Recommendations: Cozy mysteries in different settings

ownedbycats · 06-12-2025, 10:58 AM

Are there any cozy mysteries that don't take place in Generic Seaside/Lakeside Tourist Town? I'd like to see some that take place in different parts of the world than North America or U.K.

Bonus points if the protagonist actually is from the area and not an American that moved there (found this frustrating with a few that take place in Europe).

The closest thing to what I'm looking for is the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, takes place in Botswana, but its not quite a cozy mystery. And I already read it.

JSWolf · 06-12-2025, 03:26 PM

Here's a list of some Cozy Mysteries that take place in a big city.

https://crimereads.com/cozy-mysteries-set-in-big-cities

hildea · 06-12-2025, 04:00 PM

KJ Charles "Proper English" takes place in an English country estate in the early 1900s. It's more of a romance than a murder mystery, but it's both, and cozy.

I'm trying to think of a cozy Scandinavian crime novel -- I'm sure they must exist, but all the ones I can think of are rather gruesome.

"The 100 year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared" is crime mystery adjacent (although a lot of the crimes are committed by the protagonist -- admittedly under extenuating circumstances -- so not so mysterious).

issybird · 06-12-2025, 04:27 PM

Are you familiar with the Maggody books by Joan Hess? They're set in the US, but in rural Arkansas so not a vacation spot, and they're a hoot.

06-12-2025, 10:58 AM	#1
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 11,358 Karma: 79528341 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	Recommendations: Cozy mysteries in different settings Are there any cozy mysteries that don't take place in Generic Seaside/Lakeside Tourist Town? I'd like to see some that take place in different parts of the world than North America or U.K. Bonus points if the protagonist actually is from the area and not an American that moved there (found this frustrating with a few that take place in Europe). The closest thing to what I'm looking for is the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, takes place in Botswana, but its not quite a cozy mystery. And I already read it.

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06-12-2025, 03:26 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,778 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Here's a list of some Cozy Mysteries that take place in a big city. https://crimereads.com/cozy-mysteries-set-in-big-cities

06-12-2025, 04:00 PM	#3
hildea Wizard Posts: 1,321 Karma: 69134700 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Norway Device: PocketBook Touch Lux (had Onyx Boox Poke 3 and BeBook Neo earlier)	KJ Charles "Proper English" takes place in an English country estate in the early 1900s. It's more of a romance than a murder mystery, but it's both, and cozy. I'm trying to think of a cozy Scandinavian crime novel -- I'm sure they must exist, but all the ones I can think of are rather gruesome. "The 100 year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared" is crime mystery adjacent (although a lot of the crimes are committed by the protagonist -- admittedly under extenuating circumstances -- so not so mysterious).

06-12-2025, 04:27 PM	#4
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 21,517 Karma: 236076651 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: Mini, H2O, Glo HD, Aura One, PW4, PW5	Are you familiar with the Maggody books by Joan Hess? They're set in the US, but in rural Arkansas so not a vacation spot, and they're a hoot.