'A classic whodunit.' The 19 best cosy crime novels.

I don't know about you, but as far as I'm concerned, the cooler weather creates the ultimate environment to curl up and binge read a good book.

But saying goodbye to the hot days means ditching those (smutty) beach reads and saying hello to cosy crime — the perfect genre to devour under a blanket in a single one day.

So without further ado, we bring you the Mamamia community's favourite cosy crime novels

The Wife and the Widow by Christian White.

"This is one of my favourite crime novels thanks to its intriguing concept, clever intersection of time-lines, combination of crime and domestic drama, and complex plot-driven narrative. White is the author of The Nowhere Child which is also excellent." — Nicole.

Image: Booktopia.

Everything Is Lies by Helen Callaghan.

"Starting with a bang, Sophia comes home to find her mother dead and her father critically injured in an apparent murder/suicide attempt. You've got to love a book that dives right in." — Tara.

Image: Booktopia.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.

"This clever mystery has become a cult classic among crime lovers. Set in a retirement village, a group of friends enjoy weekly catch ups to investigate unsolved murders. Until one day, it happens a bit too close to home." — Eliza.

Image: Booktopia.

Death on the Nile or anything by Agatha Christie.

"The OG of crime novelists, Agatha Christie has written a string of best-sellers, many of which have been turned into movies, including, Death on the Nile, Murder on the Orient Express, and Evil Under the Sun." — Polly.

Image: Booktopia.

Everyone in my family has killed someone by Benjamin Stevenson.

"A classic whodunit where a family — who don't really get along — gathers together at a ski resort, to celebrate one brother's release from prison. Except that brother was sent there thanks to another brother's testimony. This mystery verges into comedic family drama territory as well as crime." — Meghna.

Image: Booktopia.

One-hit wonder and anything by Lisa Jewell.

"None of this is True is the latest release by British author, Lisa Jewell who has made a solid name for herself as the go-to crime fiction writer for people all over the world. Of her 19 books, some of her most popular are One-hit wonder, The family upstairs, Then she was gone and Invisible girl." — Maddy.

Image: Booktopia.

The Tea Ladies by Amanda Hampson.

"Another 'accidental investigator' story, involving three tea-ladies who become amateur detectives following a chance encounter with a stranger. Witty and fun, this perfect cosy crime novel is set in the 1960s." — Bek.

Image: Booktopia.

The Maid by Nita Prose.

"An 'absolutely brilliant' book, not to mention a New York Times and Canadian bestseller, The Maid is a gripping mystery about a maid who becomes the lead suspect after a man was found dead in his hotel room." — Michelle.

Image: Booktopia.

All of Harlan Coben's books.

"Harlen Coben is known for his keep-you-guessing psychological thrillers, many of which have been turned into television shows—think The Stranger, Stay Close, Safe and Fool Me Once. If you like one, you'll like them all." — Stacey.

Image: Booktopia.

The Searcher by Tara French.

"In this pull-you-in suspense novel, Cal moves to a small town in Western Ireland in the hope of a simpler life. But that idea gets thrown out the window when a teenage girl turns to him for help to find her runaway brother." — Briga.

Image: Booktopia.

Big Little Lies by Leanne Moriarty.

"A must-read by one of Australia's most popular authors, this domestic thriller will keep you guessing until the very end. Intriguing characters, and plenty of dramatic subplots, this is arguably one of Moriarty's best." — Susan.

Image: Booktopia.

An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena.

"So many secrets, so many intriguing characters. An Unwanted Guest is a chilling and slightly terrifying ride. Teetering on the edge of cosy, it’ll definitely keep the pages turning." — Melissa.

Image: Booktopia.

The Marlow Murder Club series by Robert Thorogood.

"If you love a good whodunnit, The Marlow Murder Club series has you covered. Set in the English countryside, these books follow retired archeologist and a cohort of amateur sleuths." — Jen.

Image: Booktopia.

The Dry and anything by Jane Harper.

"Jane Harper is the author of the bestseller, The Dry, as well as The Survivors and The Lost Man. All three are expertly crafted, keep-you-guessing mystery/thrillers written using beautifully descriptive language." — Meghann.

Image: Booktopia.

Wake by Shelley Burr.

"If you love Jane Harper, you'll love Wake, a gripping mystery with a host of compelling characters. Burr expertly delves into complex issues, like trauma, while keeping the reader turning the pages." — Susie.

Image: Booktopia.

No 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith.

"If you love a bit of fun with your investigating, this series is for you. Set in Botswana, this heartwarming series follows the region's first female private detective as she goes about solving mysteries." — Becky.

Image: Booktopia.

Verity by Colleen Hoover.

"Arguably one of the most popular authors of the modern day, Colleen Hoover's Verity is a psychological thriller within a domestic setting, giving readers a bit of everything. Verity is being adapted into a movie for Amazon." — Mandy.

Image: Booktopia.

Anything written by Anne Cleves.

"Award-winning mystery/thriller writer Anne Cleves has seen many of her books made into films. She's written several series as well as stand alone books, so if you're a fan of intriguing, pull-you-in plot driven stories, these books are for you." — Heather.

Image: Booktopia.

The Apricot Colonel by Marion Halligan.

"This light-hearted murder mystery includes intriguing characters mixed with a healthy dose of romance. Set against an incredible Canberra backdrop, that takes in the devastating bushfires that struck in the early 2000s." — Cal.

Image: Booktopia.

Feature Image: Penguin.