The Cozy Mystery List Blog

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

Cozy Mysteries by Location – Is It Important to You?

WinterI have talked before about one of the reasons I enjoy reading seasonal Cozy Mysteries. Before we moved down to San Antonio, I don’t think it was quite as important to me. However, since we don’t really see the four seasons down here, I especially like Cozies that remind me of the seasons I miss. These are Cozies that are set in cold-weather locations as well as Cozy Mysteries that take place during crisp autumn days when the gold/orange/red leaves are shedding from the trees.

That said, I have to admit that I have a preference for Cozy Mysteries that take place in the northeast part of the USA, the northern states, or Great Britain. These areas provide me with the cold, blistery weather of winter and the cool, sometimes windy weather of autumn. Also, it just seems easier for me to imagine a Cozy village setting in Great Britain or New England.

My husband and I were talking about the importance of location in my Cozies when he asked me if I would read Cozies set here in San Antonio. I replied that the San Antonio locations wouldn’t draw me to those books since I am already familiar with the area. However, I know a lot of Cozy Mystery readers read Cozies that are set in their towns or geographical areas and seem to enjoy reading about familiar places.

How about you? Do you have a location that attracts you to your Cozy Mystery books? Is the location something you look for when you choose a new Cozy series? Are there locations you avoid when choosing a Cozy?

Comments

  1. I like most locations though my go-to location any time of year is the Northeast – especially ones set in winter. It reminds me of sitting with my family as a child in our bright den and having our “book time”. Mom or dad would take us to the bookstore on Saturday and we’d pick out a book and then on Sunday afternoon the TV went off, and the four of us would take our favorite spot and read, read, read. Winters were the best with the big fireplace going and big lazy dogs flopped in front.

    Reply

      • Ladies, et all! Reading about the weather in the Northeast (or Midwest as I am in Michigan-and trust me-we get our share) is a lot safer than living in it. But I wouldn’t trade it for the Southwest. I don’t do sun at all! After two heat strokes when I was in the service in NAS Corpus Christi, even doctors told me to stay out of the sun! So I moved back home after my discharge.
        Don’t panic, it was honorable! I do, however, remember fun times in San Antonio on the river walk and at the Alamo! Hope you and family have been there, especially at Christmas! But I have to agree that the Northeast in the winter is fun to read about but not to necessarily drive in it! Can get treacherous!
        My brother lives in Vermont and he can tell some winter driving horror stories. And he is a former native of Michigan so he was trained well.
        I would love to go to Great Britain as I’ve always wanted to see England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. But I have to settle for reading about them. So cozies set in those climates are, fun and make very good reading.
        Rob

        Reply

    • I definitely like to read mysteries (and/or books) in locations I find interesting. Love the Cynthia Riggs series in Martha’s Vineyard because we spent a summer there, I worked in the hospital and Mike stacked groceries at the A&P! Toured every inch of that island and there is a lot to see. Also I like female detective/heroines….On your future lists, was happy to see X…..of the alphabet series by Grafton and Louise Penny’s latest Insp. Gamache. My daughter and I plan an RV trip to Quebec just because of that series…..there is also a series I can’t remember just this moment but the heroine/detective is a park ranger and moves from national park. Learned a lot about forest fire fighting from one of those which explained a lot of fire roads we used to camp on in New Mexico. We plan an RV trip to Key West and the Dry Tortugas National Park because of this series….and a couple of other less known parks, too. Thanks so much for all your research on our behalf. I love cozies but also read less cozies too…..

      Reply

      • Barb2, I think the park ranger series you mention is Nevada Barr’s series, featuring female park ranger Anna Pigeon. One of those features her fighting a forest fire. (Just looked it up. It’s Bk 4 Flashback.)

        Reply

      • Ngaio Marsh was a New Zealand author! But I agree – if it’s set in UK I will read it – if it’s set in USA I will think twice, although I will read a cosy with a USA setting but police procedurals and PI books go right back on the shelf. I like books set where the author is obviously at home – which is why my own are either set in Christchurch and the one I am currently working on is set in Otago.

        Reply

        • Otago? I met a woman at a conference from Otago, and I remember it’s a remote place. Plenty of opportunity for crime and mystery. I’d love to read your mystery when it comes out!

          Reply

  3. I love to settle in with a mystery set in England, preferably in the Cotswolds. I so enjoyed touring and staying there that it is fun to imagine the scenes in that area!

