The holidays are upon us, sleuths! And this year’s gift guide includes some excellent gift choices for the mystery book lover in your life.
I have to admit, I wondered if I could put together a list of new and exciting bookish gifts for the third time. I had the same self doubts last year, and once again, I was needlessly worried: as it turns out, there are so many wonderful gifts out there for us mystery lovers. Gifts that satisfy our bookish needs, as well as items worthy of any sleuth’s discerning eye.
I found so many gifts, in fact, that I even put together a web-exclusive category: “For organized investigators.” Due to Instagram’s 10-image limit on carousel posts, I wasn’t able to put this slide in the catalogue. But the items are here for your amusement.
My personal favorites this year include the Karen Mabon x Agatha Christie pyjamas (a recent birthday gift I received!), the Little Rooms dagger ring (which I own in silver), and the colorful Book Lover Scarf (so, so cute).
This catalogue is brought to you by the Cluesletter, my biweekly email newsletter filled with goodies for lovers of the mystery genre. If you aren’t already, please subscribe here. I’d love to have you on the case!
Note: the prices listed in this post are accurate as of when it was written. Prices and product availability are subject to change. I apologize for any discrepancies or inconveniences you may find.
For cozy readers
Cozy, comfy items to enjoy when you curl up with a whodunit.
- Karen Mabon x Agatha Christie Cotton Pyjama Set. $216, karenmabon.com. Be the chicest crime reader around in this colorful printed set featuring whimsical Agatha Christie covers.
- HEQET Cordless Table Lamp. $20, amazon.com. Light up your book with this rechargeable lamp that can move with you from reading nook to reading nook.
- 221B Baker Street Homesick Candle. $40, storiarts.com. Join Sherlock in his study with this natural soy wax candle. Notes include coffee, butter, and vanilla—perfect to light up during a cozy reading sesh.
- Vintage French Maison DuPré Match Striker. $38, biscuit-home.com. Light up your coziest candles with this match striker inspired by French bars and bistros, which will look great in your reading nook. (Must use with strike-anywhere matches.)
- “Cabot Cove, Murder Capital of the World” T-Shirt. $22, teepublic.com. Nothing says cozy tourist town like a murder every month. This vintage-inspired t-shirt would make Jessica Fletcher proud.
- “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” Agatha Christie Mug. $15, theliterarygiftcompany.com. Pour yourself a cup of tea and settle in to read one of the most influential crime fiction novels of all time.
For culinary sleuths
For fans of those yummy, cozy, murder-y culinary mysteries.
- Bakeshop Mystery Series Stickers. $12, etsy.com. Celebrate a fan-favorite culinary cozy series while you decorate your ereader—or anything else you deem sticker-worthy.
- Haden x Bistro Tile Electric Kettle. $128, anthropologie.com. Serve up tea, coffee, and smiles with this handsome kettle, which even features a French message Poirot himself would be proud of.
- Recipes for Murder: 66 Dishes That Celebrate the Mysteries of Agatha Christie by Karen Pierce. $20, bookshop.org. Enjoy a selection of recipes inspired by classic Christie mysteries—no poison needed.
- “Skully” Skull Teaspoon. $24, nicolettacarlone.com. Stir your tea with this whimsical, totally-not-ominous stainless steel spoon. Available in silver and black finishes.
- “Murder on the Orient Express” Tea Towel. $19, spoonflower.com. Clean up the kitchen and be reminded of one of Hercule Poirot’s most famous cases.
- Chef’s Knife Glass Ornament. $30, surlatable.com. Is it threatening, or is it a kitchen must-have? This glass ornament, marked with “2023,” is a must for the murder-obsessed chef in your life.
For undercover agents
Fun fact: this theme won in my Instagram poll, beating out witchy and true crime themes. Who knew spies were so popular?
- “The Agent” James Bond Three Sock Gift Box. $38, 007store.com. Suit up like Bond with the help of these printed socks, part of the London Sock Exchange x 007 collaboration. Designs include The Agent, The Chute and The Thunderball.
- Lele Sadoughi Palm Springs Sunglasses. $165, nordstrom.com. Every spy needs a proper pair of specs. Otherwise, someone will recognize them! This checkerboard printed pair will have one looking chic while undercover.
