Gray Mare’s Top 30 Cozy Mystery Series

I like variety in my reading and one of my favorite genre’s is cozy mysteries.

There’s plenty of variety in cozies, but they have a few commonalities. They usually take place in small towns or city neighborhoods and the main character is an amateur sleuth.  With very few stand alones, they’re usually done as series.

Of the hundreds of series out there, the ones that catch my attention and make me eager for more have a few universal traits that draw me in: 

Good writing is a must!

A strong female protagonist (exceptions on this list are the Cat in the Stacks and Key West Capers series)

A good supporting cast of characters

I’m not really picky about era, place or whether there’s a romance involved.

Sub genres that pique my interest include:

Books/libraries/bookstores

Pets

Magic/ghosts

Home Repair/renovation

Art/Craft

In no particular order, here are 30 favorites (I’ve left off “Mysteries” after each name because it just seemed silly to add it every time, since you already know they’re mysteries…):

1. Cupcake Bakery by Jenn McKinlay
2. Witch City by Carol J. Perry
3. Booktown  by Lorna Barrett
4. Trash ‘n’ Treasures by Barbara Allan
5. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen
6. Lady Montfort by Tessa Arlen
7. Cat in the Stacks by Miranda James
8. Library Lovers by Jenn McKinlay
9. Bookmobile Cat by Laurie Cass
10. Molly Murphy by Rhys Bowen
11. Museum by Sheila Connolly
12. Magical Bakery by Bailey Cates
13. Magical Cats by Sofie Kelly
14. Haunted Home Renovations by Juliet Blackwell
15. Enchanted Bay by Esme Addison
16. Gethsemane Brown by Alexia Gordon
17. Lighthouse Library by Eva Gates
18. White House Chef by Julie Hyzy
19. Manor House by Julie Hyzy
20. Southern Ladies by Miranda James
21. Weaving by Carol Ann Martin
22. Black Cat Bookshop by Ali Brandon
23. Crimes of Fashion by Ellen Byerrum
24. Mall Cop by Laura DiSilverio
25. Embroidery by Amanda Lee
26. Do It Yourself by Jennie Bentley
27. Tara Holloway by Diane Kelly
28. Annie Kincaid by Hailey Lind
29. Lillian Frost and Edith Head by Renee Patrick
30. Key West Capers by Laurence Shames This one is an exception in that there’s only one constant character—and his dog.

I’m almost afraid to ask, since my TBR pile is threatening to fall over and squish me, but share your favorites in the comments!