Cozy Mysteries discussion

I am going to start something new. We'll feature one cozy author a month. You are encouraged to read something by the author that month. You can then post which book(s) you choose, did you like the book/author, have you read them before, would you read them again, etc.

List of authors we've featured:

2010
May - Nancy Atherton
Jun - Aaron Elkins
Jul - Laura Childs
Aug - Dorothy Sayers
Sep - Michele Scott
Oct - Susan Wittig Albert
Nov - Donald Bain aka Jessica Fletcher
Dec - Agatha Christie

2011
Jan - Carolyn Hart
Feb - Mary Ellen Hughes
Mar - Alice Kimberly/Cleo Coyle
Apr - Monica Ferris
May - Dick Francis
June - M.C. Beaton
July - Lilian Jackson Braun
August - Kathleen Bacus
Sep - Earlene Fowler
Oct - Leann Sweeney
Nov - Tamar Myers
Dec - Ellery Queen

2012
Jan - Kate Collins
Feb - Jill Churchill
Mar - Janet Laurence & Beth Groundwater
Apr - Heather Webber
May - Lorna Barrett
Jun - Nancy Pickard
Jul - Cynthia Baxter
Aug - Carola Dunn
Sep - Steve Hockensmith & Ellery Adams/Ellery Adams - J.B. Stanley
Oct - Phyllis A. Whitney
Nov - Valerie Wolzien
Dec - Joanne Fluke

2013
Jan - Elizabeth Peters
Feb - Ben Rehder
Mar - Mary Roberts Rinehart
Apr - Donna Andrews
May - Joanne Pence
Jun - Deborah Sharp
Jul - Diane Mott Davidson
Aug - Denise Swanson
Sep - Sarah Graves
Oct - Robert Barnard
Nov - Joyce Lavene/Jim Lavene
Dec - Arthur Conan Doyle

2014
Jan - Barbara Ross
Feb - Christy Fifield
Mar - Julie Wray Herman
Apr - Leslie Meier
May - Victoria Laurie
Jun - Avery Aames/Daryl Wood Gerber
Jul - Nancy Atherton
Aug - Laura Childs
Sep - Jenn McKinlay
Oct - Livia J. Washburn
Nov - Tim Myers/Jessica Beck/Elizabeth Bright/Chris Cavender/Melissa Glazer/Casey Mayes
Dec - PD James

2015
Jan - Casey Daniels
Feb - Maddy Hunter
Mar - Kate Kingsbury
Apr - Krista Davis
May - Cricket McRae
Jun - Elaine Viets
Jul - Dean James
Aug - Paige Shelton
Sep - Nancy Parra/Nancy CoCo
Oct - Sheila Connolly
Nov - Joyce Lavene/Jim Lavene
Dec - Rhys Bowen

2016
Jan - Victoria Hamilton and Amanda Cooper
Feb - Sally Goldenbaum
Mar - Jacqueline Winspear
Apr - Marty Wingate
May - Beth Amos
Jun - Diane Vallere
Jul - Juliet Blackwell
Aug - Amanda Flower/Isabella Alan
Sep - Kaitlyn Dunnett
Oct - Peg Cochran
Nov - Betty Hechtman
Dec - Louise Penny

2017
Jan - *Catch up Month*
Feb - Susan Furlong
Mar - Elizabeth Spann Craig/Riley Adams
Apr - Kate Carlisle
May - Rita Mae Brown
Jun - Julie Hyzy
Jul - Laura Bradford/Elizabeth Lynn Casey
Aug - Mollie Cox Bryan
Sep - Julia Buckley
Oct - Lea Wait
Nov - Victoria Thompson
Dec - Paige Shelton [reprise]

2018
Jan - E J Cooperman
Feb - Vicki Delany/Eva Gates
Mar - Lynn Cahoon
Apr - Susan Wittig Albert [reprise]
May - Linda Johnson
Jun - Victoria Houston
Jul - Maggie Sefton
Aug - Donna Andrews [reprise]
Sep - Dorothy St. James
Oct - Laura Childs[reprise]
Nov - Patricia Wentworth
Dec - Rose Pressey

2019
Jan - Sophie Ryan/Sofie Kelly
Feb - Joanne Fluke [reprise]
Mar - Denise Swanson [reprise]
Apr - G.A. McKevett
May - Carolyn Haines/Caroline Burnes

Awesome idea! Can't wait to see which one you pick :)

Ditto!

