Let’s be honest: The Thursday Murder Club didn’t just charm us, it commandeered our Netflix queues, made us fall head over heels for a gang of pensioners, and convinced us that retirement villages are basically hotbeds for amateur sleuthing and casserole-based conspiracies. If you watched it and thought, “Well, now what?”, don’t worry, I’ve got your next cozy mystery fix lined up.
These stories aren’t just “in the same vein” as Osman’s screen adaptation. They’re genre soulmates, narrative next-of-kin, and in some cases, even more gloriously bonkers.
Expect bingo hall vigilantes, vengeful librarians, and tea shop owners who could outwit Poirot with nothing but a Victoria sponge and a raised eyebrow. I’ve arranged them by publication date, because while I embrace chaos, I draw the line at temporal anarchy.
1. The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood
Judith Potts is the kind of woman you’d want on your trivia team and absolutely nowhere near your secrets. She’s seventy-seven, lives alone in a rambling house by the Thames, and swims nude in the river because why not?
When she hears a gunshot and the police shrug it off like it’s just another Tuesday, Judith does what any self-respecting retiree would do: she starts investigating. Alongside a dog walker and a vicar’s wife, she dives headfirst into a case that’s messier than a pub carpet after quiz night.
Thorogood, who created Death in Paradise, knows his way around a twisty plot and a punchy line. But what makes this book sing isn’t just the mystery, it’s the trio of women who refuse to be underestimated.
Their friendship is the kind that makes you want to call your own eccentric aunt and ask if she’s free for a stakeout. The pacing is brisk, the humor dry, and the setting deliciously British. If you like your murders with a side of marmalade and sass, this one’s your jam.
Why we recommend it: Judith Potts isn’t just a character, she’s a lifestyle goal. If you’ve ever dreamed of aging into someone who swims nude in the Thames and solves murders before dessert, this book is your blueprint. Eccentric, sharp, and set in a countryside that hides more secrets than scones, it’s perfect for fans of chaotic dinner parties and mysteries that twist harder than a pretzel.
2. Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
Forget knitting circles and bridge clubs, Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie are assassins.
Retired assassins, technically, but when their own organization decides to “retire” them permanently, these women go full Jason Bourne with orthopedic shoes. What follows is a cruise ship showdown, a series of increasingly creative kills, and a glorious middle finger to ageism.
Raybourn’s novel is a genre cocktail: part thriller, part comedy, all attitude. The women are sharp, sarcastic, and absolutely lethal, not just with weapons, but with one-liners that could slice through Kevlar.
It’s a story that celebrates aging without romanticizing it, and it proves that just because you’re eligible for a senior discount doesn’t mean you can’t dismantle a criminal empire. If you want a mystery that’s a little less “tea and crumpets” and a little more “explosives and eyeliner”, this one’s your ticket.
Why we recommend it: Aging has never looked so appealing. Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie make you want to skip ahead a few decades just to join their covert chaos. With a cast that could host the most unhinged dinner party imaginable, this thriller is tailor-made for lovers of sharp dialogue, high-stakes action, and plots that zigzag like a caffeinated corgi.
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3. A Spoonful of Murder by J.M. Hall
Three retired primary schoolteachers, Liz, Pat, and Thelma, are living the quiet life, which in cozy mystery terms means they’re about five minutes away from stumbling onto a corpse.
When their former colleague Topsy Joy dies under suspicious circumstances, the trio dusts off their instincts and starts sleuthing. Their tools? Decades of experience in spotting lies, managing chaos, and surviving staff meetings at a Yorkshire school.
Hall’s debut is a slow burn, but in the best way. It’s like watching your favorite aunt solve a crime while making jam and gossiping about the neighbors.
The characters are richly drawn, the setting is quaint without being twee, and the mystery unfolds with the kind of subtle tension that makes you forget to check your phone. It’s a love letter to friendship, aging, and the quiet power of women who’ve spent their lives being underestimated. Also, there’s tea. So much tea.
Why we recommend it: Three retired teachers, one suspicious death, and a whole lot of passive-aggressive brilliance. This slow-burn mystery is a masterclass in cozy chaos, ideal for readers who appreciate character-driven plots and protagonists who wield moral superiority like a weapon. If you’ve ever thought your old math teacher could crack a case with nothing but a red pen and a glare, welcome home.
