Hercule Poirot might hope for a Christmas uncomplicated by murder, but mystery lovers know there’s nothing cozier than reading about murder by the light of a crackling fire and glowing Christmas tree. Need some gift ideas for the mystery lover in your life? I’ve got you covered.

Spooky season is over, and now it’s time to start thinking about the holidays. According to all the news outlets, shipping delays are going to wreak havoc with this year’s holiday gift orders, so we should get a head start on shopping if we want to have packages under the tree. That’s not good news for people like me who can’t get into the holiday shopping spirit until at least the day after Thanksgiving.

But lucky for you, I’ve done the hard work and rounded up 10 great gift ideas for the mystery lover in your life so you can get your shopping started. Ho ho ho!

(Oh and just in case you have some orders that end up spending the holidays on a container ship, check out my free printable Reindeer Check!)

Luxury Edition Clue Board Game — $299

We are big fans of the Clue game around here. We started out with my 1980s era board, then added a new Clue Master Detective set a few years ago. This one, though, this is the dream. At $299, it’s a splurge, but I love everything about this set. The colors, the storage drawer, the swivel base . . . if you have someone on your gift list that loves Clue, this would be sure to put a big smile on their face on Christmas morning!

Upcycled Teacups — $24-42

These upcycled teacups are the perfect gift for mystery lovers! Who wouldn’t want to serve their friends (or maybe frenemies?) some tea in one of these. Play it right, and they won’t be sure if they should laugh . . . or not.

Hunt a Killer: The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge — $99-$189

Give your armchair detective the chance to match wits with the great Hercule Poirot in this game from Hunt a Killer in partnership with Agatha Christie Ltd. Based on Christie’s short story, “The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge,” this game provides players with all they need to solve the mystery themselves. It comes in a standard or collector’s edition, and both look amazing, but the wooden box included with the collector’s edition puts it over the top.

Poison Bottle Enamel Pin — $9.99

This cute little poison bottle pin would make a great stocking stuffer! And since it’s only enamel, you don’t have to worry that any arsenic will end up in your tea.

Harney & Sons Death on the Nile Tea — $11

I haven’t tried the Death on the Nile blend yet, but I’m a huge fan of Harney & Sons teas and have quite a collection. This one is definitely on my Christmas list. An herbal blend of chamomile flowers, ginger root, peppermint, coriander seeds, cinnamon chips, whole and ground cloves, and fennel seeds, it’s the perfect accompaniment whether you’re reading the novel or watching either the classic or the new adaptation.

Poirot and Hastings Mug — $16.95

I ordered one of these Poirot and Hastings mugs earlier this year and highly recommend them. The quality is excellent, and the mug is oversized, so your favorite mystery reader won’t run out of tea before they figure out whodunnit.

The Bookish Sleuth Mystery Reader’s Journal — $28.99

This reader’s journal by mystery author Sara Rosett is the perfect gift for any armchair detective. In addition to pages for keeping track of books you’ve read and books you want to read, it also provides a place to record clues and red herrings, a reading habit tracker, and quotes from famous mystery authors.

Hill House of Cabot Cove Keychain — $9.75

While I wouldn’t recommend spending a night at the Hill House motel in Cabot Cove, since a good number of their guests check in but don’t check out, I do love this Hill House keychain made in the style of vintage motel key tags. (Although, I have to cringe a little at calling them “vintage” style. I remember when all motel keys came attached to tags like this.)

Candles for Readers — $20.99

When there’s no fireplace handy, a candle with a crackling wooden wick is the next best thing. And this one sets the mood perfectly with its mix of birch, orange, and gingerbread scents.

Bookshop.org Gift Card — $10-1000

Of course, all readers love to get books for Christmas. But we’re hearing reports of paper shortages that are, in turn, causing book shortages. So to be on the safe side, get your mystery lover a gift card from Bookshop.org. Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. You can specify a specific local bookstore to support, and they will receive the profits from your order. If you don’t specify, the profit goes into a fund that is evenly distributed among indie bookstores. And while you’re there, check out my Bookshop affiliate shop, where I list books that I recommend.

How about you—have you started your holiday shopping yet,
or are you more of a last minute shopper like me?