Cozy Crime Mystery Newsletter

May 2025 Picks for Books, TV, and Fun

Hello Cozy Crime Fan!

Well, here we are - May already! The daffodils are waving, the garden centres are packed, and we’re teetering on that lovely line between “cardigan weather” and “ice cream optional.”

But while the seasons may be changing, some things remain deliciously familiar: murders in quiet villages, nosy neighbours who are always two steps ahead of the police, and pets who seem to know exactly whodunit before the humans do.

This month, we’ve packed the newsletter with the kind of bits and bobs we know you love. There are book releases you’ll want to pop straight onto your TBR pile, a look back at an Agatha Christie classic, TV and movie comforts to look forward to, PLUS an author exclusive!

We’ve also got a fun quiz to test whether you’d survive as a sleuth in your own sleepy village - or if you’d be the first victim with your nose in someone else’s business!

So pop the kettle on, find your comfiest chair, and join us for your monthly dose of amateur detectives, small-town secrets, and plenty of cleverly concealed clues. After all, nothing says May like murder with a side of Victoria sponge.

Happy sleuthing!

TV & Movies

Thursday Murder Club Movie:

Get ready to mark your calendars, cozy mystery fans! The Thursday Murder Club is officially on the case. The star-studded film adaptation of Richard Osman’s beloved bestseller will premiere globally on Thursday, 28 August 2025 - yes, a Thursday, of course! Who will bring the eccentric sleuths of Coopers Chase to life? We have all the details

Midsomer Murders Back Filming Season 25:

The wait is over, armchair detectives! Midsomer Murders is officially back in production for its landmark 25th season! That’s right, DCI Barnaby and DS Winter, along with fan favorites Dr. Fleur Perkins and Sarah Barnaby, are returning to the deceptively tranquil villages of Midsomer for four brand-new feature-length mysteries!

Harry Wild Returns With Season 4:

Jane Seymour is back as the irrepressible Harry Wild, launching a fresh batch of witty mysteries-from a dance school whodunit to a Dublin literary tour gone deadly. The Wild/Reid Detective Agency is thriving, but when Harry’s own son becomes a client, things get personal. Cozy up for more twists, banter, and bookish sleuthing in this fan-favorite Irish mystery series!

Books

More Than Murder by Jayne Chard

When retired sisters Julia and Frankie reunite for a murder mystery weekend in a stately English manor, the game turns deadly after they stumble upon a real corpse, and then the body vanishes! Trapped by a storm and surrounded by eccentric suspects, the bickering duo must set aside old grudges to solve the case before the killer strikes again. Jayne Chard’s More Than Murder is a witty, twisty, and utterly charming debut perfect for fans of classic whodunits and sisterly shenanigans!

The Brittany Murders by Anne Penketh

Escape to the charming villages of Brittany in Anne Penketh’s The Brittany Murders! When Jennifer and her family move to a picturesque French village, their first Christmas is upended by the shocking death of a local estate agent-found face down in a fish pond. With the French police stumped, Jennifer and her quick-witted friend Pippa dive into sleuthing, uncovering secrets, suspects, and plenty of cozy intrigue. Warm, witty, and packed with French flavor, this delightful mystery will keep you guessing to the very end!

Evil Under The Sun by Agatha Christie

Sun, sea, and a shocking murder! Agatha Christie’s Evil Under the Sun whisks you away to a glamorous island resort, where the beautiful and notorious Arlena Stuart is found dead on the beach. Everyone is a suspect, and only Hercule Poirot’s sharp mind can untangle the web of jealousy, secrets, and deception simmering beneath the summer sun. With ingenious twists and a dazzling seaside setting, this classic whodunit delivers pure cozy mystery delight from start to finish!

Take The Quiz

How Well Do You Know Father Brown? Test Yourself Here!

Think you know your way around Kembleford’s quirkiest crimes? Put your sleuthing skills to the test with our fun Father Brown Quiz! Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to Chesterton’s charming detective, this quiz is packed with clever questions and delightful trivia sure to challenge and entertain. Grab your thinking cap, channel your inner Father Brown, and see if you can crack the case!

Blog Updates

Gifts & Goodies

Mrs Sidhu’s ‘Dead and Scone’ by Suk Pannu - The Perfect Cozy Gift!

Looking for the perfect gift for a cozy mystery lover? Mrs Sidhu Dead & Scone by Suk Pannu is a witty, twist-filled delight! Join Mrs Sidhu-Slough’s unofficial Aunty, caterer, and amateur sleuth, as she spices up a quiet Berkshire village with her sharp detective skills and irresistible humor. When a murder at a luxury wellness retreat turns the village fête deadly, Mrs Sidhu’s warmth, wit, and mouth-watering recipes make this charming whodunit an utterly irresistible treat for any bookshelf!

Author Corner

MC Beaton

Beloved as the queen of cozy crime, M.C. Beaton (aka Marion Chesney) enchanted readers with over 170 novels, including the iconic Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth mysteries. Her witty, twist-filled stories brim with eccentric characters and charming village intrigue, making her books a comforting escape for mystery lovers everywhere. With TV adaptations and millions of fans worldwide, M.C. Beaton’s legacy continues to delight anyone who loves a dash of humor and heart with their whodunits.

It’s a wrap…

And just like that, we’ve come to the end of another cozy little collection of crime, clues, and cake crumbs. Whether you've found a new series to curl up with, solved our quiz with detective-level flair, or just enjoyed a few quiet minutes with a cup of something warm, we're glad you spent a bit of May with us.

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 natter.

We'll be back next month with more sleuthing goodness, summer settings, and perhaps the odd suspicious picnic basket. Until then, keep your magnifying glass polished and your alibis straight.

Stay curious and cozy! 🕵️‍♂️📖🌷

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