Cozy Mystery Corner discussion

I'm off to the library to get J.J. Cook's "Death on Eat Street."

Personally, I never get tired of food cozies! But, I know some people do. When it comes to certain themes, I hear people say, "That's been done to death!" That got me thinking...

Which profession, hobby, theme, etc., would you like to FINALLY see a cozy mystery feature that hasn't been done yet? Or is there a theme that hasn't been done enough that you love?

Which theme(s) do you NEVER tire of?
Which theme(s) are you SICK TO DEATH of?

I don't get sick of any theme, personally. I never tire of food, bookstore, library, cat themes. But I honestly can't think of any NEW themes I think would be great. Overall, I just love cozies.

Rachel wrote: "I tend to rate the books on how good the story is, interesting characters and how the theme is presented rather than what it is. I have been surprised many times with bad books featuring great the..."

The African wildlife park sounds fun Although, personally, I don't care for books/movies based on real life crimes or tragedies. I'd rather get away from reality in my books.

But, you reminded me of something... fantasy. Give me a real town setting and people but with a hint of fantasy woven in.

I'll have to check to see what kind of cozies do this when I'm at the library today.

While it could be overdone I am still a fan of dog or cat mysteries done right. They have to be done right though.
I've had enough of antiques and crafts but I don't care for those things in real life so my tolerance is probably low.

Patty wrote: "While it could be overdone I am still a fan of dog or cat mysteries done right. They have to be done right though.
I've had enough of antiques and crafts but I don't care for those things in rea..."

Is there anything you'd like to see more of or something specific that hasn't been done?

Jack wrote: "But, you reminded me of something... fantasy. Give me a real town setting and people but with a hint of fantasy woven in. "

Jack were you a fan of the SyFy show Eureka?

Patty wrote: "While it could be overdone I am still a fan of dog or cat mysteries done right. They have to be done right though.
I've had enough of antiques and crafts but I don't care for those things in rea..."

Patty, do you prefer the animal or the person as narrator? I can enjoy both if written well. I do like Shirley Rousseau Murphy and her Joel Grey [cat] series. And I'm a big fan of the Doodle [Labradoodle] mysteries written by Susan J Kroupa.

If prefer the humans talking, Marion Babsonand her cat books are fun. On the dog side, Laurien Berenson has a wonderful series.

If you want something a bit edgier (is that a word?) you might enjoy the dog mysteries written by C. A. Newsome or Amy Shojai.

I've featured other authors on my website http://dogmysteries.com who have dogs in their books; you might enjoy browsing there. (You can read the first 5 chapters of my own there, too.)

Jack wrote: "..I honestly can't think of any NEW themes I think would be great. Overall, I just love cozies....."

Has anyone ever done a traveling nurse as amateur sleuth? I'm old enough to remember Cherry Ames (who I think was a private nurse) but I can't think of any others.

Arielle wrote: "Jack were you a fan of the SyFy show Eureka?"

I haven't seen that show. Haven and Warehouse 13 were my picks. Actually, I'd LOVE to read a cozy series similar to Warehouse 13. Enchanted objects without all the paranormal/witch/vampire/ghost stuff thrown in.

Susan wrote: "Has anyone ever done a traveling nurse as amateur sleuth? I'm old enough to remember Cherry Ames (who I think was a private nurse) but I can't think of any others."

Doesn't ring any bells. I like visiting the same town with the same people (and a few new ones) in my cozies. It's a familiarity and a comfort thing. A place to visit. It's my favorite thing about cozies, actually.

I know people who would love the traveling nurse idea, though. One main character to join on their travels with new places and faces to see.

Jack wrote: "Arielle wrote: "Jack were you a fan of the SyFy show Eureka?"

I haven't seen that show. Haven and Warehouse 13 were my picks. Actually, I'd LOVE to read a cozy series similar to Warehouse 13. E..."

Jack, the show had 5 seasons, but there are 3 novels based on it. It's about a town comprised of 'the' smartest scientists in the world, so something is always going wrong & the sheriff has to sort it all out. Here's the 1st of the series -

I would love one that featured running/fitness in some way. I have read the yoga themed ones and really liked them, so running would be next on my list.

I still like them if done well but some of the cat/librarian ones run together in my head.

I never get sick of dog themed mysteries. Never. ;-)

I read very few of the antique or crafty cozies. (I've read a few in the past, but I think that total is zero right now). Like Patty, it's probably because I don't enjoy those things in real life.

