Cosy Mysteries Just as Good as Agatha Christie
The past few weeks have been troubling for us all, plagued with loneliness, looming uncertainty, and a fair measure of panic. In times like these, I find myself frequently turning to well-loved mystery novels. Murder aside, the familiar comfort and formulaic nostalgia associated with these books provide me with some sense of comfort and ease, almost like curling up with a childhood blanket. And while Agatha Christie may have cornered the market here, there are many more authors who feature a similarly polished style of writing with a cosy, relaxed atmosphere. Here are some favorites.
The Death series by M. M. Kaye
My first suggestion is M. M. Kaye’s Death series, which is up there on my list of best series of all time. I frequently reread these books, not just because of the elegantly crafted plot but also because of the setting. Each of the six books is wholly unrelated to the others and is set in a different location – from Berlin to Cyprus, Kashmir to the Andamans. Kaye’s locations are almost like another character, giving each book a distinct persona that is tied into the plot itself. Another heavily featured element in her mysteries is romance – the dizzying, old-timey kind that Kaye is famous for in her other works.
The Miss Silver series by Patricia Wentworth
After Agatha Christie, Patricia Wentworth is probably the next best mystery writer from the same era. Her simple and classic whodunit series follow Miss Maud Silver, a Miss Marple-esque investigator who solves mysteries with her quick wit and innocent demeanor. And like the original Miss Marple herself, Wentworth’s heroine oozes charm and delight that is alone enough to capture the reader’s interest. An added bonus is the many Tennyson quotes the author has sprinkled across the books.
The Meaning of Night series by Michael Cox
If you’re in the mood for something a tad bit more sensuous, Michael Cox’s The Meaning of Night series has the perfect blend of atmosphere and intrigue. Set in Victorian London, the extraordinary story follows the scholar Edward Glyver as he navigates his way to an ambitious and deadly payback. The books feature murder, romance, and an epic rivalry fit to compete with Suzanne Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
Josephine Tey wrote many books during her time, but her most beloved works remain the Alan Grant series. Arguably the best among these is The Daughter of Time, which follows inspector Grant’s attempt to solve the mystery of Richard III and the princes in the tower. In addition to having an exciting premise, the novel has also gained critical acclaim. In 1990, the Crime Writers’ Association named it the greatest mystery novel of all time, and it’s easy to see why!
A Judgement in Stone by Ruth Rendell
This book begins with not one but four murders that take place on the eve of Valentine’s Day, very much a modern version of the 1929 St. Valentine’s Day massacre. The murderer is revealed in the first line itself, with the unforgettable quote, “Eunice Parchman killed the Coverdale family because she could not read or write.” The rest of the novel is more of a whydunit, and intricately weaves the theme of social class and aristocratic arrogance into its narrative. If that quote isn’t enough to convince you, the book was also included in a list of Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time.
Reading Naoise Dolan’s Exciting Times and Katie Kitamura’s Intimacies, Rachel Tay explores the unease of moving away from one’s own country and language.