25 Must-Read Christmas Mystery Books for Your Holiday Reading

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Christmas and mystery books are honestly a perfect match. 

The holiday season has this cozy, magical vibe, with twinkling lights, chilly nights, and the excitement of family gatherings.

It’s the kind of time when curling up with a good book feels just right. 

And what better way to add a little extra spark to your holiday reading than with a Christmas mystery? 

These books bring together the warmth of the season and the thrill of solving a puzzle, which makes them really special books.

I have to admit, I don’t usually read a lot of thriller or mystery books. 

They’re not my go-to genre most of the time, but the Christmas-themed mysteries on this list caught my eye because they’re not just about suspense.

I like that they have that holiday spirit woven into the story. 

Each book is lovely in its own way, with charming settings, interesting characters, and enough twists to keep you hooked without being too dark or scary. 

If you’re looking for something different this Christmas, these mystery books might just be the perfect cozy companion.

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

If you love Christmas mystery books set in snowy English villages with gothic charm, this one is chilling and unforgettable. 

Ashley, an American student in London, is invited to Starvewood Hall for the holidays. 

At first, it feels like a dream – firelit rooms, a grand manor, snow, and a handsome guy – but it turns dark fast. Someone’s been murdered, and everyone’s acting a little too suspicious. 

I love that it flips between past and present, which kept me hooked and gave it that haunting, cold-case vibe I enjoy in wintry whodunits. 

If you’re into Christmas thrillers with secrets hidden behind pine garlands and cozy façades, this is one of the most perfect winter mystery books to curl up with. Just maybe not when you’re home alone.

A Christmas Vanishing by Anne Perry

This cozy Christmas mystery unfolds in a quaint village that feels like something out of a snow globe until someone disappears. 

When Mariah visits her old friend Sadie for the holidays, she arrives to find Sadie missing and her husband acting very strange. 

The quiet mystery slowly builds as Mariah starts digging, uncovering small-town secrets buried under layers of polite smiles. 

I really appreciated how this wasn’t just about solving a case but also about Mariah rediscovering herself and kindness in a season that can sometimes feel lonely. 

If you love heartwarming Christmas mystery novels with a gentle pace and strong characters, this one shines. 

It’s the kind of book I’d read by the fire with hot cocoa in hand, and I think you’ll love the balance of suspense and soul-searching wrapped up in holiday spirit.

Redd Christmas by Ryan Steck

This Christmas mystery novella takes us back to Matthew Redd’s younger years, right before he becomes the Marine we meet in later books. 

I found myself touched by his bond with his adoptive dad and how seriously he takes a simple Christmas promise. 

It’s not your usual snowy mystery, but the high-stakes plot and meaningful holiday thread make it a perfect Christmas thriller book for anyone who enjoys military stories with a heart. 

I wasn’t expecting to get teary-eyed while reading something so tense, but I did.

The contrast between the peaceful Montana Christmas scenes and the danger he faces overseas gave it a real emotional pull. 

For readers who enjoy fast-paced yet tender Christmas suspense novellas, this one’s a standout.

The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose

Molly the Maid is back and she’s just as charming and determined as ever.

This is such a sweet holiday mystery with a cozy hotel setting, a bit of romantic worry, and a Secret Santa gone wrong. 

I loved how it showed Molly’s personal growth since the first book and how she’s trying to keep holiday joy alive, even when her instincts tell her something is off. 

It’s perfect if you’re looking for a light Christmas mystery with lovable characters and just the right amount of sleuthing. 

I thought it was so heartwarming and just magical enough without being over-the-top. 

If you’ve ever second-guessed someone’s kindness or wondered whether you could trust your holiday cheer, this book will speak to you.

One of my favorite feel-good Christmas whodunits to cozy up with this year.

Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger

Set in a quiet town wrapped in snow, Christmas Presents dives deep into the world of true crime and old secrets. 

I was so drawn in by the bookshop setting, the snowy suspense, and the complicated emotions of someone trying to heal during the holidays. 

Madeline, the only surviving victim of a serial killer, has tried to move on until a podcaster shows up, reopening the past. 

I loved how layered this Christmas mystery thriller was. We get to see who did it, but we also revisit pain, even during supposedly joyful times. 

