Challenge

Occupation/Hobby Cozy Mystery Challenge

This is a challenge to help you get more out of your cozy mystery reading.

You can do all of these challenges or combine challenges.

Make this challenge work for you.

The main point is to have fun reading cozy mysteries!!

Use the Cozy Mysteries by Occupation and Cozy Mysteries by Hobby Pages linked below for ideas:

  • Read a cozy mystery with an occupation that I wanted to do as a kid
  • Read a cozy mystery with an occupation that is the one I do now or close to the one I do now
  • Read a cozy mystery with a baker or food related occupation
  • Read a cozy mystery with an occupation related to animals
  • Read a cozy mystery with a bookish occupation
  • Read a cozy mystery with a math or science occupation
  • Read a cozy mystery with a hobby you’d like to explore
  • Read a cozy mystery with a hobby you do now
  • Read a cozy mystery with a main character that owns their own business
  • Read a cozy mystery with a main character with an occupation that you don’t want to do
  • Read a cozy mystery with a main character with an unusual occupation
  • Read a cozy mystery with a main character that is unemployed
  • Read a cozy mystery with a main character that inherits a business
  • Read a cozy mystery with a main character that changes occupations

What occupation did you want to do as a kid? Veterinarian and Zoo Keeper and Actress What occupation do you do now? Blogger What hobby would you like to explore? Nature Photography and Flower Arranging What hobby do you do now? Reading and Birding Do you have recommendations for any of these challenges? Do you have any requests for occupations and hobbies that you want added to my lists? Please leave a comment.

2025 New Releases

New Release Cozy Mysteries I Read in January 2025

I love this mystery and series! The mystery starts right away and intrigued me. Grandma Rose gets Dani involved in this mystery. I love how everyone in the town always stands be one another. It makes me wish this happened in real life. There were a lot of surprises in this mystery that I didn’t see coming. We get to know more about some of the townspeople too which I love. There were a lot of twists and turns. I knew who did it in the end but it was still an exciting reveal. I can’t wait for the next book in April!

This mystery is so good! This one was even better than the first book. There is a pirate festival in town and a treasure to be found. There are a few surprise animals that add a lot to the story/mystery. I love Georgie, Tessa, Callum, and all of the animals. There are lots of surprises and secrets in this one. The last few chapters are a great ride. I highly recommend and will continue this series!

I love this series! It’s a series at first glance wouldn’t be for me being in a hardware store, a mother daughter sleuthing team, a paranormal elements but it’s so good. The author’s writing style really works for me and this is a unique cozy in a sea of cozies. It’s light on the paranormal and is used in a very unique and sweet way so don’t let that deter you from giving this series a try. This story is steeped in Fall so if you’re a seasonal reader pick this up this Fall. Great mystery and an exciting reveal. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

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What new releases did you read in January? What are your thoughts on them? Please leave a comment.

My Favorites

My 25 Favorite Cozy Mystery Series

Cozies are the best and it’s hard to pick my top 25 series. Here they are in no particular order.

These are my favorite cozy mysteries series of all time and I highly recommend them all if you like what you read in the synopsis! These are cozy mystery series that I wanted to read because of the theme or setting so these series may not appeal to all cozy mystery readers.

Magical Cats by Sofie Kelly

The cats have magical abilities in this series but it’s not really paranormal. If you don’t like paranormal cozies still give this one a try. The cats’ abilities add to the plots of the mysteries. The cats also have a lot of everyday cat scenes.

A Cats in Trouble by Leann Sweeney

I love the relationship between the main character with her BFF, Tom, and Shawn. The annoying character Lydia really adds to the series for me. There are a lot of cat scenes. Trigger warning: the cats are sometimes put into upsetting situations but no cats are harmed in this series.

The Cat in the Stacks by Miranda James

I love this series for all the small details the author adds. The main character Charlie Harris (male) and Diesel the cat are very endearing characters. Melba, Charlie’s good friend adds to the mysteries since she knows all of the gossip. The Chief Kanesha Berry is a unique and is a stand out character being a woman in that role. There is LGBTQ + representation. Southern Ladies is a spin off series featuring the Ducote sisters and that is also great.

A Black Cat Bookshop by Ali Brandon

This series brings in a lot of unique characters that you grow to love. Also, one of the reveals is very clever. Hamlet the cat is one of the most unique cat characters in a cozy mystery. He pulls books off of the shelves at the bookshop to help Darla solve the mysteries. I love all of the side characters as well. This series takes place in Brooklyn New York but still has a very cozy, close knit community feel to it.

Bookmobile Cat by Laurie Cass

The main character reminds me of Nancy Drew. There was a reveal in one of the early books that when I listened to the audiobook in the car, I almost ran off the road. The mysteries in this series are always top notch and satisfying.

