This is the fourth letter/comment from a Cozy Mystery reader who is trying to identify a particular author. Before my endless lists, I had that problem a lot!

Deborah writes:

“Hi – I am trying to remember the name of an author – here is what I remember about the books – Main character was in the newspaper business (I think) in a large city in CA (San Francisco, I think) and when her dad died in a small town in Northern CA  she went home to take care of things. I think her dad owned the local paper and she ended up keeping it open – solving some mysteries – meeting up with her high school boyfriend, the local attorney who was her dad’s friend – and deciding to live there again. I remember a story involving a good friend from high school and a big fire (arson, I think). Does this sound familiar to anyone? Would appreciate any suggestions on how to find this series. Thanks.”

This does not sound familiar to me, but maybe one of you know who Deborah is trying “to find”. Please post a comment if you do. Thank you!

On to our third question from Cozy Mystery readers.

María asks:

“… I wonder if you could help me. Some years ago I read at a local library some mystery books that were really interesting, regretfully I did not take note of the author’s name and later the library closed down. The only information I remember is that the books were set in a small town in the USA, the investigator was a woman sheriff who had been in a big city before settling there. I am extremely sorry to bother you but this has been nagging me for years.

Thanks in advance for your help and understanding.

María”

I suggested to María that she might be looking for the Arly Hanks Mystery Series by Joan Hess, but I wasn’t quite sure about that because she doesn’t mention that the series is funny -which it is.

Does this description sound familiar to any of you? If you think you might know who María is looking for, please post a comment. Thank you!

Here’s another person asking for help in identifying an author or mystery series. This is from Linda:

“… I’m looking for a book series (I don’t know how many are in the series) about a few (or several) senior women who think they’re too young to go to a retirement home, or they live in a retirement home and go on trips?????? I used to work at Barnes and Noble years ago and can’t remember if they are a mystery series or not.

Does this ring a bell with you?

Thank you for your help.

Linda”

And, here is an addendum from Linda:

“I think the women may even live at a retirement home and go on road trips….?????? I’m not sure.”

Again, I will ask you to drop us a comment if you think you might be able to help identify this author/series. Thank you!

A little while ago, Inger set this letter:

“I’m a Swedish fan of your site, using it to find new books and authors. I’m really happy I found you since there’s not that much information to find about cozies in Sweden. We do have a lot of really good authors, Stig Larsson and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo amongst others…

I have a question. I’m searching for an author that wrote first in a series I liked but don’t remember the name of, a really nice and funny book.

It’ about a female lawyer, returning to her southern hometown in some kind of disgrace. She’s drinking too much, sitting on her porch into the night. She doesn’t work and people around her are worried about her drinking. No boyfriend, no parents I think, and she’s forced into some kind of work to find a murderer.

Is there anyone who recognizes this?”

If any of you know who this author, or the mystery series could be, please post a comment. Thank you!