The Ultimate November Reading Wrap-Up: Cozy Mysteries, Thrillers & More

Read time: 6 minutes

November was a delicious month of reading: 24 books, roughly 8,000 pages, and 9 ARCs later, I’m still floating on a cloud of coffee-scented murders, magical bookshops, and one very cheeky toddler who wished for total freedom. Let’s dive in!

Thanks to NetGalley for all the ARCs I received. All the links below lead directly to Goodreads for easy adding to your next TBR :)

⭐ Favorite of the Month

The Door to Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn

Published by Hanover Square Press

A tender, atmospheric story about connection, quiet kindness, and the magic of knowing exactly which book someone needs. It warmed my heart in that quiet, cozy way only translated fiction can.

📚 Much Recommended Reads

• The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly (Published by LIttle, Brown and Company)
  A sharp, propulsive mystery that reminded me why Connelly remains a master of the genre.
• The Strange Case of Jane O by Karen Thompson Walker (Published by Random House)
  Beautifully eerie and philosophical, with an undercurrent of surreal tension that kept me glued.
• Shadow of the Queen by Scott Finley (Self-Published)
  Dark, sharp-edged, and surprisingly thoughtful—an indie gem that delivered far more than expected.
• Death Comes at Christmas (Published by Titan Books)
  A comforting, snow-dusted mystery collection of 18 stories, perfect for easing into holiday reading.

💚 ARCs I Adored

These were the standout early reads that completely delivered:

• Death by Irish Coffee by Alex Erickson
  (Published by Mass Market Paperback. To be released on January 27, 2026)
  Warm, witty, and just twisty enough—a delightful cozy mystery escape.
• The Mango Murders by Lucy Burdette
  (Published by Crooked Lane Books on August 12, 2025)
  Charming atmosphere, lovable characters, and a mystery that tasted like sunshine.
• The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers
  (Published by Redhook on November 18, 2025)
  Magical, lush, and bookish in the best way—an enchanting read that hit all the right notes.

Other ARCs that I went through this month

👍 ARCs That Worked

Solid reads that entertained, intrigued, and delivered overall:

• Murder at the Christmas Emporium by Andreina Cordani
  (Published by Pegasus Crime on November 4, 2025)
  Festive, fun, and satisfying for fans of holiday mysteries.
• Everyone in the Group Chat Dies by L. M. Chilton
  (Published by Gallery / Scout Press. To be released on December 9, 2025)
  Clever, chaotic, and darkly funny. A modern twist on the locked-room setup.
• The Library of Fates by Margot Harrison
  (Published by Graydon House. To be released on December 2, 2025)
  Atmospheric and creative, especially in its worldbuilding and concepts.

❌ ARCs That Didn’t Work for Me

Reading tastes vary, and these simply weren’t for me this month:

• Everyone Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins
  (Published by William Morrow. To be released on December 2, 2025)
  Started strong but lost me in pacing and direction.
• Battered by G. P. Gottlieb
  (Published by Anamcara Press LLC on September 9, 2025)
  Great premise but the execution didn’t quite land.
• To Catch a Latte / Thick as Thieves by Jenn McKinlay
  (Published by JMO Link, on June 3, 2025)
  A bit too trope-heavy, and I struggled to stay engaged.

What I’m looking forward to…

December is filled with a whole bunch of ARCs

1. The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan
   Release Date: October 14, 2025 (Published by William Morrow Paperbacks
   Genre: Romance Mystery | Copy provided by the author
2. Hot Wings and Homicide by Carmela Dutra
   Release Date: May 12, 2026 (Published by Crooked Lane Books)
   Genre: Cozy Mystery | ARC provided by author
3. Recipe for Revenge by Jodie Morgan
   Release Date: September 18, 2025 (Published by Cozy Cozies)
   Genre: Cozy Mystery | ARC provided by author
4. How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson
   Release Date: February 24, 2026 (Published by St. Martin’s Press & Minotaur Books
   Genre: Mystery | ARC provided by NetGalley
5. Murder Most British (The Secret Detective Agency #3) by Helena Dixon
   Release Date: November 6, 2025 (Published by Bookouture)
   Genre: Cozy Mystery | ARC provided by NetGalley
6. A Novel Crime by Deborah Levison
   Release Date: March 31, 2026 (Published by Thomas & Mercer)
   Genre: Cozy Mystery | ARC provided by NetGalley
7. Tell-Tale Treats by Jennifer J. Chow
   Release Date: January 27, 2026 (Published by St. Martin’s Press & Minotaur Books
   Genre: Cozy Mystery | ARC provided by NetGalley
8. The Bush Tea Murder by Ashley-Ruth Bernier
   Release Date: April 21, 2026 (Published by Crooked Lane Books)
   Genre: Cozy Mystery | ARC provided by NetGalley
9. Voted Most Likely to Murder by Lacey Moone
   Release Date: May 12, 2026 (Published by Crooked Lane Books)
   Genre: Mystery | ARC provided by NetGalley
10. Baking up a Murder by Hattie Fox
    Release Date: March 24, 2026 (Published by Crooked Lane Books)
    Genre: Culinary Cozy Mystery | ARC provided by NetGalley
11. The Chateau Murder (French Village Mystery #2) by Greg Mosse
    Release Date: January 15, 2026 (Published by Hodder & Stoughton)
    Genre: Cozy Mystery | ARC provided by NetGalley
12. The Knives before Christmas by J. Kent Holloway
    Release Date: November 18, 2025 (Published by Turner Publishing Company & Keylight Books)
    Genre: Cozy Mystery | ARC provided by NetGalley
13. The Killer on my Doorstep by T. J. Brearton
    Release Date: January 13, 2926 (Published by Joffe Books)
    Genre: Psychological Thriller | ARC provided by NetGalley
14. Five Liars by D. L. Fisher
    Release Date: January 8, 2026 (Published by Joffe Books)
    Genre: Thriller | ARC provided by NetGalley
15. The Cold Case and the Corpse by Debra Sennefelder
    Release Date: December 9, 2025 (Published by Beyond the Page)
    Genre: Culinary Cozy Mystery | ARC provided by NetGalley
16. The Cornish Wedding Murder by Fiona Leitch
    Release Date: January 15, 2026 (Published by One More Chapter)
    Genre: Cozy Mystery | ARC provided by NetGalley

✨ My Original Short Story of the Month: Hypomosis

What happens when a toddler wishes for total freedom?
A cute, sweet, slightly chaotic little story about wishes, dreams, and the unexpected realities that follow.

📊 Reading Summary — November at a Glance

• Total Books Read: 24
• ARCs: 9
• Pages: ~8000
• Genres Covered:
  • Cozy Mystery
  • Literary Fiction
  • Historical Fiction
  • Magical Fantasy
  • Mystery
  • Thriller
  • YA Romance
  • Nonfiction

A full, eclectic month, and a great way to wrap up the fall reading season.
December, I’m ready for you!

Now it’s your turn. What did you read this month? Share your November hits, misses, and unexpected favorites in the comments. I love seeing your recommendations and discovering new reads through you!