The best cozy mystery books featuring mature amateur sleuths

As a confirmed Anglophile, I became aware of Richard Osman’s wit and unique humor from watching British game shows where he appears as either a panelist or presenter. When I learned he had authored a book, I couldn’t wait to read it and had high expectations. The Thursday Murder Club did not disappoint.

The eclectic group of characters, from the Old Age Pensioners of the retirement village to the detectives they encounter (and frustrate), are engaging and richly developed. Even the evil-doers are written with more than the usual depth.

The plot is rich, with unexpected twists. I love a good, clean mystery that respects both the characters and the readers. Richard Osman has created a delightful series. I can’t wait for his next installment. 

I hadn’t read any of Thorogood’s books before this one, but from its description, I thought it might just be my cup of tea. As soon as Judith, the elderly, cryptic-crossword-compiling sleuth, plunged starkers into the river for her daily swim, I knew I was onto a winner.

I love the way the mystery plays out with some totally unexpected twists and turns. Judith’s quirky companions in detective work are not the stereotypical sidekicks found in many novels of this genre but are fleshed out with their own distinct characters and motivations. I got the impression that they had lives of their own, not simply existing as plot devices or comic relief.

This is the second book of a series, so now I need to go back and read the first book before plunging into the rest. I can see many hours of happy reading in my future.

Years ago, I discovered Miss Seeton in a well-worn paperback at a used book sale and I absolutely fell in love with this charming retired art teacher with the uncanny knack of drawing the truth from the most devious situations with her charcoal pencils and art pad.

In Witch Miss Seeton, this seemingly naïve little old lady steps into the world of modern witch’s covens to solve a mystery too convoluted for Scotland Yard. I love the humor, the depth of character, and the whimsy that fill the book. Miss Seeton’s regular yoga routine, which keeps her agile in her golden years, inspired my own exercise regimen.

Although out-of-print for many years, the books have been recently released in digital and audio formats, making this thoroughly entertaining series available to a new generation of readers.

What could be more unexpected than for a New Jersey widow in her sixties to become a CIA agent? Especially during the Cold War era?

Perhaps it is this unexpected nature of the circumstances that helps this incurable optimist to turn every near disaster into a triumph of good over evil. I love Mrs. P.’s indomitable spirit and seeing all the far-flung places her adventures take her through her eyes. Having lived through the 1960’s, I can relate to the authentic attitudes of the time.

What I love about this book, and the entire Mrs. Pargeter series, is the delicious way Mrs. Pargeter tiptoes around “strictly legal” in the pursuit of what is right and good. Thanks to the faithful friends and loyal former associates of her late husband (whose own career doesn’t bear scrutiny), she is free to exercise her insatiable curiosity about whatever is going on around her.

In this book, it is a feeling that something is a bit off in her new neighborhood that leads to another fun story. I feel a kinship with her refusal to fit herself into the approved “little old lady” mold and continue to seek out new experiences. Because of her late husband’s love and admiration for her, Mrs. Pargeter feels secure and comfortable in her own skin. I appreciate the touch of naughtiness in her make-up, which can lead to unexpected and entertaining adventures.