Download your free cozy mystery today!
Download your free cozy mystery today!
Learn more about Victoria, her writing and the inspiration behind her books, or how to get in touch.
Cozy mystery author Victoria Tait was born and raised in Yorkshire, England, where she developed a lifelong love of tea, British traditions, and cozy crime fiction. Inspired by the works of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Murder, She Wrote, she writes cosy mysteries infused with her signature British charm.
Victoria’s love of the Cotswolds developed while her family was based nearby with the military. She enjoys exploring country villages and stately homes, as well as visiting antique centres and auction houses. These visits provide inspiration for her stories.
Victoria has a weakness for afternoon tea and she can’t resist a fruit scone topped with homemade jam and clotted cream. Her characters often discuss clues and suspects while enjoying a tasty meal.
Earl Grey, Dotty’s feline companion, is based on a cat belonging to Victoria’s two nieces. Victoria had to give her own cats away during one of her family’s moves abroad.
With intrigue, surprises, and a touch of humour, her mysteries are best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
Hear about my new books, the places I visit and the research behind my mysteries. Plus your free prequel.
Victoria writes cozy murder mysteries featuring observant female sleuths, believable characters and puzzling crimes. Antiques, food, friendships and family relationships are woven into the investigations, with humour and a strong sense of place. Her five series take readers from Cotswold villages, cafes and auction houses to Kenya and destinations including the Azores, Morocco and Malta.
Start with Hour is Come, the free prequel to the Dotty Sayers Antique Mysteries. It introduces Dotty, Keya, the auction house and several of the main characters in Victoria’s connected Cotswold world. The Dotty Sayers Antique Mysteries are the first series in that world, although each series can be read independently. Visit the Free Books page to download your copy, or explore the Library to choose another series.
Each book has its own mystery, but the characters’ lives and relationships develop throughout each series. Reading in order lets you follow those changes and avoids learning about earlier events before you reach them. Visit the Library for the reading guide, which suggests a route through the connected Cotswold series. Other series can be read independently.
These series share characters and the fictional village of Coln Akeman. The Dotty Sayers Antique Mysteries follow Dotty’s work and investigations, while the Waterwheel Cafe Mysteries follow Keya Varma. Their stories continue together in the Cotswold Antique Mysteries. Georgina Carey also appears in the earlier books before her travels begin in the Treasured Journey Mysteries. Each series can be read independently, and the Kenya Kanga Mysteries follow a separate cast.
The books contain murder investigations, but no graphic violence, swearing or sexual content. The focus is on clues, suspects, motives and the people involved. Romance develops alongside some investigations, together with friendships and family relationships.
Many are. Victoria draws on places she has lived in or visited, including the Cotswolds, Kenya and the destinations in the Treasured Journey Mysteries. Local history, food, traditions and everyday details help shape the stories. Coln Akeman, its antiques centre, auction house and Waterwheel Cafe are fictional. Visit the Snug for articles about locations, research and the inspiration behind the books.
Many are. Victoria draws on places she has lived in or visited, including the Cotswolds, Kenya and the destinations in the Treasured Journey Mysteries. Local history, food, traditions and everyday details help shape the stories. Coln Akeman, its antiques centre, auction house and Waterwheel Cafe are fictional. Visit the Snug for articles about locations, research and the inspiration behind the books.
