Just when the women of Read Wine are ready to say their new bookstore is a success, someone reappears to get revenge.

I obviously love reading to Charlotte, but I have been a bookworm every since I was her age. I read a little bit of everything, but my favorite genre would have to be a good cozy mystery. A cozy mystery is exactly just that. It is a story full of fun characters who try to solve a good mystery. A mystery that is light and entertaining instead of dark and gory. I love them because they are a quick read that keeps the focus on spotting the clues to solve the crime and highly revolve around character development. I look forward to "visiting" my favorite characters and catching up with them in new books. Each series revolves around a theme such as: cooking, gardening, sewing, or running some sort of business. Many of these books will often include recipes or extra facts about their theme. The story takes place in a small town so you really get to know the layout and all of the local characters if you keep up with a series. There is usually a love interest that often ends up being a member of the local law enforcement. The chapters are typically just a few pages long so they are perfect if you have limited reading time. If you go to the bookstore and check out the cozy mystery section, you can easily become overwhelmed because there are so many selections to choose from. I have been reading cozy mysteries for almost fifteen years now and wanted to share my top ten favorite series with you in case you are interested in trying the genre out. (Pictured are the first book in each series. Clicking the picture will take you to my affiliate link on Amazon in case you wish to learn more about a certain title or series) China Bayles Herbal Mysteries by Susan Wittig Albert: This is the series that got me hooked on cozy mysteries in the first place. I love gardening and I'm from Texas so it was an easy match for me. Once I started reading it however, I quickly realized that the areas the author was describing in each book sounded really familiar. I ended up chatting with Susan a few years back and she confirmed the fact that she loosely based the locations off of the town where I attended college and some of the surrounding areas that I live in now. Kinda neat. I adore this fictional town and its inhabitants. They feel like close friends. It reminds me of all of those small country towns where everyone knows everyone and of course all of their business too. You will definitely want to start an herb garden after reading this series. It inspired me to and I'm glad it did. Main character: China Bayles the owner of Thyme and Seasons Herb Shop in Pecan Springs, Texas. Regular cast: Ruby Wilcox - China's best friend and owner of a New Age Shop (trust me she is a hoot) Mike McQuaid - private investigator and China's main squeeze. Includes: Recipes (made the mint nut bread numerous times) and numerous facts about herbs. There are currently 21 books in this series. Author's website A Tea Shop Mystery by Laura Childs: If you follow me on Instragram, you will know that I'm a huge fan of drinking tea. The Indigo Tea Shop is one place that I would love to hang out at. It's the perfect place for friends to meet for brunch or to host a party for your favorite organization. I love the main character. She's seems very intelligent and strong. You will love touring Charleston with her too. Main Character: Theodosia Browning the owner of the Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, South Carolina. Regular Cast: Drayton - master tea blender Haley - pastry chef (her menus will have you drooling) Burt Tidwell - local detective Dalanie Dish - the nosy friend that you can't help but put up with and love. Includes: Recipes and facts about every tea imaginable. There are currently 15 books in this series. Author's website Coffeehouse Mystery by Cleo Coyle: Don't worry coffee drinkers, there is one for you too. This is what I picture a favorite coffeehouse to be like. A place where you have amazing baristas that truly love what they do and go the extra mile to help you find your favorite brew. It's a place where people regularly meet to relax and catch up with friends or snuggle up on a couch to get some work done. This series is so well written. The crimes are always believable and will have you chasing all over the Big Apple in search of the culprit. Main Character: Clare Cosi who manages the Village Blend Coffeehouse in New York City. Regular Cast: Matteo - coffee buyer and Clare's ex Madame Dreyfus Allegro Dubois - owner of the Village Blend and Matteo's mom Mike Quinn NYPD detective. Includes: Recipes There are currently 13 books in this series. Author's website A Flower Shop Mystery by Kate Collins: I love this series. The mysteries are always good, but the cast of quirky regulars are highly entertaining. When the crew is not solving mysteries, they are busy filling numerous flower orders. Let's face it, we all wish and think that we are masters when it comes to arranging flowers. It's fun to do and it always brightens your room and day to have a fresh bouquet around. Main Character: Abbey Knight who owns Bloomers, a local flower shop in New Chapel, Indiana. Regular Cast: Grace - one of Abbey's assistants who offers advice in the form of a good quote. Marco - owner of the local bar and grill, PI and definite love interest. Maureen - Abbey's mom who drops off her bizarre artwork in hopes it can be sold in the flower shop. Jillian - Abbey's cousin who doesn't think before she speaks. We all know someone like Jillian. There are currently 14 books in this series. Author's website A Domestic Diva Mystery by Krista Davis: This is such a fun series. The characters feel like family and best friends. Sophie's house is always so warm and inviting. She is the neighbor that you wish you had because her front door is always open, she helps out at a moments notice and fixes you amazing meals the moment you come over. I really love the events that Sophie is working on in each book too. Each chapter begins with a "dear abbey" type