5 Cozy Mysteries to Wrap Up Summer With

by Donna Huber

I have been reading through every cozy mystery I can get my hands on. I still have a couple to read before summer comes to an end, but here are my top 5 cozy mysteries in case you are looking for a couple to finish your summer with.
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The Hitwoman Takes a Road Trip by JB Lynn

Road trips are a great way to spend the summer and when you add in Armani, a few talking pets, and Maggie's family then you have one hilarious ride. Read my full review. Not sure about jumping into the series at book 7. You can read the first trip Armani and Maggie took together in book 3 for FREE - The Hitwoman Get Lucky at Amazon

About the Book:
Some people just can’t outrun trouble.

Overwhelmed hitwoman Maggie Lee thinks she’s leaving her family worries behind when she’s convinced to take a road trip with her buddy, Armani.

But pretty soon an old friend, a pesky relative, and even her pet, are asking for her help.

Loyal to a fault, Maggie soon finds herself tangled in a dangerous theft involving a crime family; confronting the abusive previous owner of her cat, Piss; and dealing with family revelations that rock her world.

With the assistance of psychic predictions, talking animals and unexpected allies, Maggie takes on her troubles head-on.

But if she’s not careful, this “vacation” could literally be the death of her.

Buy The Hitwoman Takes a Road Trip at Amazon

On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service by Rhys Bowen

While this is my first book by Rhys Bowen, it won't be my last. I actually picked up the first book in the series, Her Royal Spyness, the other night while I was at the library. While there I also spied a few other series by her. If they are all as good as this one, then I will have many months of great reading to look forward to. I received a free copy from Netgalley. Read my full review.

About the Book:
There are more important things than being thirty-fifth in line for the British crown, and Lady Georgiana Rannoch knows her true love, Darcy O’Mara, is one of them. Luckily, the Queen agrees, but she has a little mission for Georgie before she can say “I do!”

When Darcy runs off on another secret assignment, I am left to figure out how to travel to Italy sans maid and chaperone to help my dear friend Belinda, as she awaits the birth of her baby alone. An opportunity presents itself in a most unexpected way— my cousin the queen is in need of a spy to attend a house party in the Italian lake country. The Prince of Wales and the dreadful Mrs. Simpson have been invited, and Her Majesty is anxious to thwart a possible secret wedding.

What luck!  A chance to see Belinda and please the queen as I seek her permission to relinquish my claim to the throne so I can marry Darcy. Only that’s as far as my good fortune takes me. I soon discover that Mummy is attending the villa party and she has her own secret task for me  Then, Darcy shows up and tells me that the fate of a world on the brink of war could very well depend on what I overhear at dinner! I shouldn’t be all that surprised when of one my fellow guests is murdered and my Italian holiday becomes a nightmare...

Buy On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service at Amazon

Southern Spirits by Angie Fox

I don't usually go in for the paranormal stories, but this one was just too cute. Verity Long is a great character, someone you would want to be friends with.

About the Book:
When out of work graphic designer Verity Long accidentally traps a ghost on her property, she’s saddled with more than a supernatural sidekick—she gains the ability see spirits. It leads to an offer she can’t refuse from the town’s bad boy, the brother of her ex and the last man she should ever partner with.

Ellis Wyatt is in possession of a stunning historic property haunted by some of Sugarland Tennessee’s finest former citizens. Only some of them are growing restless—and destructive. He hires Verity put an end to the disturbances. But soon Verity learns there’s more to the mysterious estate than floating specters, secret passageways, and hidden rooms.

There’s a modern day mystery afoot, one that hinges on a decades-old murder. Verity isn't above questioning the living, or the dead. But can she discover the truth before the killer finds her?

Buy Southern Spirits at Amazon

Death of a Policeman by M.C. Beaton

I discovered M.C. Beaton several months when I read one of her Agatha Raisin stories and loved it. This is my first Hamish Macbeth book and it was really good too. Hamish reminded me of someone but it was always just on the edge of my brain and if I concentrated on who it was he reminded me of it would evaporate. While I have compared Beaton to Agatha Christie, my mom who is now reading Death of a Policeman says it is like a Martha Grimes novel.

About the Book:
Local police stations all over the Scottish Highlands are being threatened with closure. This presents the perfect opportunity for Detective Chief Inspector Blair, who would love nothing more than to get rid of Sergeant Hamish Macbeth. Blair suggests that Cyril Sessions, a keen young police officer, visit the town of Lochdubh to monitor exactly what Macbeth does every day. Macbeth hears about Blair's plan and is prepared to insure that Cyril returns back to headquarters with a full report. But Cyril is soon found dead and Hamish quickly becomes the prime suspect in his murder.

Buy Death of a Policeman at Amazon

As the Pig Turns by M.C. Beaton

Of course, I had to include an Agatha Raisin novel in my top 5 list. I believe reading Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Quiche is what started my craving for cozy mysteries. I have another Agatha Raisin novel waiting on the table, but it might have to wait until Christmas as I have a number of review books I really need to be getting back to. I enjoyed this one because the cast was so colorful and it was a bit like listening in on small town gossip.

About the Book:
After a disappointing Christmas season, the touristy Cotswold town of Winter Parva is upping the stakes with an old-fashioned pig roast, complete with music, merriment, and medieval Morris-dancing. Always one for a good roasting, Agatha Raisin is looking forward to the event, especially after a heated dispute over a traffic ticket has her picturing a certain boorish cop turning on the spit. But when the big night arrives—and the smoke clears—Agatha notices that the slow-roasting "pig" has a tattoo with the name Amy on it. It's the body of the policeman who had Agatha all fired up. And now his ex-wife Amy wants her to find the butcher who did the deed—and solve a murder that's disturbingly well done...

Buy As the Pig Turns at Amazon


What are some of your favorite cozy mysteries?

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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