5+ Contemporary Cozy British Mystery Novels

Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Looking for a new
​cozy, British mystery novel?

I am *always* in the market for my next cozy, British mystery novel! Give me some tea (or a gin and tonic - all depends on my mood), a quiet afternoon, and I'm never happier than pretending I live in the Cotswolds. If you've been following the blog for a while, you'll know that I've started releasing new lists of cozy mystery novels every few months, with my most recent finds.

This month, I've rounded-up contemporary, cozy mystery novels. We all know that the small town mystery is a staple of British literature, but just because you aren't in the mood for a historic piece or a "between-the-wars" drawing room gun-find doesn't mean you can't indulge in a cozy mystery. Here are the cozy mystery novels I've been reading this summer!

The Marlow Murder Club,
Robert Thorogood

The first mystery novel by Robert Thorogood, creator Death in Paradise, The Marlow Murder Club is the charming story of Judith Potts, a 77-year-old with a perfectly lovely life along the river before she suddenly becomes the only witness to her neighbor's murder (well, beside the murderer, of course). Next thing you know, this crossword creator has turned detective, along with the vicar's wife and the local dog walker, as the body count starts to increase...

Moonflower Murders, Anthony Horowitz

Fans of Midsomer Murders will want to check out Moonflower Murders, sequel to The Magpie Murders, by Anthony Horowitz, the first writer on our beloved Midsomer!

Continuing the story of London editor Susan Ryeland, there's a "classic" cozy mystery novel contained within the contemporary counterpart. Is it the key to the modern murder? Will you catch all the clues in the book-within-a-book? I didn't!

The Thursday Murder Club, Richard Osman

While we're on the subject of murder clubs, The Thursday Murder Club is my most recent read - telling the charming story of an unlikely group of retirees who spend their days using the skills gained over long careers to solve cold cases. When a not-so-cold case turns up, can they solve it as well?

The Maidens,
​Alex Michaelides

Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient, brings us The Maidens, set in enchanting Cambridge, as a University alumna returns to her old stomping grounds to solve what quickly becomes a series of murders with many college connections. Still mourning the death of her alumnus husband, does this group therapist have the skills to figure out who's picking off a specific group of students?

The Guest List, Lucy Foley

The Guest List , from Lucy Foley, tells the story of a chic wedding party, coming together on a remote Irish island for the wedding of a blogger-turned-celebrity and a hunky survivalist. The reunion takes a turn when a murder (shown in flash forward only) occurs and the guests are thrown under a microscope for their various relationships, as the weather veers toward the catastrophic...​Beware of the serious Agatha Christie vibes!

Need more cozy mystery novels?

If this wasn't quite enough cozy mystery for you, check out my other lists of book recommendations, and if you aren't in the mood for reading, British detective series to stream!

• Cozy British Mystery Audiobooks
• 2020's Best British Mystery Audiobooks
• Books About England
• British Detective Series
• British Detective Shows with Female Leads
• TV Shows Like Midsomer Murders​

Love it? Pin it!