It does seem like the food cozies are trying to take over, but I do seem drawn to them, and I find some fun series that way.

I love the idea of a running/fitness cozy. I'd definitely read that.

Susan wrote: "Patty wrote: "While it could be overdone I am still a fan of dog or cat mysteries done right. They have to be done right though.
I've had enough of antiques and crafts but I don't care for those..."

Don't know that I have a preference if it is done well. I like the Chet and Bernie series by Spencer Quinn although it is possible the glumness may get to me before the end of the series. Wouldn't it be fun if Braun had done one or 2 with Koko talking instead of Qwill.

I love dog-themed mysteries, especially Laurien Berenson's dog-show mysteries, and I love food/coffee mysteries! I love the bonus of discovering a really good recipe. I have begun in the last few years to love the fiber craft mysteries, as I love to crochet. I also like several scrapbook mystery series. I might like to see a book series about a food truck owner!

Penny Warner is writing a food truck mystery series, and she's one of my favorites. Stay tuned!

Heather wrote: "I love dog-themed mysteries, especially Laurien Berenson's dog-show mysteries, and I love food/coffee mysteries! I love the bonus of discovering a really good recipe. I have begun in the last few y..."

J.J. Cook, who is Jim & Joyce Lavene, has a new food truck series. The first book is Death on Eat Street which I read this month and it was very good!

Thanks! That sounds awesome! It will go on my To-Read list!!!

Lately I have been enjoying interior decorating/home repair themed mysteries. My other favorite are fashion themed..Handbags and Homicide for instance.

Real Estate Agent theme would be fun, I think. The sleuth of course would find a dead body in a house for sale...

The Food Truck Series sounds very interesting and I would also like a Real Estate series in different cities on the west coast like San Diego,San Fransisco,LA,Seattle,Denver,
Portland. I'm stuck in OH right now but dreaming of a move to the west coast.

I would also enjoy a series set in our National Parks,especially those parks in the west.

Oh,oh,oh and since I've always had a thing for cowboys how about some ranching or rodeo ones....whoo-hoo,lol!

Also since my dad was career Air Force and I married an airman,a series set in a town/city with a strong military presence would be so interesting.

Christine wrote: "The Food Truck Series sounds very interesting and I would also like a Real Estate series in different cities on the west coast like San Diego,San Fransisco,LA,Seattle,Denver,
Portland. I'm stuck in..."

Nevada Barr writes a really good series set in different national parks, some of them in the west, but just all over the US. They aren't cozies, tho. Some of them are quite dark.

Melodie wrote: "Christine wrote: "The Food Truck Series sounds very interesting and I would also like a Real Estate series in different cities on the west coast like San Diego,San Fransisco,LA,Seattle,Denver,
Port..."

Thank you!Yes something like those... minus the Gratuitous, grisly, violence and profanity mentioned by some reviewers.

Mark wrote: "I read very few of the antique or crafty cozies. (I've read a few in the past, but I think that total is zero right now). Like Patty, it's probably because I don't enjoy those things in real life..."

I'm with Mark on these.

I read more for the characters and the story, and can find the themes a bit much, to be honest. Gimmicky, if not done very well. Anthropomorphic animals irritate me. Maybe I'm not a cozy person after all--curmudgeons of the world unite!

Christine, maybe I should think about a new series (yeah, right--just got the first one started) on the parks. I am an avid backpacker and have been thinking about how to use that in my writing. I do like Nevada Barr, but her more recent books, especially, have seemed to get darker and darker. It was the settings (the parks) that got me started in the first place, and the main character who brings me back. Ditto Dana Stabenow and Kate Shugak (both the great characters and the move to grimmer and darker).

Rebecca wrote: "Mark wrote: "I read very few of the antique or crafty cozies. (I've read a few in the past, but I think that total is zero right now). Like Patty, it's probably because I don't enjoy those things..."

Rebecca, I agree. The theme doesn't catch my attention. Some authors over do it and others sometimes are confusing. Just give me a great storyline and I'm good.

Susan wrote: "Has anyone ever done a traveling nurse as amateur sleuth? I'm old enough to remember Cherry Ames (who I think was a private nurse) but I can't think of any others."

I haven't read them and can't think of the author's name, but there's a series with a nurse on a cruise ship.

Tracy wrote: "I never get sick of dog themed mysteries. Never. ;-)"

Oh yeah!! I can always read a book with a dog featured.

