Hi Cozy Mystery Friends,
I’m Jamie Adams, and as the holiday season settles in, with twinkling lights, warm mugs, and extra moments for reading, I find myself reaching for one thing more than ever:
A good clean holiday mystery.
It might sound odd to say out loud, but cozy mystery readers understand. There’s something especially comforting about a holiday mystery, one where the snow is falling, the town is decorated, and even a murder can’t dampen the spirit for long.
So why do Christmas cozies work so well?
For me, it’s because they offer everything we crave this time of year:
• A puzzle that keeps our minds engaged
• Familiar, festive settings that feel like home
• Sleuths who rely on heart and common sense
• And the promise that justice will be served before the final carol
Holiday cozies remind us that even when something dark intrudes, light always wins.
This month, I wanted to spotlight two mysteries that capture that comforting, clean-murder spirit and are perfect for curling up with on a cold winter evening.
GIVING UP THE GHOST by Marilyn Levinson
While not strictly a Christmas story, this cozy mystery is ideal for winter reading. Retired teacher Gabbie Meyerson moves into a seaside cottage only to discover she’s sharing it with a ghost whose death wasn’t accidental. With a small-town setting, gentle humor, and a mystery driven by clues rather than violence, it’s the kind of story that pairs perfectly with a quiet holiday afternoon.
DEATH OF THE HULA GIRL by Catherine Bruns
If you’d rather trade snowflakes for sunshine, this cozy mystery set in Aloha Lagoon offers a festive escape of a different kind. When a luau performance turns deadly, Carrie Jorgenson must uncover the truth while surrounded by community, friendship, and island charm. It’s light, clever, and reassuring, exactly what a holiday cozy should be.
Whether your ideal Christmas read involves snow-covered villages or palm trees wrapped in lights, cozy mysteries give us comfort, curiosity, and closure, and all without the grit.
As the year winds down, I hope you find time to slow down, enjoy a favorite tradition, and lose yourself in a mystery where everything turns out right in the end.
Wishing you a warm and cozy Christmas season,
Happy sleuthing,
Jamie Adams
Jamie L. Adams fell in love with books at an early age. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott opened her imagination and sparked a dream to be a writer. She wrote her first book as a school project in 6th grade. Living in the Ozarks with her husband, twin daughters, and a herd of cats, she spends most of her free writing, reading, or learning more about the craft near to her heart.
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