December Favorites & January Must-Read Cozy Mysteries

Blink! And there goes December, the month of twinkle lights, cinnamon coffee, and cozy mysteries that make staying home a lot more appealing. My December reading pile was stacked with festive murders, magic returns, and clever cozies that made me laugh out loud.

And January? I’m already looking forward to starting the new year with books that promise mischief, mystery, and maybe even a murder or two. So, grab your blanket and your beverage of choice. Here’s my December wrap-up and the reads I can’t wait to crack open next month.

Favorite book of the month

The Knives Before Christmas stands out as the best book of December thanks to its perfect blend of festive charm, sharp mystery, and imaginative worldbuilding. The Santa-as-a-role premise feels fresh and clever, instantly setting it apart from typical holiday reads. With laugh-out-loud moments, a fast-paced cozy mystery plot, and an ending that leaves you eager for the next book, this Christmas mystery delivered both comfort and intrigue. It is the kind of holiday cozy mystery that keeps you turning pages while still feeling warm, whimsical, and memorable long after you finish. If you’re hunting for a holiday read that hits all the right notes, this one’s your golden ticket!

My Top December Reads That Stole My Heart

These four gems kept me hooked from start to finish, blending holiday vibes with clever plots and unforgettable characters. Here’s why they earned their spots in my December hall of fame:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Pottermore | Genre: Fantasy
Book Links: audible.ca | My blog post

This month, I hit play on the full-cast audiobook and found myself completely transported. Even if you’ve read Harry Potter a dozen times, hearing it brought to life like this feels brand new with their immersive, enchanting narration, that’s just plain fun. It was like coming home to Hogwarts all over again.

This one is peak holiday suspense, with snowed-in mansion, toxic family secrets, and a puzzle box of a plot that doesn’t slow down for a second. This festive thriller delivers suspense and razor sharp mystery in equal measures.

If you want a Holiday Thriller that makes you grateful your own relatives only fight over the last pigs-in-blankets, then this is IT.

Bells, Bodies, & Blizzard by Fran Heap
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Links: Goodreads | The StoryGraph | Fable | Hardcover

Willowcroft might be my new favorite cozy town. Quick, witty, and full of heart, this one earned its spot for being a quick and easy Holiday read. Fran Heap manages that sweet spot with just the rigth comforting and soft story, while keeping enough mystery, secrets, and emotional payoff that you don’t feel like you’re just drifting through snow-globe scenery.

For anyone craving snowy streets, festive intrigue, and a team of amateur sleuths you can’t help rooting for, this is a must read.

Sennefelder knows how to combine small-town comfort with sharp sleuthing, and this book proves it. I loved the mix of responsible investigation, well-paced plotting, and those wintry details that make cozy mysteries such perfect mid-December reads.

If you love snowed-in mysteries, smart heroines who don’t play detective responsibly, and food descriptions that attack your diet, grab this. Perfect winter escape read that’ll make you glad you’re warm and murderer-free.

Upcoming ARCs I Can’t Stop Talking About

December also brought a handful of ARCs that I’m beyond excited to share. These books had me hooked before their official release dates even arrived. These are coming early 2026, but trust me, they’re worth the pre-order.

This book surprised me in the best way. With its clever concept, emotional depth, and quietly powerful romance, The Naysayers earned its spot as one of my top four favorite reads of December and a standout book I’m still thinking about.

This inventive romantic satire surprised me with its heart amid the clever negativity concept. Solid characters, fun office romance vibes, and timely digs at corporate greed make it a standout read.

For a love story, this was refreshingly original and thoughtfully executed.

A wildly confident debut with a razor sharp meta structure and emotional depth that completely floored me. Smart, unsettling, and impossible to forget.

I need everyone to pause a second to absorb this – This is Rebecca Philipson’s DEBUT novel!

Believe me when I say you better clear your schedules, because once those pages start turning, you’re not putting this down until someone tries to pry it from your hands. But then they better watch out, because you’re learning from a killer who almost never got caught!!!

