Missing gems, a library ghost, and an absentee father who is also a thief? Read and Gone by Allison Brook, the second book in The Haunted Library Mysteries, packs all of that into a cozy read plus a helping of library events and Christmas coziness.
Taking place shortly after the events of book one, Death Overdue, we find librarian and amateur sleuth Carrie Singleton settling in to her life in her hometown with a full-time job that she loves, a cute cottage, and a new boyfriend. Carrie's life, overall, is looking pretty perfect which means it's the perfect time for her family's dramatic past to come crashing in just in time for the holidays. Carrie's jewel thief father breaks in to her new home (literally), and his appearance starts off a chain events that lead to murder and mayhem in their small town. Oh, and did I mention the library ghost who helps Carrie with her mysteries and also paperwork?
This is a fun small-town series that has light paranormal elements and a great cast of characters. Pick it up if you enjoy library cats, jewel thieves, and some romance in your cozy mysteries.
If you're looking for a holiday mystery that is also the start to a series, check out Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey. Winnie is trying to revitalize her Granny's farm and family business, Smythe Orchards, during the busy holiday season when Granny's rival and nemesis is found dead. As the first book, there is the typical set up and character backgrounds you would expect in addition to the mystery, but this only increases the immersive quality of the setting, setting up the reader for all the cozy apple-infused vibes. Plus, if you also enjoy stories about small-town family businesses, this is a solid read in addition to the compelling mystery.
Read this book with a cup of your favorite apple cider.
Okay, I'm cheating a little bit with this one because technically the book starts a few days after Christmas, but it does take place over the Christmas break and the setting is so perfect for the season I had to include it. In the second book in this series, Dr. Gethsemane Brown, a gifted musician who is lending her considerable skills to reform an all-boys prep school's orchestra in a small village in Ireland, is enjoying a cozy holiday break from the school in her cottage that once belonged to a renowned Irish composer when her solitude is interrupted by the composer's heir's attempt to sell the cottage out from under her. Did I mention the composer, Eamon, is also a ghost and Gethsemane solved his and his wife's murder in book one? But solving that murder also stopped his haunting and in this book, Gethsemane seeks to summon his spirit to protect his home.
Things go awry, of course, and in addition to ghostly hijinks, her brother-in-law, who happens to be staying with her while prepping for an auction, ends up an accused antique thief. Gethsemane lends her wits and talents to get to the bottom of that mystery, with some ghostly assistance of course. This series is fun and unique with its blend of music, the paranormal, and the charming Irish countryside, and is a perfect read if you enjoy the tradition of ghost stories at Christmas.
One of the latest books in one of my favorite cozy mystery series, A Cup of Holiday Fear is a dreamy Christmas read. This series follows Jules, a baker and pastry chef, managing her family bakeshop, Torte, alongside her mother Helen, in the picturesque Oregon town of Ashland. Home of the well-known Shakespeare Festival, Ashland is full of small-town charm. In the winter when the festival goes dark, Jules and Helen have time to focus on their staff holiday party hosted at a historic Dickens Feast. A power outage at the feast interrupts the holiday cheer, and when the light returns and a guest is found dead, Jules is forced to investigate.
If you enjoy well-plotted mysteries alongside lots of delicious food, pick this book up. This series features some of the most mouth-watering recipes I've read in a cozy, so be sure to have some treats and a hot chocolate or peppermint mocha nearby when reading.
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