This post may contain affiliate links which means if you make a purchase through my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend the products I love and trust.
18 Cozy Christmas Murder Mystery Books To Read During The Holiday Season
Explore best cozy mysteries for Christmas
Get into the spooky spirit with the collection of the best cozy mysteries with a Christmas theme.
You’ll love this post so much, because there are some great seasonal mystery books fabulous themes.
For example there are British cozy mysteries, Irish cozy mysteries but you might also come across mystery books that include different hobbies, location and profession.
So if you’re in the mood for Christmas murder mystery books, or just want to get holiday book recommendation for December book club meeting, check out any of the 18 books we have outlined.
The best part?
We’ve got something for every cozy mystery fans.
You can find cozy mysteries that include a variety of themes such as
- Cozy mysteries with recipes
- Mysteries that include magic and ghost
- Cozy mysteries set in tea shop/ cafe
- Christmas themed historical mysteries
- Culinary mysteries
My Top 3 Christmas Murder Mystery Books
- Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie– A Hercule Poirot Mystery, family reunion and classic locked-room murder mystery
- Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke Cozy mysteries with recipes, great writing
- Murder at an Irish Christmas by Carlene O’Connor– Irish Village Mystery, many twists.
Best Cozy Christmas Mysteries To Read
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas is a classic for a reason. It’s a locked room mystery with intricate family dynamics and a murder on Christmas Eve.
And of course everyone knows the brilliance of Hercule Poirot. It’s one of the best Christmas mystery books for adults.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories by P.D James
The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories offers a unique blend of satire and mystery.
This collection of stories from one of the greatest writers.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries by Otto Penzler
If you are a fan of Christmas mystery short stories, The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries is a must-read.
It features a vast collection of holiday-themed mysteries, including stories with famous detectives like Sherlock Holmes and Ellery Queen.
The perfect choice for the fans of mystery, crime fiction or Christmas stories! This book is an amazing collection that has it all.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke
Plum Pudding Murder combines the cozy a small-town cookie shop with a thrilling murder mystery.
This food themed Christmas Mystery centers on Hannah Swenson, a baking expert and owner of cookie shop in Minnesota.
When one of her employees is found murdered in the office, Hannah sets out to find the killer.
There are many twists and surprises in this one.
Also Hannah’s attempts to unravel secrets during the Christmas seasons definitely adds extra layer of charm.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen
Looking for a cozy historical fiction murder mystery with a festive setting, then check this book.
The Twelve Clues of Christmas follows Georgina who is thrilled to land a job as a hostess at a posh estate.
However, her excitement quickly turns to fear when a murder takes place.
If you love period mysteries featuring a series of bizarre deaths and a lavish Christmas party, you will love this book.
Related: 18 Captivating Victorian Mysteries
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Now this delightful culinary Christmas mystery is a real treat.
Sugar Cookie Murder follows Hannah Swensen, in a cozy town named Lake Eden.
She’s all pumped up for the annual Christmas Buffet and her recipes for a special cookbook.
But then a murder happens at the buffet, and her mom’s antique cake knife vanishes.
So Hannah decides to investigate with her friends and culinary skills to solve the mystery.
This is a real fun one. There is so much warmth in a small-town mystery. It has humour, suspense, and secrets. Basically everything you need to getting into the Christmas spirit. And of course, many delicious recipes. (50 of them)
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Midnight in Death by J.D. Robb
Midnight in Death is a classic Christmas murder mystery from bestselling author J.D. Robb.
This thriller centers around Lieutenant Eve Dallas. Eve is piecing together the clues to put a serial killer in jail. The killer has escaped and is on the hunt to get Eve before she can get him.
This book is just under 100 pages, but it will keep you hooked. A heartwarming and fast-paced with a Christmas theme.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Shakespeare’s Christmas by Charlaine Harris
Next we have Shakespeare’s Christmas, a cozy mystery featuring an Amateur Sleuth.
Lily heads home for the holidays and her sister’s wedding even though she is estranged from her. The quiet and shy Lily was already dreading the trip.
Things are made much more complicated when her hometown’s nurse and doctor are found beaten to death in their office.
Now , Lily is in a race against time to get to the bottom of the mystery.
This is a fun, lighthearted and easy mystery novel to read during the holiday season.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley
The fourth book in Flavia de Luce Mystery series, I Am Half-Sick of Shadows is a charming historical mystery for holidays.
Flavia de Luce is a prodigal eleven year old with a passion and impressive knack for detective work. Her new case in a murder at a film set during Christmas.
This murder-mystery featuring the little sleuth is delightful book for the fans of cozy mysteries.
You should also check out other books in the series. Explore the full series.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
The Christmas Thief by Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark
The Christmas Thief is a holiday themed mystery for the fan of Christmas adventure stories.
The plot includes the team of private investigators Alvirah Meehan and Regan Reilly solving a Christmas tree theft connected to hidden jewels. They race to find the missing tree.