This book is my favorite because it perfectly balances wit, clever plotting, and interactive fun, making me laugh and guess right up to the last page. It’s hands down one of my top December reads, easily earning a spot in my top four books of the month.

This series continues to be a gem for cozy mystery lovers who enjoy humor, clever puzzles, and a touch of romance in the mix. This Weekend Deosn’t End Well for Anyone reminded me why I fell in love with The Vacation Mystery series.

This book instantly became a favorite because of its charming characters, clever mystery, and cozy Nova Scotia setting. It’s a debut that feels polished and confident, easily earning its spot in my top 4 reads for December.

It’s fresh, funny, and (somehow!) comforting, even when a dead body turns up in the story.

I’m still in shock that this flawless, laugh-out-loud, heart-tugging cozy is a DEBUT. Lacey Moone just walked in like she owns the genre.

Books I Can’t Wait to Read in January

Hot Wings and Homicide by Carmela Dutra
Expected Publish Date: May 12, 2026
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books | ARC provided by the author
Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Book Links: Goodreads | The StoryGraph | Fable | Hardcover

My favorite author-bestie is back, and I even snagged a signed ARC directly from Carmela herself. Expect all the wit, heart, and clever plotting that makes her books irresistible.

The Black Cat Detectives by Kit Gray
Expected Publish Date: May 26, 2026
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Links: Goodreads | The StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover

Black cats solving crimes? Sign me up immediately! This sounds like the purr-fect blend of whimsy and whodunit, with clever feline sleuths tackling a tangled mystery. I’m anticipating all the adorable antics and sharp clues that’ll have me grinning from ear to ear.

A Very Novel Murder by Ellie Alexander (Novel Detectives Mystery #1)
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Publish Date: January 20, 2026
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Links: Goodreads | The StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover

A detective agency above a bookstore? This is peak book-lover dreams! Annie Murray’s first case involves proving a drowning was no accident, in a charming small-town setting full of secrets. Ellie Alexander never misses with her cozy vibes, and this series starter has me hooked already.

The Locked Room by Holly Hepburn (Baker Street Mysteries #3)
Publish Date: January 20, 2026
Publisher:
Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery
Book Links: Goodreads | The StoryGraph | Fable | Hardcover

Holly Hepburn’s stories always hit that sweet spot between cozy and contemplative, and The Locked Room sounds like her most atmospheric yet. The locked-room mystery trope is one of my all-time favorites, and paired with Hepburn’s elegant character work, I’m predicting a binge-worthy, fireside read for a cold winter night.

Cozy Thoughts to Close December

December reminded me why I love reading so much. It’s not just about the mysteries solved or the twists revealed, but the feeling of being completely absorbed in a story while the world slows down outside. This month delivered comfort, cleverness, laughter, and a few moments where I stayed up way past bedtime because I had to know what happened next.

And with January around the corner, that excitement hasn’t faded one bit. My TBR is stacked with promising mysteries, cozy settings, and stories I already know are going to pull me right in. If you’re looking for books that feel like a warm blanket with a sharp edge, or a fresh mystery to kick off the new year, I hope you find something here to add to your own list.

Here’s to turning the page, chasing clues, and starting the new year one great book at a time. 📚✨

What are you reading to close the year?

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Closing the Year with cozy mysteries and New beginnings

Favorite book of the month

My Top December Reads That Stole My Heart

Upcoming ARCs I Can’t Stop Talking About

Books I Can’t Wait to Read in January

Cozy Thoughts to Close December

What are you reading to close the year?

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Favorite book of the month

My Top December Reads That Stole My Heart

Upcoming ARCs I Can’t Stop Talking About

Books I Can’t Wait to Read in January

Cozy Thoughts to Close December

What are you reading to close the year?

Share the love

Like this:

Related

Discover more from Views She Writes

Stories from the same shelf

1 thought on “Closing the Year with cozy mysteries and New beginnings”

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Discover more from Views She Writes

Discover more from Views She Writes