Cozy Mysteries discussion

Hi all. I have never read a cozy before, never even heard of the genre until little while ago. I was looking for mysteries that were not about police investigations and crime scene units and political/courtroom drama, when someone asked if I had read a cozy...

Now I am here. :D

I read what cozy mysteries are, in type.. Now I am wondering where I should start, to give one a try. There are so many out there.

So I am hoping to hear some suggestions. What "one" cozy mystery would you give to someone to introduce them to the genre? Just one.

Sita wrote: "Hi all. I have never read a cozy before, never even heard of the genre until little while ago. I was looking for mysteries that were not about police investigations and crime scene units and politi..."

I would suggest you start with Agatha Christie.There are many titles to choose from

Hmm. Agatha Christie is the grande dame of the genre, but her books are dated and not to everyone's taste. Don't get me wrong--I like them. And I think Miss Marple would be more cosy than Hercule Poirot.

Would you like more of a light-hearted romp or something where the amateur detective spends a lot of time exercising the little grey cells?

Some of my favorites (mostly on the lighter end) are Aaron Elkins, Joan Hess, Charlotte MacLeod (very silly and fun), and Kerry Greenwood (a little racy). I'm also a huge fan of Nevada Barr and Dana Stabenow, Tony Hillerman and the early Earl Emerson, but all of those verge more toward the grim, at times. (Barr and Stabenbow start off pretty light and have gotten darker over time, as has Emerson).

You will get a lot of recommendations, but I really have to add the next two series: Sherlock Holmes Arthur Conan Doyle and Nero Wolfe by Rex Stout. To call the last one cozy would take a little stretching of the truth, but the characters are more than make up for this.

I am not really sure what I would prefer at all. Some mysteries that I have read and LOVED have been focused on historical time periods (though modern authors) and the characters were female amateur sleuths. I do love historical fiction.

All I know is, I don't like a lot of "official business" talk, like police stuff. And I am very into the character development more than anything. The mystery, for me, should be a platform to display great characters, not the other way around.

Don't know if that makes sense to anyone else. LOL

I really enjoy Laura Levine. Her Jaine Austen Myserty series is a good series read.

I love both of Marilyn Meredith's series of cozies. And if you want a virtual trip to Hawaii, try ours: Murder...They Wrote and Murder in Paradise. All of the above are character-driven.

Sounds like you would like Kerry Greenwood (Melbourne, Aus. 1920s) and Jacqueline Winspeare (London, same era). Also possibly Dorothy Sayers, who wrote her Lord Peter Wimsey booms during that era.

Rhys Bowen has two historical series, and I can't forget Ellis Peters--the Brother Cadfael mysteries (Shrewsbury, eng. ca. 1200 AD) are classics and also among my favorites.

Adore M.C. Beaton series. Of course the dame Agatha Christie.
A new series comes to mind by Emma Jameson. Writes in a rather British style. "Ice Blue"is one of them and she has 3 others. I would check them out.

I will have a look at those mentioned so far, thanks. I was just looking at Stephanie Plum books, as someone elsewhere mentioned them.

Thought I should add, I am not into chick lit at all..

Agatha Christie! Her Tommy and Tuppence series are super cozy and so much fun. I haven't actually read any Poirot or Marple but from other reviews this series sounds a bit lighter than others.

Sita wrote: "I will have a look at those mentioned so far, thanks. I was just looking at Stephanie Plum books, as someone elsewhere mentioned them.

Thought I should add, I am not into chick lit at all.."

Hi,I'm new to the cozy genre myself,and my favorite so far was a total blast to read.I also prefer to avoid the same elements that you mentioned,so I think it would be hard not to enjoy~ ,and I also enjoyed ... .

Still Life The Quiche of Death State of the Onion

Sorry I am not good at picking! They are all 3 different books but if you want a true cozy I would go with State of the Onion.

I don't have a specific recommendation, but a question. Do you have any specific hobbies or interests? Often times what makes you connect with a cozy is the profession or hobby of the protagonist...

I'd second Heidi's recommendation of Julie Hyzy's White House Chef series. Also, Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles series and Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper series.

I second Debbie's recommendation of Laura Levine's Jaine Austen series and would like to add Donna Andrews. She has a great funny series, all with the names of birds in the titles.

Well, the only hobby I have is reading. Usually what makes me connect with a character is their personal struggles and background.

I started with Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax mysteries. (Back in the 1980s.) Favorites now are anything by Rhys Bowen (she has 3 series). A lot of current cozies center around a hobby or the owner of a small shop or some kind.

Anything by M.C. Beaton, Rhys Bowen, or J.J. Murphy. All well written, entertaining and intelligent.

