Looking for a lighthearted mystery? One that is not super gory, gritty, and dark (isn’t reality gritty enough?!?) but not something too cozy you roll your eyes every other page? Well, this list is for you! Here is a handful of books that may pique your interest! Check them out at the library today!
Mother-Daughter Murder Night
by Nina Simon
When her teenage granddaughter Jack happens upon a dead body while kayaking near their bungalow and becomes a suspect in the investigation, high-powered businesswoman Lana Rubicon sets out to find the true murderer, uncovering a dangerous web of lies lurking beneath the surface of their sleepy coastal town.
Kirkus review: “Nancy Drew meets Columbo in this feisty-female–driven whodunit. “
Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge
by Spencer Quinn
When she is scammed out of her life savings, Mrs. Loretta Plansky, a recent widow in her seventies, refuses to be just another victim, and following her only clue, embarks on a whirlwind adventure to a small village in Romania to get both her money and dignity back.
Thursday Murder Club series (4 volumes)
by Richard Osman
Newest release: Last Devil to Die. This witty and engaging amateur detective series is about a club composed of four septuagenarian residents in an upscale English retirement home who meet regularly to pore over old and new criminal investigations. The books offer intricate and suspenseful plots to solve cases of theft, murder, and espionage told from multiple perspectives of likeable and spirited protagonists with exciting backstories.
Library Journal review of Last Devil to Die: “…a bittersweet mystery about the problems facing many older people: dementia, computer fraud, death. Humor does, however, alleviate the poignancy in this strongest, most emotional book in the best-selling series.”
Starter Villain
by John Scalzi
When his long-lost uncle dies, leaving him his supervillain business, Charlie, as rich, soulless predators backed by multinational corporations and venture capital come after him, finds going bad looking pretty good with unionized dolphins, hyperintelligent talking spy cats and a terrifying henchperson at his side.
Sean’s review: Lighthearted, very humorous, but with suspense and constant twists-and-turns. I enjoyed it!
Finlay Donovan series
by Elle Cosimano
At the center of this madcap series that is not quite mystery, not quite crime fiction, is Finlay Donovan, a struggling novelist and single mother who becomes a reluctant player in a series of unfortunate incidents involving hit jobs, mobsters, and various shenanigans. Readers who like offbeat storylines sprinkled with equal parts suspense and farce are in for a treat.
Publisher’s Weekly says of the newest in the series, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice: “Cosimano nails the tone—breezy but not too fluffy—and maintains a breakneck pace throughout. Readers who prefer their mysteries to lean madcap will eat this up.”
Everyone on This Train is a Suspect
by Benjamin Stevenson
Publisher’s Weekly: Stevenson’s brilliant and creative second closed-circle mystery…toys with golden age mystery tropes while delivering its own hugely satisfying whodunit…Dashes of humor light the way as Stevenson charges toward the deliciously clever final reveal. This is another triumph from a gifted genre specialist.”
The Maid & The Mystery Guest
by Nita Prose
Booklist: Hotel maid Molly Gray (first seen in The Maid, 2022) is bright but slightly odd and socially awkward…once again, Molly proves that she’s more than “just a maid” in this heartwarming, feel-good mystery . — Emily Melton
