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Authors Similar to Anne George …

Anne George is the author of the wildly enjoyable Southern Sisters Mystery Series. This wonderful Cozy Mystery series features two sisters (“Mouse” and “Sister”) in Alabama who could NOT possibly be more different. Anne George is able to highlight the sisters’ differences while showing just how close two sisters ought to be!

If you have run out of Anne George’s Southern Sisters Mystery Series and want to try to find another author who might fill the void, here is a list of authors who just might be able to do that!

Authors similar to Anne George:

Donna Andrews: Meg Langslow Mystery Series…

Jill Churchill: Jane Jeffrey Mystery Series…

Barbara Colley: Charlotte LaRue Mystery Series

Cleo Coyle (aka Alice Kimberly): Coffeehouse Mystery Series…

Amanda Cross: Kate Fansler Mystery Series…

Elizabeth Duncan: Penny Brannigan Mystery Series…

Earlene Fowler: Benni Harper Mystery Series…

Carolyn Hart: Death on Demand Mystery Series AND Henrie O Mystery Series…

Joan Hess: Claire Malloy Mystery Series…

Madison Johns: Agnes Barton Senior Sleuth Mystery Series…

Laura Levine: Jaine Austen Mystery Series…

Charlotte MacLeod (aka Alisa Craig): Peter Shandy & Helen Shandy Mystery Series AND Sarah Kelling & Max Bittersohn Mystery Series…

Nancy Martin: Blackbird Sisters Mystery Series…

Emilie Richards: Ministry is Murder Mystery Series

Ann B. Ross: Miss Julia Series…

Deborah Sharp: Mace Bauer Mystery Series…

Alexander McCall Smith: No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series...

Patricia Sprinkle: Thoroughly Southern Mystery Series…

Kathy Hogan Trochek (aka Mary Kay Andrews): Callahan Garrity Mystery Series

Livia J. Washburn: Fresh Baked Mystery Series

Please post your recommendations of authors who are similar to Anne George, and I will add them to the list.

♦To access more Cozy Mysteries by theme click on this link.♦

Comments

  1. There will never be another Anne George. Your choices are all good but they will never fill the void, I fear. Thanks for the choices.

    Reply

    • Agree completely. Anne George was one of a kind. I still turn to her books when I am stressed or anxious. Oh, how I love Mouse & Sister.

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      • So glad to hear you say that, because I do the exact same thing. Turn to Anne George when I want to go back to a simpler life. Same with Laura Levine.

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      • I so love Mouse and Sister, too. They were the only books that made me laugh out loud to the point of tears. I will forever miss Anne George. When I’m down or sad, I read them over again and again.

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  3. I’m with Anne. Those are good authors…but I don’t think any of them really capture that Anne George feeling.

    Neither does this one, but it’s kind of the same feel:

    Big Hair, Flying Cows by Dolores Wilson

    It’s possible Charlaine Harris’ series–oh, what is the name of it. The Teagarden ones.

    Maria

    Reply

  5. I enjoyed Anne George’s books and live where Ms. George’s took place, so you would think I would enjoy hers most. But, I preferred Nancy Martin’s Blackbird Sisters to Anne George. Everyone to their own taste – right?

    Oh, do I miss the Blackbird Sisters, but am enjoying Nancy Atherton’s Aunt Dimity at the moment. Danna, this website is causing me to do an awful lot of reading this year – on my 63 for 2010.

    Thanks everyone for your author suggestions.

    Reply

  6. Jo R, you’re absolutely correct about everyone having different tastes.

    I really miss my favorite characters when an author (or more than likely his/her publisher!) decides it’s time to start on an entirely new series. With any luck, though, they continue with their old series at the same time…

    Good grief! 63!?! I’m way behind you on my reading!

    Reply

  7. Thanks! I can add another author to my “To Read” list. I’m not familiar with Anne George but have read most of the books written by five of the authors you show as similar to hers–and they are among my favorites. Another one that I think is similar to the the ones in your “Similar” list (so maybe similar to Ms. George) is Carolyn Haines’ Sarah Booth Delaney series.

    Reply

  9. I was greatly saddened when I learned there would be no more Mouse and Sister as I enjoyed every word.

    I just finished up Ann B Ross’s Miss Julia series. Ms. Ross ranks right up with Ms. George in my book.

