The Cozy Mystery List Blog

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

Mysteries with Recipes AND Recipe Books by Mystery Authors

I have had several comments and letters asking me to compile a list of Mysteries with Recipes. At first I thought this would be a rather daunting theme. I mean, I don’t read all of the authors who happen to have recipes in their Cozy Mysteries. Obviously I know which of my favorite authors include recipes in their mysteries, but what about those who I don’t read? And what about those authors of mysteries who I do read, but have forgotten they include recipes?

Aha, that’s where you ALL come in. If you know of an author of mysteries books who I have forgotten to include, who has recipes in his/her books, please post a comment.

Authors Who Write Mysteries with Recipes:

Avery Aames (aka Daryl Wood Gerber): Cheese Shop Mystery Series

Kathy Aarons: Chocolate Covered Mystery Series

Allyson K. Abbott (aka Annelise Ryan & Beth Amos): Mack’s Bar Mystery Series (both alcoholic and non drinks)

Kristi Abbott: Gourmet Popcorn Shop Mystery Series

Ellery Adams (aka Jennifer Stanley, J. B. Stanley, & 1/2 of Lucy Arlington): Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery Series

Riley Adams (aka Elizabeth Spann Craig & Elizabeth Craig): Memphis BBQ Mystery Series

Susan Wittig Albert: Darling Dahlia Mystery Series

Susan Wittig Albert: China Bayles Mystery Series

Ellie Alexander: Bakeshop Mystery Series

Connie Archer: Soup Lover’s Mystery Series

Nancy Atherton: Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince from the Aunt Dimity Mystery Series

Judy Baer: Recipes and Wooden Spoons (Book #3 in Tales from Grace Chapel Hill)

Mignon F. Ballard: Augusta Goodnight Mystery Series

Lorna Barrett (aka Lorraine Bartlett & L. L. Bartlett): Booktown Mystery Series

Jessica Beck: Donut Shop Mystery Series

Maymee Bell (aka Tonya Kappes): Southern Cake Baker Mystery Series

Claudia Bishop (aka Mary Stanton): The Case of the Ill-Gotten Goat from Casebook of Dr McKenzie Mystery Series

Claudia Bishop (aka Mary Stanton): Hemlock Falls Mystery Series

Bethany Blake: Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery Series (recipes for pets)

Miranda Bliss (aka Kylie Logan & Casey Daniels): Cooking Class Mystery Series

Jacklyn Brady (aka Sherry Lewis): A Piece of Cake Mystery Series

Kathleen Bridge: Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery Series

Julia Buckley: Undercover Dish Mystery Series

Leslie Budewitz: Food Lovers’ Village Mystery Series and Seattle Spice Shop Mystery Series

Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib): Key West Food Critic Mystery Series

V.M. Burns: RJ Franklin Mystery Series

Janet Cantrell (aka Kaye George): Fat Cat Mystery Series (recipes for people and cat treats)

Grace Carroll (aka Carol Culver): Accessory Mystery Series

Sammy Carter: Candy Shop Mystery Series

Bailey Cates (aka Crickey McRae): Magical Bakery Mystery Series

Chris Cavender (aka Elizabeth Bright, Melissa Glazer, Casey Mayes, & Tim Myers): Pizza Lovers Mystery Series

Laura Childs: Tea Shop Mysteries AND Scrapbooking Mysteries AND Cackleberry Club Mystery Series

Peg Cochran (aka Meg London ): Gourmet De-Lite Mystery Series

Peg Cochran (aka Meg London): Cranberry Cove Mystery Series

Nancy Coco (aka Nancy J. Parra): Candy-Coated Mystery Series

Susan Conant & Jessica Conant-Park: Gourmet Girl Mystery Series

Sheila Connolly (aka Sarah Atwell): Orchard Mystery Series

J. J. Cook (aka Joyce and Jim Lavene): Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery Series

Maya Corrigan: Five-Ingredient Mystery Series

Shelley Costa: Miracolo Mystery Series

Cleo Coyle (aka Alice Kimberly): Coffee House Mystery Series

Philip R. Craig:  Martha’s Vineyard Mystery Series

Isis Crawford (aka Barbara Block): Mysteries with Recipes Mystery Series

Carol Culver (aka Grace Carroll): Pie Shop Mystery Series

Kathi Daley: Zoe Donovan Mystery Series

Diane Mott Davidson: Goldy Bear Mystery Series

Krista Davis: Domestic Diva Mystery Series

Krista Davis: Paws and Claws Mystery Series (recipes for both pets and their owners)

