If you enjoy reading novels by Donna Andrews then you might also like the following authors:
Ellery Adams writes cozy mysteries with a lot of heart and quirky characters. In her book “Murder in the Mystery Suite,” Jane Steward manages a charming resort catering to book lovers.
After organizing a themed event, she finds herself caught up in the aftermath of a murder and the hunt for a missing manuscript. The story combines a love for books with a twisty mystery, all set in a picturesque setting.
Fans of Donna Andrews might enjoy the humor and small-town feel woven throughout the tale.
Laura Childs writes cozy mysteries with a unique charm that fans of Donna Andrews might enjoy. One of her books, “Steeped in Evil,” is part of her Tea Shop Mystery series.
It’s set in Charleston, where Theodosia Browning, the owner of a charming tea shop, gets pulled into solving a murder at a wine-tasting party. Theodosia’s knack for sleuthing takes her through a world of vineyards, secrets, and high-society drama.
There’s also a rich atmosphere with details about tea blends and Southern charm that bring the setting to life. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy lighthearted mysteries with quirky characters and clever twists.
M.C. Beaton, known for her lighthearted mysteries, has a knack for creating charming small-town settings and endearing characters. One of her books, “Death of a Gossip,” kicks off the Hamish Macbeth series.
In it, Hamish, a laid-back Scottish constable, faces the challenge of solving the murder of a nosy aristocrat who turns up dead during a fishing school event. With quirky townsfolk, sharp humor, and clever twists, the story offers plenty to enjoy for fans of witty mysteries.
Hamish’s unconventional methods and unhurried style make him an entertaining detective to follow.
Joanne Fluke writes cozy mysteries that often include a mix of humor and charm. Her “Hannah Swensen” series is a good fit for fans of Donna Andrews. The first book, “Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder,” introduces Hannah, a baker who runs The Cookie Jar in her small Minnesota town.
When she discovers a delivery man dead behind her shop, she gets pulled into solving the murder. Between her quirky family, her delicious cookie recipes, and the unexpected twists in the case, the story balances lighthearted moments with a puzzling whodunit.
It’s a cozy mystery with a strong sense of community and a relatable main character.
Nancy Atherton writes cozy mysteries with a lighthearted charm that might appeal to fans of Donna Andrews. Her “Aunt Dimity” series mixes quirky characters with a hint of the supernatural.
In the first book, “Aunt Dimity’s Death,” Lori Shepherd, a down-on-her-luck woman, discovers that she has inherited a cottage in the English countryside from a mysterious Aunt Dimity she thought was fictional.
As she settles into her new life, she finds herself uncovering secrets through letters from beyond the grave. There’s warmth, an idyllic setting, and an intriguing touch of mystery that keeps the story engaging without being too intense.
Alexander McCall Smith is known for writing stories full of warmth and humor. One of his well-loved books is “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.” It introduces Precious Ramotswe, a woman in Botswana who decides to open her own detective agency.
The book follows her as she takes on cases in her community, from finding missing people to uncovering small-town secrets. The charm lies in Precious’s wit and the way she approaches each challenge, always with kindness and a deep understanding of human nature.
The setting brings a unique flavor to the story, and the characters feel like old friends.
Diane Mott Davidson writes cozy mysteries with a culinary twist. Her stories often feature Goldy Schulz, a caterer who stumbles into murder investigations while managing her catering business.
In “Catering to Nobody,” Goldy is thrust into the middle of a murder case after a poisoned meal at a funeral nearly kills her former father-in-law. Between serving up gourmet dishes and juggling her personal life, she unravels the truth behind the crime.
Davidson’s books mix food and mystery, creating entertaining reads for people who enjoy light-hearted whodunits.
Rhys Bowen is an author known for mysteries with charming characters and intriguing settings. One of her books, “Her Royal Spyness,” introduces readers to Lady Georgiana, a distant relative of the royal family in 1930s England.
