemporary fiction.

Lately Amber’s been intrigued by the cozy mystery genre. She’s done some initial research into where to start, but has quickly found herself overwhelmed by the number of ideas and books she could sample. Amber’s come to me for help today, because she’d love to get acquainted with this genre and better understand how to navigate it as a new reader in this space.

I know many readers are drawn to cozy titles this time of year, so it feels like a great time to explore the various subgenres of cozy mystery. I’ll leave Amber with a map and a short list of titles that will help guide her as she reads her way into this corner of the bookshelf.

Please tell us about your favorite cozy mysteries by leaving a comment below.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"> What Should I Read Next #503: Which cozy mysteries are right for me?, with Amber Richcreek “I hear the word mystery, and I think heavy and dark and things lurking in the shadows, but then I hear cozy, and I'm like, ‘Oh, but like, they're drinking tea and it ends up happy in the end.’”

What Should I Read Next #503: Which cozy mysteries are right for me?, with Amber Richcreek “I hear the word mystery, and I think heavy and dark and things lurking in the shadows, but then I hear cozy, and I'm like, ‘Oh, but like, they're drinking tea and it ends up happy in the end.’”

</figure>

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Last chance to share your favorite titles for an upcoming episode

We are still collecting your stories and voices to help create our upcoming episode. Please call us by November 23 and tell us about a favorite book that you found through What Should I Read Next. It’s easy to participate: call us at 502-627-0663 and leaving us a short voicemail. Please call from a quiet place so we can hear everything you have to say and our listeners can hear you well on the show. We can’t wait to learn about your literary discoveries.

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[00:00:00 ] AMBER RICHCREEK: Do people get nervous before they share their...

ANNE BOGEL: Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. Because you're ready to talk about it, and then I think internally it's like, "Ooh, but am I?" Are you, Amber?

AMBER: I'm ready. I'm ready. It's okay.

ANNE: This is a safe space.

Hey readers, I'm Anne Bogel, and this is What Should I Read Next?. Welcome to the show that's dedicated to answering the question that plagues every reader, what should I read next? We don't get bossy on this show. What we will do here is give you the information you need to choose your next read. Every week we'll talk all things books and reading, and today we're doing a little literary matchmaking with one guest.

[00:00:50 ] Readers, our shop is full of both new and returning favorites right now. Our much-loved tote bag is perfect for trips to the library or anywhere you want to take your books. And it makes a great gift or a gift wrapping for your favorite reader.

Our new collection of Leuchtturm 1917 embossed journals with the beautiful copper ampersand on them is available in custom colors selected by our team. It's been a big hit this fall. Pair one with a book or just wrap it up on its own and it's a ready gift for nearly anyone.

We've got a whole lot more besides t-shirts and stickers, signed copies of my books, printed copies of our summer reading guides and seasonal previews, buttons and pencils, and more. Check it all out at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop.

And if you're ordering for holiday delivery, please place your order as early as you can. We're a small team and manage all the fulfillment ourselves. So we'd love to get your order in the mail as soon as possible. Check out our goods at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop.

[00:01:50 ] Readers, we have a major milestone coming up in the new year, and we'd love to feature your stories and voices as part of our celebration. We've learned through the years how much you love listening to any episodes that feature our favorite or best books.

And for our 10th, we are planning exactly this kind of episode, but this time we're featuring your literary superlatives. Would you please call us and tell us what they are so we can feature your voices on our special episode? For the next week, that is by November 23rd, please give us a call and tell us about a favorite book that you found through What Should I Read Next?

Here's the number. Dial 502-627-0663 and leave us a short voicemail. Take a minute and tell us about a book that you are happy to have found, that you found through What Should I Read Next?. If you remember which episode it was, we'd love to hear that too, whether it was almost 10 years ago or last week. Please call from a quiet place so we can hear everything you have to say, and our listeners can hear you on