8 Thanksgiving Cozy Mysteries to Gobble Up This Holiday Season

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones, indulging in delicious food, and reflecting on gratitude. But for cozy mystery fans, it’s also the perfect season to curl up with a good whodunit! Whether preparing for a quiet evening after the holiday feast or looking for a festive escape filled with twists and turns, Thanksgiving-themed cozy mysteries deliver just the right mix of holiday cheer and suspense.

From amateur sleuths solving crimes in small towns to mischievous cats uncovering clues, these stories combine the spirit of the season with captivating mysteries. Below is a delightful list of Thanksgiving-themed cozies that will keep you entertained and guessing until the very last page. Grab a warm drink, settle into your favorite reading nook, and let the mystery-solving begin!

Which of these mysteries will you dive into first? 

Holiday Whodunits: The Best Thanksgiving Cozy Mysteries

The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis

In The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis, Sophie Winston, a skilled hostess with a competitive streak, aims to outshine her rival Natasha Smith at Alexandria’s annual Stupendous Stuffing Shakedown. Determined to win the Thanksgiving prize, Sophie’s festive plans take a dark turn when she discovers a dead body during her ingredient hunt. To complicate matters, evidence linking her to the victim surfaces, making her the prime suspect. As Sophie dives into the mystery to clear her name, she must navigate family drama, rivalries, and a murderer on the loose in this cozy holiday-themed whodunit.

Peanut Butter Panic by Amanda Flowers 

In Peanut Butter Panic by Amanda Flowers, candy shop owner Bailey King is overwhelmed as she prepares desserts for Harvest, Ohio’s first Thanksgiving celebration. But the holiday takes a sinister turn when Blaze Smith, the much younger fiancé of Margot Rawlings’ notoriously harsh mother, Zara, dies suddenly from an allergic reaction during dinner. With suspicions surrounding Bailey’s desserts and tensions high among the guests, Bailey is thrust into another murder mystery. Determined to clear her name and uncover the truth, she must navigate a maze of suspects and secrets before the real killer strikes again.

Trapping, Turkeys & Thanksgiving by Tonya Kappes 

In Trapping, Turkeys & Thanksgiving by Tonya Kappes, Mae West is juggling wedding planning and holiday indulgence by joining the local Turkey Trot, aiming to stay fit for her big day. But when murder interrupts Thanksgiving festivities in her small Southern town, Mae finds herself with more than one mystery to solve. With friends and even a recently pardoned prisoner on the suspect list, Mae’s investigation uncovers hidden motives, family drama, and quirky small-town secrets. Balancing her future mother-in-law, the ever-outspoken Dottie, and her own wedding plans, Mae races to find the killer before she’s the next course on a dangerous holiday menu.

Turkey Trot Murder by Leslie Meier

In Turkey Trot Murder by Leslie Meier, reporter Lucy Stone faces a chilling mystery when she discovers the body of Alison Franklin, the young, beautiful daughter of wealthy investor Ed Franklin, in the icy waters of Blueberry Pond. As Thanksgiving approaches in Tinker’s Cove, Maine, the community reels from Alison’s unexpected death, initially suspected to be a drug overdose amid rising heroin issues in town. However, Lucy’s instincts tell her there’s more to the story, especially as Alison’s father hints at sinister motives. Determined to uncover the truth, Lucy dives into an investigation that reveals dark secrets, prejudice, and deadly intentions lurking beneath Tinker’s Cove’s picturesque surface.

Mrs Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys by Liz Ireland

In Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys by Liz Ireland, chaos reigns at Castle Kringle as Santa’s wife, April, juggles Thanksgiving and Christmas preparations. The elves are excited about their first Thanksgiving feast, but tensions rise when Gobbles, their live turkey, is stolen. The situation escalates when Nick’s cousin, Elspeth, is poisoned at a pre-Thanksgiving potluck, collapsing dramatically into her mashed potatoes. Despite Constable Crinkle arresting a suspect, April is unconvinced and embarks on her own investigation, receiving ominous warnings along the way. With time running out, April must uncover the truth behind both mysteries to ensure a peaceful holiday at Castle Kringle.

Turkey Day Murder by Leslie Meier

In Turkey Day Murder by Leslie Meier, Tinker’s Cove’s Thanksgiving celebrations are overshadowed by tragedy when Curt Nolan, an outspoken Metinnicut Indian activist, is found murdered with a historical war club beside him. Amateur sleuth Lucy Stone, juggling the demands of Thanksgiving dinner for twelve and her lively household, takes on the case, uncovering a long list of suspects among townsfolk who clashed with Nolan. As Lucy digs deeper into Curt’s controversial life and the motives swirling around town, she finds herself in a dangerous game that threatens to make her the next victim on Thanksgiving’s chilling menu.

The Cat Who Talked Turkey by Lilian Jackson Braun

In The Cat Who Talked Turkey by Lilian Jackson Braun, columnist Jim Qwilleran and his intuitive Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, are pulled into a puzzling mystery when a body is found on Qwill’s property in Moose County. As the community gears up for the bicentennial celebration and the groundbreaking of the Pickax bookstore, the grim discovery casts a shadow over the festivities. With a possible connection to an unsolved crime in northern Michigan, Qwill and his clever feline companions listen closely to the clues around them, determined to unmask the killer lurking in their midst.

A Catered Thanksgiving by Isis Crawford

In A Catered Thanksgiving by Isis Crawford, sisters Bernie and Libby Simmons find themselves serving a “Dracula-themed” dinner for a high school reunion when their guest of honor, vampire-novel author Laird Wrenn, unexpectedly dies after taking a sip of water. With their catering business now in the spotlight and Libby under suspicion, the sisters switch from baking to sleuthing, determined to clear Libby’s name and uncover the real killer. As they dig through clues and face suspects, they must solve the case before the evening’s menu of mysteries reaches its deadly conclusion. Plus, readers are treated to seven tempting recipes from the story.

Looking for More Thanksgiving Reads?

If cozy mysteries aren’t your only holiday indulgence, we’ve got you covered! Check out our Thanksgiving Romance Blog Post for heartwarming love stories that pair perfectly with the season of gratitude. From sweet small-town romances to festive meet-cutes, you’ll find the perfect books to cozy up after the holiday feast.

Explore Thanksgiving Romance Recommendations Here

Don’t miss these delightful stories that celebrate love, family, and the magic of Thanksgiving. Tell us your favorites on social media with your holiday reads.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to indulge in stories that warm your heart and keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether you’re drawn to amateur sleuths, festive small-town mysteries, or quirky characters, this list of Thanksgiving cozy mysteries offers something for every reader.

As you enjoy the holiday season, let these books add a touch of mystery to your festivities. They’re the perfect companions for a quiet evening by the fire or a cozy afternoon after the big meal.

Which Thanksgiving mystery will you pick up first? Let us know your favorites, and be sure to explore our other holiday-themed recommendations for even more seasonal inspiration. Happy Thanksgiving and happy reading!