I’m in a phase of my life where I just can’t read anything stressful or difficult right now. I need things that are light but engaging. Like the book equivalent of the TV shows Psych or White Collar. I don’t care if the plot is particularly realistic as long as the characters are well-written. Can you recommend something along the lines of:
- Thursday Murder Club series
- Killers of a Certain Age (and sequel)
- Corrina Chapman series
- The Queens of Crime
by StolenWingsEvilWays
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Finlay Donovan is Killing it by Elle Cosimano
The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann
Marlow Murder Club series by Robert Thorogood
Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers and its sequel Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping by Jessie Q Sutanto (she also has an Aunties series but I prefer Vera Wong)
* I hadn’t realized Killers of a Certain Age had a sequel, thanks for mentioning it so I could put it on my TBR list!!!!
You might like the Cork O’Connor series by William Kent Krueger. I went on a big kick with his work, and the Cork series was an enjoyable experience.
you’re in prime cozy-with-a-brain territory—here’s a stack that hits your vibe:
– **The Veronica Speedwell series** by Deanna Raybourn
Victorian mystery meets witty banter + butterfly hunting
think “Sherlock with sass”
– **Finlay Donovan Is Killing It** by Elle Cosimano
single mom accidentally gets mistaken for a hitwoman
ridiculous in the best way, fast-paced, sharp writing
– **The Chet and Bernie series** by Spencer Quinn
private investigator + his dog narrator
yes, the dog narrates—yes, it works
fun, light, and still engaging
– **The Spellman Files** by Lisa Lutz
family of dysfunctional PIs
snappy dialogue, chaotic good energy, super bingeable
– **Her Royal Spyness** by Rhys Bowen
1930s aristocrat turned amateur sleuth
light political satire, charming plots, never too dark
I’ve not read the books you listed, but my favorite cozy mystery series is The Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs. They are set in Charleston, SC and include recipes. I think there are 27 or 28 books now, so plenty of stories. I don’t think you have to read them in order, although that is my preferred method. If you don’t like this concept, Laura Childs has written other cozy series as well.