Jack wrote "One question for everyone: Do you want your mysteries to always be a murder? Or do you like a change once in awhile, like missing items, arson, etc.? "

Wonderful question! I would love it if there were MANY more 'non-murder' mysteries! I especially enjoy lost relic type stories,and read archaeological thrillers to get my 'fix' for those.

Inheritance issues are always good for a plot device,too. :]

Christine wrote: "Jack wrote "One question for everyone: Do you want your mysteries to always be a murder? Or do you like a change once in awhile, like missing items, arson, etc.? "

Wonderful question! I would love..."

How about attempted murder or conspiracy to commit murder? Simple theft does not do it for me, I'm afraid, but theft combined with murder...there you go!

Lynn wrote: "Christine wrote: "Jack wrote "One question for everyone: Do you want your mysteries to always be a murder? Or do you like a change once in awhile, like missing items, arson, etc.? "

Wonderful ques..."

I can do theft if it is done well. Most theft stories though that I have read end up leading to a murder...ie someone is murdered to cover up the theft. There is a series that I can't think of right now where the main character is a recent graduate book expert and she is hired by an eccentric old lady who lives in a mansion to track down books from her collection which had been stolen over a period of years. That is quite good.

Jack wrote: "I'm glad so many have chimed in with their opinions. It's interesting that certain themes never seem to die and will always have readers. I love culinary cozies and could read them all the time. ..."

I loved mysteries as a kid, and those didn't include murder. But it seems like most adult mysteries require a murder or people don't consider it a real mystery. It would be nice to have some of those elements, however, to draw me in and make it just beyond a dead body and 5 suspects.

Fanficfan44 wrote: there is a series that I can't think of right now where the main character is a recent graduate book expert and she is hired by an eccentric old lady who lives in a mansion to track down books from her collection which had been stolen over a period of years. That is quite good. .."

Sounds great! Please do post the title when you think of it.

Do you remember any of the character's names, or a town name, perhaps? I'll put on my sleuthing hat...

Susan wrote: "Sounds great! Please do post the title when you think of it.

Do you remember any of the character's names, or a town name, perhaps? I'll put on my sleuthing hat... ..."

Sounds like The Christie Curse by Victoria Abbott

❂ Jennifer (reviews on BookLikes) wrote: "Susan wrote: "Sounds great! Please do post the title when you think of it.

Do you remember any of the character's names, or a town name, perhaps? I'll put on my sleuthing hat... ..."

Sounds like..."

Yes that is it. I read both The Christie Curse and The Sayers Swindle in that series

I've enjoyed Elaine L. Orr's Real Estate cozies in part because I was a Realtor and write a real estate series, too, but I like Jolie, her protagonist.

Mark wrote: "Jack wrote: "I'm glad so many have chimed in with their opinions. It's interesting that certain themes never seem to die and will always have readers. I love culinary cozies and could read them a..."

I couldn't agree with you more, Mark. I think part of the reason people like murder as they main mystery is because the rest of a cozy is tame. Murder gives a story that touch of a hard edge. I can understand that but it's nice to find a cozy that skips the murder once in awhile.

OK, Jack. Your question has prompted some good discussion, but this isn't where to discuss how you're going to write your own book.

To all who requested a variety of themes, you need to check out "Cozy Food: 128 Cozy Mystery Writers Share Their Favorite Recipes." In addition to the recipes, the book is a great place to do research because the contributors tell you about their books and have bios and links to their sites so you can see in depth what they write.

Jack, there are many culinary cozy writers to be discovered.
Patty, you might like books by Sparkle Abbey.
Lynn,try my books, Vicki Doudera, Kathy Delaney, Elaine L. Orr.

You can also meet amateur sleuths prowling London in the 1880s, Karen Rose Smith does a home-stager series,there's a square dance caller sleuth...I could go on and on.

Nancy wrote: "To all who requested a variety of themes, you need to check out "Cozy Food: 128 Cozy Mystery Writers Share Their Favorite Recipes." In addition to the recipes, the book is a great place to do rese..."

Thanks for posting! I'm new to this group on Goodreads. So grateful for help finding out what's going on. Cheers! Anna Celeste Burke

Nancy wrote: "To all who requested a variety of themes, you need to check out "Cozy Food: 128 Cozy Mystery Writers Share Their Favorite Recipes." In addition to the recipes, the book is a great place to do rese..."

Excellent suggestion, Nancy. Quite a bit of what I cook has come from culinary cozies.

