Cozy Crime Mystery Newsletter

Hello Cozy Crime Fan!

Ah, June – the month when the roses bloom, the strawberries ripen, and your neighbor suddenly becomes very interested in what you’re doing out in the garden.

The cardigans are (mostly) packed away, the sun’s hanging around until bedtime, and it’s finally warm enough to read your cozy crime novels outside - just keep one eye on the shady figure next door with the suspiciously clean secateurs.

As ever, while the world gets sunnier, our favorite mysteries remain comfortingly dark: a freshly baked pie cooling on the windowsill, a body in the library, and a local knitting circle that knows far too much about arsenic.

In this month’s newsletter, we’ve got some cracking new books to tempt you, a romance-themed cozy mystery spotlight, brand new TV picks coming your way, and a fun feature on why we are all watching our favorite re-runs!

There’s also a quiz to test your cozy crime sidekick knowledge - do you know your Hastings from your Watson??

So pour yourself a lemonade (or something stronger - it’s your newsletter), pull up a deckchair, and get ready for your June fix of quirky crimes, charming settings, and mysteries that unfold just as the ice in your drink begins to melt.

Here’s to murder, mayhem, and midsummer mischief!

Happy sleuthing!

Madame Blanc Season 4 - It’s Finally Coming To Acorn:

It’s finally on the way! I know that many of you fans have been a little miffed by how long it has taken the newest episodes of Madame Blanc to drop on Acorn, and I get it! But the wait is over, and we finally have a release date, including the bonus Christmas (better late than never), so here are all the details…

Bookish – New Cozy Crime Drama We Will All Be Talking About:

At the heart of Bookish is Gabriel Book, played with trademark wit and warmth by Mark Gatiss, who also created the show. Gabriel isn’t your average sleuth. He’s an antiquarian bookshop owner in post-war London, 1946, whose life is as layered as the tomes lining his shelves…and he has some crimes to solve…

Scarpetta: Nicole Kidman Is Bringing Patricia Cornwell’s Sleuth To Life:

Sharpen your scalpels and dust off your forensic crime scene kits, because Scarpetta is finally coming to Prime Video, and it’s got a cast and creative team that reads like a Hollywood wish list. It’s a long-overdue tribute to a character who helped pave the way for the forensic thrillers and complex female leads that dominate TV today, and it is coming soon!

A Very Bookish Murder by Dee MacDonald

When a famous crime author, staying at Ally McKinley’s Highland guesthouse, is found dead during a writers’ retreat, Ally must channel her inner sleuth. With all the guests under suspicion and secrets lurking in every corner, Ally races to unmask the killer before another literary guest meets an untimely end. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, Scottish settings, and bookish intrigue!

The Protest by Rob Rinder

When renowned artist Max Bruce is poisoned by cyanide-laced paint at a glamorous London art show, suspicion quickly falls on the protester who disrupted the event. But barrister Adam Green isn’t convinced the case is so clear-cut. As he digs deeper, Adam uncovers a tangled web of secrets, rivalries, and hidden motives within the art world. With pressure mounting and the media in a frenzy, Adam must race against time to expose the real killer and ensure justice is served. Perfect for fans of sharp legal thrillers and twisty mysteries!

Beaches, Bungalows & Burglaries by Tonya Kappes

Mae West’s glamorous New York life vanishes overnight when her husband is jailed for a Ponzi scheme, leaving her broke and alone. All she has left is a rundown campground in Normal, Kentucky. Hoping to sell it fast, Mae instead finds herself tangled in small-town drama - and murder - when her ex turns up dead in the murky lake. With the locals suspicious and Mae the prime suspect, she must clear her name and save Happy Trails. A truly delightful, witty, southern-flavored cozy mystery!

How Well Do You Know Your Sidekicks? Test Yourself Here!

Think you know your cozy mystery sidekicks? Put your sleuthing skills to the test with our fun and quirky “Name That Sidekick!” quiz! From clever cats and loyal friends to quirky assistants and unforgettable neighbors, cozy mysteries are filled with memorable companions. Can you match the sidekick to the right detective, book, or TV show?

• Romance Cozies: When Hearts and Whodunits Collide – Top 5 Picks

• Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta Books in Order (and Why You Should Read Them That Way) 

• Why Are We All Binge-Watching Old TV Shows? Comfort, Cost, and Culture of TV Reruns 

Give Your Kindle a Glow-Up: Ditch the Dull, Embrace the Colorful!

Meet your Kindle’s new best friend! Ditch that boring black cover and choose something bright and colorful to show off your style. This slim, stylish case fits the latest 6" Kindle (2024, 2022, 2019, 2016) like a glove - no more mystery about compatibility. With protective PU leather, a cozy no-scratch interior, and a handy stand for hands-free reading, your Kindle will be both safe and chic. With tons of design options, you can read one-handed with the comfy strap and enjoy auto sleep/wake magic. Lightweight, portable, and ready for every chapter—your Kindle deserves this upgrade!

Charlaine Harris

Charlaine Harris is a bestselling author celebrated for blending mystery, Southern Gothic, and supernatural fiction. She’s best known for the Sookie Stackhouse series, which inspired HBO’s hit True Blood. Her career also includes the Aurora Teagarden and Lily Bard mysteries, the Harper Connelly and Midnight, Texas series, and graphic novels. Harris’s books are known for their strong sense of place, memorable characters, and genre-bending plots, earning her global acclaim and multiple awards.

It’s a wrap…

That’s it for this month’s mystery mix – we hope it’s given you plenty to read, watch, and ponder while you’re pretending not to eavesdrop over the garden fence.

Whether you’re planning a staycation with a stack of paperbacks or just squeezing in chapters between BBQs and bug spray, there’s always time for a twisty tale or two.

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 cosy crime goodness, but until then – keep your magnifying glass polished, your tea topped up, and remember: in every quiet village, someone’s always hiding something.

Stay curious and cozy! 🕵️‍♂️📖🌷

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