7 Valentine’s Day Cozy Mysteries That Blend Love, Laughter—And a Little Murder!
Sweethearts, secrets and suspense—these cozy mysteries have it all!
Not a fan of rom-coms or traditional romance novels? Picture this instead: charming small-town settings, hilarious hijinks and a sprinkle of intrigue—and often a mysterious death—that will keep you on your toes. If that gets your heart racing, you can find this delightful combination in any number of Valentine’s Day cozy mysteries. We’ve compiled our favorites, which are full of loveable moments, a touch of murder and, of course, silliness. From cute dates and wild whodunits to V-day plans gone wrong and amateur sleuths solving sometimes-silly cases, these books will put you in the holiday spirit. Here, the best Valentine’s Day cozy mysteries to add to your reading list.
‘Vistas, Vices and Valentines’ by Tonya Kappes
This clever whodunit kicks off when Mae West and Hank Sharp take dance lessons for Valentine’s Day—but then a dead body shows up and Hank is hired to investigate the crime. As part of the investigation, Hank asks Dottie Swaggert and Henry Bryant to go undercover as a couple in a dance competition. Soon, they discover deep feuds and must quickly tango with the suspects who might be willing to kill for the dancing title!
What readers are saying: “It’s Valentine’s Day! Vistas, Vices, and Valentines is the perfect book to persuade you to put on your dancing shoes and celebrate the holiday! Well, if you don’t mind a murder and some sleuthing thrown in! The detailed descriptions in the book make the reader feel like part of the story. Each of the characters has a distinct personality and it is fun getting to know them. I enjoy the banter that goes back and forth and often laugh out loud—especially when Dottie is on a roll. This is a terrific read that you will not want to put down!”
‘The Valentine Mystery’ by Kathi Daley
Tess is delivering Valentine’s mail with her dog when she stumbles upon a car accident. One of the drivers is passing through town to find his birth mother. When he asks for Tess’ help, she can’t refuse. But when she later learns the other driver didn’t make it and that it might not have been an accident after all, she sets out to unravel the mystery—all while trying to help shelter pets find their perfect Valentine’s Day match.
What readers are saying: “I enjoyed this story and love the setting and the characters. This story will keep you up reading! I am already anxiously awaiting the next installment in this series.”
‘Valentine Candy Murder’ by Leslie Meier
Known for her quirky-cute whodunits, bestselling author Leslie Meier’s Valentine Candy Murder bundles two Valentine’s Day tales—Valentine Murder and Chocolate Covered Murder—into one! Both stories follow reporter and amateur sleuth Lucy Stone and the eerie events occurring in Tinker’s Cove, Maine. Someone turns up dead in both plots, and Lucy discovers shocking secrets about Tinker’s Cove citizens as she attempts to find the killer.
What readers are saying: “I absolutely loved reading these two Valentine-themed Leslie Meier murder mysteries. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the cold Maine winters and I think that added to the harshness of the murders. Lucy Stone is such a fun character who seems to lead a normal life but is whip-smart and solves crimes on the side…These two stories are devilishly delicious and make me want to read more of Leslie Meier.”
‘StrawBuried in Chocolate’ by Lyndsey Cole
The second in the Black Cat Cafe series, Strawburied in Chocolate follows Annie Fisher as she gears up for Valentine’s Day. Annie wakes up on Friday the 13th, but she’s not superstitious. Everything in the cafe is ready to go for the holiday, including her special chocolate-covered strawberries, and she’s more than ready for a romantic weekend with her current fling, her neighbor Jason. But when Annie’s Aunt Leona finds a body in Jason’s house, any romantic plans are thrown out the window. Now, Annie, Leona and Jason must uncover who killed Lacy McGuire and why.
What readers are saying: “I really enjoyed this book and series! Lyndsey Cole has crafted a story that will captivate you and have you turning the pages until you reach the end. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way and a surprise at the end.”
‘Death of a Chocoholic’ by Lee Hollis
Hayley Powell, a food and cocktails columnist, is not looking for love this Valentine’s Day. But then again, she’s not looking for a murderer either. In fact, all she really wants to do is curl up with a box of homemade chocolates from chocolatier Bessie Winthrop. Soon, Bessie is found dead in her kitchen, and Hayley thinks her death was murder.
What readers are saying: “I was looking for a fun Valentine’s read when this was recommended. I haven’t read any others in the series but I am sure to now. Loved the characters and their interactions. Great mystery that kept me on my toes. Can’t wait to dig into more of them.”
‘Deadly Valentine’ by Kathleen Suzette
With a snowstorm hitting Pumpkin Hollow, Mia and Ethan are ready to celebrate their first Valentine’s Day as a married couple in this installment of the Pumpkin Hollow mysteries. But then they discover a frozen corpse outside. Now, Mia must put her plans aside and find who killed Michelle Vance, a shop owner in town.
What readers are saying: “The mystery captured my attention, and I liked all the descriptions of the sweet treats for Valentine’s Day. It was a quick read, and I was excited to see Mia and Ethan solve the case!”
‘This Pen for Hire’ by Laura Levine
Jaine Austen, a writer-for-hire, has penned everything from ads to big declarations of love. And when one of her love connections is torn apart by murder, she uncovers more than she bargained for. When Howard Murdoch asks for a letter professing his love for aerobics instructor Stacey Lawrence, Jaine agrees, and is surprised when the letter is a success. However, Howard’s triumph is short-lived when he finds Stacy on Valentine’s Day bludgeoned to death by a Thigh Master. And it’s not long before he’s the main suspect.
What readers are saying: “This Pen for Hire is the first of 20 books in the fun and snarky series A Jaine Austen Mystery series. I was looking for something fun and lighthearted and this was it! There are so many funny moments. It was just what I was in the mood for!”
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