Many cozy mysteries have a strong sense of place, often set in small towns and other sought-after … [+] destinations.
Looking for an escape from the everyday grind? A travel-themed cozy mystery could be just what you need. Join an amateur sleuth and a quirky cast of characters to solve a crime while exploring some of the world’s most exotic destinations, all from the comfort of your armchair.
What is a cozy mystery?
A cozy mystery novel is a subgenre of crime fiction in which the violence and sexuality are downplayed and/or treated with humor. Stories are often set in small communities rather than gritty urban landscapes, which enables readers to get to know the characters and setting in depth over the course of a series.
Typically, the protagonist is an amateur sleuth, usually female, who solves crimes using intuition and observation skills, supplemented with information from professional friends such as police officers. The protagonist often has a profession or a hobby involving food or crafting.
So, how does travel fit into the world of cozy mysteries? As one of their defining characteristics, cozy mysteries often feature a strong sense of place. Usually that’s in a small town, historic village, or other intimate setting.
Some even adopt a more deliberate travel theme, where the protagonist is on vacation, or works as a tour guide, for example. For such mysteries with a vacation theme, the time limitation can often crank up the tension.
If you’re curious about the wonderful world of travel-themed cozy mysteries, here are five recommended series to get you started.
Rachel Prince Mysteries by Dawn Brookes
Set on board a fictional cruise ship, these mysteries are a must for all fans of cruising or anyone who’s ever been tempted. Sailing from the port of Southampton, England, the Coral Queen takes its passengers all over the world, from the breathtaking fjords of Norway to the sensory overload of Mumbai.
In the first book, A Cruise to Murder, Police officer Rachel Prince finds herself mixed up in a mystery onboard with her new elderly friend Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe.
Over the long series (book 13 has just been announced!), Rachel finds her love of cruising growing despite the fact that every time she steps onboard, a dead body or two seems to turn up.
Heartwarming romantic sub-plots, exotic locations, and a healthy dose of insider cruise ship knowledge from the author make this series a must read for travelers. Available in 3-packs, the audiobooks narrated by Alex Lee are a great value way to binge the series.
Oxford Tearoom Mysteries by H.Y. Hanna
The quaint villages and rolling hills of the English Cotswolds have long been a popular location for literature, especially traditional mysteries. The pick of the bunch for modern cozy mystery fans is the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries series.
Although now based in Australia, author H.Y. Hanna attended the prestigious Oxford University, so the series is full of realistic details of Oxford and the surrounding villages that can only be gleaned from lived experience.
In the opening book, A Scone To Die For, we meet Gemma, an English woman returning from a failed stint in Australia with plans to open a Cotswolds tearoom. But those plans seem destined to fail too after an American tourist is found dead in the tearoom with one of Gemma’s signature scones in his mouth.
Gemma quickly rallies a ragtag bunch of allies including four gossipy old ladies and a cat called Muesli to solve this and many more mysteries. This laugh-out-loud series with touching moments, a focus on family and friendship, and mouthwatering descriptions of English baking, deserves a place on anyone’s to-be-read pile.
Passport to Peril Mysteries by Maddy Hunter
Tour guide Emily Andrew gets involved in various murder mysteries as she escorts a group of elderly Iowan tourists to destinations around the world.
In the first book, Alpine For You, the group travels to Switzerland intending to enjoy spectacular alpine scenery and fantastic food. But when flirtatious tour guide Andy is found dead, one of the group’s granddaughters Emily steps up to lead the tour and figure out just what is going on.
Throughout the series, Emily takes over the tour group and leads the group on trips to popular vacation destinations including Ireland, Italy, Australia, and even a Hawaiian cruise. Each provides a colorful backdrop to intrigue and mystery, with a healthy dose of humor and friendship thrown in too.
Travel Can Be Murder by Jennifer S. Aldersen
European cities are the focus of Jennifer S. Aldersen’s cozy series featuring inexperienced tour guide Lana. As she leads tourists and readers through some of Europe’s most enchanting cities, she must add amateur sleuth to her ever-expanding resume.
In the first book, Death On The Danube, Lana and her colleague Carl lead a group on a New Year’s tour in Budapest. It soon becomes clear that Carl is not a popular figure among the group, so when his body is found floating in the Danube, almost everyone becomes a suspect.
With stops in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas in Rome, and even a bachelorette party in Reykjavik, this series is certainly one for the bucket list traveler. Lana’s status as a brand new tour guide means the reader experiences the wonder of these destinations just as she does.
Lottie Sprigg Travels by Martha Bond
Travel around Europe with the added twist of a 1920s setting in these timeless cozy mysteries from Martha Bond. Protagonist Lottie Sprigg, a maid turned amateur sleuth, embarks on an adventure with a wealthy heiress across Europe.
In Murder In Venice, after reuniting a renowned opera singer with his lost dog, Lottie is shocked to find him murdered the next day. With the police baffled, it’s up to Lottie to navigate the canals of Venice and uncover the truth.
As the series progresses, Lottie accompanies her employer Mrs. Moore to Paris, Monaco, Vienna, and a sojourn to Cairo. While Mrs. Moore has her eyes set on a Bavarian prince, Lottie turns her attention to solving crimes.
