This is an incomplete list of cozy mysteries with diverse protagonists. I’m collecting, updating, and organizing as I can, so if you know something is missing, please let me know by emailing me at connie (at) bookechoes.com.
I threw out this idea on a podcast episode, but, of course, this has turned out to be a huge undertaking! For right now, I’m linking to other lists elsewhere (not all of which are cozy or lighthearted) along with other suggestions listed out here, with the eventual plan to sort, organize, and provide links as I can. I’ll work on it a bit every week until I have something that looks nice, and then update periodically.
This is simply a list of what I have found and not an endorsement of the quality of representation. I’d love to read all these books someday, but have not done so yet.
Recommendations on POC cozies from Smart B*tches, Trashy Books
Goodreads thread on multicultural cozies
These super-organized lists from the Crime Writers of Color site
Article on Book Series in Order on Sophie Katz’ humorous mysteries starring a black Jewish sleuth
Tamara Woods’ Beach Book Cozy Mystery series features a black woman sleuth solving crimes in Hawaii.
P.D. Workman features mental illness representation in protagonists and transgender representation in a sidekick character in her series.
Josh Lanyon writes cozies featuring LGBT+ representation in the sleuths.
Two of my own series (The Millie Monroe Mysteries and The Emmie and Dessa Mysteries) feature queer sleuths. (Emmie and Dessa’s book one might not quite fit the bill, though. Dessa was a sidekick character in that one, but I loved writing her so much that I promoted her to a POV character and full-fledged co-protagonist for rest of the series.)