Murder, Mystery & Cosy Mayhem: Top Cosy Crime Audiobooks to Curl Up With
With the eagerly awaited adaptation of the beloved group of sleuthing retirees arriving on Netflix this week, we thought it the perfect moment to recommend some of the finest cosy crime titles to curl up with.
If you're craving a gripping murder mystery wrapped in charm - complete with idyllic settings, lovable everyday characters and puzzles begging to be solved - you're in the right place.
From golden-age tributes and underestimated heroines to YA twists on the genre, there's no shortage of cases to escape into. And with cosy crime enjoying a well-deserved boom, we've handpicked a selection of standout stories, including some hidden gems.
M.C. Beaton
The prolific Scottish author Marion Chesney, writing under the pen name M.C. Beaton, brought to life two standout cosy crime series: the bestselling Agatha Raisin novels and the Hamish Macbeth mysteries.
Agatha Raisin, a hilariously sharp former PR executive turned amateur sleuth, relocates to the Cotswolds in search of an idyllic village life - only to find that murder can lurk behind the tea rooms. Meanwhile, in the Scottish Highlands, laid-back constable Hamish Macbeth unravels a steady stream of local cases, often with help of his faithful dog, Lugs.
M.C Beaton audiobooks are available for members to borrow here.
Reverend Richard Coles
Beloved public figure - and I’m a Celebrity alum - Reverend Richard Coles launched his bestselling Canon Clement mystery series in 2022, beginning with the No 1. Sunday Times Bestseller, Murder Before Evensong.
The series stars the endearing Rector of Champton, Canon Daniel Clement, who moonlights as an accidental community therapist while untangling local murder cases amidst church politics, squabbling clergy, and village eccentricities - all with his widowed mother and two mischievous dachshunds in tow.
Reverend Richard Coles’ audiobooks are available for members to borrow here.
Agatha Christie
No respectable cosy crime list would be complete without the Queen of Crime. The prolific English author penned 66 crime novels, over 150 short stories, more than 25 plays, two autobiographies, and six additional works under her pseudonym, Mary Westmacott.
Best known for her iconic Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple series, Christie remains one of the most beloved and enduring figures in the genre. Whether you're after Murder on the Orient Express or Death on the Nile, we offer a wide range of her titles to explore.
Agatha Christie’s audiobooks are available for members to borrow here.
Janice Hallett
Award-winning journalist, screenwriter, and author Janice Hallett is one of the go-tos for modern mystery. Her wildly successful debut, The Appeal, captivated readers with its unique structure - an immersive puzzle told through emails, texts, transcripts, and letters.
In her festive follow-up, The Christmas Appeal, the amateur dramatics group returns for another performance...and yet another murder! Witty, inventive, and wickedly clever, Hallett’s stories invite readers to piece together the clues.
The Christmas Appeal is available for members to borrow here.
Tom Hindle
A bestselling author from Southampton, Tom Hindle is a rising star in modern whodunnits, channelling the suspense and intrigue of classic Agatha Christie tales. His novels blend atmospheric settings with tightly-wound, closed-room mysteries that keep readers guessing throughout.
Whether it's the glittering shores of Lake Garda, a theatrical murder mystery evening, or a transatlantic voyage in the roaring twenties, Hindle's stories deliver stylish puzzles wrapped in rich period detail and irresistible tension.
Tom Hindle audibooks are available for members to borrow here.
Anthony Horowitz
A stalwart of mystery and suspense, English novelist and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz is the creative force behind acclaimed television dramas such as Foyle’s War and Midsomer Murders.
Alongside his screen work, Horowitz has penned several critically acclaimed crime novels, including the Magpie Murders series - an ingenious blend of classic whodunnit and modern mystery. He’s also entrusted with writing official continuation novels for two iconic characters: James Bond and Sherlock Holmes.
Anthony Horowitz audiobooks are available for members to borrow here.
Holly Jackson
For a fresh, YA twist on cosy crime, Holly Jackson delivers in spades. Her A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series - an instant #1 New York Times bestseller - is a gripping gateway into the genre for younger readers or anyone craving a clever whodunnit with teen flair.
Years after a high school murder case is closed, determined amateur sleuth Pippa Fitz-Amobi reopens the investigation, convinced that the wrong person was blamed. As Pip unearths buried secrets and uncovers chilling twists, the line between school project and real danger begins to blur. With shocking twists, unearthed secrets, and a pace that keeps you hooked, this audiobook is impossible to pause.
Holly Jackson audiobooks are available for members to borrow here.
Robin Stevens
Robin Stevens brings vintage flair to the world of cosy crime with her multi-award-winning Murder Most Unladylike series - a delightful gateway into the genre for younger readers. Set in 1930s England, the books follow spirited boarding school students Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong as they establish their very own secret detective society.
From solving murders in London’s West End to tracking down a killer aboard the world-famous Orient Express, the Wells and Wong Detective Society take you aboard their many adventures. With nods to Agatha Christie and a mix of friendship, suspense, and tea-time sleuthing, the series is a treat for fans of classic whodunnits.
Robin Stevens audiobooks are available for members to borrow here.
Robert Thorogood
Best known as the creator of the hit BBC One series Death in Paradise, Robert Thorogood is also a Sunday Times bestselling author, delighting readers with his cosy crime novels - particularly the beloved Marlow Murder Club series.
The series follow the eccentric 77-year-old Judith Potts, alongside spirited dog walker Suzie and the vicar’s impeccably polite wife, Becks. Together, this unlikely trio dives into murder investigations across their once tranquil Home Counties town, uncovering clues, buried secrets, and delivering plenty of gripping twists along the way.
Robert Thorogood audiobooks are available for members to borrow here.
Jonathan Whitelaw
Award-winning author Jonathan Whitelaw brings quirky brilliance to his Bingo Hall Detectives series, which echoes the witty and character-rich style of Robert Thorogood.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Lake District, this cosy crime caper follows the spirited members of the Penrith Bingo Club as they take justice into their own hands. At the heart of the case is Amita Kahtri, who steps into the role of amateur sleuth when one of her fellow bingo regulars meets an untimely end. With a killer on the loose and a cast of delightfully eccentric allies, Amita’s investigation unearths plenty of twists and turns.
Jonathan Whitelaw audiobooks are available for members to borrow here.
Author: Nicola Austin
