The Fourth of July is all about celebrating our country’s birthday. Often, that includes spending time with loved ones enjoying barbecues, family trips, parades, fireworks and more. But it’s also a nice day to relax with a good book on the porch, in the backyard or at the pool. And while many people reach for a book about our founding fathers, a presidential biography or a historical fiction tome, others are more interested in Fourth of July cozy mysteries! If you’re one of them, we’ve got you covered with seven offerings you won’t be able to put down! From whodunits to who-stole-its to who’s up to no good, these page-turners all take place on July 4th. Keep reading for 7 of our favorite Fourth of July cozy mysteries. They’re sure to get you in the mood for your own celebrations—no matter where you are!
If you love Tonya Kappes’ Holiday Cozy Mystery series, be sure to grab Fourth of July Forgery. One reader says reading it got her “even more excited for the upcoming festivities!” Or maybe you love it when a cat teams up with a detective to crack the case. If that’s the case, be sure to dive into Gone with the Whisker by Laurie Cass, which one reader says “grabbed my attention from the start and kept me hooked until the end.”
To learn more about these titles, and the rest of our best Fourth of July cozy mystery list, keep scrolling!
Woman's World books editor (and book lover!) shares 10 must-read cozy mystery books — solve them all!
‘Murder is No Picnic’ by Amy Pershing
Berkley
Danger, intrigue and delicious sweet treats…this whodunit has it all! Samantha “Sam” Barnes, the “Cape Cod Foodie,” is prepping for the upcoming Fourth of July festival. She finds the perfect blueberry buckle recipe in celebrity chef Clara Foster’s cookbook. But when Clara dies in a house fire blamed on a kitchen accident, Sam is convinced there’s something more to it. Now, she vows to crack the case—or else!
What readers are saying: “Murder Is No Picnic was a grand read with characters I love to visit, delectable food and a fun mystery to solve. This is a perfect book for the upcoming holiday when you need to escape the heat of the day or come up with a dish for your own family picnic.”
‘Sweet Tea and Secrets’ by Joy Avon
Crooked Lane Books
A kooky, spirited story begins in this installment of the Tea and Mystery series. Callie Aspen is researching the history of Heart’s Harbor, Maine, for her great-aunt’s Fourth of July tea party. She soon learns that a 1980s TV star went missing in the town and she decides to investigate on her own—but nothing can prepare her for what she finds.
What readers are saying: “My girlfriends and I get together every July 4th, but since our group is spread out across the country, it’s not possible to meet up this year. To lift my mood, I read this festive whodunit. I enjoyed the pretty coastal setting and the fun mystery!”
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‘Fourth of July Forgery’ by Tonya Kappes
Tonya Kappes
This enchanting installment of Tonya Kappes’ Holiday Cozy Mystery series is filled with twists and turns. Local reporter Violet Rhinehammer is covering her town’s Fourth of July celebrations when an art dealer is found dead on the beach. With her keen investigative skills and talent for solving murders, she’s determined to find the killer. Can she do it before anyone else dies?
What readers are saying: “Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. Ahead of the big day, I picked up this cozy mystery to set the mood, and it was so good! This book had me on my toes and got me even more excited for the upcoming festivities!”
‘Independence Slay’ by Shelley Freydont
Berkley
This festive novel from Shelly Freydont includes a page-turning investigation and unforgettable characters. Every year on the Fourth of July, a small town called Celebration Bay hosts a spooky Revolutionary War reenactment, which includes a ghostly cameo from war hero Henry Gallantine, portrayed by one of his descendants. But on the night of the big celebration, the man playing Henry goes missing, and now festival coordinator Liv Montgomery must figure out where he went before it ruins the holiday fun forever.
What readers are saying: “I love reading festive books centered around holidays, and this one didn’t disappoint. Filled with fun aspects and a twist I didn’t see coming, Independence Slay had me reading long after the fireworks ended.”
It’s officially summer, book lovers! Between the plethora of new releases and the sunny downtime, it’s one the best times of the year for piling reads onto your TBR (to-be-read) list. Whether your summer vacation plans include trips to the beach, relaxing lakeside or simply kicking back in the shade at home, this balmy season […]
‘Fireworks and Fatality’ by Maisy Marple
Maisy Marple
Set in a picturesque Harbor Town, this novel follows local bookstore owner Vivan Palmer. After Dorian “Dory” Fisk, a respected boat judge and harbor preservation champion, shows up dead at the end of the Fourth of July fireworks show, Vivian and her Maine Coon cat, Cricket, realize it’s up to them to investigate. But can they catch the killer before it’s too late? Only time will tell…
What readers are saying: “Filled with fun and festive twists and turns, this novel kept me guessing until the very last page. It was the perfect Fourth of July read.”
‘Star Tangled Murder’ by Nancy J. Cohen
Orange Grove Press
The charming, witty page-turner follows hairstylist Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton. When the vacationing couple learn that a Seminole battle reenactment in the living history village they’re visiting turns deadly, Dalton and Marla get mixed up in the investigation. They soon discover the shocking lies and secrets that this historical Florida village holds.
What readers are saying: “I kept turning the pages of Star Tangled Murder because I had to know what came next. I enjoyed the new-to-me Florida history revealed in the story, and I was fascinated by the buttons. An A-plus mystery in a compelling cozy series.”
‘Gone with the Whisker’ by Laurie Cass
Berkley
Chaos ensues in the beautiful town of Chilson, Michigan, on the Fourth of July, as tourists flock in for the spectacular fireworks show. Minnie Hamilton and her rescue cat, Eddie, have had a busy day on the bookmobile delivering books to patrons. But when Minnie’s niece Katrina discovers a body, Minnie recognizes the deceased. Now, she and Eddie hunt to find the killer before they strike again!
What readers are saying: “The book is well-written with well-rounded characters, some of whom you’ll like and others you won’t. It grabbed my attention from the start and kept me hooked until the end. This intriguing mystery is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing.”
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