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Quick answer: If you love Joanne Fluke, read Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, then Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death, The Thursday Murder Club, Murder at the Vicarage and Murder with Peacocks. All are cosy mysteries with amateur sleuths, small-town settings and plenty of charm.
Joanne Fluke is an American author of the Hannah Swensen mysteries, which begin with Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder and feature a small-town baker who solves crimes and shares her recipes. They are gentle, funny and low on violence. The books below offer similar cosy whodunits.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder | Joanne Fluke | Adult | Hannah Swensen book one |
| Strawberry Shortcake Murder | Joanne Fluke | Adult | Hannah Swensen series |
| Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death | M.C. Beaton | Adult | cosy village comedy |
| The Cat Who Could Read Backwards | Lilian Jackson Braun | Adult | cat-led cosy |
| Murder with Peacocks | Donna Andrews | Adult | cozy comedy |
| The Thursday Murder Club | Richard Osman | Adult | readers who want a cozy mystery |
| Murder at the Vicarage | Agatha Christie | Adult | classic mystery fans |
| A Murder Is Announced | Agatha Christie | Adult | Miss Marple |
| The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie | Adult | classic puzzles |
| Maisie Dobbs | Jacqueline Winspear | Adult | readers who like historical series |
| Magpie Murders | Anthony Horowitz | Adult | book-loving puzzles |
| The Postscript Murders | Elly Griffiths | Adult | quirky sleuths |
| Murder Most Unladylike | Robin Stevens | Ages 9-13 | boarding-school detectives |
| Death Comes to Pemberley | P.D. James | Adult | continuation |
| Dear Mrs. Bird | A.J. Pearce | Adult | readers who like wartime stories |
1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
A bakery owner in Minnesota finds a body behind her shop. Cosy and full of recipes.
Best for: Hannah Swensen book one.
2. Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Hannah investigates a death at a local contest. Light and charming.
Best for: Hannah Swensen series.
3. Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton
A retired PR executive enters a baking contest and ends up investigating a murder. Witty and sharp.
Best for: cosy village comedy.
4. The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun
A journalist and his Siamese cat solve art-world crimes. Gentle and quirky.
Best for: cat-led cosy.
5. Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews
A wedding planner faces chaos and murder. Silly, cozy and quick.
Best for: cozy comedy.
6. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Four retirees in a quiet village solve cold cases until a real murder occurs. Warm and funny.
Best for: readers who want a cozy mystery.
7. Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
Miss Marple's first full-length novel, with a hated colonel found dead in a vicar's study. A classic of the gentle mystery.
Best for: classic mystery fans.
8. A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie
A newspaper notice announces a murder, and Miss Marple investigates. A fun puzzle.
Best for: Miss Marple.
9. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
Hercule Poirot's first case on an English estate. A gentle puzzle with a clever solution.
Best for: classic puzzles.
10. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
A psychologist and investigator in 1929 London takes on cases tied to the Great War. Thoughtful and historical.
Best for: readers who like historical series.
11. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
An editor reads a manuscript with a missing ending and finds a real murder. A mystery within a mystery.
Best for: book-loving puzzles.
12. The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths
An elderly woman dies and three unlikely sleuths take notice. Funny and clever.
Best for: quirky sleuths.
13. Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens
Daisy and Hazel investigate the death of a teacher. The best place to begin.
Best for: boarding-school detectives.
14. Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
Six years after the wedding, a murder disrupts Pemberley. An elegant mystery in Austen's world.
Best for: continuation.
15. Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce
Emmeline answers letters to an advice columnist during the London Blitz. Warm and funny.
Best for: readers who like wartime stories.
How to Choose
For more Fluke begin with Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. For village comedy choose Agatha Raisin or The Thursday Murder Club. For classic puzzles pick Agatha Christie. For lighter young-adult sleuths try Murder Most Unladylike. Fluke's books come with recipes, so these picks suit cosy readers who like a bit of baking. The Hannah Swensen series has been adapted for television in the Murder, She Baked films. The novels include recipes, which many readers try at home.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Joanne Fluke?
An American author of cosy mysteries.
Where should I start?
With Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder.
Are there recipes?
Yes, in each book.
Is it violent?
No, it is a cosy mystery.
Is there a TV adaptation?
Yes, the Murder, She Baked films.
Is the series long?
Yes, more than twenty books.
Are they in order?
Reading in order is best.
What should I read next?
Try Agatha Raisin or The Thursday Murder Club.
Which book here is best for cat-led cosy?
Try The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun, which suits readers looking for cat-led cosy.
Which book here is best for classic mystery fans?
Try Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie, which suits readers looking for classic mystery fans.
Which book here is best for readers who like historical series?
Try Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear, which suits readers looking for readers who like historical series.