    Reply

    • I’m a sucker for cozies set in the Cotswold too. I love M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin mysteries and devour each one as soon as they come out. I was in England last summer and drove thru the Cotswolds on the way to Bath. Sadly, we drove thru too fast to really soak in the quaintness of the thatch-roofed houses, etc.

      I’m very new to this group but already love it! It’s nice to “meet” others who share my love for cozies!

      Reply

  4. Location is not a major factor for me in selecting a Cozy. I enjoy learning about various locales, however story line and characters are what motivate me when selecting books.

    Reply

    • MaryAnn F, I have to admit that I enjoy Cozy series that aren’t set in the areas I mentioned. Two that come to my mind immediately are Laura Childs’ Scrapbooking series and Camille Minichino’s Periodic Table series. Both of them were particularly interesting when my daughter was living in those areas. It was neat to be able to read about places that I then ended up visiting.

      Reply

  5. Hi Danna, I did it the other way round. I read a mystery by Ann Cleeves set in a small town in Northumberland, England, which really appealed to me. Although it wasn’t named I discovered it was Hexam, visited it, and liked it so much I stayed for 2years.
    As I’ve lived and worked in many different places in the U.K. I find many cosies set in places I know. Sometimes I enjoy the references but other times I’m mouthing at the page “no, its not like that at all!”
    I’ve never been to America so I can read cosies set anywhere there in blissful ignorance!

    Reply

    • Anne, what a great point! I’m guessing that it’s nice when you read a mystery set in a place you know that is actually true to the facts. So many of us here are able to read our British Cozies in “blissful ignorance!”

      Reply

  7. Yes! I only read mysteries that are set in a few locations, which is a major issue I have with most book web sites. The ability to select books set in one or the other of these places would really make a difference to me.

    What I would really like is a list of locations, and possible times, so that I can personalize what I see on the web site, better yet what I get in notifications. I know this might be a challenge, so a simpler approach might be to tag book descriptions, so that I can look at books set in Britain for example, Scotland, or Scandinavia, maybe medieval books, when I visit the web site.

    Anything you can do to allow your readers to focus on their interests is appreciated. I’ve suggested this to a lot of book web sites, but few are interested.

    Thank you

    Reply

    • Dogzilla: Have you tried the MC Beaton series named Hamish Macbeth, set in Lochdubh, Scotland? I think those would still be called cozies and they are fun. Hamish is a scream and I’ve read all Beaton’s Macbeth series and love them all.

      I don’t think Anne Perry is a cozy writer but she writes in the Victorian and Edwardian periods of London, England and set some of her books in other parts of the world as well. She is fun to read but again, not exactly cozy writing but she is edgy if you like that kind of writing, and I do.

      Reply

  8. I love mysteries set in college towns, especially New England. I also love mysteries that take place in the fall and at Christmas time.

    Reply

  9. P.S. I must admit, even though I’ve never been to the U.S. I have a preference for fiction set by the sea, particularly the North East, such as some of Anita Shreeves’ books, set in New England? Maine? (My geography’s terrible.)

    Reply

  10. Yes ma’am, location does matter. It often first draws me to a series. Being a GRITS born & bred, I particularly enjoy southern locations. I also like locations in places I’ve visited and even places I have not visited. One thing I really enjoy about a series is when each book revolves around a basic location. I feel like I’m part of that community & I get a feel for life in that area.

    Reply

  11. Yes…location matters. A great location is like an additional character to the story, and if written well, the author will include details, facts, history of the location which sparks my interest to Google or place on my “Bucket List.” I love new places, but also enjoy being transported back to somewhere I have visited.

    Reply

  12. Location can definitely influence me. I loved the upper mid-western backdrop for Lillian Braun’s Cat Who series although I was never sure if it was set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula or around Lake Huron where she lived.
    Chicago because we lived and worked there for many years and it’s many ethnic neighborhoods.
    A few years ago there was a short series, set in Seattle I think, that revolved around art museums/art forensics but took you to famous museums in Europe. I can’t think of the name of the author off-hand.
    Europe of course, but I haven’t found many cozies set in continental Europe.
    I tend to avoid books set in NYC, LA, Miami, New Orleans and some other cities that just don’t seem to fit, in my opinion, cozy backdrops.

    Reply

    • Genny, you’re right, cosies are mainly a genre of the English-speaking countries. Crime fiction from continental Europe tends to the gritty. The nearest thing I can think of to cosy is the Insector Montalbano series by Andrea Camillieri. Set in Sicily.

      Reply

  13. I also love mysteries set in the northeast part of the U.S. I especially love stories set in Maine and Alaska. Anywhere up north is great.

