I love a good mystery, but I don’t always want to watch something that leaves me sleeping with the lights on. These shows deliver the intrigue and clever twists I crave, minus the gore and jump scares.
7
Castle
Watch Castle on Hulu
Castle has a simple but effective premise: Renowned mystery author Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) helps homicide detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) solve various murders in New York City, using his background as a writer to give him insight into the crimes.
It’s not an altogether unserious affair when it comes to the crimes the duo solves, but Fillion’s endless charm lends the show a ton of easy-going levity, and I find myself laughing a lot even when the stakes seem high.
While Castle is more of a case-of-the-week experience, if you’re looking for some overarching stories, fear not. The unsolved murder of Beckett’s mother prior to the show’s start will provide you with plenty of mysterious intrigue. And the chemistry between Katic and Fillion makes their characters’ slow build of a romance just as much of a reason to watch as the cases they solve together.
6
Only Murders in the Building
Watch Only Murders in the Building on Hulu
What happens when you combine the comedic genius of Martin Short and Steve Martin with a little murder? The endlessly hilarious Only Murders in the Building. Martin and Short are joined by the equally funny Selena Gomez as the trio works to solve murders, usually within their apartment building, the Arconia.
Each season focuses on a different murder for the characters to solve while simultaneously working on a true-crime podcast surrounding the crimes they investigate. It’s a clever little send-up on the obsessive culture surrounding unforgettable true crime documentaries, but what really makes Only Murders in the Building work is the main trio’s comedic timing and chemistry. Plus, if you’re looking for A-list celebrity cameos, this series has it in spades.
5
Psych
Watch Psych on Amazon Prime and Peacock
You know that’s right. Psych might be the quintessential cozy crime show. Centering around Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) as a fake psychic who solves crimes for the Santa Barbara police alongside his childhood best friend Burton “Gus” Guster (Dulé Hill), Psych is a hilarious warm blanket of a mystery show that is endlessly quotable.
While mostly self-contained, Psych does feature a few overarching stories, including the much-loved Yin Yang trilogy. Plus, the banter between Spencer and his cop nemesis Carlton Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) never ceases to entertain. And once again, if you’re a sucker for romance like I am, Shawn and Detective Juliet O’Hara’s (Maggie Lawson) odd-couple pairing is a slow-burning romance worth investing in.
4
Monk
Watch Monk on Amazon Prime
You really can’t make a list like this and not include Monk. Tony Shalhoub’s performance as the eponymous Adrian Monk is a revelation (there’s a reason the actor took home three Emmys for the role). Shalhoub plays Monk, a former police officer with obsessive-compulsive disorder who becomes a private detective after the death of his wife.
As you might have guessed, the main pull of Monk is watching how Monk navigates the world around him, solving crimes while dealing with his various phobias and disabilities. While this can be very fun, Shalhoub brings a relatable sadness and earnestness to the role that keeps the show interesting for all eight seasons.
3
Murder, She Wrote
Watch Murder, She Wrote on Tubi
Sometimes you just have to go back to the classics. Murder, She Wrote is an exemplary example of a cozy mystery, with a ton of seasons to keep you sated. Angela Lansbury is brilliant as Jessica Fletcher, a retired teacher who becomes a mystery writer and then decides to take up solving crimes. The unassuming Fletcher is usually dismissed by local law enforcement, but of course, she’s usually the one saving the day.
Murder, She Wrote didn’t often deviate from its weekly structure of having Fletcher just randomly stumble upon a murder, usually within her small town of Cabot Cove. Putting aside that this would make it the murder capital of the world in real life, the show’s premise remains fun throughout, mostly due to the committed performance of Lansbury.
2
Leverage
Watch Leverage on Amazon Prime
Unlike the other shows on this list, Leverage doesn’t really concern itself with characters solving murders. Instead, you get to follow five criminals as they carry out daring heists against evil corporations and corrupt government agencies in the name of the common person. It’s like Robin Hood with corporate espionage and spy thriller elements.
While certain episodes could be a bit dramatically heavy at times, the central cast of quirky characters and the “good guys usually win” mentality of the writing kept things light. And with a cast including the likes of Christian Kane and Aldis Hodge, it definitely doesn’t lack likable stars. The show was even rebooted as Leverage: Redemption in 2021 and airs on Amazon Prime.
1
Midsomer Murders
Watch Midsomer Murders on Tubi
If you thought the murder rate in Cabot Cove was ridiculously high, meet Midsomer Murders. This seemingly never-ending British mystery series (season 24 is currently in production) is set in the fictional Midsomer County. Honestly, it’s a bit ridiculous how many violent crimes take place here, and you’re often left wondering why anyone would want to live here.
Still, there’s a certain British charm to the show, even with its revolving door of main characters and silly motives. If anything, it’s a perfect background noise show for when you’re doing other activities.
Cozy, low-stakes mystery shows seem like they’re never going out of style, and for good reason. Sometimes it’s comforting to have something where you know what you’re getting every single time, and hopefully these shows will provide that for you. Of course, if you’re looking for dark dramas that will hook you from the start, there are options there, too.
