Who are your favorite Cozy Mystery writers?

[Little Star]

I find that summertime is a good time to pick up a cozy for a quick and easy read. It seems like I have more time for reading longer books during the colder months. So I often read quick, easy cozies the summer.

My favorite cozy writer is:

Carolyn Haines with her "Sarah Booth Delaney Series"

And my second favorite cozy writer is:

Janet Evanovich with her "Stephanie Plum Series"


What's yours???????



I also came across this interesting website called Cozy Mystery List: http://www.cozy-mystery.com/

[Mz Pip]

1. Joan Hess

I love her Arly Hanks series. They take place in Maggody, Arkansas and have a hysterical cast of colorful characters.

[Little Star]

12. These look like a lot of fun to read! Thanks!

They are now on my Cozy List.

[mysuzuki2]

2. what are cozy mysteries?

[Little Star]

3. Here is what wikipedia says...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cozy_mystery

Cozy mysteries are a subgenre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously. The term was first coined in the late 20th century when various writers produced work in an attempt to re-creating the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
(more at above link)


And here is what Cozy Mystery List says:
http://www.cozy-mystery.com/Definition-of-a-Cozy-Mystery.html

What Makes a Cozy Just That?

Imagine your terror at finding out that Jessica Fletcher was moving from Cabot Cove to your neighborhood! Would you stay up at night just wondering when this unassuming, friendly woman was going to befriend you? Would you wonder which of your friends would be the first, and then second, third, even fourth to die? I have loved watching Jessica solve all the murders in Cabot Cove, and then, when she ran out of neighbors, have to move to New York. If you are reading this article about cozy mystery books, you probably have enjoyed watching Jessica solve her way through one community after the next. She is a prime example of a Cozy Mystery Heroine….

Cozy mysteries have become a booming business. Many cozy mystery readers are intelligent women looking for a “fun read” that engages the mind, as well as provides entertainment… something to “look forward to getting back to.” This is not to say that intelligent men don’t read cozies…they do!

The crime-solver in a cozy mystery is usually a woman who is an amateur sleuth. Almost always, she has a college degree, whether she is using it or not. Her education and life’s experiences have provided her with certain skills that she will utilize in order to solve all the crimes that are “thrown her way.” The cozy mystery heroine is usually a very intuitive, bright woman. The occupations of the amateur sleuths are very diverse: caterer, bed and breakfast owner, quilter, cat fancier/owner, nun, gardener, librarian, book store owner, herbalist, florist, dog trainer, homemaker, teacher, needlepoint store owner, etc. These are just a few examples of what the amateur sleuth does…. When she’s not solving crimes, that is!

The cozy mystery usually takes place in a small town or village (click here to read more on the village setting). The small size of the setting makes it believable that all the suspects know each other. The amateur sleuth is usually a very likable person who is able to get the community members to talk freely (i.e. gossip) about each other. There is usually at least one very knowledgeable and nosy (and of course, very reliable!) character in the book who is able to fill in all of the blanks, thus enabling the amateur sleuth to solve the case.

(more at above link)

[boston bean]

4. Sue Grafton (Kinsey Millhone series)

"A" Is for Alibi
"B" Is for Burglar
"C" Is for Corpse
"D" Is for Deadbeat
"E" Is for Evidence
"F" Is for Fugitive
"G" Is for Gumshoe
"H" Is for Homicide
"I" Is for Innocent
"J" Is for Judgment
"K" Is for Killer
"L" Is for Lawless
"M" Is for Malice
"N" Is for Noose
"O" Is for Outlaw
"P" Is for Peril
"Q" Is for Quarry
"R" Is for Ricochet
"S" Is for Silence
"T" Is for Trespass
"U" Is for Undertow

[LWolf]

5. How about a new favorite?

I just read Alan Bradley's first two books about amateur sleuth Flavia de Luce.

One yesterday, one this morning. I put the third, just out, on hold at the library as soon as I got done.

They seem to fit the category, even though Flavia is only 11 years old.

An 11 yo protagonist, but not written for the average 11 yo reader.

It's 1950. That makes Flavia my mother's generation. She's British. Her mother is dead, and she lives on the bankrupt family estate with her two aggravating older sisters, her "eccentric" retired military father, and a shell-shocked handyman. Her family's colorful past includes a great uncle who was a chemist, and a fully stocked antique laboratory, complete with library, that Flavia has taken over. Someday, she'll take her PhD in chemistry. Until then, though, she's an amateur chemist especially fascinated by poisons, crime, and death. She is atrociously dishonest and scheming, shockingly intelligent, and wickedly funny.

When crime occurs, she's on the spot and driving local law enforcement crazy.

This may be the best new material I've read in years.

[Little Star]

8. Seems to me a new favorite is a good thing!

I went over to Amazon.com and took a peek inside the first few pages of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. I will be putting this series on my cozy list! Thanks!

