December may sparkle with fairy lights and festive chaos, but it’s also the perfect month to slip quietly out of the mortal fray and into something a little more magical. When the to-do lists get long and the social calendar even longer, I start craving a soft blanket, a steaming mug of tea (or coffee — I never judge), a buttery piece of shortbread, and a story that lets me disappear into another world for an hour or two.
If you’re feeling “peopled out” and ready for a small seasonal enchantment, I’ve rounded up three wonderfully cosy fantasy and paranormal reads — each one brimming with charm, mischief, and just enough magic to refill your emotional teacup.
The Scales of Justice by Tammie Painter
If you love your cozy mysteries served with mythical creatures, 1930s flair, and a healthy dose of silliness, Tammie Painter’s The Scales of Justice (Book 6 in The Circus of Unusual Creatures) is a joyful addition to the genre — and a welcome escape during the winter season.
The story follows Duncan, a dragon detective whose talents include solving crimes and maintaining impeccable omelet standards. When the circus settles into the town of Chesterwood — a place effectively ruled by crime boss Rochester McCleary, better known as The Goblin King — things quickly become… odd. The circus is being hosted on a newly demolished block for free. The Goblin King keeps turning up uninvited. And then someone empties his vault.
When a body is discovered shortly thereafter, Duncan, along with his fellow sleuths Boris and Cordelia, can’t resist the challenge — even if doing so risks attracting the Goblin King’s less-than-gentle brand of attention.
One of Painter’s strengths lies in the small, delightful details that make her world vibrantly absurd:
- Duncan’s ear tassels set in curlers (because of course a dragon has ear tassels)
- Molly the mini-taur’s wig with storage compartments
- A behemoth enthusiastically scrubbing his own undercarriage
These flourishes lend the novel an irresistible charm and ensure that even the background moments sparkle.
The pacing in the first half is a little relaxed, but once the plot threads tighten, the final twist is clever and satisfying — the sort of reveal that retroactively sharpens the earlier chapters.
Final Thoughts
The Scales of Justice is perfect for readers who enjoy humorous fantasy, unconventional sleuths, and mysteries where the mayhem is balanced with warmth and whimsy. You can comfortably jump in here even if you haven’t read the earlier books.
Why pick this one up?
Because sometimes the world needs more dragons, more circus chaos, and more perfectly cooked omelets.
For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn
Jaysea Lynn’s bestselling romantasy For Whom the Belle Tolls delivers a bold, clever take on the Afterlife — and it’s no surprise it became a BookTok sensation. Now there’s a deluxe hardcover edition (stencilled edges, exclusive art, metallic foil — clearly not POD!) is gorgeous, but it’s the story inside that truly shines.
A Fresh Afterlife
Lily’s arrival in death is abrupt and unfair, rooted in a tragically familiar reality: she couldn’t afford the medical care that might have saved her. But within pages, Lynn turns that bleakness into something unexpected — a vibrant, imaginative Afterlife where Deities patiently wait in line at coffee shops
Fae slip between realms as casually as commuters and souls reinvent themselves in surprising, hopeful ways
And then there’s Hell.
Hell, as it turns out, is desperately in need of better customer service — and Lily, drawing on her mortal-life experience and bottled sarcasm, steps right into the role.
Lily: A Standout Heroine
Lily is smart, sassy, courageous, and determined to create meaning even after death. Her voice is one of the book’s greatest strengths, grounding the Afterlife’s chaos with humour and heart.
Her dynamic with Bel, a demon general with a voice that practically drips temptation, is wonderfully handled. Their friendship begins tenderly, grows organically, and simmers with tension.
Pacing & Plot
If there’s one place the book stumbles, it’s that Lily’s Afterlife journey is occasionally a little too smooth — some obstacles collapse conveniently. But the flip side is a story that moves briskly and remains compulsively readable.
Final Thoughts
For Whom the Belle Tolls is inventive, heartfelt, and unapologetically fun — a romantasy with genuine emotional resonance and a heroine worth cheering for. I adored it, and I cannot wait for book two.
Why pick this one up?
Because reinvention — even in Hell — never looked so good.
The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening by Naomi Kuttner
Naomi Kuttner’s The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening is a standout paranormal cozy mystery that blends humour, heartfelt character work, and a reluctant hero who wants nothing more than to be left alone. It’s equal parts quirky and moving — and utterly charming.
A Retired Assassin Who Just Wants Peace
Dante, formerly with MI6, arrives in Te Kohe, New Zealand, convinced he can reinvent himself through gardening, solitude, and sheer willpower. He attends online AA meetings (Assassins Anonymous), dutifully checks in with his therapist, and survives on protein shakes because cooking is beyond him. Te Kohe — naturally — has no intention of letting him hide.
A murder turns his quiet routine upside down, and two locals drag him into their orbit:
- Eleanore, a magnificent, Helen-Mirren-esque older woman with a commanding presence and secrets of her own, and
- Charlie, a shy young gardener who speaks to ghosts and becomes the prime suspect.
Their unlikely partnership is one of the book’s greatest strengths.
Fish-Out-of-Water Humour Done Right
The comedic moments are gold: Dante being instructed on how to eat eggs benedict like a civilized human, his barren home contrasted with a single weapons-stuffed closet, and his baffled attempts to navigate small-town life.
Mystery With Heart
Kuttner weaves paranormal elements effortlessly into everyday life, creating a world that feels both grounded and magical. The mystery is engaging, but it’s the emotional warmth — and Dante’s slow, reluctant opening to others — that makes this story linger.
Final Thoughts
A delightful blend of paranormal charm, heartfelt character arcs, and great humour, The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening is perfect for readers who enjoy quirky, character-driven cozy mysteries with a strong sense of place.
Why pick this one up?
Because even a retired assassin deserves friendship, redemption, and a decent breakfast.
If you pick up any of these books — or if you have a favourite cozy fantasy read of your own — let me know in the comments! I’m always thrilled to hear what readers are escaping into, especially as we head into the final, sparkly weeks of the year.
And if you enjoy magical mischief, tea, found-family vibes, or snarky cats, you might like to explore my own world of Rowanswood. You can grab a free short story, An Oven of One’s Own, A Kitchen Witch’s Guide to Settling Scores:
Download Your Free Rowanswood Story
Wishing you warmth, quiet moments, and just enough magic to carry you through the holidays.
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1 comment
SJ
Great recommendations! Now I need to find some for the other 11 months that I’m peopled out!