Glad you like it. It's already up. Enjoy. :)

I love this idea!!! Cant wait to get started and find some new authors!! Thank you thank you!

Your welcome Susan. :)
The first one happens to be a personal favorite I've been meaning to reread. But I'm going to list some authors new to me, that others have recommended here in the group in coming months. Gives me an excuse to read them.

I'm trying to list the featured author a month ahead of time, to give anyone who wants to join in time to find one of the author's books. I know some get on library waiting lists, request books off PBS, look for them at their local used bookstore, etc. A heads up gives you time to go looking if you don't already have it.

Thanks, Briansgirl. This does help!

Your welcome. I know it's hard to get a book on short notice, so I wanted to give everyone at least a month's heads up time.

Great idea! I'm in!

Thank you, I'll try it when I can.

Kate, I can't wait to see what you have planned for the new year's FA list.

Thanks Sherrie. I havn't decided yet. Waiting for inspiration to strike. :) I'm also going to go down the suggestions thread and see what's there. Trying to keep a variety going so they're all a little different each month.

I've been a member of this group for a while but not posting much-but loving it so so much. Thanks to everyone for such great suggestions.
And this idea is absolutely awesome-a real suggestion guide for me, something I constantly crave!

Thanks thanks and-did I remember to say? - Thanks! :D

Your welcome. :)

Ellie wrote: "I've been a member of this group for a while but not posting much-but loving it so so much. Thanks to everyone for such great suggestions.
And this idea is absolutely awesome-a real suggestion guid..."
Hi, Ellie, have been a member several months and was posting quite a bit and now can barely even get the monthly book read let alone post, but on checking to see ahead if June is on here yet, I saw you p0st and wanted to say. "Hi."I have probably completely forgotten tit, but maybe we do not do summer. Will have to check that out. That will give me a chance to post maybe. lol

Now I look up there and they have them posted for Summer months. More time needed?

I know who I'm picking for June but havn't posted it yet because I havn't had time to put their book list together to post yet. Last day of school is thursday and then I should get a break and can get it posted. Busy with 4 award and/or graduation ceremonies this week.

Thanks Kyle

Has September's author been chosen yet?

Doing it today.

Just joined the group and I love this idea!

Thanks Rochelle

Can you add Denise Swanson to your featured author list? I recently found out she has a series about a school psychologist, and being one, am wanting to read them.

Just saw this topic. I love this idea. In some other clubs I find I rarely read the monthly picks because they either don't interest me or I don't already own them (and with 3K books in the place I DON'T need to buy any more books and I don't want to put off reading what I own even longer by borrowing if I can help it). This idea gives me both latitude and company in my reading. Brilliant!

Thanks Jennifer. I like that it gives everyone a bit more flexibility. Also I think it allows more discussion of the series as a whole. Those that have read it, or are farther ahead in the series, can answer questions from those new to the series, like can they be read out of order. It's also fun when we can occassionlly get the author to drop by. It also encourages those already reading the series to pick up the next one, wherever they are. Many times, folks discover other series by the same author they didn't know about.

Bonnie wrote: "Can you add Denise Swanson to your featured author list? I recently found out she has a series about a school psychologist, and being one, am wanting to read them."

There's another discussion thread for featured author suggestions. You can check there to see if Denise Swanson has been suggested already and to suggest or endorse another's suggestion of Swanson.

Her school psycholigist mysteries have received a mixed reaction here - because of the love triangle aspect not the mysteries. To see what others have said, type the author's name in the search discussion post box at the top right of the page.

I've read most of the series and am still a fan. The mysteries are very good and there are interesting insights into midwestern US culture.

