When December starts, it’s time to cuddle up under a blanket and read a good book. Cosy crime Christmas books are a genre many readers reach for, offering delightful mysteries with charmingly odd suspects. But why is it that cosy crime and Christmas go so well together? Let’s dive into it (and yes, I will give you some book recs too!)

Why cosy crime is so popular during Christmas?

The book genre cosy crime is getting more and more popular. But why is it such a common genre to read during Christmas? Cosy crime Christmas books match the season so well. Cute small towns, the bookshop around the corner or an amateur detective in the English countryside who needs to solve a mystery? Just give it a sprinkle of Christmas magic and the story gets even better and cosier.

People have more time to read

My second reason why I think cosy crime is so popular is the fact that so many of us take a break during the holidays. We have more time to celebrate with our loved ones, but also to just relax and cuddle up with a good book. And a book that keeps you hooked from start to finish is often one that includes a bit of mystery. Enter: the cosy crime. Not too bloody, perfect for the holidays and another book to add to your reading challenge since you can read them in a few sittings. It’s addictive!

The cosy community

Cosy crime is a genre that’s about people. The quirky people in the small town it’s set in, that one nosy neighbour… oh, how I love it! There’s often such a colourful procession of characters in these crimes. That aspect gives the story a certain warmth and, moreover, a human touch. The sense of community we all long to feel at Christmas: that we belong somewhere.

Cosy Crime Christmas: book recs

Here are five cosy crime Christmas books to enjoy during the festive season.

The Christmas Clue – Nicola Upson

Christmas Eve, 1943. Anthony and Elva Pratt arrive in a snowy English village to run a murder mystery game – and instead discover a real murder. The Pratts had planned for festive cheer, despite the wartime shortages: with Elva’s map of the hotel and Anthony’s prop weapons to use as clues, the guests in their parlour game would move through the rooms to figure out whodunnit.
But when Anthony discovers the cook’s sister Miss Silver beaten to death, they instead find themselves investigating a shockingly real crime. Can the Pratts puzzle out this Christmas mystery before it’s too late?

Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case – Agatha Christie

Queen of cosy crime Agatha Christie has to be in this list. This year there is a 50 year anniversary edition of the classic Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case. The house guests at Styles seemed perfectly pleasant to Captain Hastings; there was his own daughter Judith, an inoffensive ornithologist called Norton, dashing Mr Allerton, brittle Miss Cole, Doctor Franklin and his wife Barbara; Nurse Craven, Colonel Luttrell and his charming wife, Daisy, and the charismatic Boyd-Carrington.
So Hastings was shocked to learn from Hercule Poirot’s declaration that one of them was a five-times murderer. True, the ageing detective was crippled with arthritis, but had his deductive instincts finally deserted him?

Everyone this Christmas has a Secret – Benjamin Stevenson

From the author of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone comes a funny festive spin-off, as Ernest Cunningham finds himself reluctantly drawn into the murder of a famous magician’s benefactor.
“My name is Ernest Cunningham. I’m not a detective. I just happen to have a knack for what makes mysteries tick. I’d hoped, this Christmas, that any self-respecting murderer would kick their feet up and take it easy over the holidays. I was wrong. So here I am, backstage at the Christmas show of world-famous magician Rylan Blaze, whose benefactor has just been murdered. From the magician’s assistant to the hypnotist, my suspects are all professional tricksters. Masters in the art of misdirection. Solving the
murder is the only gift I want this year. But can I catch a killer, and make it home for Christmas alive?”

The Christmas Appeal – Janice Hallett

From author of The Appeal comes a new cosy crime mystery. A discovery of a dead body disrupts the festive pantomime preparations of a group of small town amateur drama enthusiasts.
One dead Santa. A town full of suspects. Will you discover the truth? Christmas in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. But there’s not much good will among the amateur dramatics enthusiasts. Sarah-Jane is fending off threats to her new position as Chair, the beanstalk might be full of asbestos, and someone is trying to ruin the panto before the curtain even goes up. Plus, there’s the small matter of the dead Santa. Who had the victim on their
naughty list? Read the round robins, examine the emails and pore over the police transcripts to discover the truth. Will the show go on?

Murder Under the Mistletoe – Reverend Richard Coles

It is Christmas Day and at Champton Rectory, Canon Daniel Clement and his mother Audrey are joined by the residents and guests of the big house to drink, eat and be merry. At the festive feast, peace and goodwill prevail. Until two meet under the mistletoe. One of them falls down dead. And Daniel suspects murder has returned to Champton… Can Daniel and Detective Sergeant Neil Vanloo solve the crime and catch the Christmas killer?

As the nights grow longer and the world outside turns cold and frosty, there’s something undeniably comforting about curling up with a festive mystery. Cosy crime captures both the charm and the chaos of the holiday season, giving us stories filled with warmth, community, and just enough intrigue to keep us turning the pages. Whether you’re discovering a new sleuth or revisiting an old favourite, these cosy crime Christmas books are perfect companions for a quiet winter evening. Happy reading, and may your holidays be merry, bright, and delightfully mysterious.