The Cozy Mystery List Blog

Cozy Mystery (and Other Favorite) Books, Movies, and TV

Do You Really Use Peoples' Reviews?!?

I know that I have mentioned going to Amazon, Netflix, and other web sites to read reviews by people just like you and me. I spend time looking up an author before I start reading his/her series, and what better place to get peoples’ opinions than those types of sites? Amazon and Netflix reviews help me make decisions on both books and movies. (As well as several blogs which provide reviews that I trust. I also visit the author’s website, and do a general website search for the author before I decide whether or not I want to "invest my time" reading a new author.)

I get cozy mystery author recommendations from the site’s viewers from time to time, and some of the authors who have been recommended, well, I just can’t believe I missed them! When I started this site, I only included authors who I had read, or authors who came recommended by my cozy mystery reading friends. Now, though, I have been very lucky to have gotten some really great author additions from the site’s viewers. Authors who, after I take a look at, look like authors I will enjoy spending time with…

But… be FOREWARNED…

Once you have looked at a lot of reviews, you will possibly find a pattern. By this, I mean, you might see the same reviewers touting almost every book that you look up! I know this sounds impossible…. but, let me assure you, it happens.

There is one particular reviewer who comes to mind… Someone whose name I won’t reveal, but if I see the name with a review, I just skip right on to the next review. This particular reviewer has, if I am able to do the math right…. well over 14,000 reviews on Amazon. That’s a whole lot of books, and a whole lot of reviews! I’m OK with someone reading that many books… I actually think it’s great! But it seems to me (and a few of my friends) that almost every review this particular person has posted for a book has received a five (out of five) star rating. I say "almost every," since I have a seen a very small percentage of four star ratings…. I consider the four star rating from this particular reviewer to be the kiss of death for that book!

The nice thing, of course, is that the reviewer is putting a positive spin on the books, which will help get the book into more people’s hands. (And remember what Thumper’s mom said about saying only positive things!) The bad thing (for me, anyway) is that when I look at reviews, I hope to glean some information that will be useful to me. I don’t want a sugar-coated look at a book… ("Just the facts, ma’am.") I can’t believe that almost every book this reviewer has read deserves a five star rating. And, I can honestly say that I have never seen this reviewer give a three star rating. But possibly, the author of a book garnering a three star review from that reviewer would have the review pulled off of the site immediately… I certainly would!

I realize that everyone has different tastes in their reading likes and dislikes, but I have seen some five star ratings from this reviewer on books I simply couldn’t recommend to anyone! If four stars is the lowest I have seen this reviewer give, then imagine the schlock-of-a-book the three star rating books must be… if there are actually any three star ratings. (Of course, I haven’t seen every review by this person, so I could be wrong… there might just be a three star tucked in every once in a while.

Anyway…

You will continue to hear me talk about "my reviews" that I use, but remember, even after I read the reviews, I use a little common sense in making my decision to either get a book/movie, or not.

What Do You Do When You Just Can't Remember?

I received two e-mails from a site viewer (while I was on vacation) that have been on my mind. He visited my web site, and was able to find some new authors he might try reading, but he also sought some help in finding an author (or two) he had "misplaced."  I feel really badly because I am not able to help him come up with the possible authors. He wasn’t able to provide me with enough clues to help narrow down the possibilities.

This started me thinking about an author I read several years ago, but who I didn’t annotate, and now can’t seem to remember… All I do know is that I’d really like to read her again. I just don’t remember enough of the the book to be able to give much of a description. (This is one of the reasons I started compiling my lists of authors!)

If you are reading this blog, and have a cozy mystery author whose name you can’t remember…. please feel free to send me a comment (which can be done by hitting the "Comment" button right under the faint gray line right under this particular blog.) I will try to address your author’s series’ description (that you give to me) in a future blog, and perhaps, we can come up with your "lost" author. Obviously, the more clues you provide, the better the chances of finding exactly who you are looking for… And, if I am not familiar with your author, hopefully, one of the blog’s readers might know the identity of your sought-after novelist.

Now that I have given this a lot of thought, I think that I will go try to remember some more of my particular book’s details so that I can blog them, and hopefully, with the site’s viewers’ help, find my author.

Miss Emily D. Seeton… (With a Title Like That, Could She be Anything But Cozy?!)

As many things as I tried to cram into this last month of travel and (very successful) surgery, I did manage to try two new authors, and of course, read some of my “tried and true” novelists.

