To close out 2012, we asked library staff members to write lists–of anything they want. Today we feature Susan Wardzala’s twelve cozy Christmas mysteries.
Susan is a reference librarian at Lewis Library.
12 Cozy Christmas Mysteries
Atherton, Nancy. Aunt Dimity’s Christmas (2000)
ISBN-10: 0140296303
A series of mysteries (frequently not involving murder) staring Lori Atherton and her “late” Aunt Dimity.
Bowen, Rhys. Twelve Clues of Christmas (a Royal Spyness Mystery) (2012)
ISBN-10: 0425252787
Lady Georgiana (Georgie) Rannoch is 34th in line for the throne of England and trying to survive during the Great Depression.
Braun, Lilian Jackson. The Cat Who Tailed a Thief (2011)
ISBN-10: 0747253919
Jim Qwilleran (retired reporter/turned millionaire from “down-under” and his two siamese cats solve mysteries in the north western town of Pickax in Moose County. Don’t worry the cats don’t talk.
Casey, Elizabeth Lynn. Let It Sew (Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries) (2012)
ISBN: 0425251713
Christie, Agatha. Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (1938)
ISBN’s differ for the many editions, but one is 0062074016
It’s Agatha Christie, what more can I say?
Ferris, Monica. Crewel Yule – Needlecraft Mystery (2005)
ISBN-10: 042526351
Betsy Devonshire, owner of the shop Crewel World, solves the 8th mystery in the Needlecraft series.
Haddam, Jane. <em>Not a Creature Was Stirring (1990)
ISBN-10: 9993087971
The first in holiday-based series about Gregor Demarkian, the retired FBI agent known as the Armenian-American Hercule Poirot.
Harper, Karen. Queene’s Christmas (Eliizabeth I Mysteries) (2004)
ISBN-10: 0312994729
Queen Elizabeth and her privy counsel secretly investigate murders and conspiracies in the 6th of this series.
MacLeod, Charlotte. Rest You Merry (Peter Shandy Mysteries) (1978)
ISBN-10: 0743434730
On Christmas Day, a University scrooge finds a murdered librarian.
Perry, Anne. Christmas Homecoming (2011)
ISBN: 9780344424638
The story includes several characters from the authors’ Victorian series starring policeman, Thomas Pitt and his (high-society and soon-to-be) wife Charlotte (the longest sustained crime series by a currently living writer.)
Willig, Lauren. Mischief of the Mistletoe: A Pink Carnation Christmas (2011)
ISBN-10: 0451234774
A series of mysteries about a history scholar writing her dissertation on a group of British spies, each named after different flowers (Pink Carnation, Black Tulip, Night Jasmine, etc). Think Jane Austin Meets the Scarlet Pimpernel.
Wolzien, Valerie. We Wish You a Merry Murder (1991)
ISBN-10: 0449147238
This 16-book series stars suburban housewife Susan Henshaw.