Second Chance Cat by Sofie Ryan

I love the multi-generational aspect of this series. The group of senior citizen sleuths really adds to the series and shows that we are vital as we grow older. Elvis the cat has a lot of fun scenes. He even goes undercover at a Cat Show in one of the books.

Paws and Claws by Krista Davis

Wagtail is the fictional town I’d most like to live in. It caters to animals even in the shops and restaurants. The food descriptions are yummy even though this isn’t marketed as a foodie cozy mystery. Foodies would love this one.

Pancake House Mysteries by Sarah Fox

Book 1 kept me very interested in this series/mystery from the beginning. The side characters especially the ones that work at the Pancake House keep this series very interesting. Book 8 is very emotional too.

Noodle Shop Mysteries by Vivien Chien

I love the authors writing style. The amateur sleuth starts out not knowing how to investigate crime which is how all cozies should start in my opinion. Adam, Megan, Kimmie, and all of the other side characters add so much to this series. I also have learned a lot about Asian culture that I didn’t know before.

Seaside Café Mysteries by Bree Baker

There are some magical elements but nothing too over the top or paranormal. This one has a delightful romance in it. Have some lemon cake on hand, Just trust me on this!

Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries by Jacqueline Frost

This one is filled with Christmas and has runined me for other Christmas cozies. There is a delightful romance in it. Also, there are some intriguing mysteries and stories with side characters. The Christmas Tree Farm is a great setting for a cozy with a little suspense in it.

The Family Skeleton Mysteries by Leigh Perry

Sid is a very endearing and unique character. The most unique character that I’ve read in a cozy mystery. You must be able to suspend disbelief but Sid adds a lot to the series. Also, the main character is an adjunct professor and you get a glimpse into that profession which I knew nothing about but it intrigued me. The main character is a single mother and has a daughter Daisy.

Nick and Nora Mysteries by TC LoTempio

Nick is the most unique cat in a cozy mystery series. He loves to help the sleuths with scrabble tiles and surfing the internet. There are some additional overaching mysteries surrounding his previous owners that is unique and extremely intriguing to me. Trigger warnings: mild profanity, mild sexual innuendo, tarot card reading, some mild crime scene talk

Cranberry Cove Mysteries by Peg Cochran

I love the different type of representation in this series and how the author writes the relationship between characters in a surprising way. You also learn a lot about cranberry harvesting.

Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries by Darci Hannah

Welly the dog is very endearing. The seasonal/holiday themed books really get me in the mood for that holiday. Some of the reveals in this series have been very interesting and something that would be very hard to solve. Kennedy the best friend can be annoying but sometimes adds a lot of humor to the mystery.

Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates

All of the characters in this series add to the mysteries. My favorite character is of course Charles the cat. The setting of the lighthouse and all of it’s challenges add to the mysteries. Trigger warning: ghost stories, short love triangle (everything turns out ok in the end)

Little Dog Diner Mysteries by Emmie Lyn

The Jack Russell Terrier Pip is the best. Pip wears stylish doggie scarves. I love the main characters relationship with her grandma. I also love how the community comes together for each other. The mysteries have all been very interesting and keep me wanting to turn the pages.

A Horse Rescue Mysteries by Amber Camp

I love that the Horse Rescue is a very unique theme for a cozy mystery. You learn a lot about the horse rescue especially in book 2. The author’s writing style keeps you on the edge of your seat. I was shocked at the reveal in book 1. Love the side characters especially Tanner and Biscuit the donkey. Trigger warning: Book 2 does go more in depth in the horse rescue but it is handled well.

Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly

I love the main character and how she cares about everyone. She always wants to see justice done. This series always has great mysteries and makes me crave grilled cheese sandwiches.

Christie Bookshop Mysteries by Ann Claire

Interesting setting and location for a bookshop which adds to the ambiance and mysteries. I’ve never been a fan of Agatha Christie but I do love that the sisters are such big fans of the author. The Christie sisters and their relationship is a delight. Agatha C. Christie is the best.

Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss

I really like the main character, the side characters, and the mysteries. Every book in this series plesantly surprises me. Team Cheese has become a group to reckon with as the series goes on.

True Confections Mysteries by Sarah Fox

This series has a likeable main character, great side characters, a very unique setting, and romance that is chef’s kiss. There is light LGBTQ + representation. Not to mention two fantastic cats.

Baker Street Mysteries by Valerie Burns

This series has a main character that grows a lot in the first book and in the series as a whole. I love all of the side characters and the neurodivergent representation in this series. There is also an overarching mystery that is very intriguing and I’m a sucker for that in cozy mysteries. I also love the setting on Lake Michigan.

