This should (finally!) finish my verbal “meandering” regarding the:
Do you think that you can judge a (Cozy Mystery) book by its cover?

Bright, Bold Covers: These, as well as the idyllic setting covers, are the types of mystery book covers that most capture my attention. I simply like them, and prefer it when they give us a hint about the type of Cozy Mystery the book is going to be. The artists’ delightful, bright renditions of the mysteries reach out and definitely grab my attention.

Covers with Photographs: There are also mysteries that show still pictures of a scene. Most of the Cozy Mystery books I am familiar with don’t tend to have photographs on their covers, they usually grace the covers of true crime and harder mysteries. Mysteries with photographed covers don’t capture my attention while browsing, but I’m sure that I have read many of them.

There are probably many other types of book covers out there that are gracing our Cozy Mystery novels. And, as with all things, different people have different tastes. Perhaps the next time you are deciding on a new author to start reading, you will notice yourself seeing what role the author’s book covers play in your decision to either read or pass on that author’s novels.

Here are the other two parts of this theme:

Mystery Books’ Covers Part 1

Mystery Books’ Covers Part 2

Part 2 of: Do you think that you can judge a (Cozy Mystery) book by its cover?

I have noticed that there seem to be different “categories” of cozy mystery book covers these days: There are some book covers that are scenes that (I feel) invite the cozy mystery reader to read the book… These covers almost scream: “This book is for you! This is a cozy scene with you in mind!” These would be the covers with idyllic settings on them.

These covers are usually in soft, inviting colors, with artists’ renditions of something we expect in our cozies: a far-away, (very British) looking landscape or building (preferably a cottage overlooking the sea or a hotel that caters to old colonels with their very young wives), a beautiful room in a house/mansion (again very British looking!), or a lovely item in a beautiful room>>> in a terrific house>>>> in a far-away, wondrous setting.

I have to admit to being drawn to this particular “Agatha Christie-Setting” cover. I love the scenes of crashing water on the cliffs, beautiful bed and breakfasts covered with ivy, libraries with all of their books (and the murder weapons!), fireplaces blazing, etc.

Here are some examples of these idyllic book covers:

Ann Granger            P. B. Ryan                   Patricia Houck Sprinkle

Ann Waldron           Robin Paige                Camille Minichino

Ngaio Marsh           Hailey Lind                   Victoria Thompson

Hazel Holt                Roberta Isleib              Caroline Graham

Would any of these book covers help you decide whether or not you would like to start reading these authors? I KNOW that they would have a big part in my decision!

Here are the other two parts of this theme:

Mystery Books’ Covers Part 1

Mystery Books’ Covers Part 3