Charred, G.P. Gottlieb’s Newest Whipped and Sipped Mystery
& Her Author Guest Post:
Why I Adore Cozy Historical Mystery Series

I recently interviewed G.P. Gottlieb about Whipped and Sipped, her culinary cozy mystery series, which you can read here: G.P. Gottlieb Discusses the Whipped and Sipped Mystery Series. The third book, Charred, just released. To celebrate the book, I invited her back to write a guest post. I expected an article about the series. But instead of an article promoting her own books, this contemporary cozy author surprised me with an essay about her favorite historical mysteries! Read her opinions on historical cozies and then check out my opinion of her books.

Why I Adore Cozy Historical Mystery Series:
& Ten Delightful Historical Cozy Mystery Series That I Loved

By G. P. Gottlieb

I love reading cozy mysteries, particularly those set in the distant past, before television and electronics triumphed over leisurely dinners and evenings of conversation. And I especially adore returning to a much-enjoyed series like the ones I’ve listed below.

I love historic cozies because there’s something about diving into the protagonist’s community, eavesdropping on the protagonist’s inner thoughts, and watching her (because cozy protagonists are mostly women) solve what at first seems to be an unsolvable crime.

And there’s nothing better than knowing that the heroine’s story won’t cease when I get to the end of the book. That only works when it’s part of a series. These are ten series that I go back to again and again:

1. Elizabeth Peters, Amelia Peabody Series, 20 adventure novels with a strong, intelligent female lead, set in Victorian England and Egypt. I love the crisp language, the intriguing historical details, and the vivid descriptions.
2. Jacqueline Winspear,  Maisie Dobbs Series, 18 nearly-cozy, always interesting novels set in 1920s and 30s post-WWI England. Maisie has a winning personality and fabulous trajectory, starting out as a housemaid, then becoming psychologist, and later she turns into a sleuth.
3. Jennifer Ashley, Below Stairs Kate Halloway Mystery Series, 9+ sweet novels about a young cook in Victorian England who bakes seedcakes, has a boyfriend, and solves crimes. Kate is kind, gentle, and has a positive attitude, but she’s suffered. Reading one of these novels is both calming and inspires me to get up and bake.
4. Kathleen Kaska, The Sydney Lockhart Mysteries, 7 novels focused on a reporter-turned-sleuth in 1950s America who visits various hotels around the American South and is continually called upon to solve a crime or two. I’m a big fan of smart and competent women like Sydney, who manage to get their way in a culture that, like many other cultures, demeaned women and their abilities. Also, she’s about my mom’s age!
5. Laurie R. King, Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Mysteries, 19 early 20^th century sort-of-cozy novels (no blood or guts) filled with witty conversations, complex situations, and the novice helper turned wife, Mary Russell. These books are riveting, but I say “sort-of-cozy” because some of the crimes border on gruesome, and the danger is sometimes scarier than in a fully-cozy mystery.
6. Lindsey Davis, The Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries, 20 novels about a clever, smartass 1^st Century sleuth wondering around the Roman empire. I enjoy detailed descriptions of everything from clothes and food to architecture and travel, but I’m always most interested in the class structure of the period. I also like Davis’s Flavia Albia Mysteries, about Marcus’s smart and beautiful adopted daughter who continues his work in uncovering crime. These are riveting characters from a long gone world.
7. Martin Walker, Bruno, Chief of Police Mysteries, 20 food-focused novels featuring a professional police officer, Bruno Courreges, who lives in a small village in the Dordogne region of France and deals with complex crimes. No matter how difficult his day is, Bruno finds time to make the correct wine-paring for whatever he’s planning to serve for dinner. Reading one of these books always feels like a quick vacation in France (except nobody is rude to American tourists).
8. Rhys Bowen, Her Royal Spyness Series, 17 novels set in 1930s England, about a charming and witty young spy who continuously bumps into disturbing situations despite being distantly related to the King. She’s an adorable character and I love the breezy language. I’ve enjoyed some of Bowen’s other novels, but this series is my favorite.
9. Sherry Thomas, The Lady Sherlock Mysteries, 9 novels about a Victorian detective named Charlotte Holmes, who pretends an imaginary male relative is doing the actual sleuthing from his bed (since women are not allowed much leeway). Not sure why I enjoy these books so much – after all, Holmes is the invention of another author, but Thomas does a good job of reinventing the character into someone with something to say to women.
10. Tasha Alexander, Lady Emily Series, 17+ novels set in 19^th century Victorian England and Europe revolving around an intelligent and independent aristocratic woman who keeps stumbling across crimes despite her being in high society. Love the lush descriptions of clothing and manners, not to mention the steamy (but cozy) romance.