The Christmas Thief is a light-hearted mystery that will make you smile. It also has some suspense and drama, but overall, it’s an exciting, Christmas mystery.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Festive in Death by J.D. Robb
Festive in Death is a mystery romance series from In Death Series.
The main character Lieutenant Eve Dallas has a busy holiday season approaching with all of her usual Christmas shopping duties.
She is also planning a blowout holiday ballroom dance party, and is struggling with the guest list. But she also has to investigate a murder.
This is a great cozy mysteries for Christmas because there many plenty of heartwarming moments.
The story also features great holiday moments with family and friends.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Smoke and Mirrors by Elly Griffiths
Smoke and Mirrors is a historical mystery set in England.
We follow Detective Edgar Stephens investigating the murder of Mark and Annie who are found dead surrounded by holiday treats.
The case seems to hinge around Annie’s passion for writing plays for the other children.
As Christmas approaches, Detective Stephens is running out of time when another child goes missing.
If you are a fan of classic novel with a fairytale twists, this book is a captivating mystery.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Murder at an Irish Christmas by Carlene O’Connor
I adore Irish charm in a cozy mystery. So if you are like me, check out this Irish cozy mystery set in West Cork
Murder at an Irish Christmas revolves around Elise’s famous grandfather, Enda Elliot, an orchestra conductor.
When Enda is found dead in a local concert hall and his new wife, Leah, is suspected of the murder.
This suspenseful mystery drama with great characters is a perfect festive book to enjoy.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
When Christmas Comes by Andrew Klavan
Set in Sweet Haven, Christmas Comes is a cozy detective mystery from Cameron Winter Mysteries.
The story starts with the local librarian Jennifer Dean, being murdered. It seems like a quick case with the confession of her boyfriend Travis Blake.
But then the confession doesn’t add up, and the community’s military background clashes with the logic of the case.
So Cameron Winter, an English professor takes on the case to find a more sensible solution.
You can easily read this Christmas-mystery in one sitting.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
If you are a fan of baking cozy mysteries, here is a good one.
Christmas Cupcake Murder we have the town baker Hannah Swenson combining her baking skills with her sleuthing talents.
It all starts when a man is found near death in front of her bakery. With limited clues, will she be able to solve the mystery.
This a fun-filled cozy mystery for Christmas eve.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE | READ with Kindle Unlimited
Christmas Carol Murder by Leslie Meier
Next we have a cozy Christmas mystery set in Small Town.
Set in Tinker’s Cove, Maine, Lucy Stone, a local newspaper reporter, investigates a murder during a severe recession.
The victims are the wealthy owners of a mortgage company, and there are plenty of potential murderers. Lucy must solve the case amidst holiday struggles.
I love mysteries featuring female sleuths.
Christmas Carol Murder also combines a classic play with murder in a rural setting.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Mistletoe and Murder by Carola Dunn
How about a historical fiction cozy mystery this Christmas?
Mistletoe and Murder follows Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple and their holiday family party.
But when a guest is found murdered, Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher and her husband, a Scotland Yard detective, must pick up the pieces and unravel the mystery.
This one is a great mystery with a festive backdrop with secrets and surprises.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict
The Christmas Murder Game is a classic Christmas country house mystery
Our protagonist Lily Armitage is asked by her aunt to come home to the Endgame House to participate in the Christmas Game and as a prize if she wins, her aunt will reveal who killed Lily’s mother.
The game quickly turns deadly as Lily’s cousins have their own motives to win
This book has a unique and fun plot. Also I love the classic country house mystery with a holiday twist.
If you are looking for a Christmas-themed mystery filled with suspense and danger, get this one.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Twisted Tea Christmas by Laura Childs
Twisted Tea Christmas is a tea shop cozy Christmas mystery.
It delightfully combines a charming Victorian party with a tea shop mystery.
Drucilla Heyward, a wealthy Charleston socialite, hosts a Victorian Christmas party with the help of tea experts Theodosia Browning and Drayton Conneley.
During the party, Drucilla reveals her plan to give away her wealth, but she’s soon found dead with a syringe in her neck.
It’s a fascinating tale and there are many twists.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Start reading best Christmas cozy mystery books today!
Conclusion:
I hope you have found your favorite Christmas murder mystery to read.
Here are my top 3 cozy mysteries with a Christmas theme.
- Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie– A Hercule Poirot Mystery, family reunion and classic locked-room murder mystery
- Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke Cozy mysteries with recipes, great writing
- Murder at an Irish Christmas by Carlene O’Connor– Irish Village Mystery, many twists.
More Christmas themed Books
22 Best Christmas Romance Books Guaranteed To Get You in the Holiday Spirits
24 Best Christmas Books for Adults To Read in 2022
27 Christmas Books for Book Clubs ( fun & festive)
More Mystery, Thriller, Crime Books
Stephy George
