Cozy Crime Mystery Newsletter

Hello Cozy Crime Fan!

Ah, July – when the sun forgets to set, the lawns begin to resemble hayfields, and your paperback sticks to your suncream-slicked legs.

Whether you're fanning yourself in a deckchair, hiding in the shade with a mystery on your lap, or eyeing up your neighbor’s gnome collection for suspicious behavior, this is peak cozy crime reading weather.

The heatwave’s in full swing, and so is our love of shady plots – and not just the kind cast by parasols. There’s something satisfying about reading about cool English village murders while slowly melting into your garden chair. A suspicious death at a summer fete? Yes please. A suspiciously cheerful WI member selling strawberry jam with a secret ingredient? Absolutely.

This month’s newsletter is bursting like a picnic basket at noon: new releases to sink your teeth into (gently, no crumbs on the pages), a look at the best cozy mysteries on offer, and some old favourites returning to the telly!

Plus, our new quiz will ask you how well you know your favorite sleuth’s day job. Librarian? Baker? Florist? Hmmmm…

So fix yourself a glass of something iced, reposition that sunhat, and settle in. July might be hot, but murder never takes a summer break.

Here’s to sunburn, secrets, and suspiciously silent village cricket matches.

Happy sleuthing!

Marlow Murder Season 3 - It’s In Production:

The Marlow Murder Club is back for a thrilling third season! Filming is underway, and your favorite sleuthing trio of Judith, Suzie, and Becks will return with three brand-new mysteries, from the shocking death of Marlow’s beloved mayor to a celebrity chef’s fatal cookbook launch. Expect high-stakes whodunits, quirky suspects, and a twisty manor house reunion where Becks herself becomes a suspect, so here are all the details…

Hudson & Rex Season 8 - Even More Crimes To Sniff Out:

Get ready for more tail-wagging crime-solving: Hudson & Rex is officially back in production for Season 8! Detective Charlie Hudson and his loyal K9 partner, Rex, return to St. John’s for another round of clever mysteries, heartfelt moments, and unbeatable teamwork. With the entire cast back, including John Reardon, fans can expect the premiere in late 2025 or early 2026. Cozy up for more canine heroics and twisty cases in this beloved Canadian favorite!

Puzzle-Solving Mayhem: Murder Most Puzzling Bursts Onto Your Screen!

Cozy crime fans, sharpen your pencils, there’s a brand new sleuth in town! Murder Most Puzzling has just premiered, starring BAFTA-winner Phyllis Logan as Cora Felton, the sharp-witted Puzzle Lady. When a body turns up with a crossword clue in the sleepy village of Bakerbury, Cora’s unconventional methods and secret past make her the police’s unlikely ally. Packed with clever puzzles, quirky suspects, and twisty mysteries, this series is a must-watch for anyone who loves their whodunits with a side of brainteasers!

Murder in Hollywood by Millicent Bink

Step into the dazzling world of 1930s Hollywood with Millicent Binks’s Murder in Hollywood! Rising costume designer Opal Laplume is thrust into a real-life whodunit when a glamorous movie star is fatally shot on set and her friend Augusto is the prime suspect. As Opal investigates, she uncovers jealous co-stars, scheming assistants, and a fortune-hunting husband, all hiding secrets as dramatic as any script. With wit, style, and Tinseltown twists, this cozy caper is pure Golden Age fun!

Till Death Us Do Part by Reverend Penny Stephens

Weddings can be murder! In Reverend Penny Stephens’s delightfully cozy debut, Till Death Us Do Part, Reverend Clare Brakespear’s day off turns deadly when a guest is fatally stabbed with a cake knife. Convinced the police have the wrong suspect, Clare juggles parish life, family chaos, and her excitable Golden Retriever to unravel a web of secrets and lies. With wit, warmth, and a sharp eye for human nature, Clare must catch the real killer before an innocent woman is sent down!

The Case of the Body on the Orient Express by Kelly Oliver

All aboard for a dazzling whodunit! In Kelly Oliver’s The Case of the Body on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers board the legendary train, but when a fellow passenger is murdered, Dorothy becomes the prime suspect. It’s up to Sayers’ clever assistant Eliza and her friend Theo to unravel a tangle of secrets before the train reaches Constantinople. Packed with golden age glamour, real-life mystery icons, and twisty suspense, this is a must-read for cozy and historical mystery lovers!

• Miss Marple on Screen: Every Actress Who Played Agatha Christie’s Sleuth 

• Why Elsbeth Is TV’s New Queen of the Feel-Good Cozy Mystery 

• Start Sleuthing: 10 Cozy Mystery Series Perfect for Newbies 

Cozy Mystery Sleuths: What’s Their Day Job? Take The Quiz!

Think you know your cozy detectives? Put your sleuthing skills to the test with our “Cozy Mystery Sleuths: What’s Their Day Job?” quiz! From bakers to bookshop owners, vicars to veterinarians, match each amateur sleuth to their surprising profession. It’s the perfect challenge for fans who love quirky characters and clever twists. Plus, you might just discover a new favorite series along the way. Grab your magnifying glass and see if you can solve the ultimate cozy career mystery!

My Life Is Murder - Seasons 1-4 Boxset Now Available!

Calling all cozy crime fans—your next binge is here! The My Life Is Murder Seasons 1-4 box set is now available, bringing you every twisty case, witty quip, and irresistible moment with Lucy Lawless as the fearless PI Alexa Crowe. From Melbourne to Auckland, join Alexa and her quirky crew as they tackle baffling mysteries, delicious baking, and plenty of laughs. Perfect for new fans and seasoned sleuths alike, this box set is the ultimate cozy TV treat!

V is for Venom: Agatha Christie’s Poisonous Plots Unveiled!

Give the gift of deadly delight with V is for Venom by Kathryn Harkup, the perfect treat for Agatha Christie fans or anyone craving a clever new read! This fascinating follow-up to A is for Arsenic uncovers the real science and true crime behind fourteen of Christie’s most ingenious poisons. Packed with juicy literary secrets, quirky history, and plenty of “aha!” moments, it’s a brilliant blend of cozy mystery, chemistry, and Christie magic that will thrill sleuths and science lovers alike

Caroline Graham

Caroline Graham is the brilliant mind behind the Inspector Barnaby mysteries, which inspired the iconic TV series Midsomer Murders. Renowned for her razor-sharp wit, richly drawn characters, and deliciously twisty plots, Graham’s novels blend classic English village charm with darkly clever intrigue. Her books are a must for any cozy crime lover craving eccentric suspects, sly humor, and mysteries that keep you guessing to the very last page. Dive into Graham’s world and discover where the Midsomer magic began!

It’s a wrap…

That’s it for this month’s sun-soaked slice of sleuthing, so whether you’re puzzling out a plot twist by the paddling pool or just keeping suspicious watch over your neighbour’s compost bin, we hope you’re feeling thoroughly inspired.

Remember: in cozy crime, the clues are always there if you know where to look (often under a flowerpot or behind the Victoria sponge). So stay sharp, stay shady (in all the best ways), and keep that to-be-read pile within arm’s reach of your sun lounger.

We’ll be back next month with more bookish treats, telly tips, and the kind of crimes that pair perfectly with a melting ice-cream and a nosy cat.

As always, we’d love to hear from you - whether it’s about your latest favorite book, a character you’re rooting for (or suspecting!), or just to say hello. You can always email us or find us on socials for a good old-fashioned chat.

Stay curious and cozy! 🕵️‍♂️📖🌷

Thanks for reading! Let’s catch up again next month.
Regards
Agatha Marplewood