Category: Amateur Sleuths
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Cyanide and Sensibility: A Cozy with Flavors of Austen

It’s fun to spot the references to Jane Austen and her characters in this cozy mystery featuring a professor of English literature who likes to dress in Regency-style gowns while teaching — and solving murders.
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One Puzzling Afternoon: Solving a Decades-Old Mystery

At 82, Edie Havercroft’s memory is slipping a bit. So when she claims to have seen a young girl who went missing 67 years ago, is she merely confused or does she know something that can crack the case?
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A Welcome Holiday Puzzle: The Christmas Jigsaw Murders

Edie O’Sullivan may be an elderly English amateur sleuth but she’s no Miss Marple. The acid-tongued puzzler loathes most people but she’s going to need help to stop the body count from climbing.
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It’s Glory’s World, and We’re Lucky to Be Living in It

Author Danielle Arceneaux has created a darkly humorous amateur sleuth/bookie who doesn’t let age — or anything else — stand in her way. The relationships shine in this mystery set in small-town Louisiana.
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Take a Chance on Anne Perry’s Christmas Mystery Series

If you’re looking for traditional mysteries set in Victorian England with a Christmas theme, try Perry’s lesser-known series of 21 novellas. The series need not be read in order and features wintry landscapes, lush holiday celebrations and satisfying resolutions.
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The Third Girl: Fleeing to France in this Modern Cozy

Molly Sutton, 38, returns to France after her marriage ends and settles into a large village, where she discovers a love of almond croissants — and a gift for solving murders. First published in 2015, there are now 11 books in the series.
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Gaudy Night: A Classic Sleuth Remains Relevant Today

Gaudy Night, a classic of mystery’s Golden Age, stands the test of time. It’s a great fall read, with its academic setting and spooky doings, and sleuth Harriet Vane feels real and relatable nearly 100 years after Dorothy L. Sayers created her.