advice column. They either provide some good tips or some great laughter! Main Character: Sophie Winston an event planner in Alexandria, Virginia. Regular Cast: Natasha - the other local event planner who is always in competition with Sophie. Mars - Sophie's ex husband, neighbor and Natasha's boyfriend! Nina - Sophie's best friend and a huge animal lover. Daisy and Moiche - Sophie's beloved pets. There are currently 7 books in the series. Includes: recipes. Author's website A Cupcake Bakery Mystery by Jenn McKinnlay: Cupcakes are such a likeable treat these days. Trust me when I say that this series will have you craving those little cups of sweetness immediately!! After you are done licking your lips, you will instantly fall in love with the cast. The three main characters share a bond that has developed from being best friends since childhood. They are experts at quoting favorite movies and there just might be some hidden feelings amongst two of them. The rest of the crew is just as loveable and definitely entertaining! Main Character: Melanie Cooper the co-owner of Fairy Tale Cupcakes Bakery in Scottsdale, Arizona. Regular Cast: Angie DeLaura - Co-owner of the bakery, best friend and the only girl in a family full of very protective brothers. Tate - Mel and Angie's longtime best friend. Joe DeLaura - A District Attorney, one of Angie's many brothers, and a highly likeable love interest. There are currently 6 books in the series. Includes: tasty cupcake recipes. Author's website A White House Chef Mystery by Julie Hyzy: I look forward to reading every new book in this series as soon as it comes out! Not only are the mysteries highly intriguing, but the location is the White House! I know it's fiction, but it's kind of interesting to imagine what it must be like to work behind the scenes there. Hyzy does such a great job of making everything seems so incredibly real that each book instantly draws you in and has you eagerly flipping the pages until the very end. Main Character: Olivia "Ollie" Paras an executive chef at the White House in Washington D.C. Regular Cast: Bucky and Cyan - two more White House chefs Peter Everett Sargeant - do you love him or hate him, it's hard to tell. He's the sensitivity director at the White House and easily gets on everyone's last nerve. Thomas MacKenzie - secret service agent Mrs. Wentworth - Ollie's neighbor who knows everything that goes on in the her apartment building. Gavin - a mysterious special agent who shares some intense chemistry with Ollie. There are currently 7 books in the series. Includes: recipes for a complete presidential menu. Author's website. A Charmed Pie Shoppe by Ellery Adams: If you have never read a book by Adams, then I highly suggest you resolve that soon. She has such a talent for creating characters that you love to watch develop. This is a new series with only a few books, but I am already hooked and eager for many, many more. I love the main character, her loveable family and of course all of the ways the cast use their magical abilities to help others. If you look beyond the mystery, you will also notice a twist on a classic story. Main Character: Ella Mae LaFaye owner of the enchanted Charmed Pie Shoppe in Havenwood, Georgia. Regular Cast: Hugh Dylan - hunky firefighter and Ella's old crush. Dee, Verena, Sissy - the most magical and lovable aunts you will ever meet. Reba - licorice loving waitress and family caretaker. Loralyn - the annoying arch nemesis Chewy - Ella's Jack Russell terrier and constant companion. Includes - recipes There are currently 3 books in the series. Author's website. A Cheeseshop Mystery by Avery Aaemes: From the moment I read the first book in this series, I was hooked! The main setting takes place in a quaint little specialty cheese shop. They offer samplings, deli sandwiches and even great suggestions on wine pairings. It should come as no surprise that the owner's family is French. The characters are warm and seem so real. You get a sense that you've already known them for years. The mystery is always intriguing and keeps you guessing from a handful of suspects until the very end. Main Character: Charlotte Bessette owner of Fromagerie Bessette in Providence, Ohio. Regular Cast: Bernadette - Charlotte's fiesty Grandmere, local mayor and theater director. Etienne - Charlotte's Grandpere who's incredibly loveable and an expert cheese snacker. Matthew - Charlotte's cousin and proud father of adorable twin girls. In charge of the wine annex. Rebecca Zook - the recently shunned Amish assistant who is hooked on crime shows. Jordan Pace - mysterious new resident and easy love interest. Urso - "U-ey", chief of police and an old high school friend. There are currently 5 books in the series. Includes: recipes Author's website. A Magical Bakery Mystery by Bailey Cates: I know, another magical cozy, but it's so good! I happen to like paranormal books too so when you mix the two together I get very excited. Throw in a good love triangle and I'm hooked. This book follows a young woman as she discovers she is a witch and just needs to learn to tap into her special abilities. The relationship amongst all the characters really makes this one an easy favorite. Main Character: Katie Lightfoot - head baker at the family run Honeybee Bakery in Savannah, Georgia Regular Cast: Lucy and Ben - Katie's Aunt and Uncle who run the bakery. Mimsey, Bianca, Jaida, and Cookie - coven of witches and members of the enchanted book club. Declan - macho firefighter and possible love connection. Steve - reporter, warlock and equally possible love connection! There are currently 3 books in the series. Author's website. I honestly could go on and on and recommend so many other books in this genre. Have you read any of these or do you have another favorite cozy series that you follow? I have two shelves full of cozy mysteries just waiting to be read. You can check out my Goodreads page to view any of the mysteries that I have read. If you have a question about any of them, don't hesitate to ask! Now go relax and curl up with a good book!!!