- “Shaken Not Stirred” Martini Crossbody. $428, katespade.com. Did you know that Bond’s famous cocktail request actually weakens the drink? Shaking the ice and alcohol waters it down, while stirring doesn’t. Maybe that’s a secret spy hack to stay sober while chasing bad guys (a.k.a., SPECTRE).
- “Shaken Not Stirred” Coin Purse/Key Fob. $48, maryfrances.com. I couldn’t resist also adding this martini keychain, which doubles as a zippered coin purse. Use it for spy purposes; it’s totally discreet.
- “Deny Everything” Bottle Opener Magnet. $10, spymuseumstore.org. Pop open a beer and be reminded not to spill government secrets, all with the help of this magnetic bottle opener.
- Invisible Pen with Light. $6, kikkerland.com. Write secret messages, like bank passwords or nuclear codes, with this invisible ink pen that has a built-in message-revealing UV light.
For dazzling detectives
Jewelry and accessories that are guaranteed to impress. (Yes, I want everything on this list!)
- Bookworm Hair Clip. $8, pieceworkpuzzles.com. Pin back your bangs while you read and show off your literary merit with this pearlescent hair clip with a silver cursive statement.
- Poison Necklace. $90–95, littlerooms.com. Keep your poisons close to heart with this functional perfume-bottle inspired necklace. (I have a feeling Agatha would have loved this . . .)
- Dagger Ring. $48–50, littlerooms.com. This dainty signet ring features a sinister motif with a green CZ stone for a spot of sparkle.
- Book Lover Scarf. $65, etsy.com. A colorful silk scarf featuring a loving homage to classic literature. Wear it while you read, or better yet, show it off at the bookstore.
- Sherlock Detective Agency Books Earrings. $33, vendulalondon.com. Accessorize, dear Watson! These beaded bookstack earrings are the perfect statement piece for any outfit, houndstooth or otherwise.
- “Ravenna” Knife and Heart Brooch. $36, nicolettacarlone.com. A positively killer brooch, featuring an acrylic heart with a removable chef’s knife.
For audio aficionados
Because we all know someone who listens to audiobooks, podcasts, and more any chance they get.
- Chirp Audiobooks eGift Card. From $5, chirpbooks.com. Let your sleuth pick the audiobook of their choosing with a gift card to Chirp Books.
- Audible Gift Membership. From $15, audible.com. Support your audiophile’s audiobook addiction with an Audible gift card.
- Minor III Earbuds with Charging Case. $130, marshallheadphones.com. Quite possibly the chicest way to listen to audiobooks, whether it be on your daily commute, a neighborhood stroll, or while deep cleaning the house.
- Crosley Voyager Portable Turntable. $110, burkedecor.com. An elegant way to listen to audio, whether it be delivered via a prized record or your phone’s Bluetooth connection (because both are possible!).
- Clue: The Movie: Music from the Paramount Motion Picture LP. $30, mondoshop.com. An exclusive soundtrack available in several editions, from Mrs. Peacock to Colonel Mustard. To be played while investigating the death of one Mr. Boddy . . . (Editor’s note: Limited stock is available. I recommend searching this item’s title on Google to find other retailers.)
For junior snoopers
New for this year! A selection of gifts for the nosy youngster in your life.
- Sherlock Holmes Detective Tool Kit. $25, uncommongoods.com. Solve crimes like a young Sherlock with this kit that includes a spy cipher, fingerprint ink, a detective journal, and more.
- TickiT Wooden Hand Lens. $14, amazon.com. A kid-friendly, easy-to-hold wooden magnifying glass, perfect for studying the world and all its hidden clues.
- “The Case of the Missing Bigfoot” Mail Order Mystery. From $99, mailordermystery.com. Kids will solve a mystery with this limited subscription containing five lettermail envelopes and a final package, for ages 9 and up. (Other mystery themes, like pirates and fairytales, also available!)
- Hardy Boys Starter Set and Nancy Drew Starter Set. From $26, target.com. Introduce young readers to the worlds of these iconic teen supersleuths. Each boxed set contains the first five books of the series.