I won’t even go into how much I loved The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (by Alexander McCall Smith)… since I have spent a lot of time blogging on (and on!) about how much I love Smith’s novels. (But, of course, I would have found myself remiss if I hadn’t at least put that little bit of information into this blog….)

I tried two new authors… Heron Carvic was one of them. (Heron Carvic was the originator of the Miss Emily D. Seeton novels.) I read Picture Miss Seeton (which, if you know about how I feel at the beginning of a series, you know that it has got to be the first book!) and I found the book to be a very enjoyable read. I came away with a good feeling of character development for Miss Seeton. I was left thinking… now this is a cozy mystery character I will enjoy revisiting in the future. And, since there are so many books in the series, I should have plenty of time to get to know her better.

I enjoyed the interaction between the Superintendent of Scotland Yard and Miss Seeton, and found it to be very believable. I have found that in several cozy mystery series, the interaction between the police and the always-better-at-solving-crime amateur sleuth can be really annoying… Some authors portray the police as bumbling idiots standing on the side-lines, jealous of the amateur sleuth, and always warning the amateur to get off of the case…. because let’s face it, if the bumblers can’t solve the crime, they would rather that the culprit gets off free, leaving the case unsolved… And, since there are more than enough cozy mystery series to read (as this site’s lists should show!), I don’t stay with a series like that for long! I usually try to give the author a few attempts at redemption, but, you know what they say about three strikes!  And a lot of the time, it’s just the one strike that makes me put a book down as a “YUCK” on my private list!

I don’t want to say too much about the novel, since I don’t want to give away the plot by writing unintended spoilers…  Let me just say this… Since I have only read the first novel in the series, I don’t actually know if Miss Seeton will remain in this lovely little village…. I am hoping that the following books stay in this same quaint cozy setting, with all of the cozy mystery inhabitants (some more eccentric than others!) the characters, plotline, and setting left me with a feeling of “going home.”

This particular Miss Seeton novel had all of the cozy mystery requirements… and, of course, it didn’t hurt that there is a little promise of romance for future books!

Dog Theme Mysteries : Dogs Are Cozy, Too!

I recently updated my Cats are Cozy entry, so thought I should give the dogs in our lives equal time. I know that cats are typically what most of us think of when we think of a “cozy animal”… to go with the white-haired sleuth, no less! Gone are those days! Now we have young sleuths who manage their professions along with their family lives. But… I’m not going to be focusing on the sleuths… rather on their dogs. So, here are the site’s authors with dog themes in their mysteries.

I will start out with the White House Pet Detectives: Tales of Crime and Mystery at the White House from a Pet’s Eye View. It is an anthology which was edited by Carole Nelson Douglas. In it, you will find stories by some of your favorite mystery authors.

There are some veterinarians and veterinary technicians who have series all of their own! Dr. Nightingale is the veterinarian  in the Deirdre Quinn Nightingale Mystery Series by Lydia Adamson.  And Karen Ann Wilson writes the Samantha Holt Mystery Series. While Samantha is not a full-fledged veterinarian, she is a veterinary technician.

Sparkle Abbey: Pampered Pet Mystery Series

Kristi Abbott: Gourmet Popcorn Shop Mystery Series (Sprocket is the sleuth’s Poodle)

Ellery Adams (aka Jennifer Stanley & J. B. Stanley) writes the Books by the Bay Mystery Series which features Olivia Limoges and her Standard Poodle (Captain Haviland), and a writers club… all of whom solve crimes!

Barbara Allan: Trash ‘n’ Treasures Mysteries Series

Annie’s Amish Inn Mystery Series (Beans is the sleuth’s English Bulldog)

Cynthia Baxter‘s series is the Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery Series. The series name lets you know that this series will have puppies and dogs, galore!

Carol Lea Benjamin knows all about training dogs… and I don’t mean just her dog Dash! (Rachel Alexander Mystery Series)

Laurien Berenson writes the very popular cozy mystery series that features a Special Education teacher who participates in dog shows. (Melanie Travis Mystery Series)

Bethany Blake: Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery Series

Michael Bond‘s Monsieur Pamplemousse Mystery Series has Pommes Frites, Monsieur’s dog. With a dog named French Fries, is it any wonder that Monsieur’s business is restaurants!?!

Duffy Brown has a mutt named Bruce Willis in her Consignment Shop Mystery Series.

