20 Cozy Mystery Books with Supernatural and Secluded Settings (1980-1999)

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, there's nothing quite like curling up with a good book on a chilly autumn evening. With October just around the corner, it's the perfect time to indulge in some atmospheric, spine-tingling reads that capture the essence of the season. What better way to embrace the fall spirit than with a selection of cozy mysteries that blend supernatural elements with secluded settings?

This list features 20 engrossing novels published between 1980 and 1999, each offering a unique blend of mystery, suspense, and autumnal atmosphere. From haunted bookshops to isolated mountain lodges, from ghostly detectives to cursed small towns, these stories provide the ideal escape as the days grow shorter and the nights become longer.

So grab your favorite warm beverage, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, and prepare to be transported to worlds where secrets lurk in the shadows and every creaking floorboard might hold a clue. Whether you're a longtime fan of the genre or new to the world of cozy mysteries, this list offers something for everyone looking to add a touch of intrigue to their fall reading list.

Let's dive into these captivating tales that perfectly capture the mysterious and magical spirit of the autumn season!

For mystery lovers who enjoy a touch of the supernatural or the thrill of isolated locations, the 1980s and 1990s offer a treasure trove of cozy mysteries. This list features 20 engaging books published between 1980 and 1999, each set in a haunted location, secluded cabin, dense forest, or rugged mountain terrain. Grab a warm blanket and prepare to be transported to these atmospheric settings where mystery and intrigue await!

1. **"The Ghost and Mrs. McClure" by Alice Kimberly (1985)**

   In this charming series opener, young widow Penelope McClure runs a bookshop in a small Rhode Island town. When she discovers the ghost of a 1940s private investigator haunting her store, they team up to solve modern-day mysteries. The blend of spectral sleuthing and quaint coastal setting makes for a delightful read.

2. **"Murder at Midnight" by Marshall Cook (1991)**

   Set in a remote mountain lodge during a blizzard, this classic locked-room mystery follows amateur sleuth Monona Quinn as she investigates a murder among the stranded guests. Cook masterfully builds tension as the isolation and suspicion mount, creating a cozy yet thrilling atmosphere.

3. **"The Haunted Bookshop" by Christopher Morley (1983 reprint)**

   Originally published in 1919 but reprinted in 1983, this beloved mystery revolves around strange occurrences in a Brooklyn bookshop. While not strictly supernatural, the book's atmospheric setting and literary ghost story vibes earn it a spot on this list.

4. **"Aunt Dimity's Death" by Nancy Atherton (1992)**

   Lori Shepherd thought Aunt Dimity was just a character in her mother's bedtime stories. But when she inherits a cottage in the English countryside, Lori discovers Dimity was real – and her ghost needs help solving a decades-old mystery. This cozy paranormal series starter perfectly balances whimsy and intrigue.

5. **"The Ghost Orchid" by Carol Goodman (1997)**

   Set in a crumbling Catskills hotel famous for its healing springs, this atmospheric mystery blends ghost stories, local legends, and long-buried secrets. When a writer arrives for a retreat, she becomes entangled in both past and present mysteries surrounding the hotel and its ghostly inhabitants.

6. **"Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie (1980 reprint)**

   While not supernatural, this classic locked-room mystery set on a snowbound train captures the essence of isolation. The 1980 reprint introduced Christie's masterpiece to a new generation, cementing its place in the cozy mystery canon.

7. **"The Darling Dahlias and the Confederate Rose" by Susan Wittig Albert (1998)**

   Set in 1930s Alabama, this series features a garden club that solves mysteries. In this installment, the Dahlias investigate strange occurrences at a supposedly haunted mansion. The small-town Southern setting and hints of the supernatural create a unique cozy atmosphere.

8. **"The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts" by Lilian Jackson Braun (1990)**

   Part of the beloved "Cat Who" series, this entry sees journalist Jim Qwilleran and his psychic Siamese cats investigating a haunted apple barn. Braun expertly weaves small-town charm with gentle supernatural elements for a comforting yet intriguing read.

