A cozy, delightful TBR (To-Be-Read) Prompt Game inspired by the warm, quirky worlds of cozy mysteries! This game combines fun bookish settings—like bakeries, bookstores, and coffee houses—with character-driven prompts. You can play monthly, weekly, or even use it as a seasonal reading challenge.
☕📚 The Cozy Mystery TBR Game: “The Curious Chapter Café” 🧁📖
Welcome to The Curious Chapter Café, where every cup of coffee, sweet treat, and well-loved book leads to your next read. Draw prompts from four charming locations:
1. The Buttered Pages Bookstore
Where books smell like cinnamon and every shelf holds a mystery.
Prompts:
📕 “Signed First Edition” – Read a book by an author you've never tried before.
📗 “Local Author Table” – Read a book set in your home state or country.
📘 “Reading Nook Surprise” – Choose a book from your TBR using a random number generator.
📙 “Re-Read Recommendation” – Revisit a book you loved years ago and see how it holds up.
2. The Perk & Whisk Coffee House
Cozy corners, latte foam art, and espresso-fueled sleuthing.
Prompts:
☕ “Barista’s Favorite” – Read a book someone recently recommended to you.
☕ “Latte Layers” – Pick a book with multiple POVs or a dual-timeline.
☕ “Caffeine Fix” – Read a fast-paced cozy or thriller.
☕ “Mismatched Mug” – Read a book outside your usual genre.
3. The Flour & Whisk Bakery
Where every pastry is a clue and every cookie tells a story.
Prompts:
🧁 “Secret Recipe” – Read a book with a secret, hidden identity, or twist.
🍩 “Holiday Special” – Choose a book set during a holiday or season.
🍪 “Bake It ‘Til You Make It” – Read a book that’s been on your shelf for more than a year.
🎂 “Cupcake Capers” – Read a cozy mystery involving food, pets, or crafts.
4. The Sleuth Society Tea Room
Run by characters from your favorite cozies who just love to give suggestions.
Guest Prompts:
🕵️ Miss Marple Suggests: “Pick a book that starts slow but builds steadily—no rush, just clues.”
🍷 Aunt Poppy from Southern Peach Mysteries Says: “Read a book with ‘sweet’ in the title or something set in the South.”
🐱 Mrs. Hudson’s Cat: “Choose a book with an animal sidekick or cover art featuring an animal.”
🧣 Aurora Teagarden's Pick: “Read a book that involves a book club, library, or amateur sleuth.”
💌 Tori Rae Suggests: “Pick a book that helps you grow in kindness, forgiveness, or faith.”
📦 Optional Add-On: Mystery Grab Bag
Write a few of your TBR titles on slips of paper, toss them in a cozy teacup or cookie tin, and pair with the location prompts above. Example:
Prompt: “Secret Recipe”
Mystery Grab Bag Pick: The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams
Wouldn't it be fun to have Topper from those old black and white movies and the ghost couple who drove him bananas be the Cozy Mystery TBR Game mascots?
Yes, that would be so much fun! Topper—especially with his bewildered charm and the playful ghost couple from the classic films—would make perfect mascots for a Cozy Mystery TBR Game. They bring just the right mix of quirky mischief and vintage charm. You could have:
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Topper as the slightly confused but endearing host of the game.
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The ghost couple, George and Marion Kerby, as the mischievous prompt-givers who pop in with challenges, clues, or book recs.
For example:
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Marion might float in and say, “Read a book with a glamorous suspect.”
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George could quip, “Pick a mystery with a ghost—but not as charming as me, of course!”
🃏 Cozy Mystery TBR Game Prompt Decks
🕴️ Topper Deck – The Gentleman Ghost Guide
Topper’s prompts are curious, nostalgic, and a little offbeat—perfect for shaking up your usual reads.
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“Read a mystery set in the 1920s–1950s.”
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“Pick a book with a ghost or haunting (real or faked).”
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“Read a cozy with a clueless but lovable male lead.”
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“Choose a story where something goes missing—besides the victim!”
👻 George & Marion Kerby Deck – The Mischievous Ghost Duo
They deliver cheeky, fun, and unpredictable challenges—often with a wink and a dare.
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“Read a book with a sassy sidekick.”
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“Find a mystery with a glamorous party scene.”
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“Read a cozy where the main character breaks a rule.”
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“Choose a book where a ghost plays a role—or is rumored to.”
🍪 Hannah Swenson Deck – The Cookie Jar Sleuth
Sweet but sharp, these are homey prompts with a delicious twist.
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“Read a mystery where food, recipes, or baking play a big role.”
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“Pick a book with a recipe in the back (bonus: try making it!).”
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“Read a cozy with a small-town setting and a big-hearted heroine.”
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“Find a book where a pet helps crack the case.”
🕵️♂️ Anarchy Jones Deck – The Country Club Detective
A little gritty, a little snarky, these prompts are from a detective’s eye.
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“Choose a book with a cop or private investigator character.”
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“Read a mystery where appearances are deceiving.”
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“Pick a story with a country club or upper-class backdrop.”
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“Find a cozy that’s part of a long-running series.”
⭐ Special Guests Deck – Rotating Guest Sleuths
You can add your own favorites here—like Rita Logan, Miss Marple, or Tori Rae from your own stories!
Example:
Rita Logan Prompt: “Read a mystery that starts with a rumor or a dare.”
Miss Marple Prompt: “Choose a book with a clever older female sleuth.”
Tori Rae Prompt: “Pick a story where kindness uncovers the truth.”
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