Last month, a Cozy Mystery reader sent me a letter asking if I had noticed any product placements appearing in some of our favorite Cozy Mystery authors’ books.

By the way, I’ve been thinking for awhile now about another possible blog topic. Do you (and others) think there is ‘product placement’ in some of the cozy mystery books? I was going to keep a list every time I saw this so I could give examples in specific books. However if I didn’t do it right away, I’d forget it (thus the list is non-existent). Just in the past couple of months, the sleuths of three different authors have mentioned ‘Hershey Kisses’.

It would be expected that an author might mention a brand name when it relates to the core of the story – teas in Child’s books, coffees in Coyle’s books, or even yarns in a book set in a craft store. Fluke always gives a certain brand name of products in her recipes. I don’t consider that product placement, I think she is just informing the reader of how she made the recipe.

It makes sense if an author is trying to emphasize wealth she/he may mention a BMW/Mercedes. But, many times an ordinary car is mentioned by brand (Prius and Civic are two that come to mind) several times throughout a story. One book I read even cited the brand name of an eye liner used.

Do you think an author gets a ‘monetary bonus’ by mentioning a certain brand of something a few times within a story? I really don’t think there is anything wrong with it because it doesn’t influence me. However since I’ve noticed it a lot, I was curious.

The Cozy Mystery reader later sent me this:

I am currently reading ‘Death Runs Adrift’. On page 77, Natalie (main character) mentions that Charlene (best friend), “had discovered Twinings Black Currant tea over the winter, and drinks gallons of it”.

I only mentioned the Twinings Black Currant tea as an example of ‘product placement’ . It’s in McInerney’s latest book that I’m currently reading. I don’t drink tea, so it wouldn’t entice me to try it.

What I don’t know is if it’s intentional ‘product placement’, or if McInerney is offering a ‘suggestion’ of something she really likes to her readers.

I’ve noticed it several times in books that I read. I’m quite sure there was something in the latest Dams book, but I don’t remember what it was (goes to show how effective it is!).

If indeed they get paid for this, I think it’s great the cozy authors we love to read can make a little extra money (as long as it’s not over done and detracts from the story).

I personally had not noticed any product placement, but I have a feeling that if one of my Cozy Mysteries has it, I will notice it from now on!

What about you all? Other than obvious things like when a culinary Cozy has a recipe in it, have you noticed any product placement? And, if you have, does it bother you or do you think it’s a great idea?

A little while ago, Lynn T. sent me a topic that she thought would be interesting as an entry idea. I totally agree with her.

Lynn T.:

“… What authors or series would you automatically buy or search out when the new book comes out. That would be a must read. I know I have a few that I wouldn’t even need to read a blurb or a recommendation. It is a given that I will read the next book. It is an immediate response to the new book. Years ago whenever I saw the new Grisham, I immediately put it in my basket. I didn’t even need to know what it was about. Then a lot of years ago and when I was younger, it was a Stephen King book that was automatic for me. I no longer do this with these two authors but I have some cozy books that I wait for the next book and buy right away. There are some that I am interested in but they aren’t immediate buys or reads.”

My answer included:

“I have a few authors who I automatically buy when I find out about a new book release. I don’t bother reading the blurb either. My husband keeps telling me that I shouldn’t “stock pile” my favorite authors’ books…”

(I should probably add that my husband’s attitude about buying one book after he finishes his last book sort of worked against him yesterday. He had a doctor’s appointment that took a lot longer than he thought it would take (five hours!) and he finished the one book he had on his Kindle. Lucky for him he had a science magazine on it as well! When he told me this, I managed to tell him that I always have my entire library on my Kindle. Enough said!)

How about you? Do you show restraint when a very favorite Cozy Mystery author of yours releases a new Cozy, or do you “throw caution to the wind” / “wing it” / “go for it” like Lynn T and I do?