She’s 34th in line for the throne but completely broke and trying to navigate high society while solving mysteries on the side. The story is full of humor, with Georgie stumbling through situations like pretending to be a maid to make ends meet.
It’s a lighthearted and fun read with quirky moments and clever twists.
Carl Hiaasen writes sharp, funny mysteries with quirky characters and a touch of chaos. His book “Skinny Dip” starts with a man shoving his wife off a cruise ship, thinking it’s the perfect murder.
She survives, teams up with an ex-cop, and sets out to make his life miserable in every way possible. The story is packed with twists and oddball humor, set against the backdrop of Florida’s wild landscapes.
If you enjoy Donna Andrews’ lighthearted approach to mysteries, you might enjoy the clever and offbeat style Hiaasen brings to his books.
Tamar Myers is known for blending humor with mysteries, creating lighthearted and quirky stories. One of her books, “The Crepes of Wrath,” introduces Magdalena Yoder, an amateur sleuth and Mennonite innkeeper in Pennsylvania.
When a guest at her inn drops dead after breakfast, Magdalena finds herself pulled into a murder investigation. The charming small-town setting, filled with eccentric characters and clever twists, adds to the fun.
Myers weaves in witty dialogue and unexpected moments that keep you turning the pages. Fans of Donna Andrews will find a similar knack for blending humor with a good who-done-it.
G.M. Malliet writes mysteries with a touch of humor and clever twists that fans of Donna Andrews might enjoy. One of her books, “Wicked Autumn,” introduces Max Tudor, a former MI5 agent turned village vicar.
Max has traded his dangerous spy life for the peace of a small English village, but things take a sharp turn when the town’s most disliked woman is found dead during the annual autumn festival.
The mix of charming village life and secrets bubbling under the surface makes it hard to put down.
Livia J. Washburn is an author best known for her cozy mysteries. If you enjoy Donna Andrews, you might like her “A Peach of a Murder.” It’s the first book in the Fresh-Baked Mystery series.
In it, retired teacher Phyllis Newsom enters a peach pie contest during the annual Peach Festival in her small Texas town. Things take a dark turn when a contest judge is found dead. Phyllis starts uncovering secrets about her neighbors to figure out the truth.
The mix of quirky characters and a charming small-town setting makes it a fun read for mystery fans.
Fran Stewart writes cozy mysteries that pull readers into their small-town settings and charming communities. In her book “A Wee Murder in My Shop,” we meet Peggy Winn, who owns a Scottish-themed shop in Vermont.
Her life takes a strange turn when she returns from Scotland with a tartan scarf that comes with an unexpected guest—a ghost named Dirk.
When a murder shakes her town, Peggy finds herself caught in the mystery, with Dirk proving to be both helpful and irritating in her quest for answers. The mix of cozy atmosphere and quirky twists makes it an entertaining read.
Katherine Hall Page is known for her Faith Fairchild series, which blends cozy mysteries with a touch of culinary charm. In “The Body in the Belfry,” the first in the series, Faith Fairchild, a caterer from Manhattan, moves to a small town in Massachusetts.
While adjusting to her new life, she finds a dead body in the church belfry. Faith’s sharp wit and curious nature pull her into the investigation, where secrets of the seemingly quiet town begin to surface.
The book has plenty of twists, and Faith’s city background adds an interesting contrast to the rural setting. If you enjoy Donna Andrews, you might enjoy the strong, clever women at the heart of Katherine Hall Page’s stories.
Clea Simon writes mysteries that often mix humor with quirky characters and unique settings. In “A Spell of Murder,” she introduces a witch named Becca, who is still learning to control her magic.
Her three cats—each with their own personality—narrate parts of the story and offer their own take on events. When a murder happens, Becca gets caught up in the investigation, while her cats try to steer things in their own peculiar way.
It’s a lighthearted and fun mystery, with a little magic and a lot of feline antics.