If you love cozy mystery books, here's a book you're going to want to read. Read more about Can't Judge a Book by Its Murder and hear from the author!

Descriptions of some popular cozy mystery series to read if you want to write cozy mysteries.

Unravel mysteries with comfort! Delve into the best cozy mystery books where intrigue meets charming settings and endearing sleuths.

Discover your new favorite cozy mystery series from Ellie Alexander. Experience lighthearted mystery romps, lovable characters, and fun twists.

What type of crime fiction do you write and why? So far the type of mysteries I write seem to fall under the Cozy Mystery category although I have had a few reviews that say my books are not…

These mysteries are perfect for reading snuggled up under a blanket.

Descriptions of some popular cozy mystery series to read if you want to write cozy mysteries.

Cozy mystery lovers: here are some of the best heartwarming and entertaining cozy mystery books (including contemporary and historical)!

Enjoy Books 1-4 of the Read Wine Bookstore Cozy Mystery series, plus a bonus book in this captivating box set!

Author: Vickie Fee Genre: Mystery Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book ISBN #: 9781496700643 Kensington Publishing 329 Pages $7.99; $4.99 Amazon September 27, 2016 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Between a riverboat gambler-theme engagement party and a murder mystery dinner for charity, Dixie, Tennessee, party planner Liv McKay is far too frenzied to feel festive. Add to the mix her duties at the annual businesswomen's retreat and the antics of a celebrity ghost-hunting diva, and Liv's schedule is turning out to be the scariest thing about this Halloween - especially when the ladies stumble across a dead body in a cemetery... Morgan Robison was a party girl with a penchant for married men and stirring up a cauldron of drama. Any number of scorned wives or frightened philanderers could be behind her death. As Liv and her best friend, Di, set out to dig up the truth, they'll face the unexpected and find their efforts hampered by a killer with one seriously haunting vendetta... ✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽ Liv McKay is an event planner in Dixie, Tennessee. She's got her hands full with planning a riverboat-themed engagement party, a Halloween bash with three separate parties for children, teens, and adults; and is a member of a women's business association, which is giving her the most grief. The president of the association is banker's daughter Morgan Robison, and she's nothing if not trouble. She's enlisted Liv to be chauffeur/gofer for a local who's become a worldwide celebrity due to her ghost hunting show. The diva, Lucinda Grable, treats everyone the same - like they're beneath her, so Liv, while annoyed, doesn't feel singled out. But the first night of the retreat Morgan is murdered, and Liv is pretty sure it's poison from the horrific look on Morgan's face. When another member is accused and arrested, Liv's friends try their hardest to convince her that the woman can't be guilty. Now it's up to Liv and her best friend Di to try and find a killer who has no remorse and may not be done killing... I really like this series, even though I haven't read them in order. I was saddened to discover that it appears there isn't another available, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the author will keep writing them. Morgan was thoroughly unlikable with a penchant for married men and controlling everyone around her, so it's no surprise to anyone when she's murdered. It seems nearly everyone had a reason, but finding the guilty party isn't an easy task, and not one Liv is happy about. The mystery was done very well, and I will say that while Liv's character is fully fleshed out, along with her family members, I just honestly don't care all that much for Di. I get that she has a past she's not happy about, but she's a little too closed off to be interesting. Basically all she does is work and drink, and help Liv in her 'escapades' (although to be fair, she does instigate one or two). I would like to see her take control of her life and refuse to allow her past to define who she is right now. Anyway, while there's plenty of suspects abounding, I was surprised at finding out the murderer. We weren't privy to the truth until it actually came out, and that's always a good thing. Liv's mother is a hoot and seems like the kind of woman you'd actually have fun with. Liv herself has a happy marriage, is good at her job and with people, and her friends are interesting, to say the least. When all is said and done, I've read every one of these, and I loved them all. My only hope is that Ms. Fee continues with this series. I'll be the first to buy the new book. Recommended. https://www.amazon.com/Your-Party-Want-Dixie-Mystery/dp/1496700643/ref Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2884244655 More on Vickie Fee's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/f/vickie-fee/