    Reply

  14. I can’t leave my house because of allergies and RADS so I enjoy cozies that make me really see the location in my mind. Since I can’t read a book (paper and ink scents bother me) the narrator is really important for me. A good reading of a well written story can take me out of my house to France or down the road to Cape Cod and make my day exciting, leaving me with a smile.

    Reply

    • Mordanae: I’m sorry you suffer those afflictions and with a chronic sinus condition, year round, I can understand. Have you tried the audio book readings of MC Beaton’s books or Anne Perry’s books?
      I don’t know what other cozy book authors have audiobooks out there but it may be fun to find out.

      I hope you can find some of your liking. Have you tried a Kindle? Maybe you could enjoy books done in that format as they wouldn’t require paper and ink?

      all my best and prayers to you for some enjoyment of life.
      Maybe the audio and kindle versions could solve your problems.

      Reply

      • The Perkins Service has a wide selection of cozy books. I have listened to Ruth Rendell, Kerry Greenwood, M. C. Beaton, Sally Goldenbaum, Rhys Bowen and many others. I also have access to all the Massachusetts libraries for CDS, audio and e-books. I need a cataract operation so reading on computer and tablet is on hold hopefully by end of summer. Definitely check with your local library for access to Perkins Services if have any problems reading books they are wonderful.

        Reply

  15. I bet it was well over twenty years ago that I read a Marcia Muller book with descriptions of the Russian River Valley that made me want to visit. I finally got there this month and it was just as she described. I love it when a writer can make me feel a locale!

    Reply

  18. Like a great chef, a great writer can get away with a mediocre setting, but it takes an Evanovich to lure me to Trenton, NJ. I avoided her books for decades because of her setting. I believe “cozy” readers slip into a mystery as a sort of mini-vacation from the mundane of normal living, so, yes, setting does matter.

    Reply

  19. Love locations I do and don’t know. Unknown locations expand my horizons. (Loved Mary Stewart & Agatha). Known ones give me a chance to really “be” in the book…oh I’ve been on that street! When I set out to write my contemporary, cozy mystery series I made the location one I remember from years past and one that has fascinated me all my life. The setting is one of the main characters in the Caleb Cove Mysteries. I love revisiting the area, reading the folklore and incorporating foods, saying and ghosts into my stories. They are set on an island nestled against the South Shore of Nova Scotia.

    Reply

  20. As I’ve mentioned before, I immediately gravitate toward books set on the ocean – throw in a lighthouse and I’m really sold. I also enjoy books set in areas where I have visited, especially in England and other parts of Europe. It’s a treat to be able to recognize the landmarks that the author is using.

    Reply

    • Janice, I couldn’t remember many lighthouse mysteries authors other than Eva Gates and Tim Myers, and then I was reminded of Ellery Adams’ Books by the Bay series. So it looks like you have several to pick from…

      Reply

  21. Of course the mother-ship location of mysteries, England, is always a huge draw for me, but I also love Caribbean and Mediterranean settings. Agatha Christie has a few in those locations that are definite favorites of mine. Lately I’ve been watching the TV series Death in Paradise set in the Caribbean, and I’m completely hooked!

    Reply

  22. The location definitely helps me decide if I want to read a series or not. I have never been to Maine but have always wanted to visit. I will read any cozy based in Maine or the Northeast. If a book takes place in California, Florida or any of those warm coastal areas I tend to not read the book. I am sure there are plenty of wonderful series that take place in other places though :):)

    Reply

  23. I will read books set in any location, although I am partial about reading those set in New England. It amuses me when I find mistakes about where certain cities or towns are located.

    Reply

  24. What a great topic, Danna! Clearly setting means a great deal to people. I like to choose a book set where I am going on vacation, to really “feel” the book, or in a place I miss – that way I can “visit” whenever I want. As an author, it’s why I send Cait Morgan traveling the world (like many of Agatha Christie’s Poirot books did), but have decided to use a Welsh stately home for the setting for my new WISE Women series…that way I can continue to travel with Cait, but I get the joy of village life, plus mixing with the posh lot at the Hall too (a bit more St Mary Mead, but Welsh)! A happy medium means having the best of both worlds 😉

    Reply

  25. I’m a sucker books set in Great Britain or places with seasons. But if the author captures my imagination I’ll read it any way.

    Reply

  26. Location is very important to me in choosing my cozy mysteries. I like to choose places I have traveled to, especially the UK, Ireland and New England. I find it brings back happy memories of my travels.