Evgeny wrote: "You will get a lot of recommendations, but I really have to add the next two series: Sherlock Holmes Arthur Conan Doyle and Nero Wolfe by Rex Stout. To call the last on..."
Yea Nero and Archie, and add Saul Panzer, Cramer, Stebbens , and Fritz

I second most of the suggestions here, and would add Charles Finch, Victoria Thompson, Carola Dunn, and Claudia Bishop to the list.

I would recommend other authors, but their books are out of print and/or hard to find, but if you're interested, I'll certainly list them for you.

Patricia Wentworth Miss Silver mysteries.

Evgeny wrote: "You will get a lot of recommendations, but I really have to add the next two series: Sherlock Holmes Arthur Conan Doyle and Nero Wolfe by Rex Stout. To call the last on..."

Don't forget Archie Goodwin without him, Nero is house bound :)

I agree. Love the Julie Hyzy series. Actually, reading the fifth one now.

when i started reading cozy mysteries, i started with Jenn mckinlays cupcake bakery series. After i read the first in that series and liked it i moved to cleo coyles coffee house mysteries series and Diane mott Davidsons goldie bear culinary series. I've since expanded to many other cozy authors.

Start with the Queen of Cozies, Agatha Christie. I would suggest the Miss Marple series.

Hi,

Hope I am not too late for a recommendation. I have only recently joined Goodreads and on seeing this discussion thread thought that it would be great if I can be of some help to anyone who has just started reading "Cozy Mysteries".

I have noticed a lot of recommendations for Agatha Christie and must mention that she is my all-time favourite mystery author...! There is not a book of hers that I haven't read at least more than three times...! Lolz :-) So please start with her, especially of you like Classic British Mysteries.

However, if you are interested in more contemporary settings, then for that I will just describe few of my favourite series, to give a sort of general idea about them, and you can select any one of them to start with, though I hope that you will end up reading and enjoying them all...!

1) Death On Demand Mystery Series by Carolyn G. Hart

First Books

This series features Annie Laurance, proprietor of the 'Death on Demand' book store, located in the fictional South Carolina island community of Broward's Rock.

The mysteries are finely plotted, the writing is polished and entertaining ...and the romance part is also good as the protagonist is happily involved with a steady partner. The only drawback could be that the books contain a little profanity here and there, but in my opinion, not so much as to spoil the overall ambience.  

2) White House Chef Mystery Series By Julie Hyzy

First Books

This series features Olivia (Ollie) Paras, White House assistant (later, executive) chef, in Washington DC.

A wonderful Cozy Mystery Series, in my opinion...! Mysteries are finely plotted with satisfying conclusions. Characters are interesting. Especially the protagonist comes across to me as a smart, caring and loyal person. The writing style is both refined and entertaining, with a desired amount of decent humour, and the language is clean. The romantic element is unsettled in the first few books in the series, but after that it is wonderful as the protagonist becomes happily involved with a steady partner who both respect and appreciates her.

3) The Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series By Jenn McKinlay

First Books

This series feature bakery owners, Melanie "Mel" Cooper and Angie DeLaura.

Delightful setting, interesting characters, finely plotted mysteries, entertaining writing style, clean language. So another wonderful series, however in my opinion there is one drawback: love-triangles...which I really hope soon get resolved...!

Well, I really hope that my contribution is of some help...!

Regards,
Ramla Zareen

Welcome Ramla, good suggestions. My suggestion would depend on the individual. For a cat lover Joe Grey or Mrs Murphy. Dog fan Lauren Bergeron poodle series.

Betty wrote: "Welcome Ramla, good suggestions. My suggestion would depend on the individual. For a cat lover Joe Grey or Mrs Murphy. Dog fan Lauren Bergeron poodle series."

Thanks, Betty...!

Actually, you are right in that to give useful recommendations it is necessary to know an individual's taste and preferences. However, I am new to Goodreads, so haven't gotten a chance to know many people as yet. For this reason, I just suggested few of my favourites, describing them to the best of my abilities, in the hope that someone, along with the person who generated this query, might find my recommendations helpful...!

By the way, I also like Mrs Murphy Series by Rita Mae Brown very much. I especially enjoy the conversations between the animals...!

I would recommend the Bed-and-Breakfast mysteries by Mary Daheim, the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton, the Dog Lover's mysteries by Susan Conant, the Daisy Dalrymple series by Carola Dunn.

Kirsten wrote: "I would recommend the Bed-and-Breakfast mysteries by Mary Daheim, the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton, the Dog Lover's mysteries by [author:Sus..."

Hi, I also like Daisy Dalrymple series by Carola Dunn...!