4. The Bingo Hall Detectives by Jonathan Whitelaw
Jason Brazel just wants a quiet life. Unfortunately, his mother-in-law, Amita, has other plans, namely, solving a murder that the police have conveniently ignored. When one of her fellow bingo regulars is found dead outside her crumbling country home, Amita senses foul play and ropes Jason into the investigation.
Together, they form the most reluctant detective duo since Holmes and Watson, if Watson were a sarcastic, out-of-work journalist and Holmes had a fondness for bingo, gossip, and passive aggression.
Whitelaw’s novel is a riot. The mystery is solid, but the real joy comes from the dynamic between Jason and Amita. Their banter is sharp, their methods questionable, and their results surprisingly effective. It’s a cozy mystery that leans into the absurdity of amateur sleuthing while still delivering a satisfying whodunit. If you’ve ever wanted to see a murder investigation conducted via gossip and baked goods, this one’s for you.
Why we recommend it: Family drama, small-town secrets, and bingo cards that double as alibis: what more could you want? This riotous mystery is a love letter to reluctant heroes and meddling in-laws. Perfect for readers who enjoy laughing through the clues and shouting “I knew it!” at the page like it’s a competitive sport.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter5. The Dinner Lady Detectives by Hannah Hendy
Margery and her fellow dinner lady, Clementine, are used to dealing with picky eaters and passive-aggressive school staff. But when their kitchen manager is found dead in the walk-in freezer and the police shrug it off, they trade ladles for logic and start investigating.
Their weapons? Gossip, grit, and an encyclopedic knowledge of who’s feuding with whom in their Welsh town of Dewstow.
Hendy’s novel is cozy with a capital C, but it’s also surprisingly sharp. Margery and Clementine are hilarious, resourceful, and deeply human. Their sleuthing is messy, their motives questionable, and their results delightful.
The setting is richly textured, and the mystery unfolds with just enough twists to keep you guessing. It’s a story that proves you don’t need a badge to serve justice, just a hairnet and a healthy dose of nosiness.
Why we recommend it: Justice is best served with mashed potatoes and a side of gossip. These dinner ladies aren’t just feeding the community, they’re investigating it. With sharp instincts and sharper tongues, they turn school cafeteria politics into full-blown sleuthing. If you’ve ever suspected the lunch staff were running covert ops, this one’s for you.
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6. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Vera Wong is a tea shop owner, a widow, and an unstoppable force of nature. She lives above her forgotten teahouse in San Francisco’s Chinatown and starts each day with Wulong and unsolicited advice. When she finds a dead body sprawled on the floor of her shop, complete with a flash drive clutched in his hand, she doesn’t panic.
She makes tea, calls the police, and then decides they’re incompetent and swipes the flash drive for safekeeping. What follows is a delightful blend of murder, meddling, and match-making, as Vera sets out to identify the killer among the curious new “customers” who keep showing up.
Sutanto’s novel is pure joy. Vera is the kind of character who barges into your heart, rearranges the furniture, and leaves you better for it. Her interactions with the suspects, Riki, Sana, Oliver, and Julia, who slowly become her found family, are both hilarious and heartwarming.
The mystery is engaging, but it’s Vera’s journey that makes this book unforgettable. If you want a cozy mystery that feels like a hug from your most opinionated aunt, this one’s steeped to perfection.
Why we recommend it: Vera Wong doesn’t wait for permission; she brews tea and takes names. Equal parts nosy and brilliant, she’s the auntie we all wish we had. This mystery blends found family, emotional gut punches, and laugh-out-loud moments into a story that’s as comforting as oolong and as sharp as a cleaver.
7. The Charity Shop Detective Agency by Peter Boland
Fiona, Sue, and Daisy are charity shop volunteers with a knack for sniffing out bargains and, apparently, murderers. When the death of their favorite customer, Sarah Brown, is brushed off by the police, they form an impromptu detective agency and start poking their noses where they absolutely shouldn’t. A domino clutched in the victim’s hand and a bloody knife among the donations are just the beginning.
Boland’s novel is a delightful romp through second-hand sleuthing. The trio is charming, chaotic, and surprisingly competent. The setting, a charity shop called Dogs Need Nice Homes, filled with odd donations and even odder customers, adds texture and humor.
The mystery is well-paced, and the resolution satisfying. It’s a cozy mystery that celebrates community, curiosity, and the kind of women who refuse to fade quietly into the background.