If you enjoy Christmas books with murder, snowy nights, and emotional depth, this is a great holiday mystery for your list. 

It was tense, thoughtful, and totally unputdownable.

A Holiday Homicide by Ellie Alexander

Set in a cozy bookshop during a gingerbread-baking contest, it has everything I love about festive cozy mysteries – sweet treats, quirky characters, and just enough danger to keep you turning the pages. 

When a celebrity baker dies mid-competition, Annie and her bookstore crew must uncover the truth while navigating holiday chaos.

I adored the small-town setting and the touch of romance with Liam. 

The blend of holiday cheer and suspicious secrets made me smile, even when things got tense. 

If you like light-hearted Christmas murder mystery books filled with cinnamon spice and snowy vibes, this is a winner. 

I kept wishing I could step into the pages and help solve the case while sipping hot cider. 

It’s one of the most delightful Christmas cozy mysteries I’ve read in a while. 

The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict

A killer sends jigsaw puzzle clues leading to upcoming murders and I was immediately hooked.

Edie, a puzzle setter and Christmas skeptic, finds herself pulled into a deadly game that unfolds like a holiday-themed thriller. 

I was completely hooked by the clever clues and the tension that builds with each day. 

What made it stand out for me was how it combined that traditional British cozy mystery feel with a truly suspenseful and clever plot. 

The snowy village, the personal stakes, the countdown to Christmas – it all gave me goosebumps. 

If you’re craving a dark Christmas crime novel with puzzles, suspense, and snow, this one is such a great pick. 

It’s different, fast-paced, and impossible to put down once you start. Definitely a favorite Christmas mystery with a chilling edge. 

Christmas is Murder by C.S. Challinor

This book has everything you want in a classic English Christmas mystery: a snowy manor, a blizzard, and a killer hiding among the guests. 

I loved the cozy-yet-deadly feel of it – think Clue meets Christmas dinner. 

Rex Graves is such a great sleuth, and the way he tries to enjoy the holiday while figuring out who poisoned a guest made me chuckle and lean in at the same time. 

The storm traps everyone together, which adds so much tension.

It wasn’t overly Christmassy, which I kind of liked, because it made the darker parts stand out even more. 

If you love locked-room style holiday mystery books set in snowy countryside hotels, this one is a must-read. 

It’s clever, atmospheric, and makes you second-guess everyone. A lovely start to a series that feels both cozy and full of clever danger.

Murder for Christmas by Francis Duncan

If you love your holiday mysteries with that classic British charm, this is such a cozy, old-fashioned gem. 

Mordecai Tremaine is a retired tobacconist and amateur sleuth invited to a country house for Christmas – only for the party to be interrupted by a dead body dressed as Santa. 

I had such a good time reading this; it felt like watching an Agatha Christie-style movie with hot tea and a blanket. 

The setting is beautiful, the guests are full of secrets, and Mordecai is clever but warm-hearted. 

I liked how it balanced festive traditions with real tension.

If you’re hunting for vintage Christmas mystery novels with snow, secrets, and a dash of romance, this one’s perfect. 

It’s a comforting and clever read that’s fun to return to every holiday season.

A Christmas Homecoming by Anne Perry

This one’s got that perfect mix of eerie suspense and holiday charm. I loved the dramatic setting – Whitby, a snowy English village, full of ghosts and Gothic vibes. 

Caroline, from the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, is part of a theater group preparing a play when a stranger arrives and then a murder happens. 

There’s something about mystery Christmas books set in remote mansions that makes them so special. 

This one really pulled me in with its stage drama, snowstorms, and hints of something dark just beyond the curtains. 

It’s a little spooky, but it ends on a warm note that left me smiling. 

If you’re in the mood for Christmas historical mystery books that feel theatrical, emotional, and filled with wintry tension, A Christmas Homecoming should be at the top of your list.

I hope this list of the best Christmas mystery books has inspired you to try something a little different this holiday season. 

If you love cozy vibes with a side of suspense, these stories are sure to keep you entertained by the fire. 

Don’t forget to check out my other posts for more holiday reading ideas and cozy book recommendations to make your season even brighter.