It’s no mystery that lying out by the pool during the summer is one of life’s simple pleasures. Maybe you’re the kind of person who likes to take a nap while out in the sun, or maybe you prefer to occupy your down time with a good book. Cozy mysteries make great pool-side reads because they’re sweet, exciting, and entertaining. If you want to pretend you’re a sleuth while relaxing in the sun, pick up one of these great books to read for cozy mystery fans! Interested in investigating new adult romances? Check out our Books to Read by the Pool: New Adult Romances!
Looking to read more cozy mysteries? Find them in our posts including Miss Marple, Denise Grover Swank, Wannabe Sleuths, Female Sleuths, Culinary Twists, Cozy Mysteries, More Cozy Mysteries, and Cozy Beach Reads.
Good Books to Read by the Pool: Cozy Mysteries
Maggie Dove
Susan Breen
Release Date: June 14, 2016
Maggie Dove isn’t surprised to find her mean, hateful neighbor Marcus Bender lying dead under a tree one morning. The primary suspect for the murder is Peter Nelson, and Maggie loves him like he’s her own son. He was engaged to Maggie’s daughter, who died years ago. Maggie is determined to find the real killer so she can protect this innocent young man from harm. When more murders start to occur, Maggie realizes that she must fight to protect the town she loves.
Buy on Amazon Buy Nook Book Buy iBookGoodbye, Ms. Chips
Dorothy Cannell
Release Date: June 7, 2016
Although she left St. Roberta’s boarding school years ago, Ellie Haskell is called back to help the headmistress solve a mystery. Ellie is a well known amateur sleuth, so Mrs. Battle thought she would be the perfect person to help find the lacrosse trophy that recently went missing. Right after Ellie starts her search, the recently retired game mistress Ms. Chips suddenly passes away. Now that a killer may be on the loose, Ellie has to use her talent to quickly get to the bottom of this strange mystery.
Buy on Amazon Buy Nook Book Buy iBookKiller Jam
Karen MacInerney
Release Date: July 28, 2015
Ready to slow down, reporter Lucy Resnick decides to retire early so she can buy her grandmother’s farm and make their family’s famous Dewberry Jam. Right as she starts to settle in, someone comes to tell her that they will be putting an oil rig on her fields. Lucy is upset, but not enough to kill someone. So when the woman who ordered the drill is found dead and Lucy is labeled as the prime suspect, she is absolutely horrified. As she talks to her new neighbors, will she be able to find out who the real killer is?
Deadly Disco in Las Vegas
AR Winters
Release Date: April 17, 2016
Tiffany Black, a cupcake-loving detective, is working with her friend Ian to figure out why a businessman suddenly died. Their searching leads them to Las Vegas, where they get wrapped up in the crazy night life of the city. With cover-ups floating around, will Tiffany and Ian be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?
Buy on AmazonClouds In My Coffee
Julie Mulhern
Release Date: May 10, 2016
Let’s face it. Someone wants Ellison Russell dead. Nearly everywhere she goes, her life is put at risk. Her house was almost burned down, people around her have been poisoned, and she was almost killed at a party. What could Ellison have done to make someone this mad? Her life is complicated enough right now with an estranged sister, an aunt with a secret, and a detective in her guesthouse… Why does a killer have to do this now?
Buy on Amazon Buy Nook BookBuy iBookMurder at the Courthouse
A. H. Gabhart
Release Date: October 13, 2015
After working hard as a police officer in Columbus, Michael Keane is ready for a less stressful life as a deputy sheriff in a small town. Just as he was starting to think that Hidden Springs, Kentucky was a peaceful town, a dead body appears on the steps to the courthouse. This tragedy sends Michael on a wild goose chase to find out who could possibly be a killer in such a small, innocent town. As he works to solve the mystery, he discovers that Hidden Springs has a lot of hidden secrets.
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