Cozy mysteries are a lot like a cup of tea: warm, familiar, and best enjoyed while avoiding actual responsibilities. Readers curl up expecting a charming small town, quirky neighbors who have way too much free time, and a murder so politely conducted it almost sends a thank-you note.

But every now and then, it’s fun to knock that teacup right off the table.

I didn’t set out to write a thriller. Honestly, I just wanted a quiet story about sun, sea, and maybe a glass (or three) of local wine. Then a swimming pool collapsed — and everything went downhill from there.

Cozy mysteries are all about charming villages, quirky characters, and of course, baffling crimes that are just “the right amount” of spooky. But even in the coziest of tales, a little forensic know-how goes a long way to keep those plots clever—and readers hooked.

There’s something magical about curling up in your reading nook with a mystery or thriller, the creak of the floorboards outside your room, the whisper of the pages, the faint crunch of… wait, is that your snack or an ominous clue? Either way, if you’re settling in for a round of whodunnits and nail-biters, you’ll need snacks that keep your energy (and heart rate) steady while the twists keep coming.

October is here, the air is crisp, the jumpers are snuggly, and let’s face it: it’s the best time for curling up with a smart and satisfying cosy mystery. But before you dive into another tale of a suspicious bake sale fatality or a very suspicious cat, why not shake up your TBR pile with mysteries from talented, diverse authors—including one that might just feature a coastal community in utter chaos (more on that later…).