Maddie Day (aka Edith Maxwell & Tace Baker): Country Store Mystery Series

Gale Deitch: Trudie Fine Mystery Series

Devon Delaney: Cook-Off Mystery Series

Christine DeSmet: Fudge Shop Mystery Series

Denise Dietz: Diet Club Mystery Series

Leighann Dobbs: Lexy Baker Mystery Series

Peggy Ehrhart: Knit & Nibble Mystery Series

Nancy Fairbanks (aka Nancy Herndon): Culinary Food Writer Mystery Series

Amanda Flower (aka Isabella Alan): Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series

Joanne Fluke: Hannah Swensen Mystery Series

Sarah Fox: Pancake House Mystery Series

Susan Furlong (aka Lucy Arlington & Susan Furlong-Bolliger): Georgia Peach Mystery Series

Rosie Genova: Italian Kitchen Mystery Series

Daryl Wood Gerber (aka Avery Aames): Cookbook Nook Mystery Series

Debra H. Goldstein : Sarah Blair Mystery Series (quick and easy recipes)

Sarah Graves: Death by Chocolate Mystery Series

Kerry Greenwood: Corinna Chapman Mystery Series

Nancy Haddock: Silver Six Crafty Mystery Series

Gemma Halliday: Wine & Dine Mystery Series

Victoria Hamilton: Merry Muffin Mystery Series

Susannah Hardy (aka Sadie Hartwell): Greek to Me Mystery Series

B. B. Haywood: Candy Holliday Mystery Series

Betty Hechtman: Yarn Retreat Mystery Series

A.L. Herbert: Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery Series

Lee Hollis: Hailey Powell Food & Cocktail Mystery Series

Mary Ellen Hughes: Pickled and Preserved Mystery Series

Julie Hyzy: White House Chef Mystery Series

Leslie Karst: Sally Solari Mystery Series

Tina Kashian: Kebab Kitchen Mystery Series

Josi S. Kilpack: Culinary Mystery Series

Kelly Lane: Olive Grove Mystery Series

Joyce and Jim Lavene (aka J.J. Cook & Ellie Grant): Pumpkin Patch Mystery Series

Elizabeth Lee (aka Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli): Nut House Mystery Series

Liz Lipperman (aka Lizbeth Lipperman): Clueless Cook Mystery Series

Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): Chili Cook-Off Mystery Series

Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): Ethnic Eats Mystery Series

Colette London: Chocolate Whisperer Mystery Series

Virginia Lowell: Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery Series

Karen MacInerney: Gray Whale Inn Mystery Series

Edith Maxwell (aka Maddie Day & Tace Baker): Local Foods Mystery Series

Jenn McKinlay (aka Lucy Lawrence & Josie Belle): Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series

Donna McLean: Ms. Tilda’s Best Recipes (cookbook related to the Sparrow Falls Mystery Series)

Liz Mugavero: Pawsitively Organic Gourmet Pet Food Mystery Series (includes pet treat recipe)

Ann Myers: Santa Fe Cafe Mystery Series

Tim Myers (aka Elizabeth Bright, Melissa Glazer, Chris Cavender, Casey Mayes, Jessica Beck, & D.B. Morgan): Candlemaking Mystery Series

Katherine Hall Page: Faith Fairchild Mystery Series

Nancy J. Parra (aka Nancy Coco): Baker’s Treat Mystery Series

Allison Cesario Paton: Mrs. Bundle Mystery Series

Andrea Penrose: Lady Arianna Regency Mystery Series

Cate Price: Deadly Notions Mystery Series

Hannah Reed (aka Deb Baker): Queen Bee Mystery Series

Virginia Rich: Eugenia Potter Mystery Series

Delia Rosen: Deadly Deli Mystery Series

Ann B. Ross: Miss Julia Stirs Up Trouble from the Miss Julia Mystery Series

Michele Scott: Wine Lover’s Mystery Series

Paige Shelton: Farmers’ Market Mysteries AND Country Cooking School Mystery Series