Rita Mae Brown fans know Tee Tucker (the Corgi) in her Mrs. Murphy Mystery Series. But a lot of us are just becoming aware of Brown’s new series about foxhunting… and could you ever “foxhunt” without the horses and hounds?

V.M. Burns: Lilly Echosby Dog Club Mystery Series – Lilly is a recently divorced CPA who is a member of a dog club in Tennessee.

Nancy Bush writes the Jane Kelly Mystery Series which not only features Jane, but her Pug, The Binkster (aka Binks and Binkster)…

Claudius, a Siberian Husky/German Shepherd mix is Annie O’Hara’s sidekick in the mystery series that is written by Ann Campbell. Annie owns an antique shop, and Claudius owns Annie’s love and devotion! (Annie O’Hara & Claudius Mystery Series)

Laura Childs writes the Tea Shop Mystery Series, which is set in Charleston, South Carolina. And of course, Thea Browning’s dog’s name is Earl Gray.

Edie Claire writes the Leigh Koslow Mystery Series. While Leigh is not a veterinarian, her father is. Every once in a while Leigh works as a tech at her dad’s office. Also, the second book features a zoo vet and setting.

The Melissa Cleary cozy mystery series is known as the Dog Lovers Mystery Series, and features Jake, with his professor Jackie Walsh.

Nancy Coco writes the Candy Coated Mystery Series, which stars Allie, and features her dog, Mal.

Waverly Curtis writes the Barking Detective Mystery Series, which features Pepe (along with his owner) who thinks of himself as “Chihuahua extraordinaire”.

And no cozy mystery book list featuring dogs would be complete without Susan Conant‘s Holly Winter Mystery Series. Holly is a writer for Dog’s Life Magazine and also a dog trainer.

Kathi Daley: Zoe Donovan Mystery Series – Zoe does her sleuthing with her dog, Charlie.

Evelyn David is a pseudonym for two authors, one with a degree in Political Science and the other with a degree in Biology. They write the Sullivan Investigations Mystery Series which features an ex-policeman and his Irish Wolfhound (Whiskey) and a divorcée mortician  who sleuth together…

Rae Davies writes the Dusty Deals Mystery Series, which features an Alaskan Malamut named Kiska.

Krista Davis: Paws and Claws Mystery Series

Devon Delaney: Cook-Off Mystery Series – Sherry Oliveri-Frazzelle is a competitive cook who works part-time with her dad AND Chutney, her Jack Russell Terrier in Connecticut.

Abigail Deuel: Mandy Bell DVM Mystery Series

J. F. Englert writes the Bull Moose Dog Run Mystery Series which features a Black Labrador Retriever (who is actually the narrator of this mystery series) and his often-confused owner…

Christy Evans writes the Georgiana Neverall Mystery Series which has, as its dog-stars, Daisy and Buddha, Georgie’s two darling Airedales…

Chrystle Fiedler writes the Natural Remedies Mystery Series, who gets a dachshund, Zeke.

Susan Furlong: Bone Gap Travellers Mystery Series – Brynn is an ex-Marine with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder who returns to Tennessee with her cadaver dog, Wilco.

Patricia Guiver writes the Pet Detective Mystery Series which features Delilah Doolittle and her Doberman Pinscher, Watson, who helps her solve her cases.

Victoria Hamilton writes the Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series, which features Jaymie Leighton, a collector of vintage cookware and cookbooks, and her three-legged Yorkie Poo, Hoppy.

David Handler writes the Stewart Hoag & Lulu Mystery Series. Lulu is Stewart’s faithful Basset Hound.

Sue Henry‘s first cozy series featured Jessie Arnold, a dog sled racer in Anchorage. She now has a new series about a widow in her 60s (Maxine McNab) who travels in her RV, accompanied by her Mini Dachshund, who could only be called “Stretch!” (Maxie & Stretch Mystery Series)

Gabriella Herkert writes the Animal Instinct Mystery Series, and her second book in that series features dogs.

Marion Moore Hill pens the Scrappy Librarian Mystery Series, which has the librarian and her collie/mongrel, Rip…

Suzette A. Hill writes the Reverend Oughterard Mystery Series. Bouncer (his dog) and Maurice (his cat) enjoy the British village life, even with all of the mysteries to solve…

Richard Houston: Books to Die For Mystery Series

Linda O. Johnston writes the Pet Rescue Mystery Series which features an animal advocate who runs a pet rescue agency.