Maple Syrup Mysteries by Catherine Bruns

A main character that comes back for her family and find out the truth. She turns running her family’s farm into her passion. Wonderful descriptions of the maple syrup farm and how you harvest maple syrup. Trigger warning: infertility book 2 and 3.

The Shake Shop Mysteries by Dana Mentink

When I read the synopsis of this book I wasn’t convinced it was for me but a friend read it and loved it so I gave it a try. I was so glad I did. It has great characters, a interesting setting, Neurodivergent representation, a little romance, and captivating mysteries. All of the books had me on the edge of my seat wondering who dunnit.

Honorable Mentions:

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What are your favorite cozy mystery series of all time? Did any of the series I mentioned get on your all time favorite cozy mystery list? Please leave a comment.

2024 New Releases

New Release Cozy Mysteries I Read in December 2024

I was intrigued by the mystery from the get go. There are so many twists and turns. The mystery kept me guessing the who done it. This mystery had a murder and a cold case hijacking. There was a lot to sleuth out in this one. I was a little disappointed in the reveal and the ending as they were unrealistic in my opinion. Noodles the dog and Scooter the bird added a lot to the story as animals always do. The letter to Readers at the end was intriguing too. Overall I’m glad I read and would recommend it to other readers.

I really enjoyed this mystery. It has a lot of twists and turns and surprises galore. It kept me trying to guess the killer but I was wrong. It was a very interesting reveal that is worth getting to. I love the cast of characters. They touched my heart even more than usual. This story not only made me crave grilled cheese (as per usual) it also made me want Feta cheese. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Librarians, treasure hunters, murderers – on my! I was already excited about the librarian conference and got even more excited with the treasure hunt. This is a great mystery. Seamlessly blending the present with the past. I’m not big on historical mysteries but I love a great treasure hunt which is what this story is. There are so many twists, turns, and secrets. The mystery kept me on the edge of my seat and the reveals made me gasp. So many great parts to this story it’s sure to appeal to many readers. This book also has texts and emails. This is my favorite book in the series thus far and I can’t wait for the next book. I encourage readers to read the Author’s note and acknowledgements.

It was nice to be in the Northwoods again for the 4th of July festivities. I love that Emmie, Whitney, and Marcus sleuthed together. The mystery was good. I didn’t guess the right killer. There were some interesting developments in Emmie and Dean’s friendship/relationship.

Above may be affiliate links and we earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Thank you very much for supporting our blog!

What new releases did you read in December? What are your thoughts on them? Please leave a comment.

My Favorites

All Of The New To Me Cozy Mystery Series I Read In 2024 and My Top 4

These are all of the new cozy mystery series I read in 2024. If the synopsis sounds good to you, I recommend you pick them up. I enjoyed all of them!

My top 4 new to me cozy mystery series in 2024 are Cranberry Cove by Peg Cochran, Pancake House Mysteries by Sarah Fox, True Confections by Sarah Fox, and The Lighthouse Library by Eva Gates.

What are some new to you cozy mystery series you read in 2024? Please leave a comment.

2024 New Releases

New Release Cozy Mysteries I Read in November 2024

I love this series and book! This series has ruined me for all other Christmas cozy mystery series. There is so much Christmas and love in these books with a mystery of course. The reveal was pure Christmas and the conclusion was full of action. I’m definitely getting into the Christmas spirit. I highly recommend this book and series if you love Christmas cozies!

I loved this book! The mystery and Team Cheese were superb as always! The mystery had so many twists and turns I had no idea what was going on but I did try to figure it out which is for me a sign of an excellent mystery. Lots of cheese recipes in this one including fondue so have cheese on hand when reading. I’m pleased to see they already announced the new book for 2025. I will be reading it as soon as it comes out. There were a few things mentioned in this book that I’m hoping we find out more about them in the next book.

I enjoyed this book and mystery but it didn’t hit the way the other books in the series did. Kennedy’s sister, mother, and grandmother were staying at the lighthouse and even the captain was annoyed. I love that Rory’s uncle and cousin from Ireland made an appearance in this one. Welly was fantastic as always! The death reveal and ending were full of surprises. There were a lot of twists and turns. In the end, I didn’t guess the killer but I was close.

I love Josie’s grandmother’s lessons in each book and how it makes me think about my own life. Also, how the lesson is always to help her solve the mysteries. The mysterious letters everyone received was very intriging. I wanted to figure out the mystery as the story went on. The bookish/magical content is top notch in this series. It was nice to get to know Josie’s mother and father. I did guess who wrote the letters but not the killer. This book ends on a cliffhanger that makes you want to read the next book in the series.

What new releases did you read in November? What are your thoughts on them? Please leave a comment.