9. **"The Haunted Cabin Mystery" by Gertrude Chandler Warner (1991)**

   While technically a children's book, this entry in the Boxcar Children series captures the essence of a cozy cabin mystery. The Alden children's vacation takes a spooky turn when they encounter strange noises and missing objects in their rented cabin.

10. **"Ghost Story" by Peter Straub (1980)**

    Though more horror than cozy, this iconic novel set in a small New England town deserves mention. A group of elderly men gather to share ghost stories, unaware that their past is coming back to haunt them – literally. Straub's masterful prose creates an eerie, immersive atmosphere.

11. **"The Clue in the Shadows" by Carolyn Keene (1980)**

    This Nancy Drew mystery, while aimed at younger readers, embodies the spirit of cozy supernatural sleuthing. Nancy investigates strange occurrences at a lakeside cabin, blending ghostly encounters with classic detective work.

12. **"Death by Darjeeling" by Laura Childs (1999)**

    Set in Charleston, South Carolina, this series opener introduces Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. When a guest dies at a historical society meeting, Theodosia investigates amidst rumors of a curse and ghostly activity. The charming Southern setting and tea shop coziness balance the mystery perfectly.

13. **"The Banshee's Walk" by Sharyn McCrumb (1998)**

    Part of McCrumb's Ballad series set in the Appalachian Mountains, this novel blends folklore, history, and mystery. When an archaeologist disappears while researching a centuries-old tragedy, locals whisper about the legendary "Banshee's Walk" and its ghostly guardian.

14. **"Widow's Watch" by Eileen Dewhurst (1993)**

    Set in a remote Welsh coastal village, this atmospheric mystery follows a woman who inherits a clifftop house with a tragic history. As she uncovers secrets about the previous occupants, she must determine if the danger she faces is supernatural or all too human.

15. **"The Quilter's Apprentice" by Jennifer Chiaverini (1999)**

    While not strictly a mystery, this novel that launched the Elm Creek Quilts series features elements of historical secrets and ghostly presences. Set in a rural Pennsylvania manor house, it combines quilting lore with gentle suspense and hints of the supernatural.

16. **"Bootlegger's Daughter" by Margaret Maron (1992)**

    The first in the Deborah Knott series, this award-winning mystery is set in rural North Carolina. While investigating an old murder, Deborah encounters local superstitions and hints of otherworldly influences. Maron's rich portrayal of Southern small-town life adds depth to the mystery.

17. **"The Face on the Mountain" by Eileen Goudge (1996)**

    Part of the "Swept Away" series, this YA novel follows a teenage girl who visits her grandmother's mountain cabin and becomes entangled in a ghostly mystery involving a long-ago tragedy. Goudge expertly balances coming-of-age themes with supernatural suspense.

18. **"The Bungalow Mystery" by Carolyn Keene (1980 reprint)**

    Another Nancy Drew mystery, this 1980 reprint introduces the series to a new generation. Nancy's lakeside vacation turns into a sleuthing adventure when she encounters a mysterious bungalow and strange lights in the forest.

19. **"The Cater Street Hangman" by Anne Perry (1981)**

    While not supernatural, this Victorian-era mystery captures the atmospheric tension of a neighborhood gripped by fear. Set in a London suburb, it introduces Charlotte Pitt as she investigates a series of murders, perfectly balancing period detail with suspenseful mystery.

20. **"The Mislaid Magician" by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer (1999)**

    Concluding our list is this delightful blend of Regency romance, magic, and mystery. Set in the English countryside, it follows a married couple investigating the disappearance of a magician and strange occurrences along a new railway line. The cozy setting and magical elements create a unique and charming mystery.

These 20 cozy mysteries offer a perfect blend of supernatural intrigue, secluded settings, and engaging puzzles. Whether you prefer ghosts, haunted locations, remote cabins, or mysteries set against the backdrop of forests and mountains, this list has something for every fan of atmospheric mysteries from the 1980s and 1990s. Happy reading!