Cozy Crime Mystery Newsletter

February 2026 Picks for Books, TV, and Fun

Hello Cozy Crime Fan!

Ah, February – short on days, long on excuses to stay in and read.

The weather’s still ridiculously chilly, the evenings are still ours, and the world hasn’t quite shaken off its winter hush. It’s the perfect time to linger over a mystery, refill the teapot, and let the outside world carry on without you.

There’s something about February that suits a slower, thoughtful crime. The kind where motives simmer quietly, and clues are tucked beneath the frost. The sleuths are still in their scarves, the village gossip hasn’t thawed, and behind every closed door, there’s a secret waiting to stretch its legs.

In this issue, we’ve gathered stories to match the season – comforting but curious, clever but never rushed. You’ll find cold cases with warmth, new titles to brighten the grey, and just the right kind of trouble for a quiet afternoon.

So light a candle, pull the blanket close, and enjoy the stillness. February may be fleeting, but it’s made for mysteries.

TV & Movies

Scarpetta on Screen: Patricia Cornwell’s Iconic Forensic Sleuth is Coming To Prime Video

Forensic legend Kay Scarpetta is finally stepping out of the morgue and onto your TV screen.

Nicole Kidman stars as Patricia Cornwell’s iconic medical examiner in Scarpetta, landing on Amazon Prime Video. Expect cutting-edge forensics, atmospheric crime scenes, and a cold case from 28 years ago that might just destroy her career—and her life.

With Jamie Lee Curtis as her complicated sister, this stylish thriller is a must-watch for crime and mystery fans.

Inspector Ellis – A Calm and Clever British Drama & Renewed For Season 2!

Inspector Ellis is officially on the case again! Sharon D. Clarke will return as the sharp-eyed, no-nonsense detective whose wit is as lethal as any weapon, as the series has been renewed for a second season.

With DS Chet Harper by her side, we expect more tightly plotted murders, grit with a cozy edge, and Ellis coolly cutting through alibis while juggling office politics and personal loyalties.

If you love character-driven mysteries with a powerhouse lead, it’s the perfect time to get hooked before the new cases drop.

Death in Paradise Season 15: TV Favourite Is Back in 2026

Sun, sea, and improbable murder methods are back: Death in Paradise returns for season 15 on the BBC in 2026, bringing more sandy crime scenes and twisty locked-room puzzles to Saint Marie.

The Honoré Police team will juggle sun-drenched celebrations, new faces, and fiendishly clever killers, all wrapped in the show’s signature blend of humour, heart, and classic whodunnit fun.

Perfect for cozy mystery fans who like their murders baffling, their clues sneaky, and their sunsets spectacular.

Books

The Mysterious Affair Of Judith Potts – The Marlow Murder Club Is Back!

Celebrity scandal meets small-town secrets in The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts, the latest Marlow Murder Club mystery.

As stars start dropping dead - first a famous footballer, then a thriller writer - Judith, Suzie, and Becks must navigate blackmail, egos, and tabloid-worthy motives to catch a killer.

But when a figure from Judith’s past arrives accusing her of murder, the case turns painfully personal, and the club risks falling apart just when Marlow needs them most.

A Deadly Episode – The 6th Book In The Hawthorne and Horowitz Series – Another Cracker!

Lights, camera… murder. In A Deadly Episode, the first Hawthorne novel is being turned into a film when the actor playing Hawthorne is suddenly stabbed on set.

Enter the real Hawthorne, forced to investigate his own “murder” while Anthony Horowitz bumbles along beside him, documenting every ego clash, on‑set tantrum, and deadly secret.

With an old case coming back to haunt them and a killer who may have targeted the wrong man, this is Horowitz at his twistiest and most deliciously meta.

A Very Novel Murder – Ellie Alexander’s Newest Cozy Mystery Series

Opening a detective agency above a cozy bookshop sounds idyllic, until the first client arrives claiming a local girl’s “accidental” drowning was murder.

In A Very Novel Murder, Annie Murray and her best friend Fletcher launch the Novel Detectives into a case tangled with toxic relationships, a creepy landlord, and a strangely secretive roommate.

As Redwood Grove’s small-town charm cracks to reveal buried truths, Annie must solve the puzzle before her new business, and maybe her life, go under.

Blog Updates

Take The Quiz

The Murder She Wrote Quiz – How Well Do You Really Know Jessica Fletcher?

Sharpen your pencils and channel your inner Jessica Fletcher - it’s time for a Murder, She Wrote Quiz!

Travel from Cabot Cove to far-flung cruises and book tours as you test how well you remember victims, villains, and very implausible alibis.

Can you match the murder method to the episode, remember the A-listers who starred in the show, and sort Jessica’s friends from her prime suspects?

Cozy up, grab a notepad, and see if you’re a casual viewer or a full-fledged Cabot Cove super sleuth.

Gifts & Goodies

Cozy Fleece Reading Blanket - Delightfully Bookish Design!

My other half will happily tell you that I am a woman who is permanently cold. And believe me when I say that this February weather is really pushing its luck right now.

Short of upping sticks and moving to sunnier climes, I’m just going to have to count down the days until the sun shines again. So, in the meantime, I’ll cozy up on the sofa, book in one hand, coffee in the other, wrapped in an exceptionally warm blanket.

If you fancy doing the same thing, then check out this very lovely, fleecy blanket, perfect for those chilly days 🥰 

The Official Agatha Christie Puzzle Book: Put your detective skills to the ultimate test!

Calling all armchair detectives! The Official Agatha Christie Puzzle Book packs in 100 fiendish puzzles, including crosswords, codes, logic problems, and more, woven through a brand‑new mystery set at Greenway, Christie’s beloved home.

As you solve each puzzle, you uncover fresh clues about the crime, testing whether you think more like Poirot or Miss Marple while you sip tea and keep your little grey cells buzzing.

It is a #1 Best Seller for a reason…so what are you waiting for…let’s get to solving some puzzles!

Author Corner

Richard Osman - Quizmaster Turned Cozy Mystery Phenomenon

Richard Osman went from quiz-show legend to cozy crime royalty almost overnight, thanks to a gang of pensioners with a talent for murder-solving.

His Thursday Murder Club series, now five books strong and over 17 million copies sold worldwide, mixes twisty investigations with big heart, sharp humour, and a very British sense of mischief.

With a new series, We Solve Murders, and a Netflix film of The Thursday Murder Club, Osman is firmly on the must-read list for every mystery lover.

It’s a wrap…

And just like that, February begins to slip by – quietly, gently, and with a few well-placed clues along the way.

It’s the month of soft routines, half-finished mugs of tea, and stories that keep you reading long after you meant to turn the light out. The days may still be short, but there’s something cozy about leaning into that, especially with a good mystery by your side.

We hope this edition has brought a little warmth to your winter and pointed you toward your next great read.

Here’s to slow plots, warm hands, and the comforting company of a well-worn detective coat.

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.

See you in March, sleuths! 🕵️‍♂️📖🌷

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