    Reply

  27. I’m always on the lookout for cozy mysteries set in the Finger Lakes of Upstate New York. It’s where I live and write, and my cozies are set here. I’ve also lived in New England, so I love any cozy series set in those states and especially those north of Boston and southern Maine. Gosh, does anyone write about coastal New Hampshire or Portsmouth? I’d be thrilled to read those mystery series! 🙂

    Reply

    • Kate, now that I live in NH, my very favorite books are by Brendan DuBois who uses the sea coast and Portsmouth (which he calls Porter).. The early books in the series may be hard to find but they will be coming out on audio. Hope you give them a try.

      Reply

  28. Yes, I do prefer locations on the East Coast, Northeast and New England. I will choose books in other areas of the counrty if I have visited or if there is something else about the story that interested me. But, since I am so familiar with the states of the East Coast, I find myself drawn into the story quicker. I like to relate to the story and (for me) it is easier if I am familiar with the setting.

    Reply

  29. Laura Child’s tea mysteries are set in Charleston South Carolina, a beautiful area of the South. My favorite British cozies right now are the Mrs. Bradley books by Gladys Mitchell set all over Britain. The Lucy Stone mysteries have lots of autumn and winter weather to enjoy too. Mostly I read favorite authors but try others and the setting is not the main attraction for me. I enjoy immersing myself in new locations.

    Reply

  30. I appreciate mysteries set in the South since it was my “growing up” place but I also enjoy cozy mysteries in any small town/village setting, whether in the USA or in other countries. I just want the location details and the feeling of the community to be authentic and believable. For example, in one series, one character referred to her “pocket book” instead of purse. That resonated with my childhood memories and, even though it was just a small detail, it contributed to the overall sense of location.

    Reply

    • GaMtGrl, that’s the type of detail that is so welcome when it’s used in the correct manner. I have received letters from people who complain about authors who throw in details about their locations that sound OK to most of us, but to those who know the area, they are clearly wrong. Sort of like the author (perhaps) only visited the location one time and thought she/he could wing it…

      Reply

  31. I really look forward to Elaine Viets books since St. Louis is my hometown! She brings back so many wonderful memories! i love her Mystery Shopper Series they are such fun reads!

    Reply

  32. I enjoy cozies set in areas I’m familiar with. It’s fun to reminiscence familiar communities, areas, landmarks, etc. However, just because a cozy is ‘set’ in a familiar territory doesn’t mean it’s a good mystery/story, or is well-written. Both my daughter and I read a series set in Dinkeytown. The mysteries may be ‘so-so’, but we love, love the uniqueness of Dinkeytown, so we read them. However, if I didn’t like the characters or the premise, I wouldn’t read it no matter how great the location.

    Several cozy authors write good descriptive scenes about an area, and you feel like you’re right there. It could be to places you’ve never been – US or overseas. I’ve seen authors do this north, west, east, south and, of course, Europe — all entertaining. I genuinely find it educational and I can daydream. I truly appreciate the gift these authors bring to the pages. Their detail is amazing!

    BUT, BUT, BUT, I would NEVER NOT read a good mystery because I wasn’t interested in the location. A few authors give you a fictional name of a town, but don’t tell you anything about its location (or even what state it’s in). Laura Childs does this with one of her series.

    Some authors may select a ‘location’, but write very little scenic detail about it. I’ll give one (amongst many!) example — Joan Hess’s Claire Malloy series. It’s set in Arkansas (not to MY liking) on a college campus — but little, if any, scenic descriptions, etc. HOWEVER, if I crossed this series off my list because I don’t like the setting or lack of detail about it, I’d be missing some great stories/mysteries with truly enjoyable characters!! If a reader thinks, “I don’t like Arkansas, so I won’t read this”, they’re missing out of a good reading experience.

    Reply

    • MJ, isn’t it neat to read a series that your daughter also reads? My daughter and I read Edie Claire’s and Anne George’s, as well as the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. She usually doesn’t read Cozies, so this is a special “treat” for me >>> to be able to talk about the books.

      You are so right about Joan Hess’ Claire Malloy series!

      Reply

  33. While I will read books in any setting, there are definitely some I prefer. It’s always so fun to read something and be able to say, “Oh, I’ve been there.” For me it just adds to the story to recognize places discussed in the book. Right now I’m focused on books set in the UK because I just got back from there.

