As the number of women who write mysteries has grown, readers have been introduced to a host of fascinating new female detectives whose intelligence and intuition never fail to keep them turning pages for hours on end. These amateur investigators may lack formal training, but they are incredibly perceptive and thorough in their pursuit of the truth. They have to play detective sometimes due to need, and other times they do it for fun. Whatever their motivation, we should honor the way they make the world a better place by vanquishing evil and restoring peace.
These ladies aren’t superhuman, that’s for sure. The path of life is not easy for them. They have moments of weakness and self-doubt, but they are ultimately sustained by their firm belief in what they are doing. They are aggressive in order to get acceptance in the male-dominated workplace. They put in honest effort to recover from setbacks. They model for their real-life counterparts how to keep their heads held high in the face of adversity. Here is a list of eight of my favorite cozy mysteries, all about strong women who refuse to be defined by their adversities.
THE BANGALORE DETECTIVES CLUB
BY HARINI NAGENDRA
After marrying Ramu, a medical practitioner, Kaveri relocates to Bangalore. She is supposed to prepare herself for nothing more than being a nice wife, despite the fact that she is very intellectual and wants a life that extends beyond the world of the domestic. Kaveri is uncomfortable with this traditional view of womanhood. Very quickly, she becomes embroiled in a murder investigation. With the support of her husband, she embarks on a quest to apprehend the killer, advocate for the oppressed, and assist law enforcement in their pursuit of those responsible for bringing misery to the lives of the defenseless.
ARSENIC AND ADOBO (TITA ROSIE’S KITCHEN MYSTERY #1)
BY MIA P. MANANSALA
Lila has been entrusted with the responsibility of rescuing her Tita Rosie’s eatery. And now, unexpectedly, she’s living with a group of kind but intrusive aunts. Considering the recent split, she is already suffering through a lot. In the middle of this upheaval, Lila’s ex-boyfriend unexpectedly shows up and is later discovered dead. Lila attempts to clear her identity by tracking out the true perpetrator once the police start treating her like the only suspect.
MAGIC, LIES, AND DEADLY PIES (PIES BEFORE GUYS MYSTERY #1)
BY MISHA POPP
If a man has harmed a woman, Daisy bakes a pie with the ingredients to murder him. Though her first murder was accidental, she has since turned to killing as a business. However, everything seems not to be well in paradise as she is now being blackmailed. Daisy can no longer take the possibility of her secret being revealed lying down. Does she have a chance of tracking down her sworn enemy before they annihilate her?
THE PLOT IS MURDER (MYSTERY BOOKSHOP #1)
BY V.M. BURNS
Samantha’s ambition has always been to open up her own mystery bookstore. She also wants to put her own spin on a mystery tale set in England. However, she is unaware that she would soon be involved in a murder mystery. A shady realtor is discovered dead in her backyard as she gets ready for her store’s big launch. Now, with the steadfast support of her spunky grandma, Samantha is determined to unravel the mystery and uncover the killer before her business opens.
DEATH BY DUMPLING (NOODLE SHOP MYSTERY #1)
BY VIVIEN CHIEN
What do you think of a cozy mystery about a strong lady who must start over after a devastating breakup? Count me in! While Lana never expected to work in the family business, you never know where life may lead you. After a spectacular walkout at work, her only alternative is to wait tables, despite her mother’s determination to arrange a marriage for her. A short time later, though, the restaurant’s property manager passes away, and the employees come under further scrutiny. This murder case needs Lana’s aid to solve it.
AUNTY LEE’S DELIGHTS (SINGAPOREAN MYSTERY #1)
BY OVIDIA YU
Rosie Lee makes a life for herself after the death of her spouse. She creates a restaurant empire serving authentic Singaporean street cuisine with a fiery kick to both foreigners and locals. Things were going smoothly, but suddenly a body was found in a tourist hotspot. Around the same time, the affluent visitor who had been staying with the family vanishes, raising suspicion in Rosie’s mind. Rosie teams up with Police Commissioner Raja to investigate the goings-on behind her back. She’s more effective than a private detective because to her ability to network and quick wit.
A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP (AN ICE CREAM PARLOR MYSTERY #1)
BY ABBY COLLETTE
Once Bronwyn finished her MBA program, she took over the family ice cream business. She hopes to revive the business to its former grandeur and has ambitious ambitions for the future. However, when she stumbles upon a dead corpse, her hopes and expectations are dashed. The deceased man was a grifter whose family had a longstanding grudge against him. Her closest friends and family back her up in her quest to solve the murder and grow her business.
DEEP FRIED TROUBLE (EUGEENA PATTERSON MYSTERIES #1)
BY TYORA MOODY
Following her retirement and her husband’s death, Eugeena became actively involved in her neighborhood’s organization. This is a perfect chance for her to reconnect with her community. However, things aren’t looking great as she discovers the lifeless body of her previously unknown neighbor. A prime suspect is Eugeena’s missing daughter. Eugeena becomes involved in criminal activity in her pursuit of her lost child.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the top ten female detectives in mystery fiction. These women are amazing role models for anyone who wants to make a difference in their community, and they never let anything stand in their way. If you haven’t read any of these books yet, I highly recommend picking them up – you won’t be disappointed! And don’t forget to let me know what you think in the comments.
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