Summer is the perfect time to unwind with a captivating cozy mystery in hand. As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, there’s nothing quite like the joy of leisurely reading. My “to-be-read” list is overflowing, and I’m excited to share some of these delightful finds with you. In addition to cozy mysteries, I’ll also be sharing three bonus books that diverge from this genre: two thrillers and one women’s fiction novel, offering a little something for everyone.
Digging Up Daisy by Sherry Lynn
While landscaping at her aunt’s Maine B&B, Kinsley Clark unearths a mud-covered high heel—linking the property to the long-cold “Cinderella Murder.” With her aunt’s reputation and business at risk, Kinsley must dig through a garden of secrets to unearth a killer hiding in plain sight.
Murder by Cheesecake by Cheesecake Rachel Ekstrom Courage
The Golden Girls are back and knee-deep in wedding chaos when Dorothy’s terrible date ends up dead—face-first in a cheesecake meant for a St. Olaf–themed celebration. With every guest a suspect and Blanche flirting as usual, the ladies must crack the case before the nuptials—and their Miami reputations—go completely off the rails.
Essence of Foul Play by Daryl Wood Gerber
When Emma Brennan’s dream of opening a tranquil wellness spa in Carmel, California is shattered by a murder—and the killer’s weapon comes from her own gift basket—she suddenly finds herself the prime suspect. With a nosy cat, a supportive nana, and a town full of skeptics, Emma must sniff out the real culprit before her business (and freedom) go up in eucalyptus-scented smoke.
Bait and Swiss by Korina Moss
When Willa Bauer’s ex-fiancé and former best friend open a chocolate pop-up across from her cheese shop, things turn bittersweet fast—especially when a local reporter is found dead after sampling their treats. With tourism tanking and her ex begging for help, Willa and Team Cheese must crack the case before Yarrow Glen melts under the pressure.
Murder at the Lobstah Shack by Maddie Day
When a local rival is found murdered in the walk-in freezer of Tulia Peters’ popular Cape Cod eatery—with a lobster pick in her neck—Tulia lands at the top of the suspect list. Now Mac and her Cozy Capers Book Group must stir the pot and uncover the killer hiding among the town’s saltiest secrets.
Did any of these books catch your eye for your summer reading list? Now, let’s explore the three bonus books. These are not cozies. Ready?
Lie in the Tide by Holly Danvers (aka Holly Quinn & Sherry Lynn), thriller #1
Four friends reunite at a Cape Cod beach house for a birthday celebration, each harboring devastating secrets that threaten their lives and friendships. As tensions rise, a little white lie spirals into a deadly confrontation, leading to a shocking outcome that changes everything.
The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark, thriller #2
In June 1975, the Taylor family is devastated when two teenage siblings are found dead, leaving their brother Vincent under a cloud of suspicion that follows him into his career as a horror writer. Decades later, his daughter Olivia, a ghostwriter in financial trouble, is drawn into her father’s final project, unaware that it involves revealing the truth about the tragic night that shattered their family.
The Nantucket Restaurant by Pamela Kelley, a women’s fiction novel.
Three sisters, each at a crossroads in her own life, inherit their grandmother’s beloved Nantucket restaurant, Mimi’s Place, along with the stipulation that they must work there for a year before selling it. As they navigate the challenges of revitalizing the struggling restaurant and working alongside its long-time executive chef, they rediscover the bonds of sisterhood and the complexities of their tight-knit community.
There you have it, some book suggestions for your summer reading pleasure. But…I don’t think my summer book list would be complete without adding in one more bonus book which (I think) is a perfect beach read. Any guesses from the Kelly Quinn fans? If you picked BEAUTY AND THE DECEASED you’re right!
