On first impression, murder and romance might seem like an odd couple. After all, how romantic can it be to fall in love against a backdrop of foul play? Very, as it turns out, at least in fiction. Many authors have shown that weaving together danger and desire can make for irresistible storytelling.
Romance can sneak into a mystery, weaving through it like a thread, or it can stand on equal ground as the whodunit. Either way, blending the two genres adds emotional depth and dynamic pacing. Romantic beats can provide breathers between spikes of tension and suspense while also raising the stakes. Romance with a side of danger? I’m here for it!
Romantic character arcs can also help to sustain a series. When I follow a sleuth from book to book, sometimes it’s the quirky cast of characters or a cozy setting that keeps me coming back for more, but often it’s the romance weaving through the series that has me snatching up the next instalment.
If you love swoon, sparks, and suspense in one criminally charming bundle, check out these heart-filled whodunits.
This is one of my all-time favorite cozy mystery series. In the first book, Deadly News, newspaper editor Molly Owens moves to the seaside town of Britton Bay, Oregon, where she lands a job with the local paper. When an ornery colleague ends up dead, Molly sets out to find the culprit—while also embarking on a romance with a handsome mechanic. It doesn’t hurt that the series boasts a secondary romance between supporting characters, including my book boyfriend, who’s definitely one of Britton Bay’s finest (in more ways than one).
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This series is also written by Jody Holford. It’s no coincidence that both of her cozy mystery series have ended up on my list. Jody also writes contemporary romance and romcoms under her own name and the pen name Sophie Sullivan, so romance is her specialty, and that’s why I consider her the queen of romantic cozy mysteries. In this series, true crime fan Annie Abbott solves murders in the small town of Rainbow Falls with the help of her quirky neighbors, while also falling for the local veterinarian. Add in two kittens named Watson and Sherlock, and you’ve got extra cozy vibes.
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If you love the idea of a dual point of view, second chance romance wrapped up in a small-town murder mystery, Murder at Cinnamon Falls might be your perfect cup of (cinnamon) tea. Following the death of her best friend, Nia fled her hometown of Cinnamon Falls, overcome by grief. Several years later, after a betrayal by her boyfriend in the city, Nia returns home. When her late best friend’s mother is murdered, Nia uncovers dark secrets and deadly scandals. Along the way, she reconnects with her high school sweetheart, who is now a local police officer. This book is the first in a series, with each installment featuring different characters in Cinnamon Falls.
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If, like me, you think that Christmas, romance, and mystery all tied up together make the perfect gift to a reader, you’ll want to snatch up a copy of Ally Carter’s The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year. In this enemies-to-lovers romantic mystery, two American rival writers are invited to spend Christmas at the English country manor home of legendary mystery author Eleanor Ashley. However, all is not merry and bright at Eleanor’s estate, and main characters Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt soon find themselves in the middle of a deadly game of cat and mouse. This engrossing and immersive story sparkles with charm and it held me firmly in its snowy grip from start to finish.
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For another Christmasy, sweet treat of a romantic mystery, look no further than the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries by Jacqueline Frost. Starting with Twelve Slays of Christmas, this oh-so-cozy series follows the amateur sleuthing adventures of Holly White, who lives on her family’s Christmas tree farm in the charming town of Mistletoe, Maine. As she solves murders and unmasks villains, Holly falls for the handsome sheriff, and their slow-burn romance threads through the series. Packed with fun characters, winter flavor, and Christmas sparkle, these mysteries are perfect for reading while snuggled up next to a Christmas tree and a roaring fire.
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Emersyn Gray is definitely not a detective. What begins as a plan to share her ex-boyfriend with a fake business card from Wyatt Investigations and a hot stranger, who steps in to play the part, spirals into a real case when he superintendent of Emersyn’s apartment building winds up dead. With so many eyes on them-or maybe just their eyes on each other-Emersyn and Wyatt agree to take on the case. Now the question is, Can they solve the murder without getting tangled up in their own fictions-or each other?
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This item is a preorder. Your payment method will be charged immediately, and the product is expected to ship on or around January 6, 2026. This date is subject to change due to shipping delays beyond our control.
