Lee Hollis is beloved for cozy mysteries that mix humor, small-town charm, and plenty of food-focused fun. Best known for the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series, Hollis delivers lighthearted whodunits such as Death of a Kitchen Diva.
If you enjoy Lee Hollis, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
Joanne Fluke is a natural pick for readers who love cozy mysteries served with a side of sweets. Her books blend humor, small-town atmosphere, and mouthwatering recipes into entertaining, easy-to-binge whodunits.
Start with Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, which introduces Hannah Swensen, a likable bakery owner in Minnesota who has a habit of stumbling into murder investigations.
If you like your mysteries with a coffeehouse backdrop, Cleo Coyle is an excellent choice. The Coffeehouse Mystery series pairs brisk plots and memorable characters with the cozy appeal of a charming Manhattan café.
A great entry point is On What Grounds, where manager Clare Cosi looks into a suspicious incident involving one of her employees.
Diane Mott Davidson is ideal for readers who enjoy culinary cozies with clever plotting and a strong, memorable lead. Her Goldy Schulz series follows a caterer in Colorado whose talent for cooking is matched by her knack for solving crimes.
Begin with Catering to Nobody, the first book in the series and a lively introduction to Goldy's resourcefulness and wit.
Isis Crawford writes cozy mysteries full of family tension, humor, and satisfying food-centered details. Her Mystery with Recipes series follows two sisters in the catering business, giving the books a warm, lively energy.
Try A Catered Murder is a fun place to start, as the Simsbury sisters juggle family dynamics, delicious dishes, and a murder to solve.
Lucy Burdette combines inviting settings, quirky supporting characters, and flavorful culinary details in her cozy mysteries. Her Key West Food Critic series stars Hayley Snow, a winning heroine whose adventures blend food, local color, and suspense.
Start with An Appetite for Murder for a breezy and engaging introduction to the series.
Paige Shelton writes lively cozies set in welcoming places such as bakeries, bookstores, and small towns. Her stories are packed with warmth, humor, and the kind of easygoing charm that makes them especially appealing to Lee Hollis fans.
If you enjoy culinary themes and quirky communities, try Shelton's Farm Fresh Murder, set at a bustling farmers' market where fresh produce becomes part of the mystery.
Krista Davis offers cozy mysteries that balance humor, food, and inviting domestic details. Like Lee Hollis, she has a knack for creating relatable characters, community warmth, and plots that feel both comforting and entertaining.
The Diva Runs Out of Thyme is a strong place to begin, introducing Sophie Winston as a festive cooking event turns unexpectedly deadly.
Julie Hyzy brings a slightly brisker edge to the culinary cozy mystery while still keeping the tone fun and accessible. Readers who enjoy Lee Hollis's food-centered stories will likely appreciate Hyzy's sharp pacing and engaging characters.
Try State of the Onion, which follows White House chef Olivia Paras as she navigates recipes, danger, and a surprisingly high-stakes mystery.
Ellie Alexander writes cozy mysteries rich in community atmosphere and delicious culinary touches. Her books capture the welcoming, character-driven feel that draws many readers to Lee Hollis in the first place.
Meet Your Baker is a delightful starting point, inviting readers into a charming Oregon bake shop where pastries and murder go hand in hand.
Jenn McKinlay is known for humorous cozy mysteries with relatable heroines, strong friendships, and wonderfully inviting settings. Her stories have the same breezy, entertaining quality that makes Lee Hollis so easy to enjoy.
You might start with Sprinkle with Murder, the first Cupcake Bakery Mystery, in which two bakers find themselves caught up in murder and mischief.
Daryl Wood Gerber writes cozies that combine charm, food, and a strong sense of place. If you enjoy mysteries that feel comforting without sacrificing an engaging puzzle, her books are a great fit.
Final Sentence introduces Jenna Hart, who runs a cookbook-themed bookstore and café and soon finds herself untangling a murder. It's an especially appealing choice for readers who love bookish culinary settings.
Eve Calder's mysteries bring together humor, warmth, and a tempting bakery backdrop. Fans of Lee Hollis will likely enjoy her cozy seaside atmosphere and her cast of likable, lively characters.
And Then There Were Crumbs introduces Kate McGuire, a talented baker in the Florida Keys who soon gets drawn into solving a murder while building a new life.
Maddie Day writes personable, witty mysteries filled with appealing small-town characters and comforting food details. Her stories offer the same blend of warmth, humor, and satisfying sleuthing that Lee Hollis readers often look for.
In Flipped for Murder, readers meet Robbie Jordan, a café owner whose knack for cooking is matched by her instinct for uncovering the truth.
Leslie Budewitz brings warmth, humor, and a well-crafted sense of place to her culinary cozies. Her mysteries should appeal to Lee Hollis fans who enjoy small-town settings, food-centered plots, and inviting casts of characters.
Death al Dente is a strong introduction, following Erin Murphy as she uncovers clues in a murder mystery shaped by friendship, food, and picturesque Montana surroundings.
Miranda Bliss puts friendship, cooking, and fun at the center of her cozy mysteries. If you enjoy Lee Hollis's humorous, character-driven style, her books offer a similarly light and entertaining escape.
In Cooking Up Murder, Annie Capshaw and her friend Eve sign up for a cooking class and end up involved in a murder investigation, with plenty of laughs along the way.