Indulge in intrigue and comfort with our top 10 cozy mystery books for a delightful reading experience. From quaint village settings to charming detective tales, these books offer the perfect blend of suspense and relaxation. Discover your next favorite mystery from the comfort of your couch.

All Signs Point to Murder is a fabulous cozy mystery following astrologer Julia while she tries to help her friend find out who murdered her sister.

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday! I am so happy to welcome Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli to Escape with Dollycas today! Hi Everyone, When my agent suggested Little Librar

Mystery lovers! Have you read the adorable cozy mystery series Myrtle Hardcastle yet? If you love a good cozy historical and you like middle grade (or know a young reader you want to get hooked on historical mysteries), this series is excellent. Book four, In Myrtle Peril, [...] came ...

In THIS post, you were offered 2 chances for a prize and now it’s time to see if you won! The winner of THIS . . . . . . is Teri!!!! Teri Pannesi NOV 21, 2014 @ 11:14:46 I have this book on my wishli

Grantchester, Call the Midwife, Poldark, and more good books to read if you love British drama.

Death on the Page is the second book in Essie Lang's Castle Bookshop mystery series which features Bayside Books co-owner Shelby Cox.

Descriptions of some popular cozy mystery series to read if you want to write cozy mysteries.

When I see an interesting looking mystery at the library or bookstore, the first thing I do is flip to the text and read the first page. I want to be engaged immediately, and I know that non-writing readers feel exactly the same way. And I noticed once, a long time ago, that if the

