Cozy mysteries set in bookshops. There is something *extra* cozy about a bookstore cozy mystery. Or maybe that’s just me, since I love bookstores so much. In any case, here are some of my favourite cozy mysteries that have a lovely bookstore setting.
For each series, I feature the cover/title of Book One and then link to the series list on Goodreads.
(The following Amazon and Book Depository links are Affiliate Links. Click here to read my Advertising & Affiliate Disclaimer)
Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery Series by Vicki Delaney
Gemma Doyle, a transplanted Englishwoman, has returned to the quaint town of West London on Cape Cod to manage her Great Uncle Arthur’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium. The shop, which is located at 222 Baker Street, specializes in the Holmes canon and pastiche and is also the home of Moriarty the cat. Gemma’s friend Jayne runs a teashop cafe next door named Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room.
How can I resist a cozy mystery series set in a bookstore that sells all things Sherlock Holmes? I really can’t. This is one of my current favourite series (still ongoing) – every book has been great so far – and I’m really looking forward to the next instalment.
Book 1: Elementary, She Read
ADD TO GOODREADS | SHOP THE SERIES ON: AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY
Victorian Bookshop Mystery Series by Kate Parker
At age 30, Victorian bookshop owner Georgia Fenchurch knows she’s considered a middle-class old maid. That’s fine by her. During the day, she’s kept busy at the bookshop she inherited from her parents. At night, she works with the Archivist Society, a group of people who work together searching for the truth.
Together the Archivist society searches through dusty records, don disguises and assume identities as they hunt for missing people, stolen treasures, and cunning murderers.
This was an incredibly fun series and had the extra appeal of the historical fiction added in. Unfortunately, the last book in this series came out in 2017 so I think the series is over. However, there are five books in the series and Book 5, The Detecting Duchess, does seem to wrap the series up nicely.
Book 1: The Vanishing Thief
ADD TO GOODREADS | SHOP THE SERIES ON: AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY
Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery Series by Lauren Elliott
Addie Greyborne loved working with rare books at the Boston Public Library—she even got to play detective, tracking down clues about mysterious old volumes. But she has now left Boston, trying to escape some painful memories, including the unsolved murder of her fiancé and her father’s fatal car accident. After an unexpected inheritance from a great aunt, she’s moved to a small New England town founded by her ancestors back in colonial times—and living in spacious Greyborne Manor, on a hilltop overlooking the harbor. Best of all, her aunt also left her countless first editions and other treasures—providing an inventory to start her own store.
Addie’s knowledge, experience and connections makes her a natural amateur sleuth and I can easily believe that she’d be able to solve a real mystery. She’s currently one of my favourite cozy mystery sleuths – she’s smart, capable, independent, but still flawed enough to make her relatable. Addie is one of the main reasons that I keep coming back to this series – between her and the good solid mystery, this series has been able to hold my interest.
Book 1: Murder by the Book
ADD TO GOODREADS | SHOP THE SERIES ON: AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY
Castle Bookshop Mystery Series by Essie Lang
Shelby Cox never intended to become a bookseller, so when the former editor returns to her hometown of Alexandria Bay, nestled in upstate New York’s breathtaking Thousand Islands region, to take over her aunt’s bookstore, she has no idea what to expect. To her amazement, she discovers that she now owns a fifty-percent share in Bayside Books, and will also run the store’s second location in the majestic castle on nearby Blye Island. Talk about a lifestyle change!
I love the idea of a bookstore in a castle, especially one nestled in the spectacular Thousand Islands region. Aside from Shelby, I really enjoyed the supporting cast of characters in this series – Shelby’s friends, boyfriend and mom are all interesting in their own right and add a lot to the storylines.
Book 1: Trouble on the Books
ADD TO GOODREADS | SHOP THE SERIES ON: AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY
Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series by Paige Shelton
In need of a good adventure, Delaney Nichols takes the leap and moves to Edinburgh, Scotland to start a job at The Cracked Spine. She doesn’t know much about what she’s gotten herself into, other than that the work sounds exciting, and that her new boss, Edwin MacAlister, has given her the opportunity of a lifetime. Delaney’s new coworkers include Rosie and her tiny dog Hector; Hamlet, a young thespian with a colored past and bright future; and Edwin, who is just as enigmatic and mysterious as Delaney expected. An unexpected bonus is Tom the bartender from across the street, with his piercing eyes, and a rolling brogue — and it doesn’t hurt that he looks awfully good in a kilt.
I just started this series (I finished the first book yesterday!) but I’m already on the hunt for the rest of the books. Scotland, and Edinburgh in particular, are on my list of “Must Visit” places so reading about a quirky bookshop set right in the heart of Edinburgh is just incredibly fun and enjoyable.
Book 1: The Cracked Spine
ADD TO GOODREADS | SHOP THE SERIES ON: AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY
So that’s it for this Friday! It’s always fun to group together some of my favourite cozies under one subject. What should I do next?
Every Friday, I share five things that have caught my interest – from my favourite book blog posts to my favourite bookstagram accounts, from random book lists I’ve put together to my current shopping list of bookish gifts. Have an idea for a future “5 for Friday” post? Leave a comment and let me know!
