Cozy Amateur Sleuth Mysteries
Best Sellers
Looking to find a great humorous mystery to read? Here’s a few of the best selling books and series
In “Finlay Donovan is Killing It,” a hilarious and fast-paced modern mystery we follow Finlay, a struggling suspense novelist and single mom who is just trying to keep her head above water. Things take a wild turn when a conversation about her latest book plot is overheard by a woman who mistakes her for a professional hit woman—and offers her a job for which she desperately needs the money. Elle Cosimano has crafted a story that is as relatable as it is ridiculous, blending the daily grind of parenting with a genuine murder mystery that will keep you on your toes. It’s the perfect mix of heart, humor, and high-stakes chaos that makes you root for Finlay from the very first page. This book is perfect for readers of Janet Evanovich and Lisa Lutz.
Star Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars. #34 in Women Sleuths
Series Information: This is the first book in the Finlay Donovan series (Book #1).
Available on Kindle Unlimited: No
If you’ve ever felt like modern thrillers have lost their sense of "fair play," you will absolutely adore Benjamin Stevenson’s Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. Our narrator, Ernest Cunningham, is a delightfully meta protagonist who writes books about how to write mysteries and promises to be 100% honest with the reader from the very first page—even telling you exactly when the next death will occur! Set against the isolated, snowy backdrop of a modern-day Australian ski resort during a family reunion from hell, the story is a wickedly funny and brilliantly self-aware reimagining of the classic whodunnit. With its sharp dry wit, clever fourth-wall breaks, and a puzzle that manages to be both a legitimate challenge and a satire of the genre itself, this book is a refreshing breath of mountain air for any mystery lover. This book is perfect for readers of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz, and Lucy Foley
Star Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars. #17 in Amateur Sleuth Mysteries
Series Information: This is book #1 in the Ernest Cunningham Mysteries series.
Kindle Unlimited: This book is not available on Kindle Unlimited.
If you’re looking for a mystery that feels like a warm hug and a delicious cup of tea, you absolutely have to pick up Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. Set in the vibrant heart of modern-day San Francisco’s Chinatown, this story introduces us to the indomitable Vera Wong, a lonely but fiercely independent tea shop owner who finds a dead body in her shop and decides she’s far better equipped to solve the crime than the local police. Jessie Q. Sutanto has created a masterpiece of cozy fiction that perfectly balances a clever whodunnit with a touching story about found family and the power of connection. Vera’s "unsolicited" guidance and her tendency to mother her suspects while grilling them for clues makes for some of the most charming, laugh-out-loud moments I've read all year. This book is perfect for readers of Richard Osman, Nita Prose, and Alexander McCall Smith.
Star Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars. #85 in Cozy Mystery (Books)
Series: Book number 1 in the Vera Wong series.
Kindle Unlimited: No, this book is not available on Kindle Unlimited.
If you’re a fan of clever, meta-mysteries that keep you guessing until the very last page, The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz is an absolute must-read. Set in the bustling streets of modern-day London, this ingenious whodunnit features Horowitz himself as the reluctant sidekick to the brilliant yet abrasive Detective Daniel Hawthorne. The story kicks off with a chillingly unique premise: a woman visits a funeral home to plan her own service, only to be murdered six hours later. Horowitz’s witty, self-deprecating narration and his "Watson-to-Hawthorne’s-Holmes" dynamic create a refreshing twist on the classic detective trope that feels both nostalgic and entirely original. It’s a masterclass in plotting, filled with red herrings and brilliant deductions that will leave you eager to follow this duo on their next case.
Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars. #128 in Amateur Sleuth Mysteries
Series: Book number 1 in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series.
Kindle Unlimited: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
New and Noteworthy
Here’s a few new humorous mysteries that have just been released
If you’re looking for a mystery that is as hilarious as it is heartwarming, Definitely Maybe Not a Detective is the perfect pick-me-up. Set in a modern-day, seniors-only apartment complex in the Bronx, the story follows Emersyn Gray, a down-on-her-luck twenty-eight-year-old who is just trying to stay afloat while raising her adorable niece, Livy. After her ex-boyfriend clears out her bank account, Emersyn’s wild plan to scare him with a fake private investigator business card accidentally lands her in the middle of a real-life murder investigation. With the help of a mysterious and "ridiculously hot" stranger named Wyatt, Emersyn finds herself mothering her eccentric older neighbors while hunting for clues in a plot that feels like a delightful mix of Only Murders in the Building and a classic rom-com. This book is perfect for readers of Elle Cosimano, Janet Evanovich, and Catherine Mack.
Star Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars. #1232 in Mystery Romance
Series: Yes, this is book number 1 in The Wyatt Investigations Mysteries series.
Kindle Unlimited: No, this book is not available on Kindle Unlimited.
If you’re looking for a mystery that’s as hilarious as it is high-stakes, Gabby Greene Knows Whodunit is the perfect "spy rom-com" escape. Set in a modern, luxury wellness retreat on a sun-soaked beach, the story follows Gabby Greene, a frazzled single mother who is also a surprisingly capable—if somewhat accidental—CIA asset. Tasked with infiltrating a suspicious Power Couples Retreat, Gabby must pose as the fiancée of her incredibly charming handler, Markus, while hunting for a cult that might be selling national secrets alongside questionable beauty products. Sam Tschida masterfully balances the comedy of parenting—like worrying about school lunches while dodging international danger—with a sizzling slow-burn romance and a clever mystery. It’s a witty, fast-paced adventure that proves you don’t need to be a professional to save the day, as long as you have your wits and a bit of motherly intuition about you. This book is perfect for readers of Elle Cosimano, Jesse Q. Sutanto, and Deanna Raybourn.
Star Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars. 8,134 in Amateur Sleuth Mysteries
Series: Yes, this is book number 2 in the Gabby Greene series (sequel to Errands & Espionage).
Kindle Unlimited: No, this book is not available on Kindle Unlimited.