Why we recommend it: Second-hand doesn’t mean second-rate, especially when it comes to solving murders. This charming romp through charity shop sleuthing is ideal for readers who love quirky settings, eccentric ensembles, and mysteries that unfold between vintage cardigans and suspicious porcelain cats. If your aesthetic includes crime-solving and clutter, you’re in for a treat.
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8. Murder by Candlelight by Faith Martin
Set in the 1920s, this historical cozy introduces ghost-hunter and author Arbuthnot “Arbie” Swift, brilliant, eccentric, and slightly insufferable, and his old friend Val, who is none of those things. When a young woman is found dead in a locked room, the duo must navigate secrets, scandals, and societal expectations to uncover the truth.
Martin’s novel is lush with period detail and crackling with tension. The mystery is classic, but the characters are anything but. Arbie and Val’s dynamic is electric, and their investigation unfolds with the kind of slow-burn brilliance that makes you want to read by candlelight just for the vibes.
If you like your cozy mysteries with corsets, cryptic clues, and a dash of Downton drama, this one’s your poison.
Why we recommend it: Step into a historical whodunit with the elegance of a waltz and the bite of a well-placed insult. This mystery is tailor-made for fans of candlelit drawing rooms, cerebral detectives, and corsets that conceal more than just secrets. Think Agatha Christie with sharper edges and better lighting.
9. The Bookshop Mysteries: A Bitter Pill by S.A. Reeves
Gemma just wants to run her quiet little bookshop in the Derbyshire town of Belper. But when a local author drops dead during a signing event, she suspects there’s more to the story than a tragic accident. With the help of her sharp-tongued assistant Mavis, Gemma starts digging and uncovers a tangled web of secrets, rivalries, and literary grudges that no one wants exposed.
Reeves’ novel is cozy with a conscience. The mystery is gripping, the stakes are high, and Gemma is an absolute powerhouse. Her love of books adds depth, and her quiet determination keeps the story grounded.
It’s a cozy mystery that tackles big themes, grief, ambition, betrayal, without losing its heart. If you want a whodunit that’s equal parts entertaining and enraging, this one’s your prescription.
Why we recommend it: Gemma doesn’t just solve murders, she rewrites the narrative. Smart, curious, and armed with a moral compass, she’s the kind of protagonist who makes a cup of Earl Grey feel like a call to arms. If you’re craving a mystery with heart, grit, and a bookshop owner who refuses to shelve the truth, this one’s your prescription.
10. The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann
Agnes Sharp is not your average pensioner. She’s got secrets, a tortoise named Hettie, and a body hidden in the shed. Yes, you read that correctly.
When another corpse turns up next door, Agnes and her fellow residents at Sunset Hall, a ramshackle house share for the unruly elderly, realize they might be able to solve one murder to cover up another. It’s a morally questionable plan, but when you’re old, underestimated, and slightly unhinged, you make do.
Swann’s novel is a masterclass in eccentricity. The characters are gloriously weird, think blind ex-spy, yoga-loving biscuit burner, and a grandson who may or may not be invited, and the plot is a delightful tangle of misdirection.
The humor is pitch-black in the most charming way. It’s a cozy mystery that dances on the edge of absurdity without ever falling in. Agnes is the kind of protagonist who makes you want to grow old disgracefully, and the story itself is a reminder that life and death don’t stop being messy just because you’ve hit retirement age. If you like your mysteries with a side of existential chaos and a tortoise named Hettie, this one’s a must.
Why we recommend it: A tortoise named Hettie, a surreal murder plot, and a cast of characters one existential crisis away from forming a cult. This gloriously weird mystery is for readers who like their cozy crime with a twist of absurdity and a dash of darkness. If The Grand Budapest Hotel had a retirement wing, this would be it.
So there you have it, ten cozy mysteries that prove murder is best served with tea, gossip, and a healthy disregard for authority. These books aren’t just about solving crimes, they’re about reclaiming agency, celebrating community, and finding joy in the unexpected. Whether it’s a dinner lady with a vendetta, a tea shop owner with a moral compass sharper than a cleaver, or a group of retirees who refuse to go quietly, each story offers a unique twist on the genre we love.
If The Thursday Murder Club opened the door to cozy crime for you, these titles will throw it wide open, invite you in, and hand you a biscuit while you read. They’re funny, heartfelt, and occasionally bonkers, just like the best kind of friends. So cancel your plans, grab a blanket, and dive into a world where justice is homemade and the detectives are anything but ordinary.
