The story of our imprint, our passion, and our commitment to traditional mystery fiction
"Every mystery has a solution waiting to be discovered."
Cosy Crime was launched in 2025 as the specialist mystery imprint of Rhubarb Press, born from our profound love for the Golden Age of Detective Fiction and the enduring appeal of traditional British mysteries. We believe that the best crimes are solved with wit, not weapons, and that a good puzzle should challenge readers whilst remaining entirely fair.
Our imprint focuses exclusively on cosy crime fiction—those delightful mysteries where amateur sleuths solve crimes in small communities, where everyone has secrets but violence stays off the page, and where justice is served alongside afternoon tea. We champion the tradition established by Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and their contemporaries, bringing it to modern readers who still appreciate a well-crafted puzzle.
Based in London but with connections across England and Scotland through our parent company Rhubarb Press, we understand the quintessentially British settings that make cosy crime so compelling. From Cotswold villages to Scottish Highland communities, from country manors to seaside towns—these are the backdrops where our mysteries unfold.
At Cosy Crime, we're dedicated to preserving and celebrating the finest traditions of mystery fiction whilst nurturing new voices in the genre. We work closely with both established and debut authors to craft mysteries that honour the golden rules of fair-play detection.
Our commitment extends to:
Every clue needed to solve the mystery is presented to readers alongside the detective.
Small villages and close-knit communities where everyone knows everyone—and their secrets.
Intricate mysteries that challenge readers to solve the crime alongside the protagonist.
Violence happens off-page, leaving room for character development and atmospheric storytelling.
We work with authors who understand that cosy crime is both an art and a craft. Our writers share a passion for traditional mystery fiction and the skill to create compelling puzzles that respect reader intelligence whilst delivering satisfying resolutions.
Whether you're an established mystery writer looking for a specialist home or a debut author with a brilliant cosy crime manuscript, we offer:
As we build our catalogue of traditional mysteries, our commitment remains unwavering: to publish the finest cosy crime fiction and to support authors who share our passion for puzzle plots and fair-play detection. Whether you're a mystery lover or a mystery writer, we'd love to welcome you to our community.