I got a letter from MJ with a great idea for a blog entry! It’s a spin on something we do, but with a better focus. She says it better than I can, so here are some portions of her letter:
… How about the ‘best FIRST in a series cozy by either a new author or an established author with a new series in the previous year?’…
Included in that selection might be – ‘does it have potential to be a long running series and why?’ This would also have to be a ‘series’ book, not a stand alone.
I thought of this a couple of weeks ago as I read an excellent new ‘first in series’ book. Then I read another which I thought was even better. Yesterday I just started a third new book that looks like it has ‘potential’ – I can’t decide that until I finish it, though. I always put these books in my monthly recommendations. But I thought it would be interesting and informative to blog readers if we singled out just one new series. That will be tough for me to do, however, because I’ve read several good first books this past year!!!…
I love this idea, since we’ll be able to see which of the new Cozy Mystery series that have recently been started look like real winners and will be around for a while.
So please tell us about the best first book in a Cozy Mystery series that you read that was published in 2014 or 2015. As usual, please tell us why you think this series has a great future, and please limit this to only the one best first Cozy in the new Cozy Mystery series.
Thank you!
Here are the Cozies you all have recommended so far:
Best 1st Cozy in a new (2014 or 2015) Cozy Mystery Series:
Ellery Adams: Murder in the Mystery Suite (Book Retreat Mystery Series)
Duffy Brown: Geared for the Grave (Cycle Path Mystery Series)
Leslie Budewitz: Assault and Pepper (Seattle Spice Shop Mystery Series)
Lynn Cahoon: Guidebook to Murder (Tourist Trap Mystery Series)
Maia Chance: Snow White Red-Handed (A Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery Series)
J.J. Cook (aka Joyce and Jim Lavene & Ellie Grant): Death on Eat Street (Biscuit Bowl Food Truck Mystery Series)
E.J. Copperman (aka Jeffrey Cohen): The Question of the Missing Head (Asperger’s Mystery Series)
Laura DiSilverio (aka Ella Barrick & Lila Dare): The Readaholics and the Falcon Fiasco (Readaholics Book Club Mystery Series)
Eva Gates (aka Vicky Delany) By Book or By Crook (Lighthouse Library Mystery Series)
Sherry Harris: Tagged for Death (Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery Series)
Christine Husom: Snow Way Out (Snow Globe Shop Mystery Series)
Diane Kelly: Paw Enforcement (Paw Enforcement Mystery Series)
Mary Kennedy: Nightmares Can Be Murder (Dream Club Mystery Series)
Joyce and Jim Lavene (aka J.J. Cook & Ellie Grant): Spell Booked (Retired Witches Mystery Series)
T.C. LoTempio: Meow If It’s Murder (Nick and Nora Mystery Series)
Terrie Farley Moran: Well Read, Then Dead (Read ‘Em and Weep Mystery Series)
Julie Mulhern: The Deep End (Country Club Mystery Series)
Penny Pike (aka Penny Warner): Death of a Crabby Cook (Food Festival Mystery Series)
Rose Pressey: If You’ve Got It, Haunt It (Haunted Vintage Mystery Series)
Angela M. Saunders: The Lanvin Murders (Vintage Clothing Mystery Series)
Fran Stewart: A Wee Murder in My Shop (Scotshop Mystery Series)
***Please be sure to read the comments below to see why these first books in new Cozy Mystery series have been chosen to be the best.***
Lisa says
Fran Stewart, Murder in my Wee Shop. This has the potential to blow doors. As a Hamilton, I’m partial to the Scottish.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lisa, thank you. You must have been one of the first people to read this book, since it was just released a few weeks ago!
Robyn K says
Meow If It’s Murder by T.C. LoTempio
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Robyn K, thanks!
Annette says
The Question of the Missing Head, an Asperger’s Mystery by EJ Copperman/Jeff Cohen because my daughter has Asperger’s and the author is right on target describing his character.
Assault and Pepper by Leslie Budewitz because I love to cook and the information about spices is unbelievable. Also, the author makes Seatle sound so interesting I want to plan my next vacation there.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Annette, those look like terrific reasons to make these Cozy Mystery series stand out above others!
MJ says
Annette,
I also loved ‘Assault and Pepper’…………..so I ‘second’ your selection. Leslie Budewitz is a smart and intelligent author and her books certainly reflect that.
I thought if blog readers know there are several who enjoy the same book, they, too, might pick it up to read.
