Hello. My name is Cait, and I am a cozy mystery addict. I came for the cupcakes and stayed for the murder.

It started innocently enough—just one book with a cat on the cover, a quaint small town, and a suspicious death involving a pie contest. I thought, “This will be cute.”  I was hooked.

Confession #1: I Judge Books by Their Covers… Especially If There’s a Teacup or Cat

I don’t even read the blurb if the cover features a black cat, a steaming mug, or a woman in a vintage apron holding a magnifying glass. It’s going straight into my TBR. Bonus points if there’s a pun in the title. (Killing me Souffle. Death by Darjeeling. Gimme.)

Confession #2: I Think I Could Solve a Murder, Actually

After reading enough cozy mysteries, I’m 95% sure I could identify a murderer with nothing but a suspicious scone recipe and a town council meeting transcript. The clues are always there. You just have to read between the baked goods.

Confession #3: I Want to Live in a Town Where Murder Happens All the Time

Okay, hear me out. I know it sounds bad. But those fictional towns? So cozy. So charming. They have year-round festivals, vintage bookstores, craft fairs, and everyone’s on a first-name basis—even the local coroner. Sure, someone dies every few weeks, but it’s fine. Totally worth it for the ambiance.

Confession #4: I Will Absolutely Pick the Murderer… After Guessing Wrong 3 Times

Look, I like to think I’m a sharp armchair detective. But the truth? Cozy authors are sneaky geniuses. They lull me into thinking it’s the grouchy neighbor and BAM—plot twist. It was the cupcake judge the whole time. Rude, but impressive.

Confession #5: I Can’t Stop Collecting Series

One cozy mystery is never enough. I need the full series. I want to watch the protagonist go from “Oh no, there’s a dead guy in the garden” to “Here’s my color-coded suspect board and why I think it was the florist.” Character growth and crime-solving? Chef’s kiss.

Why I Keep Coming Back

• They’re comforting, even when there’s chaos.
• The settings feel like storybook towns I’d love to visit (murder aside).
• The characters are like old friends.
• There’s always tea. Or cocoa. Or wine.
• They remind me that you don’t need to be a cop to be clever—you just need good instincts, a support system, and maybe a cat that stares ominously into the distance.

So yes, I confess: I’m a cozy mystery reader.
And if you’ve ever said “one more chapter” at 2 a.m. because the sleuth just found a mysterious handwritten note in a cookbook… welcome to the club.

We meet at the bookstore. Bring scones.

Until next time!