[LWolf]

10. Enjoy! nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. The Southern Sisters Mysteries, by Anne George

Her Southern Sisters mystery series was honored with the coveted Agatha Award.

I have the first one, have not yet read it, but here is link to Amazon's discussion:
http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Girls-Night-Out-Southern/dp/0380780860/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311362345&sr=1-1

I read the "first pages" on the Amazon "Inside Peek" function, seems to be an interesting premise, and I like that the late Ms. George is an Alabama writer, so I expect her characters to ring true, even if the plot does not. We shall see.

[Little Star]

9. I've seen our dear DUer Raccoon mention the..

Southern Sisters Mysteries before. I've got them on my list.

[pitohui]

7. well i thought i hated them all

if evanovitch writes "cozies," that's stretching it, plum's a new jersey bounty hunter who has cheap sex with a couple of "interesting" dudes, and it's sort of a running joke that she destroys a car in each story, at least what i've read so far

true, it's a humor story, nothing deep, but it ain't tea and crumpets w. miss marple

that said, they are all the same, i think i got thru 5 or 6 before i gave up

to me the whole point of mystery/suspense/thriller is lost if there isn't grime, dirt, crime, and angst...a "cozy" mystery is kinda inane on the face of it, there's that one lady, "the cat who" lady who someone left one of her books on the airplane, i couldn't BELIEVE how terrible it was, seemed like something on a level of a mystery you'd read after brain surgery for alzheimer's in the nursing home, it was just a thin tissue of nothing at all

i mean there's cozy and then there's WHO CARES?

[Little Star]

11. Well, you made me chuckle! I must admit that....

The Stephanie Plum Series started to go down hill after a while. However, They cracked me up in the first 6 or 7 releases! I still love the characters.

For me a cozy is suppose to be fun, easy, light and quick reading. When I'm reading a cozy I'm only looking for some mind candy and a couple of chuckles.

To each their own, I guess. :pals:

[Lex]

14. how sad

[Lex]

13. Margaret Maron

and her Judge Deborah Knott series. http://margaretmaron.com/

[Little Star]

15. Hey! I just picked up "The Bootleggers Daughter" the other day!

I haven't started it yet, but it looks good!

[Lex]

16. I can't tell you how much I love that whole series.

Hope you like it as much as I did! :hi:

I think reading them in order is a good idea, but they all stand alone quite well. Bootlegger's Daughter is the first one in the Judge Knott series.

[WCIL]

17. I like the Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton

Agatha sells her PR firm and moves to a village in the Cotswolds. The town takes a while to warm to her, as she is pretty bossy and knows what everyone else should be doing. She is an amateur sleuth in the first several books, but eventually opens her own detective agency.

Beaton also writes the Hamish MacBeth series about a constable in Scotland. I enjoy those, too.

[MaineDem]

18. Sounds great!

And there are quite a few books in the series I see.

[fadedrose]

19. Finally had a chance to go over the cozy site..

I've been ordering 9 more Charlie Moon books, already got 5 books last week. Just l more to go and a new one in November. Doss is on the Cozy list....got some from Abebooks, and some from Amazon. I just couldn't bear returning them to the library ;)

I have to say though, that Doss is not cozy. To me, he is therapeutic. When Congress, the right wing, my husband or kids, being broke, or suffering through a lousy book get me all down, Doss can bring me up.

I have to admit how dumb I was in thinking that serial books were something out of the ordinary, just because *I* wasn't familiar with them. There are thousands of them and there's no way anybody can keep up without a huge staff. The Cozy site will be a lot of work and so far, it's excellent, and I will be a regular there.

Since finding out that I can't keep up with my Serials List, I am going to add the last bunch of authors I've been keeping track of..and some are not "cozy." In keeping with the First amendment, some of these authors write what looks to me like Porn, but I needed to put people in every letter of the alphabet, and X's ain't that easy to come by.

There was a need for this type of list, and Cozy fills it well.

Thanks Little Star....

[Little Star]

20. I don't think Doss is exactly a cozy either!

I was gonna wait and surprise you..... I'm on my second Doss book right now (thanks to you) and loving every minute of it. I am finding those books heart warming, they give me a peaceful feeling and I want to live there! I want to know those people!

I only wish I weren't so busy! Not enough time to read as much as I want to!

I don't feel like my favorite "Sarah Booth Delaney Series" is a cozy series either. To me cozies are very light and funny. Sara Booth can be funny but there is also a very serious side to those novels too.

Oh well, they can call them what ever they want as long as people enjoy picking them up and reading them!

[fadedrose]

21. I'm warning you...

The more time you spend with Doss, the more you'll want to live with him and just listen to him talk. And you will, like me, want to move in with Charlie and his crew. Wait till you meet Daisy's friends and take a few rides with them...phew....you'll love the dog and the horsie...

