Cozy Mysteries discussion

I’m a big fan of the speckled band, but you can’t go wrong

The Speckled Band was one of the first I read and I thought it was wonderful. Scary, but logical.

I would recommend the first, A Study in Scarlet. It introduces Holmes, and as untidy as it is, it shows Doyle in the formative stages of his great series. Then again, I'm a historian and fascinated with beginnings.

My favourite is The Speckled Band. I binge read Sherlock Holmes years ago and haven't touched them since. Thank you for reminding me how good they are. I need to get to the library!

I am bringing this up because I'm also on the Baker Street Irregulars group and love Sherlock Holmes. There are a few that have a "romantic angle."
A Scandal in Bohemia - Where Holmes matches wits with The Woman, Irene Adler. Since then, there have been a lot of pastiches bringing Holmes and Adler together (again!) and even a movie with Roger Moore as Holmes.
Charles Augustus Milverton - Holmes has to go undercover as a plumber to infiltrate the household of the blackmailer Milverton and gets "engaged" to Milverton's housemaid.
The Copper Beeches - Holmes goes to the rescue of a governess who is asked to wear a blue dress and cut her hair short before she starts work. At the end of the story, Watson is disappointed that Holmes didn't pursue a relationship with the governess when the case is done.
The Illustrious Client - Holmes gets help from a hot-tempered lady of the street when he's asked to break off the engagement of an heiress to a cold-blooded Baron.
The Sign of Four - A damsel in distress asks for Holmes help in finding out who has been sending her valuable pearls and a mysterious letter. This is the one where Watson becomes engaged at the end.

I think all of these were done for the series in the 80s and 90s that starred Jeremy Brett as Holmes.

I recommend starting at the beginning with A Study in Scarlet. Enjoy!

I would also recommend the anthologies of new Sherlock Holmes stories that are being published by MX Publishing. A few have themes - one was that the cases had to start out as supernatural but have a "real" solution, one was a Christmas anthology. The one downside is that they are pretty expensive, mostly because the sales go to charity to support a school for the disabled.
I have only gone through about 6 of the books (a few borrowed, a few I talked my library into getting) and there are several stories that would qualify as cozies - and there are also a few you would swear were written by Conan Doyle.

There are a lot of writers now writing good Sherlock Holmes books and/or books with leading characters inspired by Sherlock Holmes.

I prefer sherlock holmes series like a study in pink or blind banker
in short stories of sherlock holmes
our advertisement brings a visitor
the musgrave ritual
the baker street irregulars

Yes, I love the short stories. Short and sweet!

When you finish with Sherlock, you might enjoy checking out "Charlotte" Holmes, in the clever series by Sherry Thomas. It starts with "A Study in Scarlet Women." The premise is that Sherlock is a fictional front for a female sleuth by the name of Charlotte. Well written and fun.

There are also some really good modern day mystery series inspired by Sherlock Holmes. JoeCosentino.weebly.com

Joe wrote: "There are also some really good modern day mystery series inspired by Sherlock Holmes. JoeCosentino.weebly.com"

How about giving people examples of such?

Read all the nine novels here are my reviews and yes hound of the baskervilles is one of my favs

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I enjoyed all of the film and television Sherlock Holmes adaptations. I wish Hollywood would do adaptations of more modern day cozy mystery novels. http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com

There's also lots of more and less successful pastiches around, some of them recently (re)published in Titan Books' the Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series.

But when you're short on time and like old time radio plays, there's lots of half our episodes available on archive.org

☯Emily wrote: "A Study in Scarlet is the first novel written about Sherlock Holmes. Even though it is not the best novel, it is a good start to the series because it tells how Watson meet Holmes, gi..."
I agree! JoeCosentino.weebly.com

Some authors are writing new Sherlock Holmes stories. After you've read the old ones, you may want to consider them. Many are quite good. JoeCosentino.weebly.com

I haven't yetread any of the post-Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories, but I'm fascinated on the evolution of Holmes and Watson in film and television. The series with Ronald Howard as Holmes has a wonderful counterpart in Dr. Watson who is a full partner bringing a medical and military professionalism to balance Holmes' sometimes eccentric genius and unworldliness, and the bumbling Inspector Lestrade.

Juliette wrote: "I haven't yetread any of the post-Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories, but I'm fascinated on the evolution of Holmes and Watson in film and television. The series with Ronald Howard as Holmes has a wonde..."

I like those movies also. I watch on You Tube. Not the paid channel.

Juliette wrote: "I haven't yetread any of the post-Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories, but I'm fascinated on the evolution of Holmes and Watson in film and television. The series with Ronald Howard as Holmes has a wonde..."

I agree, and I assume more will come! JoeCosentino.weebly.com