I go back to these mysteries when I’m looking for an intriguing read without gratuitous violence, gore, or sex, and characters I’ve come to know over the years. These are well-written, thoughtful mysteries with just a sweet dallop of romance – my favorite kind of reading.

The only challenge is remembering where I am in the series. I’ve already screwed up a few times by purchasing books I’ve already read. But if a year goes by, I might not remember if Kate Halloway had to find a new position or how close Her Royal Spyness, Georgie got to marrying someone unsuitable.

It’s always a toss-up – start a new series or go back to the comfort of old friends. Now that I’ve compiled this list, I might as well go with nostalgia. And anyway, I’ve missed Sydney Lockhart and wonder what she’s up to these days!

What author or series would you add to my list?

The Whipped and Sipped Cozy Mystery Series

Welcome to Whipped & Sipped—where the pastries are guilt-free, the coffee is strong, and the gossip might just get you killed

Murder is on the menu—served warm with muffins and lattes

Battered
by G. P. Gottlieb
Series: Whipped and Sipped #1
Published by Anamcara Press on September 10, 2025
Pages: 284
Genres: Cozy Mystery

Smothered
by G. P. Gottlieb
Series: Whipped and Sipped #2
Published by Anamcara Press on January 30, 2026
Pages: 272
Genres: Cozy Mystery

Charred
by G. P. Gottlieb
Series: Whipped and Sipped #3
Published by Anamcara Press on May 30, 2026
Pages: 284
Genres: Cozy Mystery

Charred
Just Released!

Storybook Lady
Review

I’ll spill the tea-herbal of course. The Whipped and Sipped Mystery Series is a delectable treat. This culinary cozy series centers on a cozy cafe that caters to people who seek a little healthier menu. The food may be healthful, but life around Alene isn’t so safe. In this story, the cafe has switched to a carryout and delivery system to stay in business during Covid. They are managing ok until buildings owned by Ruthie and her husband are burned down and the bodies found have clues that lead back to Ruthie and the cafe. At the same time, Alene’s long lost Ex-con uncle makes a sudden reappearance. Gottlieb weaves together these plots and more in a complicated mystery that will keep you guessing. Whip in keeping secrets from her boyfriend, balancing romance and her young children and dealing with his troubled adult daughter, and Alene’s love life could fall flat. As usual, Gottlieb provides plenty of clues and red herrings to keep even the most seasoned arm chair detective guessing. But the best part of these books are the community of interesting characters. This series is sure to hit the spot. For extra fun the books have several recipes in the afterward!

About G.P. Gottlieb

G.P. Gottlieb is the author of the Charred: A Whipped & Sipped Mystery (Anamcara Press, May 29, 2026), the third in a culinary cozy mystery series. She is on the board of Sisters in Crime Chicagoland and a member of SinC Colorado, MWA, and Blackbird Writers. As host for New Books in Literature, a podcast channel on the New Books Network, she has interviewed nearly 280 authors. If you enjoy culinary cozy mysteries set in Chicago, the Whipped & Sipped Mysteries invite you into a world of friendship, coffee, pastries, and crime-solving without the nightmares.

Learn More about G.P. Gottlieb

Find out more about Author and her books at www.gpgottlieb.com 

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I have a Goodreads shelf dedicated to Cozy Mysteries. Want to read my reviews for books in other genres? I’ve got you covered. There are almost two thousand reviews on Goodreads. Just check out Julie Ditton on Goodreads.