8 Cozy Winter Mystery Books Perfect for Snowy Nights

When the temperatures drop and the snow starts falling, there’s nothing better than cozying up with a cup of cocoa, a warm blanket, and a stack of cozy winter mystery books. If you’re looking for wintry whodunits filled with small-town charm, amateur sleuths, and snowed-in suspense, you’re in the right place.

New to cozy mystery? Check out our cozy mystery genre guide for beginners.

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Why Cozy Mysteries Are Perfect for Winter Reading

There’s something about cozy winter mystery books that makes them the ideal cold-weather companion. The wintry settings, from snowbound cabins to quaint small towns, create an atmosphere that’s both comforting and thrilling. The charm of amateur sleuths navigating festive villages, holiday chaos, and snowy trails adds a layer of warmth to even the frostiest plots.

These stories often focus on community, friendship, and personal growth—making them feel like a soft escape during the colder months. Plus, who doesn’t love a good snowed-in mystery where everyone is a suspect, and secrets are buried deeper than the snowdrifts?

Grab Your Next Cozy Winter Mystery Book

If you’re ready to add some cozy winter mystery books to your seasonal TBR, this list has you covered. Each book features a blend of suspense, humor, and heart—perfect for winter nights when you’re craving a twisty yet comforting read. Whether you love snowbound settings, quirky small towns, or culinary mysteries, these picks will have you flipping pages long past midnight.

A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette

A recent MBA grad returns to her Ohio hometown to run her family’s ice cream shop, but her sweet plans take a dark turn when she finds a body in the snow on opening day. With her father under suspicion, Win must balance scooping cones and solving crimes before her dreams melt away.

Key Themes: Family business, amateur sleuth, small-town setting, culinary mystery

Grab this book on Amazon: A Deadly Inside Scoop

Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala

When Lila’s estranged cousin returns for Christmas claiming to have turned over a new leaf, it’s clear trouble is brewing. After a murder at his new winery, Lila must sift through holiday chaos, family drama, and long-buried secrets to clear his name—and stay alive herself.

Key Themes: Family secrets, holiday setting, Filipino culture, amateur sleuth

Grab this book on Amazon: Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala

Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian

A grumpy, shell-shocked doctor and a dashing spy cross paths in postwar England when a suspicious death rocks their quiet village. As tensions rise, so do their feelings for each other—but can they solve the crime before more bodies fall?

Key Themes: LGBTQ+ romance, historical mystery, small-town setting, postwar trauma

Grab this book on Amazon: Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian

Peril in Paperback by Kate Carlisle

Bibliophile Brooklyn Wainwright heads to a secluded mansion for a book-themed birthday party, but when a guest turns up dead, this cozy getaway turns into a locked-room mystery. Brooklyn must use her sleuthing skills to unmask the killer before the final page turns.

Key Themes: Locked-room mystery, bookish setting, amateur sleuth, quirky cast

Grab this book on Amazon: Peril in Paperback by Kate Carlisle

Cruel Winter by Sheila Connolly

An unexpected snowstorm traps pub owner Maura and her patrons in an Irish pub—with a long-time murder suspect among them. As tensions rise, Maura investigates the decades-old crime before the storm clears and the culprit escapes for good.

Key Themes: Closed-circle mystery, Irish setting, snowstorm, amateur sleuth

Grab this book on Amazon: Cruel Winter

Three Blind Mice by Agatha Christie

A snowstorm strands a group of strangers in a remote manor house—and one of them is a murderer. With mounting tension and a rising body count, this classic Christie novella keeps you guessing until the chilling finale.

Key Themes: Closed-circle mystery, snowstorm, classic detective fiction, suspense

Grab this book on Amazon: Three Blind Mice

Snowcaps, Skiing & Sabotage by Tonya Kappes

When elite skiers arrive for the Southeast Olympic trials, the last thing campground owner Mae expects is sabotage—or a dead athlete. With the help of her quirky friends, Mae races to uncover the truth before the competition’s stakes turn deadly.

Key Themes: Small-town charm, sabotage, sports mystery, amateur sleuth

Grab this book on Amazon: Snowcaps, Skiing & Sabotage

Secrets and Snowflakes by S. Usher Evans

The annual solstice party in Pigsend takes a deadly turn when threatening letters arrive. As a snowstorm traps everyone inside, innkeeper Bev must figure out which guest has blood on their hands before the secrets—and snow—melt away.

Key Themes: Small-town setting, snowstorm, blackmail, amateur sleuth

Grab this book on Amazon: Secrets and Snowflakes

Have a favorite cozy winter mystery book?

Drop it in the comments and let us know what you’re reading! And don’t forget to subscribe to our Substack newsletter for more seasonal book recommendations and cozy content.

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