Cozy Mysteries discussion

I recently finished reading "The Other Woman", the second mystery by Hank Phillippi Ryan. What did I love about it? The weaving of the plot -- not the same old, same old reinvented one more time. The characters were interesting, right down to the heroes and villains. It was fast-paced and intriguing. But I think the best test of a good cozy mystery is that when I got done, I was sad to say goodbye. (Luckily, there's a new sequel....)

Sara wrote: "I recently finished reading "The Other Woman", the second mystery by Hank Phillippi Ryan. What did I love about it? The weaving of the plot -- not the same old, same old reinvented one more time. T..."

I wouldn't classify this as a cozy, but more a suspense novel.

I read PRIME TIME by Ryan a few years ago. Pretty good book, but I wouldn't call her stuff cozy either. She's a favorite of a friend of mine who wouldn't be caught dead reading a cozy! LOL

Can you folks help me out here? What is the most important element of a cozy mystery? How do I know a cozy mystery when I read one? Is it merely in the eyes of the beholder, or is there specific criteria? I appreciate the feedback.

There are quite a few differences but this does a pretty good job.

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

vs.

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

Thank you for a picture-perfect explanation of the differences. I was expecting something very different when you discounted Hank Phillippi Ryan's book. While she has some of the elements, her stories are darker and more psychologically driven by violent characters.

I've had readers describe my books as cozy mysteries, and I thought I understood why, but this narrows down the elements. Clearly, humor, lack of sexually explicit scenes, the amateur sleuthing efforts, and the "feel good" quality of the story matter.

I appreciate your explanation, Grey853. You "dun" good. :)

Thanks.

Sara wrote: "I recently finished reading "The Other Woman", the second mystery by Hank Phillippi Ryan. What did I love about it? The weaving of the plot -- not the same old, same old reinvented one more time. T..."

Do you mean the second mystery series by Ryan? She has an earlier series featuring a TV reporter the first of which, Prime Time, won an Agatha award.

The Other Woman was nominated for all the top mystery awards and won the Mary Higgins Clark Award presented at the Edgars. It's in my TBR. The comments in this thread have moved it to the top.

Ah, I meant it was the second book by that author that I had personally read. And yes, two different series. I liked them both. Like good comfort food that makes you feel warm and fuzzy when you're done. :)