Mysteryreader Stories

Round two of short series to close out your reading year. These 10 span cozy mystery, contemporary fiction, YA fantasy, and some proper Nordic noir, all quick enough to actually finish before December. 📚

Untimely Death by Elizabeth J. Duncan, book one in the Shakespeare in the Catskills series. Cozy mystery fans, this one tested my patience. Slow pacing, an amateur sleuth who doesn't trust her own detective boyfriend, and clichés stacked on clichés. Full review on Views She Writes.

Plunge into The Hidden Doctrine, a riveting blend of romance, suspense, and supernatural intrigue! John Westwater, a preacher's son turned naval surgeon, falls for fiery Margaret, only to be ensnared in a sinister plot by the cunning Sir Thomas Churchill. From Manchuria to post-war Britain, John's secret mission in America unveils a mind-bending conspiracy. As Margaret fights to save their daughter, Sheila, from Churchill's grasp, a tragic twist threatens to reshape the world. Packed with heart-pounding twists, this saga of love and sacrifice will keep you on edge. Uncover the truth now!

When forensic scientist Angus is thrust into a gruesome murder investigation, his quiet life is turned upside down. As the body count rises, Angus finds himself in a heart-pumping game of cat and mouse with a cunning serial killer. Joined by a team of sharp-witted CSI police officers, Angus must use his expertise to unravel the tangled threads of the case. But as the clock strikes midnight, Angus realizes that he's not just chasing a killer - he's also running out of time. Can he crack the code before the killer strikes again?

Behind on your 2026 reading goal? Don't panic, just pick a short series. These 14 addictive cozy mysteries run 2-5 books each, so you can actually finish what you start. Grim reapers, food truck murders, a "just okay" assistant detective... there's something for everyone. 📚

20 books into the Booktown Mystery series and A Critical Conjunction is the one that finally made me see how dysfunctional the Miles family really is. Entitlement, doormat behaviour, and a mystery solved with almost no actual sleuthing. My honest 2-star review is up now.

Ŧħɇ sŧøɏ øf ŧwø ƀøɏs wħø ŧøøꝁ Ⱥ wɍønǥ ŧᵾɍn And please i just want to let you all know that this is my first story so there could be some mistakes in the story but i will make it up for you guys in my next story.

Fellow sleuths. It's time once again to "exercise the little grey cells," as Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot would say, with a Dickens Station Mini Mystery. You can easily read today's mystery in under 7 minutes, and the resolution in under 6 minutes. That leaves you 2 minutes for your deductions and hypotheses. Child's play. Is it not? So, test your "little grey cells" against mine with The Case of the Telltale Tiles, A Dickens Station 15-Minute Mystery.