A mystery arrives at your door.

Cozy mystery stories told in letters and mailed to you. Choose a 24-letter story that arrives twice a month, or a complete 6-letter story in one box.

Shop mysteriesSee how it works
  • 135 REVIEWSRated 4.78 out of 5 stars
  • OVER 12,000 MYSTERIES MAILEDMysteries mailed since 2024
  • GIFT READYSend it straight to their door
  • LARGE PRINTEasy to read, on heavy paper

OUR BESTSELLING STORIES

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WHAT IS LETTERS BY LANTERNLIGHT?

A cozy mystery that arrives as real mail.

Each story is a cozy mystery told in letters with immersive elements such as maps, recipes, notes, and clues from Lydia Bellweather, a journalist in the small town of Huckleberry Hollow. The letters arrive in large, easy-to-read print. Every story stands on its own, so you can start with any one.

  1. 1. Choose a story

    Pick a 24-letter story or a shorter 6-letter one. You pay once, and nothing renews.

  2. 2. Open your letters

    Each letter is the next chapter, with clues and keepsakes tucked inside.

  3. 3. Solve the case

    Read at your own pace and try to solve it before Lydia and Tiger do.

Two ways to read

FEATURED IN & HEARD ON

A little light beyond the lantern.

Stories, conversations, and publications that have shared Letters by Lanternlight.

MADE FOR GIFTING

A present they will remember between deliveries.

Send a complete story box, a mailed mystery, or a keepsake bundle. It is thoughtful, screen free, and ready to become part of someone's reading ritual.Send a complete story box, a mailed mystery, or a keepsake bundle. Printable reveal cards make the gift feel real on the day.

  • Choose a story for yourself or as a gift
  • Printable gift notice available
  • Free USA shipping on story formats
Explore gifting FOR THE GRANDKIDSKids’ storiesCozy cases written for ages 7 to 10.Shop kids’ stories

FROM OUR READERS

Readers who finish one story come back for the next.

4.78 out of 5 from 135 reviews

  • “I bought these for my sister-in-law who loves to read a good mystery and loves getting mail. So, they are perfect…”

    Lisa M Stroud

  • “Sent it to my best friend and she loved it!! Said it was one of the best gifts she’s ever received.”

    Anonymous

  • “I am having fun with the mystery. Your product is so much more than I expected. Waiting on the letters is part of the fun!”

    Nicolette W Creel
Dawn Porter at her writing desk, holding a Letters by Lanternlight envelope

FROM THE AUTHOR

Every letter is written, printed and mailed by me.

Every story is written by me, and every envelope is addressed and mailed by me. I’m Dawn Porter. I live in Sandy, Utah, with my family, our dogs and a horse.

I spent more than twenty years as a grant writer before starting Letters by Lanternlight to bring back the joy of a story you can hold in your hands. Huckleberry Hollow is fictional, but much of it is inspired by my own life, including Tiger.

I write every story and work with a local printer to bring each letter and keepsake to life. Then I address and mail every letter myself.

When you write in, you’ll hear back from me. If a letter goes missing in the mail, I’ll send you another one. Many readers even send me Christmas cards.

With warmth and mystery,
Dawn

Read more about Dawn

BUNDLE & SAVE

More mysteries. More mail. Better together. More mysteries. Better together.

Pair current collections and keepsake bundles for gifting, sharing, or keeping the clues coming. Pair favourite cases for gifting, sharing, or keeping the clues coming.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A few answers before the first letter arrives.

Everything you need to know about story lengths, mailed chapters, gifting, and what waits inside each envelope.

Stories arrive as sealed letters with clues to explore. A 24-letter story sends two letters each month for 12 months. Six-letter mini-mysteries arrive together in a story box; select 24-letter stories offer a box too.