    Thanks for the list as I am now searching for a new series.

    Reply

  10. Harris’ Lily Bard mysteries were her best work IMO. It was my favorite although I did enjoy the first 3 Sookie books. After that…well, not so much and I think I only read book 5.

    Another writer who has endearing characters–Elizabeth Peters (Amelia Peabody). I think Amelia and Emerson are as dear as Mouse and Sister–although they are a couple so their dearness includes a sweet romance.

    Reply

  12. I am writing to tell you how impressed I am with your website. You list all my favorite authors and I can now find what is new quite easily. I am also looking forward to finding some new authors to add to my ever growing list of cozy mystery writers. Do you happen to have recommendations as to authors that are laugh out loud like Janet Evanovich?

    Thanks and keep up the amazing work!
    P.S. I am going to suggest my library use your site as a reference for others who love to read this genre.

    Reply

  14. I really miss Anne George and have read all of the Mouse and Sister stories. That is one of the first cozy series I read.

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  15. You may want to try Ann B. Ross. She doesn’t really do mysteries, but the feel of the stories is similar. Her main character is an older woman who manages to get herself in all kinds of trouble.

    Reply

    • Fannie Flagg (fellow Alabamian with Anne George) doesn’t write mysteries as such, but her wonderful novels not only have sensibilities that remind one of George’s, but on a much wider scale, and always include certain mysteries and revelations–and the occasional homicide or other crime–without being “detectival”. Often more mysterious than The Cat Who… Series of Lilian Jackson Braun.

      Reply

  17. Danna, I love this website! I have tried to find a category of humorous cozy mysteries. They don’t have to be knee-slapping-books, but a little humor like Anne George’s wonderful books would be what we are looking for. Any ideas?

    Reply

  19. Ann George was fabulous — and I, too, have found no one who can replace her or the Southern Sisters. She made me laugh out loud. I miss her dreadfully.

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  20. I absolutely LOVED Anne George’s Southern Sisters series, and I was heartbroken when Ms. George passed away.
    Thanks so much for this web site! It is a treasure!

    Reply

  23. I love your web site. I have been looking for a web site like this for a long time. I like mysteries that are culinary and bookstore related and you list them all in one place which makes them much easier to find. You have my favorite authors and some new ones that I will certainly try out. Again, thanks for the list.

    Reply

    • Thanks, Karen, for the kind words about the Cozy Mystery site. When I first started the site I could vouch for every single author on the site, as I had read every single one of them. However, I now add authors to the site who site readers have recommended as belonging on the site, so I can’t vouch for all of the authors.

      Hopefully you are able to find some new authors who you enjoy reading…

      Reply

  24. I love Anne George books and also enjoyed the Miss Julia series. I hope to find other good reading from the suggested list.
    Thanks for the list “similar to Janet Evanovich”. She has been a favorite for years. I’m very excited to find this website. I finished my last Southern Sister’s Series today and am feeling a little down. Your info gave me a boost. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Thank you, Arlene, I am going to go add Patricia Sprinkle to the Anne George list.

      Reply

  26. I LOVE Ann George’s books!! Mouse & Sister became like friends. And still even though I have read all of them, when I am really stressed, I pull out her books and re-read them just for comfort 🙂
    Danna, I am really enjoying your website! Thanks for listing all of this information here. My B&N wishlist is growing and growing now 🙂

    Reply

    • Paula, I am never surprised when yet another Cozy Mystery readers says she/he loves Anne George’s Southern Sisters. Ms. George has quite a following >>> which can be explained by her wonderful mystery series. Welcome to the club!

      Reply

  27. Have you read the “Mama” series by Deborah Sharp? I think her humor is a lot like Anne George.
    Mama Does Time
    Mama Rides Shotgun
    Mama Sees Stars

    Don’t let the book covers put you off–can’t judge a book by the cover right??

    Reply

    • Thanks, Sandy. I’ll go add Deborah Sharp to the list of Authors Similar to Anne George.

      Your comment about the books’ covers is all too true. Sometimes I am quite surprised by the covers publishing houses choose to “use” with authors mystery book series.

      (Don’t forget about Mama Gets Hitched!)