Jack wrote: "jaxnsmom wrote: "OK, Jack. Your question has prompted some good discussion, but this isn't where to discuss how you're going to write your own book."

I read through the rules and there's nothing ..."

I think the point is highjacking the thread. It also can look a bit like self-promotion, though I don't think that's what you were doing. I think the question about murder being necessary might be a good addition to one of the discussions of what makes a cozy.

My real question is, does a cozy need a theme? I guess every book or series has to have some kind of "hook" in a way (and every amateur sleuth needs a day job), but themes can definitely start to feel hokey.

Rebecca wrote: "My real question is, does a cozy need a theme? I guess every book or series has to have some kind of "hook" in a way (and every amateur sleuth needs a day job), but themes can definitely start to ..."

I think that is one of the main differences between traditional English cozies - which tend to the be theme-less - think Agatha Christie, Simon Brett, MC Beaton, Rhys Bowen, Caroline Graham vs. American or even some modern British cozies which tend to be theme oriented. I love traditional British cozies and read a lot of them as I find them, but I can also appreciate many of the theme cozies, as long as the theme is not completely overwhelming to the mystery and everything else.

Speaking of British Cozies, if you haven't read Alan Bradley's series about 13 year old Flavia De Luce, you have missed a gem! It took me several years to decide to read them, but they are smart, well written, and super funny!


I have observed that the theme-less book authors sometimes seem to produce higher quality writing because there is nothing else to distract the reader from the words...no tips or recipes to look forward to. This is not always the case, just sometimes. Having said that, I love both kinds of cozies...sometimes I even prefer lighter, easier reads that are especially found in themed mysteries...especially if life is particularly serious! There is nothing like a cozy mystery for stress relief!

I mean no disrespect to any themed cozy writers. All are different and unique, and fit different readers well. Sometimes a series seems totally ridiculous to me at one stage of life, and a few years later when I pick it up, it becomes my new favorite series.

Heather wrote: "Speaking of British Cozies, if you haven't read Alan Bradley's series about 13 year old Flavia De Luce, you have missed a gem! It took me several years to decide to read them, but they are smart, w..."

I read The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. I could see why it was an award winner. Grumpy seniors and precocious kids are two sure ways to get me to laugh.

Heather wrote: "I have observed that the theme-less book authors sometimes seem to produce higher quality writing because there is nothing else to distract the reader from the words...no tips or recipes to look forward to. This is not always the case, just sometimes. Having said that, I love both kinds of cozies...sometimes I even prefer lighter, easier reads that are especially found in themed mysteries...especially if life is particularly serious! There is nothing like a cozy mystery for stress relief!

Who are some of your favorite non-themed cozy authors? I'm finishing a first book of a new series right now. It's getting rave reviews here and elsewhere but I don't care for it at all. So, that leaves me open to reading someone new. I'm open for suggestions to non-themed cozies.

Mark wrote"I loved mysteries as a kid, and those didn't include murder. But it seems like most adult mysteries require a murder or people don't consider it a real mystery. It would be nice to have some of those elements, however, to draw me in and make it just beyond a dead body and 5 suspects."

Me too! Can you suggest any really good 'non-murder' mysteries for adults?

Jack wrote: "I'm glad so many have chimed in with their opinions. It's interesting that certain themes never seem to die and will always have readers. I love culinary cozies and could read them all the time. ..."

Sometimes I just like a mystery to be just that. It doesn't have to include a murder but can deal with a missing person or abduction.

I like the foodie thing and use it in my own series I'm writing...sleuthing makes you hungry or glad to be alive or something like that. Years ago, I was trained as a chef. I still enjoy cooking although both my husband and I eat with much less careless abandon than we did when we were chefs at Walt Disney World. I also like character-driven stories, and stories that draw a lot on the setting in which murder & mayhem occur.

By the way, this may have already been mentioned but A Tiger's Tale revolves around a kidnapping, not a murder. I haven't read it yet, but I'm currently reading her first. I love the first, and the second is getting rave reviews!

Tracy wrote: "By the way, this may have already been mentioned but A Tiger's Tale revolves around a kidnapping, not a murder. I haven't read it yet, but I'm currently reading her first. I love ..."

I have and it was excellent!

Tracy wrote: "By the way, this may have already been mentioned but A Tiger's Tale revolves around a kidnapping, not a murder. I haven't read it yet, but I'm currently reading her first. I love ..."

I read it and absolutely loved it! But in the interests of absolute clarity - there is a murder; it's just not the focal point of the mystery.