- Kid Detectives &Tee. $28, exlibrisdesigns.co. Celebrate everyone’s favorite childhood books with this ampersand tee featuring the names of some of literature’s greatest—and youngest—sleuths.
For the little grey cells
Puzzles and games to keep your detective senses sharp.
- Murder Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle. $19, uncommongoods.com. Solve a murder, piece by piece! These jigsaw puzzles are guided by a narrative rather than a reference image. The completed puzzle will give you clues to crack the case.
- Retroworks Secret Message Decoder Ring. $22, amazon.com. Send and receive coded messages on the go with this decoder ring, made of stainless steel.
- Dear Holmes: Mysteries By Mail. From $50, shop.dearholmes.com. Sign your super sleuth up for an interactive, subscription-based mystery experience. Clue letters are sent by mail, or can be listened to via a members-only podcast.
- Russian Criminal Playing Cards. $20, amazon.com. Play crazy eights like a criminal with this 52-card deck is inspired by cards made by Russian prisoners during the 1980s.
- Murdle: Volume 1: 100 Elementary to Impossible Mysteries to Solve Using Logic, Skill, and the Power of Deduction by G.T. Karber. $16, bookshop.org. This bestselling book of brain-teasing logic puzzles will keep your deductive detective busy for days (or weeks, or even months!).
- “Sherlock Holmes” World Literature Eraser. $3, shop.mochithings.com. Even genius detectives make mistakes. Make yours vanish with this bookish eraser. (By the by, an eraser makes an excellent companion to Murdle.)
For sleuth-worthy stockings
Small items to stuff in stockings.
- Clobeau Portable Handheld Magnifying Glass. $12, amazon.com. This green and gold magnifying lens is a lovely little trinket to hide in a sleuth’s stocking.
- Chronicle Books After Dinner Amusements: Mini Mysteries. $9, amazon.com. A portable tin of mini whodunits to entertain whoever, whenever.
- Checkerboard Rollerball Pen. $18, papier.com. A whimsical writing accessory with a Sherlock-approved checkerboard print.
- Alfred Hitchcock Ornament. $20, academymuseumstore.com. Keep the Master of Suspense on your tree this season thanks to this charming glass ornament of the famous filmmaker.
- “And Then There Were None” Enamel Pin. $14, theliterarygiftcompany.com.
- “What Would Nancy Do” Enamel Pin. $10, sleuthstyle.co. In times of troubling, puzzling crime-solving, look to this pin as a reminder to sleuth like the iconic Nancy Drew.
- Bookmarked Nail Art Tattoos. $7, lightslacquer.com. Nail a gift for the book-loving lacquerista in your life with these bookish nail art tattoos.
For organized investigators (bonus!)
A web-exclusive collection of gifts for readers who like staying organized. See the very bottom of this post for the bonus catalogue slide.
- Coffee, Tea, Mystery Tote. $25, sleuthstyle.co. Carry your crime-solving accessories (including your current read) in this eco friendly tote featuring a sleuthing silhouette.
- Book Nook™ Reading Valet. $50, uncommongoods.com. Stay neat and tidy while solving literary crime with this tool that holds your book, reading glasses, beverage, and phone.
- Personal Embosser. $40, williams-sonoma.com. No more scrawled inscriptions—this embossing tool is a classy way to make your mark in a book. Customize with your reader’s name.
- Poisonous Plants Notepads. From $13, cognitivesurplus.com. Plot your next fictional murder, or jot down your shopping list, with this pad with a poisonous motif.
- “The Bookish Sleuth” Spiral Bound Journal. $19, sararosettbooks.com. Keep track of your whodunits and what-reads with this mystery-specific reading journal, with undated calendar pages so you can use it anytime. (Also available in non-spiral bound format.)
- Agatha Christie Wooden Bookmark. $6, thebookishdenshop.com. Hold your place while you ponder yet another unpredictable Christie twist with this handmade wooden bookmark, available in three colors.
Like this gift guide? Consider sharing it with friends. I really appreciate it!
Also, one last reminder, make sure you are subscribed to the Cluesletter for more fun mystery content like this.
The full gift guide is available on my Instagram. See the post below, or click here to view it on Instagram.
View the 2022 Holiday Catalogue here, & view the 2021 Holiday Catalogue here.
Bonus Catalogue slide!