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  28. Thanks for the list. My husband and I loved to travel and listen to the Ann George’s books. About a year after his passing I took a friend to Birmingham to see the statue of Vulcan. She just didn’t get it. But I enjoyed seeing him and wishing my husband could have seen him too. It is now a very pleasant memory.

    Reply

  29. Danna, I laughed myself silly when I read in Anne George’s book about the statue of Vulcan. My son-in-law used to travel to Birmingham on business. When there, he mentioned to the businessman that he wanted to see Vulcan. The man asked him how he knew about that and my son-in-law said, “Regina read about it in a mystery story.” You see a good mystery can also be a travel guide.

    Reply

    • Regina, who would have thought Anne George would double as a travel/tour guide!

      Reply

  30. Danna, I loved Anne George’s southern series. I couldn’t decide if I was more like mouse or sister..or the the best of both. Love, love, love the cozy mystery list. I now have 4 pages of new authors to investigate and enjoy. Thanks for all the info!

    Reply

  31. I just re-read Anne George’s Southern Sisters books for a second time. Laughed as much as the first time. There is no better series but one can hope…….
    I’ve taken note of your recommendations. Thanks

    Reply

    • Karen F, it is so difficult to believe that it’s been over ten years since the last Southern Sisters mystery. I don’t think I have ever met anyone who didn’t like those mysteries. They are truly some of the very best.

      Reply

  32. Oh My Gosh, I can’t believe I found this website. It is wonderful!
    I have been reading cozy mysteries for years (before they were called cozy mysteries). I’m trying to complete my collection of some of my favorites, Anne George being one, books go out and don’t make it back home :}.
    This site will be so helpful in compliing my lists for my used book store trips.
    I have to agree with all of the people above, Anne George, the Blackbird sisters, and don’t forget one of my recent finds, Carolyn Haines Bones series.
    I just want to say thank you for this wonderful site. I love it!

    Reply

    • Welcome to the site, Tullie! I’m glad you’re enjoying the site.

      I know what you are saying about Cozy Mysteries “before they were called cozy mysteries”! (I once wrote an entry saying that if I were to “have to” recommend only one series for someone to read, it would be Anne George’s Southern Sisters Mystery Series.)

      Reply

  33. Thank you so much for this site. I recently found Anne George’s books on cassette tapes and was able to listen to all of them, with one exception, which I am reading now. I was devastated to find out she had died. Wow! what an impact her life has made. Thank you for this list – it’s the first web page I have ever read all of the comments on! I’m so glad I have some new authors to look at!

    Reply

    • Welcome to the site, Nancy. Aren’t those Southern Sister Mysteries great! I have told more people about Anne George’s mysteries! Love them!!!

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    • Sandra, I don’t think I have ever heard of anyone who didn’t love Anne George’s Southern Sisters. Terrific mystery books.

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  35. Danna – Thank you for your website! It is an incredible gift to all of us rabid mystery readers who discover an author they love — only to consume their life’s work in a few short weeks. I, like the others, absolutely LOVED Anne George’s Southern Sisters series, and was so sad at Ms. George’s passing. Cannot wait to try the other authors on your list, as well as the other readers’ suggestions.

    Also, smiled when I read the readers’ comments about visiting Vulcan — as I cannot seem to explain to my husband during vacation discussions why I have this strong desire to visit Birmingham. Ms. George made me fall in love with it as well as Mouse and Sister.

    Reply

    • Welcome to the site, BJ. I have to admit that nobody can replace Anne George.

      (How would he be about a detour to Birmingham?)

      Reply

  36. Anne George was my fist cozy mystery series. I found her looking for Alabama authors since I had moved to Birmingham where my daughter was in law school. I laughed so much reading those books that I’m sure they helped me recover quicker. I adore Anne George. I’ve read everything she’s written. Just makes me sad she’s gone.

    Reply

    • Sher, I know I have mentioned this before (many times!) but my daughter has made her way through Anne George’s Southern Sisters Mystery Series, and she loved it. She usually doesn’t have time to read a lot of fiction, but she makes the time for a few of my favorite authors.

      Reply

  37. I devoured Anne George’s mysteries. Went to Evonavich and the first page of her series and it started with something vile…had to put it down. Just looking for a replacement and found your site. Will try some of these. Need comic relief, not reminders of the news.

