|

Valentine’s Day Themed Mystery Books

While Valentine’s Day themes mystery books are not as popular as, say, Christmas themed mysteries, they do make great gifts for Valentine’s Day for any book lover who enjoys reading a good whodunit, along with the usual heart shaped gifts, mugs and sweets that is customary to give for this love inspired occasion.

Since it is about Valentine, cupid and love, most of the mystery novels with this theme are cozies, which is pretty understandable and expected due to the romantic theme surrounded by some well placed poisonous arrows.

Here are my picks from love themed murder mysteries for your enjoyment. With the exception of some of my favorite books featured right at the top (with a thumbnail book cover photo), the Valentine’s Day mystery books are all listed in chronological order by year.


Death of a Valentine by M. C. BeatonDeath of a Valentine by M.C. Beaton

Published in 2010, in the 26th book in the Hamish MacBeth series, the story takes place in Scotland where Hamish, the police sergeant is getting married and the whole community is excited about it because they love him and his skills, couple with his willingness to always help. Sadly Valentine’s Day is the day when a murder happens through a letter bomb, and Hamish is the one who has to investigate the crime.


The Broken Hearts Club by Ethan BlackThe Broken Hearts Club by Ethan Black

This is the first book in the Conrad Voort mystery series, published in 2000. The title is about a group with the same name of men who had their hearts broken. They initially meet to talk about their pain of being rejected and find consolation in the group, but soon enough the direction turns towards hate and revenge. It is a great psychological thriller with a few explicit erotic acts.

Plenty of mystery, twists and turns, however, that keep you reading to see what comes next.


Claws and Effect by RIta Mae BrownClaws and Effect by Rita Mae Brown

Here is another cozy murder mystery set around Valentine’s Day. It is the 9th book in the Mrs. Murphy series, published in 2002. I found it a relatively ‘brainy’ novel for a love mystery theme, however it was a fun read. Btw if you love reading cat mysteries, this one is a great addition to the sub-genre.

A light read, perfect for the holidays, or for a cozy afternoon over the weekend.


Plum Lovin' by Janet EvanovichPlum Lovin‘ by Janet Evanovich

Plum Lovin’ is a shorter novella (#12.5) in the Stephanie Plum cozy series published in 2007.  If you are familiar with the Stephanie Plum books, then you know pretty much what to expect in this one. Here Stephanie agrees to play cupid for a match maker who has problems with one of her difficult clients. Because it’s a novella, it is a quick read that can be devoured in less than 2 hours if you’re a relatively fast read.

Totally enjoyable, and a great addition for the Stephanie Plum lovers.


Love Lies Bleeding by Susan Wittig AlbertLove Lies Bleeding by Susan Wittig Albert

This is the 6th book in the China Bayleys cozy mystery series by Susan Wittig Albert, published in 1998. The story takes place around Valentine’s Day, when herb shop owner China Bayles is thinking hard about her relationship with Mike McQuaid, especially when it looks like he is having an affair.

Of course, at the same time she has to solve a case, which she does with her usual flair.


For a special mention, how about the entire Lucy Valentine series by Heather Webber, which currently includes 5 books in the series (4 book and a short novella), all focused on love, Cupid, matchmaking and murder.

Furthermore to my picks above, here are a few more mystery books with Valentine’s Day theme, in order of publication.

A Judgment in Stone by Ruth Rendell – a psychological thriller by the British author, published 1977

St. Valentine’s Night by Andrew M. Greeley – standalone novel published in 1989

Deadly Valentine by Carolyn G. Hart – book #6 in the Death on Demand cozy mystery series, published 1990

The Saint Valentine’s Day Murders by Ruth Dudley Edwards – book #2 in the Robert Amiss Mystery series, published 1992

Bleeding Hearts by Jane Haddam – book #11 in the Gregor Demarkian cozy mystery series, published 1994

How to Murder the Man of Your Dreams by Dorothy Cannell – book #6 in the Ellie Haskell Mystery series, published 1995

The Valentine’s Day Murder by Lee Harris – book #8 in the Christine Bennett Mystery series, published 1996

Valentine Murder by Leslie Meier – book #5 in the Lucy Stone cozy mystery series, published 1999

Sugar and Spite by G.A. McKevett – book #5 in the Savannah Reid Mystery series, published 2000

Valentine by Tom Savage – a thriller published 2001

Red Roses for a Dead Trucker by Anna Ashwood Collins – book #2 in the Abigail Doyle mystery series, published 2003