Barb W says
Duffy Brown’s Geared for the Grave. Set in beautiful Mackinac Island, it features a quaint bike shop, quirky characters and quality writing!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Barb W, your making Duffy Brown’s Cycle Path series look mighty inviting…
Judith says
I just finished Geared for the Grave – I was giggling all the way through, it was so much fun. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Judith, you and Barb W make the Geared for the Grave series sound terrific!
Airieanne says
Comes our April 7: The Readaholics and the Falcon Fiasco by Laura DiSilverio. I read an ARC and it’s terrific ! This is the first in a new series. Quotes taken from Amazon: “Amy-Faye Johnson’s book club, the Readaholics, enjoys guessing whodunit in mysteries like The Maltese Falcon. But when a murder happens in their midst, they discover that solving crimes is harder that reading about them…
Amy-Faye has always loved her idyllic Rocky Mountain town of Heaven, Colorado. Her event-planning business is thriving, her fellow book-obsessed Readaholics are great, and her parents live only a few blocks away. But lately her hometown has felt a little less heavenly. First, she agrees to plan a wedding without realizing the groom is her ex-boyfriend. Then, Ivy, one of her fellow Readaholics, dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances.”
DiSilverio is a veteran cozy writer and former President of the national Sisters in Crime. She writes a bang-up story with the right amount of humor and a serious crime.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Airieanne, thanks for letting the rest of us know that we’re in for a fun new Cozy Mystery series!
Jill says
A Potion to Die for by Heather Blake
Well Read then Dead Terrie Farley Moran
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jill, thank you!
Mary says
I just finished Fran Stewart’s book and I think the ScotShop series is going to be great! I also loved Duffy Brown’s Geared for the Grave and can’t wait for the next one! Murder in the Mystery suite was also one that I couldn’t put down! There are so many great series being started. I just need more reading time!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary, it’s pretty interesting to see how many good Cozy Mystery series have been starting recently. I mean, as I have been listing the recommended books, I keep thinking “This one can’t have started in 2014/2015, can it?” and sure enough, all eight of them are this new!
MJ says
Mary, I second, third, and even fourth (if there is such a thing) your selection for ‘Murder in the Mystery Suite’ by Ellery Adams.
Adams has developed very complex, some quirky, some secretive characters. I especially enjoy the smart and savvy protagonist – she’s a winner! There’s also humor/wit in this book. I envision this to be a long series if the author (and publisher) chooses.
Can you tell I REALLY liked it?!!
Sheila says
Snow Way Out – Christine Husom
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheila, and here’s yet another good Cozy Mystery series that started only two months ago!
Stash Empress says
Well I know you said just ONE — but I see others have already listed 2 or 3 — so I’ll give 5 😉
these were honestly ALL soooooo Gooooood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maia Chance — Snow White Red-Handed (A Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery) — This was just plain fun — historical mystery with fairy tale personalities brought in as being real historical characters — the sleuth(s) are great characters themselves (out of work actresses pretending to be maids) and the series should have staying power in that there’s a whole genre of fairy tales for them to work with in future books.
Joyce & Jim Lavene — Spell Booked (Retired Witches Mystery) — I’m a great fan of the Lavenes & each new series just seems to get better & better — in this series you have witches of retirement age, suffering from senior moments, needing to solve real life crime (with some magical elements thrown in) — think loveable old Aunt Clara (from Bewitched) meets Harry Potter…
Rose Pressey – If You’ve Got It, Haunt It — (A Haunted Vintage Mystery) — has all the elements I love in mysteries — vintage finery, a ghost & even a psychic cat — so much fun!
Catherine Lloyd — Death Comes to the Village (Kurland St. Mary mystery) — I LOVE this new series!!!! Historical mystery set in Regency England, bright gutsy female sleuth who solves the murder & thefts despite being told to desist by all the dominant males!
Anne Marie Sutton — Murder Stalks a Mansion (Newport Mystery series) — I really like this new series — it has all the right elements for an enjoyable cozy — Beautiful setting, impoverished but brave & spunky widow turns the family home into a hotel to keep a roof over her head.. & murder occurs…
There were some other really great “first in series” that I’ve read recently — but these were the BEST!!! (Oh and Ellery Adams’ Murder in the Mystery Suite, OF COURSE — but I see that’s already been mentioned!)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stash, thanks for all of the suggestions.
Janice says
I enjoyed several of the new series already mentioned but one that especially interested me was Tagged for Death by Sherry Harris.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janice, thank you, I just added it to the list.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janice, thanks!
