Summer always feels like it should be the season when we can stretch out in a lounge chair with a tall glass of iced tea and spend the entire afternoon getting lost in a great book.

Reality, however, looks a little different.

Our summer days aren’t all that different from the rest of the year. The to-do lists don’t magically disappear, and between work, household chores, gardening, vacations, cookouts, and all the fun seasonal activities we don’t want to miss, our calendars can fill up even faster. The only real difference is that the days are longer—which somehow convinces us we can fit even more into them!

I’ve learned to stop waiting for the “perfect” afternoon to read. Instead, I sneak in a chapter with my morning coffee, a few pages while dinner is on the grill, or twenty minutes outside before the sun goes down. Those little pockets of reading time add up, and they help me enjoy the best part of summer without feeling like I’m falling behind on everything else.

If you’re looking for a few mysteries to toss into your beach bag, keep on your Kindle, or enjoy on the back porch this season, I’ve gathered seven cozy mystery books that make perfect summer reading companions. These are books I’ve enjoyed and think you’ll love escaping into this summer.

And because you know I can’t resist a little holiday magic—even in the middle of summer—I’ve also included a special Christmas in July pick. Sometimes there’s nothing better than a cozy mystery with a little Christmas cheer, no matter what the calendar says!

So grab your favorite summer drink, find a comfortable spot, and let’s dive into some wonderful mysteries perfect for your next reading escape. And be sure to stick around until the end, where I’ll share a bonus recommendation: A Cultivated Corpse, my latest Food Blogger Mystery featuring Hope Early.

Murder at the Campfire Cookout by Darci Hannah

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whose Body in the Library by Eva Gates

Bubble, Bubble, Tea and Trouble by Vicki Delaney

Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place by Linda Reilly

A Deadly Clue by Victoria Gilbert

A Zappy Little Christmas by Paula Charles

Bonus Recommendation: A Cultivated Corpse (Food Blogger Mystery)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope these cozy mystery picks add a little extra fun to your summer reading plans! Whether you’re heading to the beach, relaxing by the pool, sitting on the porch, or simply carving out a few quiet moments in your day, there’s nothing quite like escaping into a good mystery.

Summer can be a busy season, but I think we all deserve those little pockets of time where we can slow down, relax, and enjoy a story that makes us smile.

What’s your favorite way to enjoy a summer reading escape? Are you a beach chair reader, a porch swing reader, a poolside reader—or do you sneak in pages wherever you can find a few quiet minutes?