I like most of the series mentioned and would like to add the mysteries by Mary Ellen Hughes. I'm reading her newest, License to Dill License to Dill and am loving it as much as her The Pickled Piper. She also has a crafts series which I liked, too. Very likeable characters.

Betty wrote: "Welcome Ramla, good suggestions. My suggestion would depend on the individual. For a cat lover Joe Grey or Mrs Murphy. Dog fan Lauren Bergeron poodle series."

I second the recommendation for Joe Grey and the Lauren Bergeron series for Poodle lovers [of whom I am one!]. I did like the early Mrs. Murphy books, but Rita Mae Brown lost me when the animals managed to drive a car -- a stick-shift Porsche, no less! -- to get a wounded person to treatment. That stretches the willing suspension of disbelief well past my breaking point.

Annag wrote: "Betty wrote: "Welcome Ramla, good suggestions. My suggestion would depend on the individual. For a cat lover Joe Grey or Mrs Murphy. Dog fan Lauren Bergeron poodle series."

I second the recommenda..."

Hmmm... Well, I don't think I remember that one. Actually, I read only till Sour Puss, after that got busy reading other series. Maybe that incident happened in one of her later books? Anyway, will have to read the scene before commenting on it...!

I don't really remember that scene but I would think it was a paranormal and wouldn't bother me. Ms Brown lost me whenshe was heavy into politics. I read NINE LIFES TO DIE FOR she left off politicizing so I enjoy the book. My review should be on Goodreads.

Betty wrote: "I don't really remember that scene but I would think it was a paranormal and wouldn't bother me. Ms Brown lost me whenshe was heavy into politics. I read NINE LIFES TO DIE FOR she left off politici..."

Yes, though moral lessons and values, subtly provided through stories, dialogues and characters' actions are welcome to me, ... but I also don't like too much political discussions and religious preachings in fiction. Will be sure to check out your review...!

I don't know if it's appropriate or not, but Henery Press is a publisher that specializes in Cozies. If you go to their website http://henerypress.com/I know you can find a slew of mysteries and up and coming authors you may enjoy. Happy reading.

I would recommend Zoe Donovan Mystery series Kathi Daley. They are a great Introduction to the world of cozy Mysteries and they also have really easy yummie recipes.

One thing is to decide what kind of cozy you'd like. Cooking, organizing, location, etc. A great place to look is http://www.cozy-mystery.com/blog/

Death by Darjeeling This is 1 in a series called Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Child with recipes or a personal favorite Diane Mott Davidson

If you like historical reads, Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy series is great fun.

Sita wrote: "All I know is, I don't like a lot of "official business" talk, like police stuff. And I am very into the character development more than anything. The mystery, for me, should be a platform to display great characters, not the other way around. "

Based on this and on the likes you list on your page, I would suggest starting with Fer-de-Lance. This is the first of the Nero Wolfe mysteries.

Wolfe is a genius who prefers to send his assistant to do the legwork, while he solves the crimes from his desk.

There's even a cookbook companion to the series: The Nero Wolfe Cookbook... which I note as one of your interests.

Elizabeth wrote: "If you like historical reads, Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy series is great fun."

I think her "Royal Spyness" series is much more fun!

The series that really got me back into reading cozies (since my Agatha Christie days) is the Booktown Mysteries. Murder is Binding is the first in the series, and I thought it was the quintessential cozy -- charming town, quirky characters, but also a tricky plot. The series is up to 8 or 9 books now, and each one just gets better.

Rebecca wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "If you like historical reads, Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy series is great fun."

I think her "Royal Spyness" series is much more fun!"

I haven't read any of those yet. I'm paticularly drawn to the Victorian Era and turn of the century (20th cent.), so I gravitate to mysteries that happen in those times. But I would think anything written by Rhys Bowen is good.

That is true, Elizabeth! Though I have had trouble getting into the Molly Murphey series, they are well done.

Heidi (Yup. Still here.) wrote: "Still LifeThe Quiche of Death State of the Onion
..."

Yes, I loved Still Life, but the series did not end up going cozy at all. MC Beaton's are great, either her Hamish McBeth or Agatha Raisins. I don't know the Onion but will check it out.

Uh-oh, I messed up. I was trying to delete and rewrite a reply and deleted the whole conversation. the conversation about Molly Murphy series.

Sorry the original is gone, but here was what I was trying to add:
Peter Mayle has written some good "capers", too. If you like to travel vicariously to France he and Cara Black mysteries are like getting a free trip.

The first cozy series I ever read was the soap making series by Tim Myers. Actually I have never heard of cozies until I picked up the first book in this series. I have been hooked on cozies ever since. Although it is difficult to now find his soap making, candle making and lighthouse series, I would recommend these series to anyone. The characters are extremely likable and seem so much like family or good friends.