Spooky houses, magical mishaps, talking cats, friendly ghosts, and amateur sleuths who somehow manage to solve murders between baking cupcakes, running bookstores, or casting spells. What's not to love? Paranormal series blend the comforting atmosphere of traditional cozies with witches, psychics, vampires, and other supernatural twists that make the stories feel playful, imaginative, and wonderfully escapist. So, whether you love sarcastic witches, haunted inns, magical feli

Where have I been?! For generations of mystery lovers, M. C. Beaton has been synonymous with comfort reading, quirky detectives, and delightfully entertaining murders. I, however, have only just discovered her work, so I decided to look into her mystery series and do a little digging to find the data on which of her books are the most popular. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through these links at no extra cost

They're as stealthy as ninjas, inscrutable as mannequins, and devious as the finest pirates. They're cats, and we love them! Whether or not you're a cat lover like me, you have to admit there’s something undeniably comforting about a cozy mystery featuring a cat. As intuitive companions, secret sleuths, or magical beings, feline characters bring warmth, humor, and just a hint of the uncanny to every investigation. These stories often unfold in charming small towns or bookish

Amateur sleuths with unconventional day jobs, meddling families, snarky characters, and accidental murders. Sounds great, doesn't it? If you're looking for a little lighthearted fun, you'll find that solving crimes doesn’t have to be serious to be satisfying. Often fast-paced, witty, or possibly a little edgy, the 25 recommended cozy mystery series on this list are guaranteed to keep you turning pages, laughing all the way. By the way, every one has earned a rating of at leas

I don't know. For those of us who have a monstrous sweet tooth, will a cozy mystery set in a candy shop or bakery satisfy our sugar cravings in a healthy way? Or will it just make us want to run out for a sweet treat? This could be dangerous, but to celebrate my love of Easter candy, I put together a list of 10 popular murder mysteries set in the spring and featuring sweet treats. I try to recommend only the best, so every title has earned a rating of 4.2 or higher stars on A

Did you know that mystery writer Agatha Christie is one of the best-selling authors of all time, having sold almost as many books as William Shakespeare? It's estimated that she's sold between two and four billion books. That's billions with a B! This post contains affiliate links throughout. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. For over a century, her novels have invited readers into drawing rooms, country

Can you imagine a world filled with nothing but serious artwork, heavy with moral instruction, somber tones, and monumental subjects? That's how things might have been if it weren't for the radical artists of the late 19th century. But a few trailblazing artists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir changed all that, determined to capture joy, movement, and modern life. Known for his luminous color, soft brushwork, and scenes of everyday leisure, Renoir helped define Impressionism, and

Want to know a secret? When most people think of John Singer Sargent, they picture the dazzling society portraits done in oil paint, like the one in Sargent's Deadly Commission. But whenever Sargent could step away from the grand salons and aristocratic drawing rooms, he enjoyed painting with watercolors. These paintings, created primarily in the last three decades of his life, reveal an artist painting not for patrons but for himself. They’re intimate, loosely experimental,

Oh, how I love the Gilded Age! Thanks to HBO's massive hit historical drama that drew five million viewers to its finale, this period continues to play on everyone's minds. It was a time of glittering wealth, social ambition, and shocking inequality. It was an era defined by lavish mansions, opulent balls, and larger-than-life personalities, particularly among New York’s elite families like the Vanderbilts and Astors. Known in France as the Belle Époque and in Britain as the

What makes Goya such a compelling artist to follow across museums and exhibitions is his range. He’s not just a painter of the opulence of royalty or of the grittiness of poverty—he’s both, and everything in between. Few painters capture the full spectrum of human experience quite like him. In 2026, you have the rare opportunity to experience his work across continents, formats, and interpretations. This post contains affiliate links throughout. As an Amazon Associate, I earn

If you're not familiar with the work of John Singer Sargent, here's your chance to discover one of the greatest artists of the 19th century. In his day, his paintings were considered so valuable that he was able to charge ten times the price of his competitors for his commissions. Few artists captured the elegance of high society quite like John Singer Sargent. Born in 1856 to American parents in Florence, Sargent grew up traveling across Europe, absorbing artistic influences

All artists are scatter-brained dreamers, aren't they? No! People in the art world can be just as clever, curious, and even devious as any other group. So, if you love cozy mysteries and the art world like me, you’re in for a treat. With main characters ranging from gallery owners and art conservators to painters and art teachers, these series blend creativity with crime-solving in the best possible ways. Even better? Many of them offer a behind-the-scenes look at art history

Ever wonder why so many cozy mysteries mention the sleuth's go-to drink? From steaming cups of tea to indulgent cocktails, these small details help set the mood, deepen the character, and make these fictional worlds feel just a little more deliciously real. If you’re a classic whodunit fan, why not take your reading experience one step further by figuring out the perfect match for every cozy on your TBR list? This post contains affiliate links throughout. As an Amazon Associa

If you’re even remotely obsessed with artist John Singer Sargent, you’ve got a perfect excuse to plan an art-inspired itinerary that spans the U.S. and Europe. Whether you’re chasing his dazzling portraits, his atmospheric landscapes, or those loose, luminous watercolors, here are four must-see places to experience Sargent in 2026. Reading my cozy mystery, Sargent's Deadly Commission, may make you fall in love even more. Temporary Exhibition John Singer Sargent: An America

Kiss me, I'm Irish! It's St. Patrick's Day, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than to highlight some of the many cozy mysteries set on the Emerald Isle. I believe there’s something magical about a cozy mystery set in Ireland. Maybe it’s the rolling green hills, the quaint villages where everyone knows everyone, or the sense that ancient secrets linger just beneath the surface. In general, the authors who landed on my list excel at creating mysteries filled with r

Everyone loves the French Impressionists, right? Not exactly. And not when they were new. Take Luncheon of the Boating Party, for instance. When I read that Pierre-Auguste Renoir initially thought this painting was pure folly, I just about fell out of my chair. In the 150 or so years since it was created, most viewers have agreed that it's one of his best. This post contains affiliate links throughout. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through thes

A little background on Goya's portraits of the Spanish royal family

A bit about the Palace of Aranjuez, the setting for Greed Comes for Goya, Book 2 in the Art History Mysteries series.