I've read all of the Elizabeth Peters books. The Amelia Peabody books have wonderful details about Egypt, the pharaohs, and archaeology, plus Amelia and her family have great adventures. Vicky Bliss is a modern day amateur sleuth whose adventures involve romance, danger, and treasure hunting. Jacqueline Kirby is a presence to be reckoned with,a more mature but sexy heroine. I love that she started as a librarian who thought that anyone with a brain could write a successful romance - and did!
Elizabeth Peters is one of the queens of the modern cozy.

Who is the author/book for March?

Who's for April '14? :)

Jamie Lynn wrote: "MK we will find out in a few days. I am anxious to see who it is too!"

ty, Jamie! :)

Do we always find out on the first day of the month? I try to start a couple weeks ahead of time, in case I have to wait on a holds list at the library.

I try to get to it early but usually end up so busy that I don't end up getting it posted til the first of the month. Sorry.

Jamie Lynn wrote: "No problem Briansgirl!

Yes MK but it's a very busy site."

It IS!! (that's good, tho :) )

ஐ Briansgirl (Book Sale Queen)ஐ wrote: "I try to get to it early but usually end up so busy that I don't end up getting it posted til the first of the month. Sorry."

No apology necessary! Just trying to find out the usual process. tysm! :D

The group doesn't seem to be at a lose for names and authors, but if you want more or reminders, take a look at "Cozy Food: 128 Cozy Mystery Writers Share Their Favorite Recipes." If you look the book up on Amazon, especially in Kindle Version, you can jump to the table of contents in preview mode (no buying required) and see the whole list or you can look at the back cover and see the names there, too.

Nancy wrote: "The group doesn't seem to be at a lose for names and authors, but if you want more or reminders, take a look at "Cozy Food: 128 Cozy Mystery Writers Share Their Favorite Recipes." If you look the b..."

I just got my copy and it's awesome! Nancy, you did an outstanding job with this book. I've mentioned in a few places, but you beat me to it here. :) I've got to start trying some of the recipes.

Please put suggestions in the Suggestions Thread for the Featured Author.

Who is the author for August? Also what books are we reading in August?

Gayle wrote: "Who is the author for August? Also what books are we reading in August?"

It may be a few days before an author gets posted for the month. Briansgirl has a lot going on and it's sometimes a few days. If she can't get to it she'll ask someone else to do it for her.

Thanks Melodie. Yes, I'm unfortunately very busy in real life, so I get to it as soon as I can. It also takes awhile to look up and link to the featured author's entire bibliography.

Do you realize we've been hosting our Featured Author of the Month for five years now?!!

It's great, really! Not a lot of thinks last so much in Internet. Thank you for your effort.

ஐ Briansgirl (Book Sale Queen)ஐ wrote: "Do you realize we've been hosting our Featured Author of the Month for five years now?!!"

It's amazing how much time has gone by so quickly...

Great idea!

I like the idea of a master list. That's a really nice idea.

Is this list going to be updated

Briansgirl (Book Sale Queen) how does one become considered to be a Featured Author of the Month?

Mary Feliz
Author of Address to Die For &
Scheduled to Death
(Cozy mysteries published by Kensington Lyrical)

Hi Mary,

Authors chosen usually have either multiple series, or a series that contains several books for readers to choose from. It takes the pressure off everyone trying to get the same book, or rereading a book they might not want to read again. '-)

Sandra wrote: "Is this list going to be updated"

A post can only be edited by the person who originally posted it. The active moderators will have to start a new post.

On another note, I miss the featured author of the month. Has this been discontinued for 2017?

Nell, I emailed Kimberly, the FA mod, earlier this month when nothing was posted, but had no reply back from her. I know she was looking for a job last fall, so don't know how that has impacted her internet time. I'll get in touch with Briansgirl about it and see if we can come up with a contingency plan for February. '-)

Heather L wrote: "Nell, I emailed Kimberly, the FA mod, earlier this month when nothing was posted, but had no reply back from her. I know she was looking for a job last fall, so don't know how that has impacted her..."

I think Kimberly is finishing up her masters right now too, not sure if it's this month or next so real life may be interfering. Hate when real life interferes with my reading!