2023 Cozy Mystery Releases to be Excited for!
There are many cozy releases that are coming out this year, and we wish we could read them all! Here are a dozen books that we are especially looking forward to reading:
Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Released on July 25, 2023
This O.G. cozy A Hannah Swensen Mystery is releasing Book #29 in its series. We love reading about Hannah’s baking at the Cookie Jar and her sleuthing in Lake Eden, Minnesota. We are excited to see if there is some resolve to her love triangle in this installment and to see how Mike’s pronouncement about his time on the police force from last book plays out.
In this summer read, The Tri-County Summer Solstice Celebration has come to Lake Eden and everyone is enjoying the activities and Hannah’s sweet pink lemonade-inspired treats. However, the mood turns sour after a retired MLB player is murdered. When Hannah’s mother joins the list of suspects, Hannah must find the real killer to clear her name.
2. In Farm’s Way by Amanda Flower
Released on February 24, 2023
If you read our 2022 “Favorite Reads This Year”, you know that there are some fans of the Farm to Table Mysteries series here at Cozy Crimes. We’re excited to continue seeing Shiloh Bellamy’s attempts to save the family farm and try to love again - while investigating the odd murder in this 3rd book in the series.
In this book, Shiloh expects to use the winter months to plan for the spring and network with local businesses in Cherry Glen. However, when the owner of Fields Brewery is found murdered at an Ice Fishing Derby, Shiloh finds herself investigating another murder and some fishy suspects.
3. Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns
Released on June 27, 2023
This is the 2nd book in the A Baker Street Mystery series and we are thrilled to follow #influencer Maddy Montgomery as she learns her way around the kitchen and new friendships. The first book was funny and heartwarming as a somewhat spoiled Maddy inherits a bakery, a 250 pound mastiff, and a new way of looking at the world while investigating a murder.
In this book, there is a new bakery opening in town, which spells trouble for Maddy and Baby Cakes. However, his murder also causes trouble when Maddy becomes the prime suspect!
4. Misfortune Cookie by Vivien Chien
Released on June 27, 2023
The popular A Noodle Shop Mystery series is releasing its 9th installment, and we can’t wait to read more about Lana Lee’s investigations near her family’s Chinese restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio.
Not much is known yet about this book specifically, but if it’s a chance to see more Lana, her eccentric parents, the delicious food, her pug named Kiko, a handsome detective, and interesting clues, we know we will be “fortunate” to read this book.
5. The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older
Released on March 7, 2023
A sci-fi cozy mystery? We are extremely excited to read this genre-mashing new novel.
On a remote outpost on the human colony of Jupiter, the enigmatic Investigator Mossa must find out what happened to a missing man even if it leads her into the path of her former girlfriend, a scholar of Earth’s pre-collapse ecosystems.
6. Death Comes to Marlow by Thorogood Robert
Released on June 22, 2023
The first book in this series introduced us to seventy-seven-year-old whiskey drinking, crossword puzzle author Judith, anxious put-upon vicar’s wife Becks, and straight-shooting dog-walker Suzie. We loved seeing their interactions and how they worked together to solve multiple murders. Death Comes to Marlow is the second book in the series and we are excited to visit this English town again.
In The Marlow Murder Club, Judith thought that nothing ever happens in Marlow, but she was proved wrong. It looks like there will be more murderous happenings again in this sequel.
7. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Released on March 14, 2023
Jesse Q. Sutanto is the bestselling author of the very funny Dial A for Aunties and Four Aunties and a Wedding mysteries, and we are excited to check out her new standalone novel following a lonely little old lady sleuth.
In this book, Vera Wong discovers the dead body of a man in her tea shop, and decides she can do a better job of solving it than the police. However, her investigation leads to things she did not expect - friendship and danger.
8. The Ghost Goes to the Dogs by Cleo Coyle
Released on May 2, 2023
This is book #9 in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series, and we are delighted to have another opportunity to spend time at Buy the Book with shop owner Penelope and the 1940s Noir detective ghost that only she can hear. We are especially excited about this installment because it take place during Pet Mystery Week.
When a dog barks for help, Penelope and her son follow him and discover that his owner has been wounded. While the police think this was an accident, Penelope is not so sure and calls on the ghostly PI Jack Shephard for advice.
9. A Half-Baked Murder by Emily George
Released on February 21, 2023
This is a brand new cozy set in a location we have not seen before and are eager to check out!
In this book, professional pastry chef Chloe Barnes envisioned working in Paris, but ends up opening a legal cannabis bakery in California after a bad review and even worse breakup. She begins looking forward to the opportunity to work with her quirky Aunt Dawn - until her aunt becomes the number one suspect in a murder.
10. Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano
Released on January 31, 2023
Finlay Donovan is back in 3rd book in the popular series with her namesake, and we are excited to see what new adventures she gets into.
Writer and single mother Finlay Donovan has been in messes before, but she’s never owed a favor to the Russian mob until now. In order to pay them back she needs to find a contract killer before the cops do. However, it becomes more complicated when she learns the hit-man might be a police officer. Hopefully, Finlay and her nanny/BFF Vero can survive this sleuthing.
11. Dressed to Drill by Kate Carlisle
Released on May 2, 2023
This cozy mystery inspired the Hallmark Fixer Upper Mysteries, and we love reading about renovations as much as we love the mysteries.
In this 10th book of the series, Shannon is excited to begin her next renovation project at a quaint Victorian church in Lighthouse Cove. However, when demolition is set to begin, a young woman is found dead in the chapel. Shannon and Mac will use all the tools at their disposal to uncover the truth.
12. Zoning, Zealots, & Ziplines by Tonya Kappes
Released on February 23, 2023
Book #30 in the long-running A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series that describes itself as “SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WITH A SMIDGEN OF HOMICIDE”.
We are excited to read about zip-lines being used in a murder and how Mae West and her Laundry Club Ladies friends will solve the case in Normal, Kentucky.