Author: Annie Knox Genre: Mystery Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book ISBN #: 9780451239501 Berkley Publishing 320 Pages $7.99l; $2.99 Amazon January 4, 2014 ✮✮ Izzy's own beloved pets are dressed to the nines for the grand opening of Trendy Tails. Feisty feline Jinx is large and in charge, and happy mutt Packer is lapping up the attention. Izzy and her best friend, Rena, have their hands full meeting Merryville's menagerie and serving tasty pupcakes and kitty canapés from their "barkery." The last thing they need is Sherry Harper, the town's local activist, scaring off customers and getting tongues wagging by picketing the event. The two manage to stop Sherry's protest in its tracks, but the trouble for Trendy Tails is just beginning. Sherry is found murdered in the back of the shop, and Rena is immediately named as the lead suspect. Now Izzy and her furry friends have a new pet project - collaring a killer. ✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽ When Izzy McHale's life falls apart because her doctor boyfriend decides to hightail it out of town with another woman, she decides to open a pet clothing store and 'barkery' with her friend Rena Hamilton, and she thinks everything is going to be fine. But she doesn't count on Sherry Harper, trust fund baby and local activist, who thinks it's cruel to dress up pets, picketing on opening night. When there is a set-to outside her store during the opening, she finds Sherry and her ex-boyfriend Nick in the middle of a heated argument. After Rena successfully ends the fiasco, the party continues. Later in the night when Izzy is taking out the trash she sees something near the dumpster...which turns out to be Sherry, quite dead indeed. When Rena is suspected of the crime, Izzy realizes her best friend couldn't possibly be guilty and since she thinks the police aren't even looking for anyone else she opts to find the killer herself rather than see her friend jailed for something she didn't do... Well, this book started out interesting enough with a conversation between Sherry and Izzy. But the more I read, the more it seemed rather silly. A store dedicated to dressing up your dogs and cats? Honestly, I own cats (and have owned dogs) and I can't imagine trying to put clothing of any kind on my cats. Just trying would have me paying for it for months, if you know what I mean. And to tell the truth, I've never really liked the idea of people clothing their dogs. They're pets, for goodness' sake, not people. While you think they may love being dressed up, they're dogs. They only know they're getting attention, and are probably wondering what you're doing to them. It's rather silly to see a dog in a tutu and makes me wonder about the person who did it - but enough about that... Anyway, it is the first in a series and that always makes me want to give a book a chance, because you never know what you might find. Sadly, it wasn't much. Why did she decide to design for pets? Especially in a small town? She trained to be a clothing designer, and she could just as well have made clothing for people, even in said small town. If the designs were nice enough, she could have started small and worked her way into a high-end boutique. This would have made the series much more interesting. Anyone who's read any of my reviews knows I'm a stickler for details, so to that end, this is where the book lost me: early on in the book we are told (as I've mentioned) that Sherry is a trust fund baby. Then later on - and this isn't much of a spoiler since it also occurs fairly early in the book - Rena tells Izzy how during a protest in Minneapolis Sherry hid a can of spray paint (she had used to deface a building) in Rena's backpack to hide it. Rena then goes on to say that she got arrested for it and didn't have bail money, so spent three weeks in jail and had to sell plasma to pay for a bus ticket home. (Not to mention that's a lot of plasma; I don't think they pay that much for it). Hmm...Sherry was the reason she went to jail in the first place, and knew it. Again - Trust Fund Baby. So why didn't she pony up the bail money for Rena? Why didn't she pay for the ticket home? Rena just took the rap and didn't even do anything about it? Really? We’re supposed to buy this? Rena is either the stupidest person in the world or the author thinks her audience is if they don't even question this. Anyone knows that the incident in Minneapolis wouldn't have come to light as it was previous and had no bearing on the case. She killed her because of three weeks in jail years ago? Not plausible; so why it was even considered is beyond me. Unfortunately, once a book loses me it's very hard to take anything else in it seriously, so I won't be reading any more of this series. https://www.amazon.com/Paws-Murder-Pet-Boutique-Mystery/dp/0451239504/ref Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2455881358 More on Annie Knox's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/k/annie-knox/

In Nine Lives and Alibis, the seventh in Cate Conte's Cat Café beloved cozy mystery series, Daybreak Island is gearing up for Halloween--but this year it seems like it'll be all tricks and no treats. It's October in Daybreak Harbor, which means everything Halloween. The town is going all out for the holiday, hoping to one-up the festivities in neighboring Salem, Massachusetts, and Maddie James is delighted to be part of the planning for the annual happenings. But trouble brews when Maddie's youngest sister, Sam, books a famous medium, Balfour Dempsey, to come to town for the celebrations and stay in the local haunted inn--along with his equally famous black cat. The town busybody books a secret reading with Balfour and doesn't want anyone to know why. Maddie's best friend Becky is hell-bent on getting Balfour to help her solve two 40-year-old mysteries--a murder and a missing maid. And the psychic has a stalker who's followed him here to the island, demanding he connect with her dead husband. When Balfour is pushed off the cliffs behind the inn to his death and his beloved cat goes missing, it throws the whole town into a frenzy. And Maddie and her family find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery straight out of a Halloween movie. Product DetailsISBN-13: 9781250883933 Media Type: Paperback Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group Publication Date: 08-22-2023 Pages: 336 Product Dimensions: 4.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.00(d) Series: Cat Cafe Mystery Series - #7About the Author Cate Conte writes the Cat Cafe Mysteries and the Full Moon Mysteries. As Liz Mugavero, she writes the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, the first of which was an Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel. She lives in Connecticut with her rescue pals.

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday! I am so happy to welcome Devon Delaney to Escape With Dollycas today! In It To Win It by Devon Delaney Some have described t

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!! I am very excited to welcome Bethany Blake to Escape With Dollycas! Hi Everyone, Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved three

While modern day mystery novels are relatable and exciting to read, there is a different extent of escapism in a good historical mystery books. Here are a few of my favorites in which to get lost: Girl with a Gun by Kari Bovee