Must-Read Cozy Mysteries Set in Winter for 2025
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Winter is the perfect season to curl up with a cozy mystery. With snow-covered settings, small-town intrigue, and amateur sleuths solving crimes between cups of tea and holiday preparations, these books will transport you into the heart of a wintery whodunit. Whether you love culinary mysteries, bookshop settings, or pet-sleuth sidekicks, this list has something for every cozy mystery fan.
Best Winter Cozy Mysteries
Iced Under by Barbara Ross
Premise: Julia Snowden and her mother are preparing for a harsh Maine winter when a package arrives containing a black diamond necklace tied to their family’s past. As Julia investigates, she unearths family secrets, an inheritance dispute, and a decades-old disappearance.
Why You’ll Love It: A gripping mix of family drama, New England charm, and a chilling mystery set against a winter storm backdrop.
On Thin Icing by Ellie Alexander
Premise: Bakery owner Jules Capshaw takes on a catering gig at a remote winter retreat, only to find a bartender’s body in the freezer. With a storm approaching and her ex-husband unexpectedly arriving, Jules must uncover the killer before it’s too late.
Why You’ll Love It: A snowy setting, delicious baked goods, and a murder mystery wrapped up in an irresistible small-town charm.
Pawprints & Predicaments by Bethany Blake
Premise: During the annual Tail Waggin’ Winterfest, a TV producer dies after a polar bear plunge. Pet sitter Daphne Templeton, alongside her basset hound Socrates, takes on the case when foul play is suspected.
Why You’ll Love It: A charming small-town festival, quirky pets, and a delightful amateur sleuth make this a must-read for animal lovers.
Better Off Thread by Amanda Lee
Premise: Embroidery shop owner Marcy agrees to play Santa’s elf for sick children at a hospital, but when the hospital administrator is found murdered, she must prove her friend’s innocence.
Why You’ll Love It: A holiday-themed mystery with a strong sense of community and a fun needlework twist.
A Gala Event by Sheila Connolly
Premise: Orchard owner Meg Corey’s wedding planning is put on hold when an ex-con returns to town seeking justice for a crime he didn’t commit. When new evidence surfaces, Meg must solve a decades-old mystery before someone else gets hurt.
Why You’ll Love It: A perfect mix of cozy charm, small-town secrets, and a hint of romance.
Dead and Gondola by Ann Claire
Premise: Sisters Ellie and Meg Christie run a historic bookshop in a snowy Colorado town. When a mysterious customer is found dead on a gondola, they must uncover the truth before the town is snowed in with a killer.
Why You’ll Love It: A bookish setting, Agatha Christie references, and a locked-room-style mystery make this an irresistible winter read.
Snow Place for Murder by Diana Kelly
Premise: A resort developer is found dead during a blizzard at a North Carolina lodge. Lodge owner Misty Murphy must uncover which guest wanted him gone before the snow melts away the evidence.
Why You’ll Love It: A classic snowed-in mystery with a mix of high-stakes drama and small-town sleuthing.
Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien
Premise: While running her family’s Chinese restaurant, Lana Lee becomes entangled in a murder mystery when newlywed shop owners next door are found dead. As authorities suspect a murder-suicide, Lana is determined to uncover the truth.
Why You’ll Love It: A unique cultural setting with a smart and determined amateur sleuth.
Frozen Stiff by Annelise Ryan
Premise: Deputy coroner Mattie Winston is shocked when an unidentified woman is found murdered in a snowy field, leading to a case that hits closer to home than expected.
Why You’ll Love It: A forensic angle paired with a gripping, snow-covered mystery.
Snow Place to Die by Mary Daheim
Premise: B&B owner Judith McMonigle Flynn agrees to help cater a winter retreat at a remote lodge but discovers the frozen body of the previous caterer, missing since last year’s event.
Why You’ll Love It: A classic locked-in mystery with plenty of suspects and winter chills.
Related Posts
- If you want Seasonal Cozies, check out our Fall Cozy Mystery Recommendations.
- Love Holiday Cozies? Check out our Christmas, Valentine’s, and St Patrick’s Day.
- Want to read more Millennial Cozy Mysteries
Final Thoughts
Winter is the perfect time to settle in with a cozy mystery that blends charm, intrigue, and a touch of seasonal magic. Whether you love pet detectives, bookshop sleuths, or culinary capers, these mysteries will keep you entertained while the snow falls outside.
Which winter cozy mystery are you most excited to read? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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