8 Cozy Mysteries Set in Bookstores and Libraries for Bookish Sleuths
There’s something especially fun about cozy mysteries set in bookstores and libraries. Whether it’s a cat curled up next to the crime scene or a nosy librarian stumbling on a body during storytime, these bookish whodunits deliver peak cozy vibes. This list features amateur sleuths who love books almost as much as they love catching killers—set in charming shops, libraries, and even a lakeside reading retreat.
So if your ideal mystery involves stacks of books, quirky locals, and the occasional dead body, you’re in the right place.
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Prefer to listen? Tune into our Reading Under the Covers Podcast and listen to our chat with Laura from What to Read Next as she recommends the perfect cozy mysteries set in bookstores and libraries.
The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander
Set in a mystery-only bookstore, this cozy mystery follows an events manager who ends up solving real-life murders during a book festival. With a criminology background and a quirky cast of book-loving characters, this series is perfect if you love bookstore settings and a sleuth who’s trying to balance real life with solving murders.
Grab this book on Amazon: The Body in the Bookstore
A Murder at the Movies by Ellie Alexander
In Murder at the Movies, events manager Tess starts to solve real-life murders when a famous film producer brings his latest movie to town—and someone winds up dead. As the second book in the Secret Bookcase series, this cozy mystery is perfect for lovers of books and movies, filled with small-town charm and plenty of twists.
Grab this book on Amazon: A Murder at the Movies
Read to Death at the Lakeside Library by Holly Danvers
In Read to Death at the Lakeside Library, a summer book club finds itself in the middle of an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery after a cyanide poisoning during a club meeting. Set at a lakeside library, this cozy mystery brings together bookish banter, a tight-knit community, and an amateur sleuth who’s out to uncover the truth.
Grab this book on Amazon: Read to Death at the Lakeside Library
Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett
Set in a small town filled with specialty bookstores, Murder is Binding is about Trisha, a mystery bookstore owner, who must solve the murder of her rival. With rare books, small-town gossip, and sibling drama, this cozy mystery is a delight for book lovers. It’s full of charm, with a dash of family tension and small-town vibes.
Grab this book on Amazon: Murder is Binding
Bloodier Than Fiction by Harper Lin
Working at a book cafe, our shy and reserved amateur sleuth must solve the murder of a local bully. Balancing her love life and newfound friendships, she gets tangled in a mystery that challenges her quiet nature. This short cozy mystery is great for readers who love small-town cafes, quirky baristas, and whodunit fun.
Grab this book on Amazon: Bloodier Than Fiction
The Plot Is Murder by V.M. Burns
In The Plot is Murder, Samantha Washington is opening her dream mystery bookshop when a shady realtor turns up dead in her backyard. With the help of her meddling grandmothers and her passion for writing, Samantha dives into solving the murder. Expect small-town charm, family bonds, and plenty of bookish fun in this cozy mystery.
Grab this book on Amazon: The Plot is Murder
Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay
Books Can Be Deceiving follows librarian Lindsey Norris as she solves a murder in the small town of Briar Creek. When her best friend is accused of murder after a local author is found dead, Lindsey must use her librarian skills and a little sleuthing to clear her friend’s name. Expect a touch of romance, quirky small-town vibes, and bookish fun!
Grab this book on Amazon: Books Can Be Deceiving
Read on Arrival by Nora Page
Read on Arrival follows Cleo, a seventy-year-old librarian with a sharp mind for mysteries. When a longtime delinquent patron finally returns an overdue book but is later found dead, Cleo teams up with her loyal bookmobile cat, Brad Butler, to solve the murder. This cozy mystery is perfect for fans of libraries, quirky sleuths, and cat sidekicks!
Grab this book on Amazon: Read on Arrival
Final Chapter: Bookstore Sleuths and Library Detectives Forever
Bookstores and libraries make the best crime scenes—quiet, cozy, and crawling with secrets. These eight reads are just the start if you’re into fictional murder investigations with literary flair. Whether you’re team bookstore or ride-or-die for the library, there’s something here to curl up with.
Got a favorite bookish mystery I missed? Drop it in the comments—I’m always looking for another fictional corpse to trip over.
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