Cozy Mysteries discussion

I've been thinking about why I'm so attached to cozies, both as a writer and reader. It began when I was 14 and attending a summer acting program in Manhattan. I picked up an Agatha Christie to read on my train commute, and eventually read every one of her books. Cozies have developed a lot of sub-genres over the years, and some might not even classify Dame Agatha's books as such anymore. But what the general genre provides me with is stories that are set in interesting locales, feature murder victims who frankly you don't mind shuffling off their mortal coil, and even if you do, justice prevails at the end. I'm not haunted by graphic violence or supreme tragedy. Just wondering what draws othes to the cozy genre. And I LOVE to see young readers in this group. We need to nurture the next generation of readers to keep the genre alive and thriving!

I agree 100%!

I always wished I would have been lucky enough to have a daughter to pass on my love of reading mysteries like my mother did with me. I do have 3 granddaughters but I will have to wait a while. The are 5 and the twins are 2. Maybe in a few years I can start Maddie with the Bobbsey Twins or the Happy Hollisters.

It's not easy in this day and age, but it can be done!! I was determined to make my daughter a reader, and somehow that's happened. Don't wait to start Maddie. Start her now. Five is perfect. Read to her. Eliza loved classics like Peter Pan and the Wizard of Oz. Honestly, these days they've outgrown a lot of what we grew up with by the time they're seven. That's now a good age to introduce Nancy Drew books, even though we probably started a year later when we were kids. And we had a rule in our house - she could buy whatever books she wanted. There were limits on everything else, but no limits on books. Still, I could never get her to read my favorite book, Little Women. Oh, well. You take what you can get!

Ellen, I would love to start Maddie now. Yes she has lots of Disney books in her room but I've never had the pleasure of reading any of them to her. There is a problem why I can't do this. My daughter inlaw doesn't like me and I'm not allowed to see the girls. She won't talk to me and I have no idea what the problem is that lead up to this. After the twins turned 2 this past December my son invited me over to visit. I almost fainted when I read the email. I could only stay for an hour and a half. That was the first time I had ever seen Sophie and Olivia. I was so scared that Maddie would have forgotten me and that the twins would be afraid of me. But it went well.

I'm so sorry! That's awful. My heart breaks for you, Paula. I hope your daughter-in-law comes to her senses and relents. Grandparents are such a critical part of a child's life. I only knew my grandmothers. One grandfather died young, the other disappeared in 1933. (You can read about this in my answer to a Goodreads question on my Author Page - Ellen Byron). I made sure our daughter had strong relationships with her own grandparents. Unfortunately, her granddad on my husband's side had a stroke the day he met her and never recovered. My dad died when she was five. My mom is still in the picture, thank goodness, but my husband's mom passed away after a battle with Alzheimer's. But even when she could no longer communicate, we flew across the country to visit her, and when we didn't do that, my husband would call and put the phone on the piano so she could hear her granddaughter practice. But in the beginning, there was a time when I didn't want to leave my infant with my husband's parents - for absolutely no reason except new mom neurosis - which I feel terrible about now. I'm so glad I let go of that and let my mother-in-law and my daughter enjoy quality alone time together. I wish you the same!

Ellen wrote: "It's not easy in this day and age, but it can be done!! I was determined to make my daughter a reader, and somehow that's happened. Don't wait to start Maddie. Start her now. Five is perfect. Read ..."

My mother read to me from the time I was born. Between Mom & my dad's youngest sister, I could read well before I went to school. My favorite book was Green Eggs & Ham. At 83 my mom can still recite the book to you from memory because I read it to her so many times. I would lay the newspaper out on the floor and crawl all over it reading parts of it to Mom while she made dinner. We went to the library every week and I loved the bookmobile when I was in school. Always asked for, and got, a pile of books every Christmas and for birthdays. Mom NEVER censored what I read. I remember buying a copy of THE HAPPY HOOKER when I was a freshman in high school. I hid it under my mattress. Mom found it when she was changing the sheets. She asked why I hid it and I babbled something. She reminded me that she told me should wouldn't censor what I read...even if it was something she wouldn't read herself. The only question she asked was whether I understood what I was reading and how it wasn't the way to live your life. My mom was, and still is, so cool!

No one in my family is a big reader but myself. I got into mysteries in junior high reading Nancy Drew. At the time I was the only kid checking them out and the school thought they were to date and ended up selling them for a dollar. I bought as many as I could. I still read mysteries when I can but I find a good cozy is hard to come by. They are either too cute and packaged with a certain theme or poorly written. I have since started reading a ton of WWII books and teen books. I love mysteries still ironically as a writer I have no desire to write one myself.

Melodie wrote: "Ellen wrote: "It's not easy in this day and age, but it can be done!! I was determined to make my daughter a reader, and somehow that's happened. Don't wait to start Maddie. Start her now. Five is ..." I love your mother!! She sounds fantastic.

Olivia wrote: "No one in my family is a big reader but myself. I got into mysteries in junior high reading Nancy Drew. At the time I was the only kid checking them out and the school thought they were to date and..." I'm impressed! And I know what you mean about some cozies being not the best. Curiously, I'm inspired by non-cozy writers like Louise Penny and Jacqueline Winspear. I feel like they motivate me to add more depth to my series (Cajun Country Mysteries) as I continue to write it.

I've always loved to read. I remember picking up books & reading when I had time. My dads a reader so that's probably where it comes from. I've always been drawn to mysteries. I like the suspense, intrigue & trying to figure it out. I didn't pick up copies until several years ago. I do have my favorite authors that I always read. It's nice at times to pick up a cozy after reading a heavy book. Sometimes you just need something light. I've read Little Women several times. It was a classic for me in school.

I loved all of Louisa Alcott's books so much. From there I jumped to British 19th century novels, like Dickens, which I started reading in 7th grade, then eventually to Dame Agatha and my passion for mysteries. In many ways, Dickens wrote mysteries, too.

I jumped to British 19th century novels, like Dickens.... In many ways, Dickens wrote mysteries, too.

Ellen, have you read Wilkie Collins? A contemporary and friend of Dickens, he really did write mysteries. The Woman in White is probably his best known. Some people see The Moonstone as the first true detective novel.

Victoria wrote: "I jumped to British 19th century novels, like Dickens.... In many ways, Dickens wrote mysteries, too.

Ellen, have you read Wilkie Collins? A contemporary and friend of Dickens, he r..."

Great suggestions. Both are great books. I prefer The Moonstone, but anything by Collins is interesting.

The made a movie out of that book. You can catch it on TCM quite a bit. It is really good. I am talking about The Woman in White.

Patti wrote: "The made a movie out of that book. You can catch it on TCM quite a bit. It is really good. I am talking about The Woman in White."

The BBC made a series of it in 1982, and on looking that one up, I see they're currently making another one.

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info. I will have to be on the lookout for that.

I could read when I was five, more than just the Dick and Jane stuff. I was reading Agatha Christie by age 7 or 8. I read Nancy Drew, Cherry Ames nurse books, and even some Hardy Boys. Loved mysteries from an early age.

British fans, Dorothy Cannell's Thin Woman series is funny and a wonderful mystery series.