Joanna Cambell Slan: Kiki Lowenstein Scrab-N-Craft Mystery Series

Karen Rose Smith: Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery Series

J. B. Stanley (aka Jennifer Stanley, Ellery Adams, 1/2 of Lucy Arlington): Supper Club Mystery Series

Lou Jane Temple: Spice Box Historical Mystery Series

Gayle Trent (aka Amanda Lee): Daphne Martin Cake Mystery Series

Teresa Trent: Pecan Bayou Mystery Series

Diane Vallere: Costume Shop Mystery Series

Ann Waldron: Princeton Murders Mystery Series

Livia J. Washburn: Fresh-Baked Mystery Series

Kirsten Weiss: Doyle Mystery Series – Susan Witsend is the owner of a UFO themed bed and breakfast. These mysteries contain breakfast recipes in them.

Melinda Wells (aka Linda Palmer): Della Cooks Mystery Series

Christine Wenger: Comfort Food Mystery Series

Linda Wiken (aka Erika Chase): Dinner Club Mystery Series

 

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Here are some Recipe Books by Cozy Mystery Authors:

Ellery Adams, Deb Baker, Lorraine Bartlett, Kate Collins, Maggie Sefton, Leann Sweeney, & Heather Webber:  The Cozy Chicks Kitchen

Tea Time with the Cozy Chicks – Ellery Adams, Lorraine Bartlett, Duffy Brown, Kate Collins, Mary Kennedy, Mary Jane Maffini, Maggie Sefton, & Leann Sweeney >>> Recipes, Tea Menus, and More!

Patricia Cornwell: Scarpetta’s Winter Table

Diane Mott Davidson: Goldy’s Kitchen Cookbook

Joanne Fluke’s Lake Eden Cookbook: Hannah Swensen’s Recipes from the Cookie Jar

Nancy Lynn Jarvis, editor: Cozy Food: 128 Cozy Mystery Writers Share Their Favorite Recipes

Julie Murphy & Sally Abney Stempinski: The Cat Who … Cookbook

Katherine Hall Page: Have Faith in Your Kitchen

The Cozy Cookbook: More than 100 Recipes from Today’s Bestselling Mystery Authors (with Avery Aames, Ellery Adams, Leslie Beudewitz, Laura Childs, Cleo Coyle, Victoria Hamilton, B.B. HAywood, Julie Hyzy, Jenn McKinlay, & Paige Shelton)

Here are some more of my CULINARY – COOKING THEMES:

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: A – D

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: F – K

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: L – R

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: S – W Plus Some!

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: Even More!

Where to Start with Culinary Cozy Mystery Series…

For any additions or corrections, please post a comment. Thank you!

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

Who Are These Mystery Characters In My Mystery Book?!?

A while ago (and I’m embarrassed at how long it has taken me to post this!) Regina sent me a letter about the following:

“… I am becoming a little annoyed with authors who write long series of books and in the latest book refer to characters who have appeared in previous books. If an author writes a book every year in a series, I, for one, can only remember the basics of the last book but not every minor character. This has happened to me again as I started to read ***** *****’s newest book and I could not remember most of the characters. I bought the last book for my Nook so I could become familiar with the newest book characters.”

This sort of has a connection with what I feel about the times my favorite Cozy Mystery authors have their sleuths visit a far away place. I don’t  usually like the out of town trips because I feel like I get invested with the main character’s small circle of secondary and tertiary home town characters.

I liken what you are talking about with my sleuth coming back to her home town for the next three books and then in the fourth book, one of the secondary or tertiary characters from out of town comes to visit. It’s at those times that I think “Who is this person?”

How do you feel about an author bringing back a character from a long time ago? Do you think the author is simply trying to “liven things up”? Do you find yourself having to “look up” who that character is/was? OR Is your memory better than ours?

Mystery Book VS. Mystery Novella/Story

Carrie posted a comment a while back that I thought was particularly interesting. I think I had just added a whole bunch of “novellas” to an author’s page on the site, and I sort of was left wondering about this very same thing.

Carrie:

“I was thrilled to see a new Deanna Raybourn listed, until I saw the dreaded word “novella”.

According to your link the printed length of this novella is 58 pages and the Lady Julia mysteries are usually 400 pages or more. So, unless it is going to be sold at an eighth of the price of her other books then it can’t be considered any where near value for money. (Usually novellas are priced at approximately two thirds of the cost of a full novel by the same author.)

