I have a soft spot for cozy mysteries set in the 1920s to early 1930s—there’s just something about solving crimes in a simpler world filled with fashion and fancy roadsters, English manors and exotic locations that pulls me in every time. I’ve recently come across a handful of lesser-known mystery series from that era you may not know about but may deserve a spot on your reading list. If you’re in the mood for something fun, a little vintage, and certainly cozy, these five series are well worth reading.

Amory Ames Mysteries – by Ashley Weaver
Amory Ames is a wealthy young woman with a knack for solving crimes. Set against the backdrop of English society, Amory is questioning her marriage to her charming but playboy husband, Milo. In the first book, Murder at the Brightwell, she agrees to help an old boyfriend solve a mystery, only to have Milo show up—and that’s when the adventure begins. With romance, wit, and suspense, this seven-book series will keep you captive to the very end.

Miss Clara Vale Mysteries – by Fiona Veitch Smith
Clara Vale isn’t your typical 1920s lady—she has a degree in chemistry, no plans to marry, and dreams of working in a lab. Instead, she’s stuck in a library. But when she inherits her uncle’s estate, (and his private detective agency), she finds herself pulled into a deadly case in The Picture House Murders. Could she actually become a detective? I’ve read all four books in this series so far and looking forward to the fifth, coming in April 2025.

Lady Caroline Murder Mysteries – by Isabella Bassett
Lady Caroline is a “disgraced society girl” who’s been shipped off to the French Riviera to become her eccentric Uncle Albert’s assistant. In Murder at the Grand Hotel, she discovers the hotel where her uncle resides is full of quirky guests—and before long, a safe break-in and a murder draw Caroline into the investigation. I’ve only read this first book, but with eight books in the series, I’m excited to see where she travels next.

Hazel Martin Mysteries – by Leighann Dobbs
Hazel Martin is an aspiring mystery writer who receives a mysterious letter from an old friend, drawing her to the English countryside in Murder at Lowry House. There’s tampered medication, suspicious accidents, and plenty of secrets to unravel. With two books available in this new series by this best-selling author, there is sure to be more mystery added.

Henry Fleming Investigates – by Jay Gill
For a cozy mystery with a male sleuth, meet Henry Fleming—a former police inspector turned private investigator. These more recently published mysteries are filled with Agatha Christie type plots–think Poirot meets cozy fiction. In the first book, Murder in Fulbridge Village, Henry visits a friend who becomes accused of murder, and he is the only one who can prove her innocence.

These series might not be as widely known, but they’re full of charm, wit, and a good puzzle to solve. I’ve actually listened to all of these on audiobook, which makes them even more fun—the English accents and great narrators really bring the stories to life.

Have you read any of these? Or do you have a favorite early 20th century mystery series I should check out? I’d love to hear what’s on your cozy mystery shelf!

Disclosure: Photo by Olha Ruskykh via Pexels.com