5 Must-Watch Picks for Any Cozy Mystery Reader
I love a good mystery show, especially ones involving super-sleuthing detectives. I’ve seen so many over the years, but here are some picks of shows that I’ve enjoyed and recommend for any avid cozy mystery reader. To see even more recommendations, click here.
The Cases of Mystery Lane
Alden and Birdie Case find a new way to keep the mystery in their marriage alive. Alden takes classes to become a private investigator, and Birdie may hold the key to solving one of his mysteries.
I love movies/tv series that give me a cozy mystery feel and this one absolutely delivered on that. It feel refreshing and new from other mystery Hallmark movies because of how realistic the couple seemed, plus watching the mystery unravel was intriguing. I really hope they turn this into a series of films because I would love to watch more of this duo onscreen. I appreciated that this film breaks the Hallmark mold and created these layered main characters that the audience really wants to get to know. It’s funny, suspenseful, and I felt the plot was well written. There are two TV films in this series and hopefully they will had more to this series.
Diagnosis Murder
Dr. Mark Sloan is chief of Internal Medicine at Community General Hospital — and sometime consultant to the local police department. When he’s drawn into a case, he combines sleuthing and medicine to solve the crime. That crime is usually one his detective son, Steve, is working on as a member of the local police department. Dr. Sloan’s medical colleagues, including doctors Amanda Bentley, Jack Stewart and Jesse Travis, are also frequently drawn into his investigations.
So like most shows I grew to love growing up, I learned about Diagnosis Murder via reruns on classic TV stations. It stars the one and only Dick Van Dyke, who does a fantastic job as the main character Mark who works as a doctor and a part-time amateur sleuth. What makes this show for me its main cast of characters and how they bond together and develop individually over the course of series. The show has the right balance of suspense, drama and comedy making it an entertaining watch for each episode.
Miss Night and Day
A woman who magically switches ages is caught between two generations and a tough boss as she struggles to juggle her life in her twenties with her fifties as love, life and family weave their way through the years.
Though at first glance with the synopsis this looks like another coming-of-age K-Drama, I feel the show has more to offer beneath the surface. The fantasy element of having the main character Mi-jin shift ages between night and day gives the show a fun twist. Not only is the drama about coming-of-age but there is also a heavy mystery element as Mi-jin ends up working with a tough as nails prosecutor and gets involved in some of the cases. Her amateur sleuthing definitely needs some work, but her resilient attitude and fleshed out character is what keeps the viewers tuned into her story.
The Woman Across the Street from The Girl in the Window
Watching the world go by from her living room window, heartbroken Anna sets her sights on a handsome new neighbour until she witnesses a gruesome murder.
Though listed as a mystery comedy, this show is still a bit darker than the other entries on this listed on this list and is more of a dark comedy. Though it is a parody of the tropes and notable bestselling titles as mentioned in its title, there are many heavy emotional scenes. The show itself has the formula of a classic thriller with most of the cast dying and the least likely person to be the killer, but the ending is still surprising in a good way. It’s a fast-paced watch that kept me glued to my seat for each episode glued to my seat the entire time.
Bitter Blood
Rookie detective, Sahara Natsuki, is assigned to the Investigation Division of the Ginza police station. Here he has an unexpected reunion with his father and veteran detective, Akimura Shimao, from whom he has been estranged since his parents’ divorce. They find themselves unwilling partners, butting heads repeatedly. Over time, however, Natsuki learns more about how to be a good detective from his father, and possibly how to let go of their past.
Not going to lie, I watched this show initially since I’m a huge fan of Takeru Satoh (who also does an amazing job in the live action Rurouni Kenshin films!). This show is action-packed, full of heart, and has a buddy cop duo that has a wacky dynamic. It has many elements of mystery and suspense, but most of all it is a comedy that is over the top and doesn’t take itself too seriously at all. This factor makes it a very easy watch because of its nonsensical nature. It’s enjoyable and I appreciated the story of father/son duo that works to mend their relationship through their work partnership.
What other mystery-themed shows do you enjoy/recommend watching? Comment below!