The Scent of Murder by Jeffrey Marks – standalone cozy, published 2004

Murder of a Pink Elephant by Denise Swanson – book #6 in the Scumble River Mystery series, published 2004

Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke – book #7 in the Hanna Swensen mystery series, published 2005

A Catered Valentine’s Day by Isis Crawford – book #4 in the Mystery With Recipes cozy series, published 2007

Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz – one of the few non-cozy mysteries with a Valentine theme, published in 2008

The Chocolate Cupid Killings by JoAnna Carl – book #9 in the Chocoholic Mystery series, published 2009

Cat Playing Cupid by Shirley Rousseau Murphy – book #14 in the Joe Grey mystery series, published 2009

Sucker Punch by Sammi Carter – book #5 in the Candy Shop Mystery series, published 2009

Cupid’s Revenge by Melanie Jackson – book #5 in the Chloe Boston Mystery series, published 2010

Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinlay – book #2 in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series, published 2010

Chocolate Covered Murder by Leslie Meier – book #18 in the Lucy Stone cozy mystery series, published 2011

Valentined by Patricia Rockwell – book #3 in the Essie Cobb Senior Sleuth series, published 2012

Sweet Hearts by Connie Shelton – book #4 in the Samantha Sweet Mystery series, published 2012

Lethal Treasure by Jane K. Cleland – book #8 in the Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series, published 2013

Killing Cupid by Laura Levine – book #12 in the Jaine Austen mystery series, published 2013

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff – published 2013

Death of a Chocoholic by Lee Hollis – book #4 in the Hayley Powell Food & Cocktail Mystery series, published 2014

A Fatal Slip by Meg London – book #3 in the Sweet Nothings cozy mystery series, published 2014

Marked Down for Murder by Josie Belle – book #4 in the Good Buy Girls cozy mystery series, published 2014

The Coniston Case by Rebecca Tope – book #3 in the Lake District cozy mystery series, published 2014

As Gouda as Dead by Avery Aames – book #6 in the Cheese Shop cozy mystery series, published 2015

February Fever by Jess Lourey – book #10 in the Murder by Month cozy mystery series, published 2015

Gilt by Association by Karen Rose Smith – book #3in the Caprice De Luca cozy mystery series, published 2015

<hr />

I will add to this Valentine’s Day mystery themed books list as authors will published more storieswith cupid and murder.

[related-posts]

Similar Posts

13 Comments

  1. I’ve only read a couple of these. What a fun and unique approach to the holiday. I’ll have to snag a couple more of these titles and read them next month.

  2. Love Lies Bleeding sounds pretty intriguing! I didn’t even realize I could search for books themed by a holiday like Vday!

  3. What a fun post! I know that so many people hate Valentine’s Day, but I really love it and a good mystery. 🙂 I like books that really make me think, so I may have to check out the series that Claws and Effect is in. The Broken Hearts Club sounds really good, as well; I feel like I have heard of that title before, but I may just be imagining that! LOL Thanks for sharing these titles; I’m always looking for new books to try!

  4. The Broken Hearts Club sounds like my kind of book! I might just have to purchase that one to read for a trip that is coming up. Thanks for the ideas.

  5. Loves Lies Bleeding sounds like a good one to me, or maybe Death of a Valentine. I love mysteries! Thanks for all these great suggestions. I’ve never read a Valentine’s mystery but it seems kind of fitting somehow. Lovers scorned and all…

  6. Death of a Valentine sounds a good read i am just getting back in to reading,can not believe we are already talking about valentines lol.

  7. It’s crazy how fast Valentine’s Day is coming up, but what better way to celebrate than with a good book?? 🙂

  8. I have read all of Janet Evanovich’s books except the Stephanie Plum books. I’ve been slowly picking them up the the thrift stores, and thought I had them all (saving them for this summer’s reading) but I don’t have Plum Loving! I will have to be on the lookout for that one now 🙂

  9. I love Stephanie Plum. I haven’t read Plum Lovin‘ though.. Thank you for this. I am off to check out the library 🙂

  10. How did I miss reading Plum Lovin‘ by Janet Evanovich-I thought I had read all her books exept possibly the most current. Now I have to go and grab this novella and read it real quick!

  11. Love Lies Bleeding sounds very interesting to me. I am into herbs and just maybe they will talk about them in this book… Maybe not. No matter, it still sounds very interesting.

  12. Claws and Effect sounds GOOD! I have not read a “cat mystery” before; I may have to give this one a try. Thanks for the review, as always. 🙂

    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *