These crafty cozy mysteries and novels are great reads with a side of arts, crafts, DIY and design, it’s the perfect combination!
So, I don’t know if I’ve ever really talked about this before, but I am a major bookworm. I spent hours and hours at the library in the summer as a kid, and I read every single day before I go to sleep, no matter what. It’s also my favorite thing to do on relaxing vacations. Reading is just the BEST.
I like lots of different kinds of books and go through phases of what I like to read but I always love a good cozy mystery, especially if the cozy mystery detective is a yarn shop owner or a pottery shop owner or some other crafty person who solves mysteries on the side. And of course, there’s always an attractive cop or detective involved and they don’t like each other at first, but then they do. It’s totally realistic, right?
I don’t know how crafty cozy mysteries even became a genre, but whoever started it is a genius. I’ve also read and loved some great stand alone novels about crafts, but there’s nothing like a good series where you get to know the characters and have a whole bunch of books to look forward to! Then you know you don’t have to deal with the horrible question of what to read next for a while!
Anyway, today I’m going to share some of my favorite crafty cozy mysteries and novels with you. I’m trying to stick to recommending things I’ve actually read (or am familiar with the authors) but I know there are so many more great reads out there, if you have a favorite, share it with me and hopefully we’ll all find something new to read!
The Best Crafty Cozy Mysteries & Novels
- Knit One, Kill Two: Kelly Flynn mysteries by Maggie Sefton
Kelly leaves her corporate life in Washington DC to take over her Aunt’s yarn shop after her aunt is mysteriously murdered. She ends up starting a new life, learning to knit, making new friends and solving a bunch of knitting related mysteries. I’ve read all of these and loved them! - The Yarn Retreat Mysteries by Betty Hechtman
A baker inherits her Aunt’s knitting retreat business and crafty mysteries ensue. Set in the Monterey Peninsula these are good as well! - The Fixer Upper Mysteries by Kate Carlisle
Shannon Hammer ( I know…) owns a home renovation and construction and does DIY detective work (see what I did there?!) on the side. I really enjoyed this series, especially the description of all the historic homes and renovations! - The Scrapbooking Mysteries by Laura Childs
I have read and loved her Tea Shop mysteries, these are sure to be good if you’re into scrapbooking! - The Seaside Knitters Society by Laura Goldenbaum
This knitting group solves mysteries and knits together! - The Queen Bee Quilt Shop Mysteries by Laura Goldenbaum
A quilt shop owner and her assistant solve crimes in Kansas, love this author! - The Embroidery Shop Mysteries by Amanda Lee
Marcy opens a specialty embroidery shop in Oregon only to find the previous tenant dead in her storeroom! Oh no! - The Crochet Mysteries by Betty Hechtman
Since I loved this author’s knitting retreat series, the crochet mysteries are sure to be good. In this series book shop employee Molly runs a weekly crochet group in the store, but when the group leader is killed she becomes the prime suspect (and learns to crochet!) - The Flower Shop Mysteries by Kate Collins
I really loved this series about flower shop owner Abby Knight. I definitely consider floral arranging to be crafty and it’s a creative activity I’m dying to try myself (pun intended). These are a little outrageous in a good way, lots of excitement. - The Hat Shop Mysteries by Jenn McKinley
I enjoyed these mysteries about a woman from Florida who comes to the UK to help her cousin run their Aunt’s hat making shop. Who knew hat making was so interesting! I also loved this author’s cupcake shop series, if you’re into that! - The Anastasia Pollock Crafting Mysteries by Lois Winston
Anastasia Pollock is the editor of a crafting magazine and her life is falling apart. When a co-worker is found stuck to her desk chair, Anastasia has to solve the crime. I actually haven’t read these yet but the title of the first one, “Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun” really makes me want to, ha! - The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
A group of friends shares more than knitting patterns during heir weekly Friday night knitting get together in New York City. - Sweater Quest: My Year of Knitting Dangerously by Adrienne Martini
Ok, it’s nonfiction, but I LOVED this book when I read it. Adrienne decides to knit what is possibly the most complicated sweater ever (that uses discontinued yarn), the Mary Tudor Sweater by Alice Starmore. She tries to track down the yarn, she tries to track down the notoriously reclusive designer…it’s fascinating!
If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…
- Gingerbread House and Gingerbread Man Knitting Patterns - December 13, 2024
- Peppermint Candy Cane Wreath Knitting Pattern - December 9, 2024
- Gingerbread Wreath Knitting Pattern - December 9, 2024
Leave a Reply