I buy a lot of books and, for some books, am prepared to pay over the odds. Such as obtaining the missing volume in a favorite author’s series. However, I do object to feeling as though I’ve been “ripped off” by the author or publisher and novellas do tend to make me feel that way.

Either write a full length novel or include the novella in a book of short stories, but to expect people to pay over the odds for what is after all a short story just doesn’t seem right.

Am I the only one who feels like this?”

Several of the “classic authors” including Agatha Christie wrote short stories. Some of the Poirot and Miss Marple books were collections of stories put together to make a mystery novel.

To me, it seems like we are seeing more and more authors getting on the “novella” bandwagon. E-books make it easy to get the “novellas” to the reader. I know that some authors really like the “novella” format, but I wonder about the readers.

When you have a choice between reading a mystery with one of your favorite sleuths, do you prefer reading a full-length mystery book or a short story? Do you have a preference?

So, I’m asking (for Carrie) what you all think about this new wave of  “novellas”? Do you prefer mystery books over mystery “novellas” (stories)?

Why So Many Pseudonyms!?!?! Does a Rose Smell as Sweet? Does a Stinker Smell Sweeter?

OK, here’s a warning: If you are reading the comments, then this will all be a repetition. But, this is exactly why I do NOT like authors’ pseudonyms!

One of MJ’s recommendations for the February 2013 list:

“Ada Madison – ‘Function of Murder’ This series is so smart and intellectual. The story is well crafted and well paced (which is why I really like it – it’s such a smooth and even read). The sleuth (Sophie Knowles) is a math professor at a Massachusett’s college. There’s plenty of drama with the characters and the interaction keeps the story moving, holding the reader’s attention. There’s several possible suspects for the murder of a prominent city official during graduation festivities. Also, subplots involve other student problems to resolve throughout the story. Although I haven’t read of her other series (Margaret Grace – Miniature Mystery series), this is obviously a gifted writer/author who knows how to tell a story, with much attention to detail. Don’t be ‘turned off’ by the math professorial connection. I’m NOT a math (or science) person, but it is very relatable to my ‘level’. It’s an entertaining/easy read.”

My reply:

“MJ, have you tried Ada Madison’s Camille Minichino mysteries? Those are the ones that first caught my attention of Ada Madison/Margaret Grace/Camille Minichino. I am now reading all of her Grace mysteries, and will follow those with her Madison books.”

MJ:

“I haven’t read the Minichino books yet, but plan to do so. Originally I had been ‘put off’ by the technicalities of the series, but after reading the Sophie Knowles mysteries, I plan to start with the Hydrogen Murder. Although I haven’t read the Miniature mysteries yet either, I recommended this series to a friend who is a hobbyist in miniatures. She really enjoys that series (and she isn’t even a cozy mystery reader!).”

My reply:

“MJ, I’m not a “miniaturist” nor am I a physicist-type of person, but I truly enjoy both the Miniature Mystery Series and the Periodic Table Mystery Series. I hope other people aren’t staying away from Minichino’s/Grace’s/Madison’s mystery series because they think the authors (really the “author”) is going to get technical. “They” are on my favorite authors list. I always look forward to reading “their” books.

(This comment is one of the reasons I don’t like pseudonyms! They are GREAT when an author isn’t good, and the publisher doesn’t want you to know they write other series >>> that you might try reading UNLESS you know you don’t like one of the author’s pseudonyms! In this case, I like books by two of this author’s pseudonyms so much, that I am going to go ahead and read the author’s other pseudonym’s books.)”

I am serious about this! I think the publishers must be behind this move for every author having a pseudonym, or in some cases two, three, or four of them. I can’t imagine any other reason than because the publisher wants all of the new series to go out as a ” new series by a new author”>>> thus getting more publicity, and better yet, making sure that in case the author’s other series are stinkers, people would try the “new series by a new author.” In the case of the author MJ and I are talking about, I have her listed in my alphabetized favorite authors’ list, in three different places: Margaret Grace, Ada Madison, and Camille Minichino. To me, even with all three of those names, SHE (not they!!!) is a great find. I just wish she only used one alias!

Wouldn’t it be easier for you to follow an author you enjoy if he/she was able to write all of her/his series under one name? What do you think?

(PS>>> I should add that I have talked about this very same problem before, on various occasions! Can you imagine having an Agatha Christie Miss Marple, a Jane Doe Poirot, and a June Dough Tommy & Tuppence?!?)

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