Books to Read with Female Sleuths

17 May 2016

Growing up reading Nancy Drew books and playing the Carmen Sandiego PC games, it’s hard to not fantasize about being a detective. These female detectives were cool, smart, and witty, and they got to go on incredible adventures. Many cozy mysteries today feature the same kind of crime-fighting ladies, so what’s not to love? If you’re a lady who has always dreamed about solving mysteries and fighting crime, check out our list of books to read with female sleuths.

Looking to read more cozy mysteries? Find them in our posts including Miss Marple, Denise Grover Swank, Wannabe Sleuths, Culinary Twists, Cozy Mysteries, More Cozy MysteriesCozy Beach Reads, and Pool-side Reads.

Books to Read with Female Sleuths


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Death at a Fixer-Upper

Sarah T. Hobart

Release Date: May 17, 2016

Sam Turner is a real estate agent, and she doesn’t have the easiest life. She and her son are being evicted from their apartment, her ex-husband has returned to her life, and her romantic relationship with the Chief of Police is complicated. All she wants is to sell a property, so she’s excited when three offers are put down on a property that’s seen better days. All of a sudden, one of Sam’s clients drops dead on the property, and she must try to figure out who is the culprit.

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Braking for Bodies

Duffy Brown

Release Date: April 5, 2016

Evie Bloomfield wanted to get away from her stressful life, so she moved to Mackinac Island to work in a bike shop. She thought she was getting away from everything that caused her pain in LA, but her friend Fiona’s sleazy boss from her old job showed up to attend the Lilac Festival that occurs on the island. When he is found dead, Evie must figure out what happened so she can clear her friend’s name.

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Crime and Poetry

Amanda Flower

Release Date: April 5, 2016

Violet Waverly rushed home to be by her ailing Grandma Daisy’s side, but she was surprised to find her in perfect health. Grandma Daisy wants Violet to return to work at her bookstore, which has some strange, magical qualities. Violet planned to return back to Chicago, but dead man was found clutching a book from the magical bookshop in his hands. In order to protect her grandma, Violet must work to find out who the real killer is.

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Devonshire Scream

Laura Childs

Release Date: March 1, 2016

Theodosia considers catering a high-class trunk show for Heart Desire Jewelry to be one of her proudest accomplishment for her and her tea shop. Just as she starts to enjoy the event, a group of thieves shows up and steals the expensive jewelry. Theo didn’t want to get involved with the case, but her close friend Brooke is the aunt of someone who was killed in the robbery, and she begs Theo to help figure out who committed this horrendous crime.

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Reality Check in Las Vegas

AR Winters

Release Date: April 18, 2016

Tiffany’s friend Stone disappears suddenly, so she needs to try and track him down. While she’s trying to find him, Tiffany runs into Lana Fierst, who is the judge on a reality TV show and claims that her life is in danger. She agrees to help find out who is threatening Lana, but soon finds that her life is also in danger.

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A Scone to Die For 

H.Y. Hanna

Release Date: January 17, 2016

An American tourist is murdered with a scone in Gemma’s Oxfordshire tearoom, and she’s now in the middle of a mystery that brings up secrets from Oxford’s past. With the help of four old ladies and her tabby cat, Gemma attempts to figure out who the killer is and why he is trying to ruin her business.

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Sarah Pannenberg