Charlie stares at the moon, and the silver luminary stares back..

The Creator was very generous decorating the night sky..(not his words, but you get the idea).

The clouds scratch their bellies on the mesas.... I just love this stuff.

Have been trying to avoid you. Guess why. The Craig Johnson book was super great for 200 pp and then I don't know what the hell happened. It got lousy. Didn't like the way it went and felt like crying...

[Little Star]

26. Rose, I am missing #3 , "The Shaman's Bones"....

I insist on reading a series in order. #3 is being 'rush' shipped to me as I type this! I have ordered the rest of ones I'm missing from the series which are also on their way. I hope all goes off without a hitch because I am now hooked!

[fadedrose]

27. Aw, you're just sayin that

to not hurt my feelings.

Every book is an entirely different type of mystery to solve, but the same characters pop up when you least expect them. You're wise to do them in order. I have 5 now, and have 9 in the mail.

They don't appeal to everybody; I think Doss is writing to a small appreciative group. And he doesn't copy styles. Oh, the book itself as far as paper, print, etc., improves as you go along....

[Little Star]

28. No honestly, I always read every series in order...

I'm too afraid and nosy to miss something. I am the same way about tv series I watch with my husband (we both are actually)

They don't call me anal retentive for nothing! :silly:

[Little Star]

29. Well guess what just arrived in my mail box????? YEA!!

#3 The Shaman's Bones! The rest of the series should be here within the week.

Now if I could find some alone time. Between my kids, grandkids, husband, MIL & FIL, going to nursing home a hour away to see my own mom and my sister visiting from Florida it's busy around here. Summertime always is for me anyway.

My reading will have to be done at a much slower pace for now. But, I'll be at least starting #3 tomorrow.

[raccoon]

22. I love cozies! And I'm on the lookout for new (to me) cozy series.

The Hannah Swensen mysteries by Joann Fluke are good but the last one ended in a ridiculous way.

I started a thread about that just now.

I wouldn't consider the Stephanie Plum books cozies, too much gore and sex for that. I used to read them, though. After a while I got tired of them.

Another cozy series which is OK (not as good as Southern sisters, IMO) is the Dixie Hemingway pet sitter series by Blaize Clement.


Another is Corinne Holt Sawyer's Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate series. These amateur sleuths are nursing home residents. These books might be difficult to find as they were published in the late 1980's and the 1990's.

[Little Star]

23. Have you looked through the cozy website I linked to in the op?

Don't tell me you've read all of those, LOL.

Every time someone mentions "The Southern Sisters Mysteries" by Anne George, I think of you. I've yet to read them but they are on my cozy list.

[raccoon]

24. Haven't but I will. Thanks for the link! nt

[Little Star]

25. The Baby Boomer Mysteries...

Being a baby boomer myself this new Cozy Series caught my eye! They sound like they are right up my alley!

Retirement Can Be Murder by Susan Santangelo



and


Moving Can Be Murder by Susan Santangelo



Editorial Reviews on Amazon.com

Moving Can Be Murder is jam-packed with Carol's cast of best buds and signature Santangelo fun! As I watched the story unfold, I couldn't help but chuckle at every turn. Carol has learned the subtle art of keeping her mouth shut -- when it's absolutely necessary. However, that doesn't stop her mind from working overtime with the quick-witted, sarcastic remarks she allows to roll around in her brain. Susan Santangelo has done it again. She has penned a magnificent cozy that will leave you panting from the excitement, laughing at the characters and -- no surprise here -- begging for more. --Terri Ann Armstrong, author of Morning Menace

Susan Santangelo has made a huge splash in the literary community. With wit, charm, and a monster-sized dose of reality, Susan brings baby boomers to the forefront of readers' minds and perfectly portrays the over-sixty crowd. Crisp writing, sharp humor, and lovable, quirky characters make Moving Can Be Murder a sit-back, put-your-feet-up, laughing good time! --Shannon Raab, Suspense Magazine

Moving Can Be Murder is another great read from an author who knows how to keep you turning pages as fast as possible. Susan Santangelo also provides a handy quiz to help readers determine their own right answers to the moving question. --Anne Holmes, National Association of Baby Boomer Women


Product Description on Amazon.com

A Baby Boomer Mystery by the author of Retirement Can Be Murder. Empty nester Carol Andrews would prefer leaving her beautiful antique home in Fairport, Connecticut, "feet first" to selling it and moving on. But her Beloved Husband Jim convinces her that a nearby active adult community is the est fit for them at this time of life. Their house sells, and Carol returns alone the night before the closing for a "pity party" farewell tour. And discovers the dead body of the buyer in her living room. Wow. Talk about seller's remorse!


http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Santangelo/e/B004H6JCZM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1