Top 10 Small Town Mystery Books with Big Secrets

The cozy mystery genre is characterized by mysteries set in small towns with close knit w, scenic backdrops and a cozy, familiar vibe.

W.H Auden had observed that the mystery should be set in a “Great Good Place” with an “Eden-like innocence” so that the gruesome nature of the crime contrasts with the quaint and tranquil setting.

Mystery books being set against the background of an ordinary, homely small town subverts expectations by positioning the mystery within mundane and unexpected places.

1. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

is set in the small town of King’s Abbot boasting of a close knit community of various types of people.

King’s Abbot is representative of the typical English countryside, and Christie’s emphasis on the upper middle classes of semi-rural villages which corresponds leads to a closer circle of suspects. Roger Ackroyd’s murder destabilises the entire community for he is an individual of immense significance.

Hercule Poirot with his “grey cells”, observation and knowledge of the human psyche investigates the murder to catch the killer before it is too late.

2. A Murder in Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

It is the first book in the ‘Perveen Mistry Investigates’ series. Set in 1920s Bombay, in the charming small town of Malabar Hill in Maharashtra, with a not so serene atmosphere.

Perveen Mistry stumbles upon Omar Farid’s three windows as she joins her father’s law firm. As one of the top female lawyers in India, she becomes suspicious of the will to be executed, in light of Omar Farid’s death.

Her search for the truth pushes her in the path of danger as a dangerous criminal is out to stop her in her attempt to unearth the truth and avenge the injustice unleashed upon the Farid widows.

3. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

The Mysterious Affair at Styles unravels against the backdrop of isolated country manor of Styles Court in Essex.

Styles Court Manor is a grand, secluded country estate in Essex, surrounded by lush gardens, exuding charm, tradition, and quiet mystery.

On a Sunday morning, Emily Inglethorp, the elderly and wealthy owner of the manor is found dead. Hercule Poirot is brought in to solve this unforeseen killing in this apparently charming and tranquil place.

It is the first detective novel of the cult-classic author Agatha Christie, a trailblazer and revolutionary author in the detective fiction genre. She introduces the eccentric and unconventional detective, Hercule Poirot in this narrative.

Thus, this mystery is must read because it redefined an entire genre by subverting expectations.

4. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

The Thursday Murder Club is the first book in a book series of the same name. It is set in the fictional retirement village of Kent in Fairhaven.In the peaceful village, four unlikely friends meet once a week to discuss unsolved murders. One day, however, a brutal murder in their own village compels them to investigate.

The group consists of former spy Elizabeth Best, union leader Ron Ritchie, nurse Joyce Meadowcroft and psychiatrist Ibrahim Arif.

“I love a novel that is not too winding, but still mysterious enough. I found the storytelling is easy to read, but the twist is amazing that makes me keep guessing who is the killer. Recommend it!”- Amazon User

is a book series that takes place in the fictional town of Cabot Cave — a seaside New England town with a close knit community.

The fictional town was modelled after a real town in Maine, called Kennebunkport.Gin and Daggers is the maiden book. Google Books notes that in A Fatal Feast: A Murder She Wrote mystery, “Jessica Fletcher would like to relax as Thanksgiving comes to Cabot Cove, but she’s hosting a bountiful dinner for an ever-growing guest list.

She couldn’t be happier with the results-until she stumbles upon a body with a carving knife stuck in its chest…”

6.Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett

It is the first book in a series of books set in a fictional Booktown in Stoneham, New Hampshire which boasts of unique and speciality bookstores.

This narrative follows Tricia Miles, who opens a mystery bookstore in this town. One day, Doris Gleason, a cookbook store owner is found murdered with a carving knife, thereby destroying the illusion of a sweet and pure small town.

Everyone in the community suspects Tricia —the newcomer to the community to be behind the graphic crime.

As a result, she embarks on a journey to acquit herself and in turn to solve the mystery, with her own mystery books in her arsenal.

7. Murder in Amaravati by Sharath Komarraju

takes place against the background of Amravati. The community sentiment is that the ghost of the beautiful, young woman Padmavati, whose body is found in the sanctum of the Kali Temple is haunting every member of the community.

Seven suspects with seven motives to murder Padmavati are presented in front of the constable Venkat Reddy.

He has never even solved petty crimes, yet he is thrust into a murder case. Murder in Amaravati feels familiar with its depictions of characters that one sees in a typical Indian community.

A Goodreads User notes that “This story is definitely one of the best Christie-esque murder mysteries… in an Indian context.”

8. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson is set in Vermont in the USA(nation’s sixth smallest state) .

The big secret in this charming town revolves around the new Ellingham Academy. The Academy’s wealthy founder is Albert Ellingham whose wife Iris and daughter Alice disappear shortly after the school opens.

The sole clue to this kidnapping was Howa riddle listing methods of murder, signed with a pseudonym, “Truly Devious.”

After several years, another horrific death in Ellingham Academy suggests the return of “Truly Devious”. A true crime fan, Stevie Bell arrives at Ellingham Academy and attempts to unravel its dark mystery and catch the culprit, determined to solve the decades-old murders haunting the school.

9. Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March

Murder in Old Bombay is set in the midst of 19th century Bombay where Captain Jim Agnihotri is wounded and recovering in Poona military hospital from an injury in the battlefield.

Captain Agnihotri’s attention is caught by what is being referred to as the crime of the century —the fall of two women from a university’s clock tower in broad daylight.

Adi, the widower of one of the victims is convinced however that his wife and sister did not commit suicide.Inspired by his idol, Sherlock Holmes, Captain Agnihotri decides to investigate the deaths and uncover the mystery that seems to entangle the Framji family.

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10. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

It is the world’s best-selling mystery, and with over 100 million copies sold, it is one of the best-selling books of all time, according to Wikipedia.

Eight people are invited to an isolated island town located near the Devon coast, a county in South West England. Thomas and Ethel Rogers, the butler and housekeeper explain that the hosts have not yet arrived. Each of the guests have in common two things — a nursery rhyme lies framed and hung in their room and a sinful past.

A gripping, atmospheric tale where a string of unusual deaths claims each of the characters, one by one. With no possibility of escape, suspense builds relentlessly toward a chilling, inescapable conclusion.