The Best LGBTQ+ Cozy Mysteries to Add to Your Reading List (Quozies)
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What Are Quozies?
If you love cozy mysteries and are looking for more LGBTQ+ representation in the genre, then you’re in for a treat! Queer cozy mysteries—affectionately called Quozies—blend the comforting, small-town charm of traditional cozies with queer characters, relationships, and themes. Whether set in bustling city cafés, glamorous drag clubs, or charming antique shops, these books deliver suspense, humor, and heart.
If you’re in the mood for a delightful whodunit with compelling characters, here are some of the best queer cozy mysteries to add to your reading list!
Queer Cozy Mystery Recommendations
Murder in the Dressing Room by Holly Starrs
Premise: By day, Joe is a quiet hotel accountant. By night, they dazzle as Misty Divine, a star in London’s drag scene. But when their beloved drag mother, Lady Lady, is found dead in her dressing room next to a box of poisoned chocolates, the community is thrown into chaos. With the police quick to blame the performers, Misty must uncover stolen costumes, a mysterious cat burglar, and hidden rivalries to unmask the killer before another queen takes a final bow.
Why You’ll Love It: This novel celebrates drag culture while delivering a gripping, twisty mystery. Misty Divine is a sleuth unlike any other—bold, fabulous, and determined to find justice.
A Killing in Costumes by Zac Bissonnette
Premise: Former soap-opera stars Jay Allan and Cindy Cooper have left Hollywood behind to run a struggling movie memorabilia shop in Palm Springs. When legendary actress Yana Tosh considers selling them her prized costume collection, they think their luck is about to change—until their biggest competitor turns up dead. Now, Jay and Cindy must navigate a web of old Hollywood secrets, rival collectors, and dangerous motives to clear their names.
Why You’ll Love It: A delightful mix of Hollywood nostalgia, quirky characters, and a fast-paced mystery that keeps you guessing.
Devil’s Chew Toy by Rob Osler
Premise: Hayden McCall, a Seattle-based teacher and blogger, wakes up with a bruise on his face and no memory of the night before—only to find out that his new crush, dancer Camilo Rodriguez, has gone missing. With the police showing little interest in investigating, Hayden teams up with Camilo’s best friends to uncover a dark web of shady employers, a wealthy ex-boyfriend, and a high-stakes criminal operation.
Why You’ll Love It: A fresh, fun, and fast-paced amateur sleuth adventure packed with humor and heart.
Renovated to Death by Frank Anthony Polito
Premise: Home renovation TV stars Peter and JP are thrilled to tackle a Tudor Revival makeover for twin brothers Terry and Tom Cash—until Tom is found dead at the foot of the stairs just as filming begins. The police call it murder, and suddenly, the suspect list is filled with ex-boyfriends, feuding neighbors, and even Tom’s own brother. With their sleuthing skills sharpened by years of writing and watching crime dramas, Peter and JP must solve the case before they become the next demolition project.
Why You’ll Love It: A clever, stylish mystery with an irresistible home-reno setting and an endearing couple at its center.
The Body in the Back Garden by Mark Waddell
Premise: Investigative journalist Luke Tremblay returns to Crescent Cove, the small Vancouver Island town that once rejected him. He plans to sell his late aunt’s antique shop and leave—until a stranger makes shocking claims about his aunt and is later found dead in Luke’s backyard. Now a prime suspect, Luke must use his journalistic instincts to uncover long-buried secrets and prove his innocence.
Why You’ll Love It: A beautifully written mystery with a moody coastal setting, family secrets, and a slow-burning romance.
Board to Death by C.J. Connor
Premise: Former English professor Ben Rosencrantz is barely keeping his family’s board game café afloat while caring for his father. When a shady toy collector offers him a rare game at an unbelievably low price, Ben declines—only to find the man dead outside his shop. As the police zero in on him, Ben teams up with a charming florist, Ezra, to solve the case.
Why You’ll Love It: A cozy setting, board game trivia, and a lovable amateur sleuth duo with fantastic chemistry.
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I Might Be in Trouble by Daniel Aleman
Premise: Struggling writer David Alvarez wakes up to a nightmare—a dead man in his bed and no memory of how he got there. With his career in freefall and his savings running dry, he calls his no-nonsense literary agent for help. As they retrace his steps, they begin to suspect this disaster might just make for the perfect book—if they can survive it.
Why You’ll Love It: A darkly funny take on the murder mystery genre with high stakes and razor-sharp wit.
Knife Skills for Beginners by Orlando Murrin
Premise: Struggling celebrity chef Paul Delamare reluctantly agrees to teach a week-long cooking course at an exclusive London school. But when a murder occurs—with his own cleaver as the weapon—Paul becomes the prime suspect. Now, between teaching lessons on poaching and soufflés, he must clear his name and catch the real killer before it’s too late.
Why You’ll Love It: A deliciously twisty mystery with a cast of eccentric food lovers and an engaging amateur detective.
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Final Thoughts
Queer cozy mysteries offer the perfect balance of charm, intrigue, and LGBTQ+ representation. Whether you’re in the mood for a drag queen sleuth, a Hollywood whodunit, or a culinary mystery with a killer twist, there’s something here for every mystery lover.
Which of these Quozies are you excited to read? Have a favorite that isn’t on the list? Share your recommendations in the comments!