Ana says
Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews. It had me laughing most of the way through.
robin says
I agree with T.C.LoTempio, Terri F. Moran, and Fran Stewart. They are now on my to buy list. I also added Mary Kennedy-Nightmares can be Murder, Carol Perry-Caught Dead Handed and Kate Dyer Seeley-Scene of the Climb. I believe they are all 2014 intros. Miranda James started a new series with Bless her dear Little heart and Mary Ellen Hughes with Pickled Piper, and they are as enjoyable as the other series they write.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Robin, it looks like you enjoyed quite a few brand new Cozy Mystery series. Thanks!
MJ says
WOW! There were 16 postings before I even read this particular blog entry. Several authors of another series introduced us to a new series in the past year – most are very good or excellent.
As I went over my recommendations for the past year, I decided to select:
‘Well Read, Then Dead’ by Terrie Farley Moran.
I wanted to give a ‘heads up’ to an author new to the Cozy Mystery scene. Ms. Moran also received an Agatha nomination for First Best Novel!
The story is set off the Gulf coast of Florida, near Fort Myers. Sassy (middle name – Sassafras) and Bridgy (Bridget) own a breakfast/lunch café with a book themed tables. Of course there are shelves and shelves of books which they sell or lend.
First of all, there is quite a diverse and exceptional group of characters who bring exciting aspects to the story. I like both Sassy and Bridgy – smart and intelligent women with a sense of fun and humor.
Next, the mystery plot takes many interesting twists/turns throughout the story. The subplots also flow nicely and keep the reader immersed in the book – a real page turner and well-paced story.
The characters, humor, and excellent writing skills of the author should keep the reader engaged in this series for several books to come.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, your reason for suggesting Terrie Farley Moran’s Well Read, Then Dead make me want to start reading it immediately. Thank you!
Kimmy Kim says
Charmain Zimmerman Brackett – Murder at Twin Oaks.
A fabulous read, kept me glued to my Kindle 🙂
Anne says
Eric Brown “Murder by the book.” Set in the 1950s. His “sleuths” are Donald Langham, a London crime writer, and his French girlfriend Maria Dupre. The author himself says he “uses the tropes of classic crime fiction” but hopes he has his own voice and concentrates more on character.
I have just finished the 2nd book, published this yr. “Murder at the Chase” and think it’s going to be a really good series. He does have his own voice and his characters (on the surface, might be thought stereotypes)are real falliable human beings who I find I warm to and want to know more about. He shows them from different viewpoints so you get a rounded picture.
All the Agatha Christie ingredients but in a fresh way. Very enjoyable.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Anne, thanks, I’ll go add him to the list.
Ann says
Duffy Brown would get my vote. She always has interesting characters.
Ann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ann, Duffy Brown certainly seems to have hit a winner with her new Cycle Path Mystery Series!
ERICA P says
Murder at Twin Oaks: A Victoria James Mystery by C.Z. Brackett for sure 😀 Great characters, lots of fun plot twists, and a great setting as well.
AND I also love Victoria’s dog Auggie! Who she says is the only man in her life… lol but I know some of the other characters would like to try to persuade her otherwise lol
“Journalist Victoria James usually only writes about crime for the Bennettsville, Ga. Herald. When two of the town’s most influential people are killed and clues start showing up on Victoria’s doorstep, she’s forced into the investigation and must come face-to-face with part of her past she’d rather forget.” – Book Description from Amazon
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Erica P, thank you for telling us about this book.
dana says
I agree w/Duffy Brown & Geared for the Grave. Some others on this list I have read too and agree with but Brown’s sense of humor, (dry & somewhat sarcastic) is right up my alley.
“There’s a boat leaving in 10 minutes. We want you to be on it or under it.” Cracks me up!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dana, wow! It looks lie Duffy Brown is very popular amongst a lot of you!
Bev says
Look What the Wind Blew In by Ann Charles. Love her other series and this one is definitely on my list to read more of.
Karen L. says
I would like to recommend the Tourist Trap Mysteries by Lynn Cahoon.
The first book in the series is Guidebook To Murder. I bought it because I liked the setting, a bookstore in a coastal town in California. It is about Jill Gardner, who moves to town to run a book store called Coffee, Books, and More. Her friend, Miss Emily, is found dead by Jill when she comes to visit. A few days later, it is determined that Miss Emily has been murdered and Jill has inherited her home and money.
The writing style is very easy to read and follow. I enjoyed it so much that I read the next two books in the series and look forward to reading more.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Karen L, your description makes this books sound really appealing. Thanks!
Hilary says
I have a big TBR pile so I haven’t had a chance to read any of the new 2015 series books yet, nor all of the new 2014 series books I have either. But my favorite new series books of 2014 so far are J.J. Cook’s “Death on Eat Street” and “Paw Enforcement” by Diane Kelly.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Hilary, thanks, I’ll go add them to the list!