Capturing this distinct seasonal flair, a recent roundup of cozy mysteries highlights three different titles, each offering a unique autumn vibe ranging from ghostbusting romances to festival-set amateur sleuthing and witchy family dynamics. These selections provide readers with ideal companions for crisp evenings, warm drinks, and blankets by the window.
Crazy Spooky Love (Melody Bittersweet #1) by Josie Silver
Kicking off the seasonal recommendations is Crazy Spooky Love, the first installment in the Melody Bittersweet series by Josie Silver. Published by Dell, the novel blends the popular elements of ghost stories, cozy mysteries, and contemporary romance.
The story follows Melody Bittersweet in her late twenties as she attempts to carve out her own path away from the family business. Coming from a lineage of women who are mediums capable of seeing and communicating with ghosts, Melody decides to repurpose the backroom of her workspace to launch a brand-new enterprise: professional ghostbusting.
Her inaugural assignment involves ridding a stubborn property of a trio of unruly spirits that are preventing the house from selling. However, the job quickly complicates when Melody stumbles upon a murder investigation. To make matters more difficult, the case brings her face-to-face with her ex-boyfriend—who is now her business rival—alongside a local reporter determined to prove that mediumship and ghost sightings are nothing more than elaborate cons.
For readers who enjoy this genre-blending series starter, the wait for the next chapter is relatively short. The sequel, Kooky Spooky Love, is scheduled for release in late October, offering fans a swift continuation of Melody’s supernatural adventures.
Guilt and Ginataan (A Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery #5) by Mia P. Manansala
For enthusiasts of culinary cozy mysteries and vibrant community events, Mia P. Manansala’s Guilt and Ginataan offers a festive autumn atmosphere grounded in food and local celebration. Published by Berkley, this fifth installment in the popular Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series transports readers directly into the heart of the Shady Palms Corn Festival.
Lila Macapagal, the owner of the Brew-ha Café, is initially eager to participate in the festival, looking forward to navigating the large corn maze and enjoying the seasonal boost in business. Unfortunately, the festive mood shifts dramatically when a leisurely afternoon takes a dark turn. Lila’s best friend is discovered inside the maze, holding a bloody knife directly beside a dead body—who happens to be the mayor’s wife.
Drawing on her previous experiences with amateur sleuthing, Lila is once again forced to spring into action. Fortunately, she does not have to face the mystery alone, relying on her trusted crew of friends and family to help clear her best friend’s name and uncover the true culprit behind the festival tragedy. Readers looking to explore the series from the very beginning can start with the first book, Arsenic and Adobo.
In the Company of Witches (An Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery #1) by Auralee Wallace
Rounding out the seasonal list is Auralee Wallace’s In the Company of Witches, the first book in the Evenfall Witches B&B Mystery series, published by Berkley. The novel taps into a classic family dynamic reminiscent of beloved magical stories, making it a fitting choice for readers drawn to witchcraft and mystery.
The narrative centers on the Warren family, a lineage with a deep-rooted history of witchcraft. Protagonist Brynn Warren possesses the ability to talk to ghosts, a power she has deliberately avoided using since the tragic death of her husband years prior. Meanwhile, her aunts, Nora and Izzy, manage a local bed and breakfast while secretly utilizing their magical abilities to aid the townspeople, with their uncle residing quietly in the attic.
The peaceful operation of the bed and breakfast is upended when a particularly demanding guest is found dead on the premises. With Aunt Nora quickly becoming the primary suspect in the homicide, Brynn is forced to confront her past grief, embrace her dormant magical abilities, and step up to clear her family member’s name. Fans eager to continue with the series can also turn to the subsequent installment, When the Crow’s Away.
These selections highlight the enduring appeal of blending lighthearted mystery with seasonal elements, offering readers diverse entry points into the cozy genre as the autumn reading season gets underway.
