Guest post written by She Doesn’t Have A Clue author Jenny Elder Moke
Jenny Elder Moke is the award-winning author of children’s and adult literature. She enjoys fast-paced adventures with plenty of mysteries, surprising turns, and laughs along the way. Her adult debut, SHE DOESN’T HAVE A CLUE, is a murder-mystery rom-com mash-up for fans of Clue and Knives Out. It releases January 21, 2025.
About She Doesn’t Have A Clue: With a colorful cast of characters and a cellar full of wine, anything can happen—from murder to a second chance at love—in Jenny Elder Moke’s half mystery, half romance adult debut set at a lavish destination wedding.
The trees have been dragged to the curb, traces of tinsel glint forlornly in the corner, and the cheery scent of cinnamon and butter no longer permeate the house. It’s official – we’ve hit the winter doldrums. But we’ve got the perfect cure for those early sunsets and chilly evenings – a list of eight cozy mysteries to keep the blood pumping, with a strong twist of romance to bring the spice and melt your heart.
She Doesn’t Have A Clue by Jenny Elder Moke
A locked room murder mystery on a remote island at a lavish society wedding during a raging storm that features a second-chance romance? Say less! When best-selling mystery writer, Kate Valentine, shows up at her ex-fiancé/current editor’s wedding weekend, she’s hoping to find some quiet time to finish her (extremely overdue) latest novel. What she stumbles across instead is the bride’s lifeless body, staged to look like a scene out of one of Kate’s mystery novels. Now, instead of toasting the bride and groom, Kate is roasting on the hot seat as the prime suspect, and the only person on her side is Jake Hawkins – aka the Hotstralian, aka Kate’s biggest romantic regret. Will Kate catch a killer before the bouquet toss, or end up locked up before the last dance?
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
Christmas may have come and gone, but Carter knows how to write a fun, sexy mystery that will keep you warm year-round. When cozy mystery queen Maggie Chase gets invited to a mysterious Christmas house party at an English estate, she can’t say no. At least until she learns that her biggest rival, Ethan Wyatt of John Grisham-style thrillers fame is also in attendance. But she’s willing to ignore his presence when she learns who their host is – the biggest mystery writer in the world, Eleanor Ashley. When Eleanor disappears from a locked room overnight, Maggie and Ethan have to work together to figure out what is fact and what is fiction as they search for the missing Duchess of Death. As the snow starts piling up, so do the clues, and the heat is on (in more ways than one). These rivals-to-lovers will have to get on the same page if they want to rescue Eleanor.
The Body in the Backyard by Lucy Score
The latest in romance queen Score’s Riley Thorn series finds the psychic detective and her PI boyfriend taking on the last case either of them wishes to handle – Riley’s ex-husband. Someone is out to get him, and he needs Riley’s help. With a quirky cast of characters, a satisfying level of spice, and an ending you never see coming, The Body in the Backyard is an excellent addition to the series.
In Want of a Suspect by Tirzah Price
A spin off of her massively popular Jane Austin Murder Mystery series, In Want of a Suspect follows Lizzie Bennett and Mr. Darcy as they investigate a warehouse fire that leaves someone dead and lands a figure from Mr. Darcy’s past at the top of the suspects list. Fans of Price’s Pride and Premeditation will love to see more of Lizzie and Darcy, and fans of Jane Austen will delight at all the in-world callbacks (hello, Dashwoods!) If the historical cozy mystery vibes and fresh perspective on a timeless classic don’t hook you on this one, the adorable cross-stitch cover design will.
Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
Another delightful genre mash-up, this time bringing together paranormal and romance to tell a steamy, spooky story that will be sure to haunt you long after you’re done reading (see what we did there?). Another entry in the “enemies-to-lovers stuck in a remote mansion” category, this time we see occult specialist Riley Rhodes paired with by-the-book archaeologist Clark Edgeware as the two vie for control of an infamous Scottish castle. Danan is no stranger to flirty banter and well-executed spicy scenes, and the chemistry between Riley and Clark is no different. We’re booking our tickets to the Scottish Highlands asap.
Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson
It’s hard to imagine “is my hot neighbor possibly a serial killer?” as the perfect meet-cute, but Thompson pulls it off in this ode to the women who love true crime, and the men who (attempt) to love them. Phoebe Walsh is a true crime obsessed PhD candidate dragged home to clear out the childhood home of her estranged father, when she runs into a mysterious barefoot man outside her house late at night offering to help her move some furniture (as if she’d fall for such an obvious gambit). But when Phoebe learns the man is her father’s neighbor, Sam Dennings, she assumes the nice guy act is a cover for something far more sinister. As Phoebe investigates what she is sure will be the true crime discovery of the century, she finds something far more potentially dangerous – a nice guy who might just capture her heart.
‘Til Heist Do Us Part by Sara Desai
For those readers looking for an Ocean’s Eight meets Bonnie and Clyde vibe, this spicy heist series is the ticket! Simi Chopra leads the most motley crew beside her partner in crime, Jack Danger, and after pulling off the diamond heist of the century, they’re broke and looking for work again. But when the mafia boss they stole the necklace from comes calling to demand the return of his jewels, they have to partner with Jack’s arch-nemesis to save their hides. With plenty of action, whip-smart banter, and enough tension to keep you tearing through the pages, this series is perfect to fill those long, dull winter nights.
Murder Most Actual by Alexis Hall
Millennial cozies are on a Scottish Highlands kick, and we are here for it! When true crime podcaster Liza takes a trip with her wife, Hanna, to a remote Scottish castle, they’re both just looking for a weekend to repair their strained marriage. What they find, instead, is an Agatha Christie-level murder scene. Perfect for fans of Knives Out and Clue, with the outlandish side characters you expect to see in such a loving entry to the zany cozy category. But Hall infuses her humorous story with real heart in the complicated portrait of a marriage in serious need of work. Watching these two characters find their way back to each other while the bodies pile up will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy long after you finish reading.
