Whether you live there or like to visit, you’ll love this fun selection of mysteries set in Minnesota.
Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes as well as the setting for some really fun cozy mystery series. If you’re looking for some fun small town settings and lots of quirky characters, look no further than this list of mysteries set in Minnesota. I know you’ll find a series, or two or three, to love!
Once you’re done with Minnesota, check out this list of Mysteries From All 50 States to select your next location.
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Fun Cozy Mysteries Set in Minnesota
Not only will you find a fun Minnesota setting, but you can find a mix of favorite cozy mystery genres. You’ll get crafting, small businesses, bakeries, and library. These books are fun and perfect for binge reading or when you just need a light book.
Needlecraft Mysteries Series by Monica Ferris
The Needlecraft Mystery Series is set at a delightful needlecraft store in Excelsior, Minnesota (a small town near Minneapolis) called Crewel World.
In the first book of the series, you’ll meet Betsy Devonshire who traveled to Minnesota to visit her sister Margot, the owner of the needlecraft store. During her visit, someone murders Margot and Betsy inherits the shop. She grapples with her grief, trying to find a murderer, and deciding what to do with the shop. The cops are increasingly convinced this was nothing more that a robbery that was interrupted. But, Betsy is sure there is more to the story.
This lengthy series (19 books in all) is fun for people who love needlework and small-town life.
Purchase the first book in the series, Crewel World, here
Hannah Swenson Mystery Series by Joanne Fluke
Lake Eden is home to Hannah Swenson and her bakery, The Cookie Jar, along with a whole host of eccentric characters. I’ve loved every single visit there while reading this fun and popular series.
In the first book of the series, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, the beloved dairy deliveryman, Ron, is found murdered behind Hannah’s bakery with her cookies scattered around him. In an attempt to save her reputation because she doesn’t want anyone to think her cookies poisoned Ron, Hannah sets to work finding the killer.
As a bonus, each book in this lengthy series (28 books so far!) contains cookie recipes inspired by The Cookie Jar. This series is perfect for anyone who likes quirky characters and foodie mysteries.
Purchase the first book in the series, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, here.
Magical Cats Mystery Series by Sofie Kelly
This series is an especial favorite of mine because the setting of Mayville Heights is modeled after the Mississippi River towns in southern Minnesota. This in one of my favorite areas of the state to visit. In this series, Kathleen needs a change so she moves from Boston to Mayville Heights to supervise the renovation of their library. A pair of magical cats with interesting abilities soon adopt Kathleen.
In the first book, Curiosity Thrilled the Cat, there is murder at Mayville’s Music Festival and Kathleen in the number one subject. With the help of her cats, she tried to find the murderer and clear her name.
While this series does have a fun pair of magical cats, it’s not too heavy with the magic and is a very fun read. It’s great for anyone who likes a library setting or cat mystery books.
Purchase the first book in the series, Curiosity Thrilled the Cat, here
Murder by Month Mystery Series by Jess Lourey
You’ll get small town Minnesota, humor, lots of fun and some romance too in this series that has been dubbed a romcom mystery. In this series, you’ll meet Mira who moves to a small town to escape a cheating boyfriend and a dead-end job.
In the first book of the series, May Day, Mira meets a good-looking guy soon after moving to Battle Lake. But, that romance soon ends when the good-looking guy is found dead in the stacks in the library where she works. When Mira decides to learn more about the man and the town that she adopted, she learns that there is much, much more to the story.
This series is great for anyone looking a funny mystery series!
Purchase the first book in the series, May Day, here.
Snow Globe Shop Mystery Series by Christine Husom
One thing I love about cozy mystery series are the unique settings. And, this series definitely has one. It’s set in a snow globe/curio shop in Minnesota. In this series, you’ll meet Cami Brooks who returns home from Washington D.C. in disgrace to start over and help run her parent’s store.
In the first book, Snow Way Out, Cami and her best friend decide to host a snow globe making class. After the class, she discovers a mystery new snow globe which features a man sleeping on a park bench. On the way home from that class, she discovers the same tableau in the park. Only the man on the bench is dead. Cami and her friends are all suspects in the murder, so she must do what she can to find the real killer.
This is a fun series for anyone who loves a store setting or crafting mysteries.
Purchase the first book in the series, Snow Way Out, here.
Do you know of any other mysteries set in Minnesota that I can add to my list?
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