    Thank you for this site.

    Reply

  38. I am familiar with most of the authors on your cozy list as well. I would like to throw another author in the pot, though. Susan Wittig Albert’s China Bayle’s Mystery Series is one of the best. She is not as laugh out loud funny as Anne George but she has wonderful characters and there is always a good mystery to solve! (Not to mention, you learn alot about herbs!) Hardly any profanity and very clean books, too.

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  39. I just read through my entire Southern Sisters paperbacks for the third time in six years. It’s always as fun as my first time through them. I’m still bummed she passed away and I find I get to wondering what fiasco those sisters would have wound up in next. I guess I just wanted to say I miss Anne’s writing. I’ll bet she was a funny lady.

    Reply

    • Karen, I have read the series on “real books” but bought all of them in Kindle format for re-reading them in the future. My daughter reads only a handful of Cozy Mystery series, of which this is one. I highly recommend Anne George’s Southern Sisters series.

      Reply

  40. I can’t count how many times I’ve read this entire series. I bought the books, and when I run through a lot of authors, I go back for my “feel good” books. I live in the Birmingham area, so much of this is so familiar. But when I get to that last book, when Sister leaves I just want to cry…..

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  41. I absolutely loved all of Anne George’s books, I cried when I finished Murder Boogies with Elvis knowing this was her last book. I thought of three Authors style that somewhat reminds me of Mrs George and they are Barbara Colley, Emilie Richards and Kathy Trochek.

    Reply

    • Mim, I read Murder Boogies with Elvis before any of us knew it would be the last time we would be able to spend time with Sister and Mouse. I hadn’t thought about what it would have been like to know it would be the last book before I read it.

      (Also, thank you for the three authors. I just added them to the Authors Similar to Anne George list.)

      Reply

      • During the first height of the Covid lockdown, my local libraries were not even accepting take-backs, let alone get-news. Luckily I had some good ones. Re-read some 3 or 4 times, but Murder Boogies with Elvis seven times, then started, for myself, doing an alternate-world fanfic with the Southern Sisters and their crew translated to A Better Place. My favorite little story took them back (sort of: Semi-parallel but greatly improved version of) Destin, Florida, the site of Murder Makes Waves. Makes you feel better. Remember, you don’t have to put any big ol’ plot or drama in stuff for your own-self; just a way of looking in again on those dear old friends. And being free of our-world problems!

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  43. Anne George is probably my favorite cozy author – I was crushed to find out she had died. There are a number of other series I enjoy for different reasons, but the one that reminds me most of hers (that I’ve read) is the Fresh Baked Mystery Series by Livia J Washburn. The heroine is a retired teacher and it has that homey small town feel and characters that are very likeable. I read the first because my mom loaned it to me – the series is set in my hometown of Weatherford, Tx. I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting a lot. The first I read was the middle of the series. I kept reading them because of the characters & feel of the series. They also tend to be centered around holidays and local festivals, which I enjoy. Hope that helps someone else fill a little of the void!

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  44. Loved Anne George. I read every one and have not found one that really compares.

    A funny series IMO is Laura Levine’s books. Sometimes a bit over the top, but mostly a lot of humor. I always laugh out loud reading hers.

    Reply

  45. I was and am a huge fan of Anne George. After reading all of her books I searched for other authors that were similar to her. I discovered Madison Johns and her series which include two hilarious characters Agnes Barton and Evelyn. They always manage to find a body and then try to solve the murder, getting into all kinds of problems. Lighthearted mystery with humor, I love the characters.

    Reply

  46. Wonderful to have found your website. I’m just another fan who misses the adventures of Mouse and Sister a lot!! and thanks to all Anne George’s other fans who’ve made recommendations for other books, but of course no one can replace Anne!

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  47. Anne George Sister Mystery series was top of the list. I’ve been reading through some of your suggestions and would like to add a series someone suggested to me. Alexander McCall Smith – The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency .Into the third book and I can’t read fast enough to see what’s going to happen next. Lovable characters.

    Reply

  48. LOVED Anne George and the Sisters. Another wonderful series is by Graham Landrum. Sadly, he has also passed.

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  49. Is there a way for me to purchase Anne George’s books in hardback? She is my favorite author and I can only find them in paperback.

    Reply

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