Linda O. Johnston: Superstition Mystery Series – Rory Chasen is an employee at the Lucky Dog Boutique, and Pluckie is her “helper” dog.

Lee Charles Kelley is a dog trainer (along with being an author!) who writes the Continuing Adventures of Jack & Jamie Mystery Series which happens to feature a dog trainer/dog kennel owner/ex-NYPD detective.

Diane Kelly writes the Megan Luz Mystery Series which takes place in Fort Worth. Megan is a police officer who solves cases with her K-9 partner, Brigit.

Annie Knox (aka Wendy Lyn Watson): Pet Boutique Mystery Series

Amanda Lee (aka Gayle Trent) writes the Embroidery Mystery Series. Marcy owns an embroidery shop and has her loyal companion Irish Wolfhound, Angus, join her.

Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): Jazz Ramsey Mystery Series

Dixie Lyle: Whiskey, Tango, & Foxtrot Mystery Series

Nancy Martin: Miss Ruffles Mystery Series: Miss Ruffles, a very wealthy woman’s dog, inherits the woman’s estate!

Judi McCoy writes the Dog Walker Mystery Series which features Ellie and her dog Rudy… and, lest I forget, Ellie’s ability to communicate telepathically with her charges.

Jenn McKinlay writes the Library Lover’s Mystery Series, which stars librarian Lindsey and features her dog Heathcliff.

Leslie O’Kane writes the Allie Babcock Mystery Series. Don’t all dogs deserve a dog therapist? And, Allie not only solves their problems, but she also solves mysteries!

Spencer Quinn (aka Peter Abrahams) pens the Chet and Bernie Mystery Series. This mystery series is narrator by Chet, Bernie’s loyal side-kick, ex K-9 agent. (Well, technically, he never made it to graduation.)

David Rosenfelt writes the Andy Carpenter Mystery Series, in which Andy is a defense attorney who manages a dog rescue facility – with the help of his Golden Retriever, Tara.

Dana Stabenow‘s Kate Shugak mystery series has Mutt, a half-wolf/half Husky playing second fiddle to  Kate, an ex-investigator and current sleuth, in Alaska. (Kate Shugak Mystery Series)

Nancy Jill Thames writes the Jillian Bradley Mystery Series which features a gardening  columnist and her Yorkie.

Maggie Toussaint writes the Cleopatra Jones Mystery Series which features a golfing-accountant-sleuth and her side-kick, Madonna (a rather huge St. Bernard)…

Diane Vallere: Mad for Mod Mystery Series – Madison Night’s Rocky (Shih Tzu)

Peggy Webb writes the Southern Cousins Mystery Series which features a Basset Hound named Elvis.

Tracy Weber writes the Downward Dog Mystery Series, which features a German Shepherd named Bella.

Nina Wright, who writes the Whiskey Mattimoe Mystery Series which features Whiskey’s Afghan Hound, Abra.

Sue Owens Wright pens the Beanie & Cruiser Mystery Series which features a Basset Hound (Cruiser) and Beanie, a freelance reporter in Lake Tahoe…

There are two authors who feature dog trackers in their mystery series: Donna Ball‘s Raine Stockton Dog Mystery Series‘ dog is a Golden Retriever named Cisco. He keeps an eye on Raine Stockton, the North Carolina ex-tracker. Virginia Lanier‘s Jo Beth Sidden Mystery Series features a Bloodhound trainer and tracker.

While I was working on this Cozy Mystery Dog Theme List, I came across some books about dogs that look like they would be a lot of fun… They are not mysteries, but with titles like they have, if you are a dog lover, you might enjoy checking them out:

Why Do Dogs Drink Out of the Toilet?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Canine Conundrums, Medical Mysteries and Befuddling Behaviors, by Marty Becker & Gina Spadafori

bowWOW!: Curiously Compelling Facts, True Tales, and Trivia Even Your Dog Won’t Know, by D.V.M., Marty Becker, Gina Spadafori, &  Molly Pearce (Illustrator)

Dogs For Dummies – A Reference for The Rest Of Us!, by Gina Spadafori; Foreword by Marty Becker

Let’s Dance: a Beginner’s Guide to Dancing with Your Dog by Donna Ball.

Here’s a list of Favorite Dogs in Cozy Mysteries, recommended by Cozy Mystery readers!

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

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