Category: Amateur Sleuths
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Humor Helps Our Sleuth Solve More than One Murder in San Francisco

At 49, Capricorn “Capri” Sanzio’s life has been defined by her grandfather’s long-ago conviction as the serial killer “Overkill Bill.” Now she’s got the chance to solve a pair of copycat killings — and clear his name.
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Escape to 1920s Egypt with this Debut in the “Lady Traveler” Series

Cut off by her wealthy father, Blix Windway makes a living by traveling to exotic places and giving lectures about her adventures. Her search for fresh material in Cairo leads to the pyramids by moonlight, and murder.
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A Monster Hunter Searches for Loch Ness and More in this Entertaining Series

Meet Morgan Carter, quirky bookstore owner and cryptozoologist. Her passion for monster hunting has her seeking Bigfoot and other cryptids, all while fleeing her own parents’ killer.
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Left Coast Crime Awards 2025: One Female Sleuth Winner

Immediately added to my TBR list: A former reporter must investigate a murder with the detective who broke her heart in their native Hawaii in the Best Debut Mystery Novel winner.
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An Amateur Sleuth’s Adventures in Academia Provide a Cozy Diversion

In troubled times, a well-written cozy offers welcome respite from the day’s news. Cynthia Kuhn’s series features a sharp protagonist, a look at life on campus from someone who’s been there, and a lively sense of humor.
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On the Lighter Side: A Cozy Series for Garden Lovers

Amateur sleuth Steph Williams puts to bed any ideas that gardening is a leisurely pursuit as she works for Britain’s modern monied classes — and solves a fair share of their problems — in this cozy series.
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Agatha Award Winners 2024: Celebrating Traditional Mysteries

If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, you’ll likely find something to love in this annual awards roundup. Fans chose the winners, which cannot include explicit sex, gore or violence.
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A Flawed Protagonist Searches for the Missing, and Redemption

Frankie Elkin is an “average, middle-aged white woman” who travels from one missing-persons case to the next, dragging a single suitcase behind her. Think Jack Reacher, but with fewer muscles and more underwear.
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Edgar Award Winners 2024: Few Female Sleuths, Few Surprises

Familiar names and titles dominated the list of award recipients but I think this annual winners’ roundup — described as “the Oscars of mystery awards” — is always worth a look.
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The Expectant Detectives: Very Pregnant Women Track a Killer

I am not now, nor have I ever been, nine months pregnant. But it doesn’t matter. This is a hilarious modern take on a cozy, wherein a waddle of women tackle a mystery to distract from the terror of impending childbirth.