    Reply

  34. Great topic, Danna! Location is not an issue for me. I love to read about all different places. If the authors are good at describing their settings/locations, I feel like I am visiting those places–and I love that feeling. I’ve even put some locations on my bucket list. I live in New England so I especially love books set in these states.

    Reply

  35. What an interesting topic for discussion! You know — I never really stopped to think about how important location is to me in a cozy — but now that I give it some thought, I notice the following:

    1) Location, per se, is not that important to me, not as important as characters or themes or a favorite series, BUT:

    2) I love cozies set in exotic locales, like when the sleuth is on a tour or vacation, or like the Mrs. Pollifax stories set in strange places — or even when the sleuth has moved to a new (strange) country — like the first of the County Cork series by Sheila Connolly — because you get to view a new place through the eyes of someone who is seeing new things for the first time (unlike, for example, a series that would be set in County Cork featuring a sleuth who has lived there all her life — it might be an interesting read, but you wouldn’t get that sense of newness & wonder).

    3) I love cozies set in England, provided they are truly “cozy” — sweet little villages & such that probably really exist only in imagination. 😉

    4) Cozies like Laura Childs’ Tea Shop set in Charleston and her Scrapbooking series set in New Orleans are lovely because they have luxurious settings & we see gracious living at its finest — now I’m sure there are poor people in the same city, and a series set in a trailer park just wouldn’t be so much fun!!! So all the “Deep South” gracious living series, where everyone sits on their verandas drinking sweet tea while they discuss the latest murder are fun — same city, different type of setting — not so much.

    5) Not that interested in various other parts of the USA, per se, that is — I like the Faith Fairchild series, but don’t particularly care if they’re set on Sanpere Island or Aleford, MA. Its the story I like, regardless of locale.

    6) The one place I do NOT want to see a cozy set is — the city where *I* live! Because then every time I would walk or drive past a certain location, it would remind me of murder. NOT a pleasant association for your hometown! (Which is only one reason you’ll never find me moving to Cabot Cove!) (Unfortunately there was a real murder in my neighborhood a few years ago. An 8yo boy was kidnapped & brutally murdered & his body dismembered. CCTV showed the boy being picked up by his kidnapper off of a street corner 3 blocks from my home. To this day, every time I pass that corner, I can’t help but be reminded of the brutal slaying. I really only like *cozy* murders — and nowhere near my home!!!) (And I haven’t been able to watch CSI or any other crime shows since that time either.)

    Reply

  36. I love books that take place in the South. I love to read Duffy Brown’s Consignment Shop Mysteries that take place in Savannah, Georgia. I have been there and can relate to the location. I also like to read Mary Kay Andrews books. Her books usually take place in the South also. I will read other cozies but I tend to look for books that are in southern states.

    Reply

  37. Location doesn’t really matter to me. A thing that makes me not read a book is if it is in first person. I have a really hard time reading them. So I just to even buy a book if it is in first person.

    Reply

    • Trice, a little while back, when we discussed first person narration I was surprised to see that I don’t even notice when it’s being used by an author. However, after our discussion I started noticing. As for locations, it makes it a lot easier to choose a series to try when you are as open as you are.

      Reply

  38. I don’t tend to choose my cozies or any other books by location but by plot but I do have a fondness for novels set in exotic and unusual places and times and wish there were more of them. particularly in the cozy genre. Living in chilly England I am not turned on by tales of ice and snow and prefer to read about warmer climes but again it is the story that mostly counts and I would never rule a good book out however much of the white stuff was featured! I don’t read a lot of books set in the UK as I live here and know the Cotswolds well as I used to live in Oxford; I now live in Devon. Favorite UK authors include Phil Rickman and Kate Ellis, but mostly I like to read about places nothing like where I live!

    Reply

    • Rachel, I’d never heard of Phil Rickman until reading your note. I checked out his list of books and they look great. The same goes for Kate Ellis. Thanks for “recommending” them. I’m going to give them a try!

      Reply

  39. Having been born and raised in New Orleans, I tend to avoid books and movies set there. The errors drive me crazy. The movies are the worst since they tend to give characters accents more suited to central Georgia than southeast Louisiana. NCIS: New Orleans is one example. Awful. I love cozies set in rural England, Charleston, or eastern Canada. These are my favorite places and I can step into the fantasy of it all.

    Reply

    • Nikki L, I know exactly what you mean about stereotype television depictions! I just about cringe every time I see a Texan depicted on TV as a big-haired, twanging bleached blonde riding in her husband’s (more than likely named Bubba) big-wheeled, heavy-on-chrome-tired truck!

      Reply

  40. I don’t really care where a book is set, as long as it’s able to draw me in, but I must admit to reading a book (Non-cozy) a few years ago, that was set in my home city, and thoroughly enjoying it.
    The main character was an interstate tourist, and you saw everything through his eyes. I had a LOT of fun, reading about the places that he visited, and things (Statues, etc) that he saw – places and things that I knew very well, but that he was seeing for the first time.
    My home city is fairly small, and there’s not a lot of books set here, so it was a novelty to me, and the author was a favourite, so in this instance, the setting did make quite a difference.

    Reply

    • Susan*, it sounds like fun to be able to see one’s own city through the eyes of a visitor for the first time. We all probably tend to become a little jaded about all that our communities have to offer to people who are just arriving. I know I have! After taking out-of-towners to the Alamo, missions, River Walk, etc, I’ve become sort of a bah-humbug about visiting those places again.

      Reply

  41. I tend to prefer the cozies that take place in settings that I am somewhat familiar with. It gives an additional ‘cozy’ feeling to retrace footsteps, and remember adventures. But, it makes me very unhappy when the author sets a story in a place like Alexandria, Virginia, and then doesn’t stick to the Alexandria atmosphere, physical set-up, or even political feel.

    Reply

    • Joan in VA, I’ve said this before, but I just don’t get it when authors pick a location to set their series in, and then don’t seem to know the location. I would think they would write about places they truly know.

      Reply

  42. I’ll read cozies from any location, but I’m not as fond of settings in a big city. I’m from Wisconsin and especially like books with a Great Lakes area setting. My books are based in a small town in the Green Bay area. Other locations are also interesting to me as I’m able to learn about new places. Interesting and fun characters are more important to me.

    Reply

  43. I like reading cozies based on various areas, especially those based in England and a number of places where I’ve lived in the U.S., although honestly, any cozy setting will do. I just look more for good story and I love a good series.

    Reply

  44. Love books with the different seasons, since I live in Florida, I dont see the change of seasons, so in a book, I can go to that season by reading the book

    Reply

  45. For me, the best storytellers, whether cozy or not, use place/location as a character. One that is evocative and crucial to the plot and the sleuth’s development over the course of the series. The authors that appeal to me most, keep me on pins and needles waiting for THE NEXT BOOK, have the ability to take me to the place alongside their creation and live in the book.

    Reply

  46. Even though I traveled to England, Scotland and Wales when I was younger, I’m currently burned out on rural village British stories, both contemporary and period pieces, both books and tv dramas. Blame it on watching too much PBS over the years. But I do enjoy the present day London setting of Jenn McKinlay’s London Hat Shop mysteries. I’ve never been to Ireland, so Sheila Connolly’s series set in Ireland is doubly enjoyable because I’m learning about rural life in a place I’ve never been. I also enjoy Scandinavian mysteries.

    Back here in the U.S., I live in the northeast but have spent time living in the southwest and have relatives living out there. I have an interest in Native American culture and lore. I was a fan of Tony Hillerman and am quite glad his daughter Anne has continued the Jim Chee/Joe Leaphorn mysteries. I also enjoy Margaret Coel’s mysteries set among the Arapaho in Wyoming. But I’ll read books set in various locales around the country as long as the story appeals. It’s fun getting a closeup look at regionalisms from areas of the country where I’ve spent little time or no time at all.

    New Jersey is a place that often gets a bad rap, sometimes for legitimate reasons and other times not. For a while I shunned the Stephanie Plum novels because of NJ stereotypes which can be a pain to live down especially with the bubble-headed Jersey Girl stereotypes, but when you realize the Stephanie Plum books are just over-exaggerated ‘camp’ with a strong silliness factor then it becomes fun. I love E.J Copperman’s books because he gets the NJ aspect just right.

    It’s also interesting when there are storylines that educate- books set on small farms teach about the various aspects of modern farm life for family farmers, with Kathy Reich’s Tempe Brennen books you learn about forensic anthropology and I especially enjoy the Brennen books that take place in Canada, Lizzie Turner from Erika Chase’s Ashton Bookclub series is a reading specialist and the stories mention methods to encourage reluctant readers, such as the Rapid Reads books, novella length fast action stories used to engage and encourage reading in those with little interest in picking up books. That’s something which interests me personally since I come from a family of avid readers, but unfortunately several younger family members shun books.

    I too enjoy stories set during the seasons and holidays, and when the characters and setting make you wish the ‘story place’ was real and you could visit there. If I could travel to fictional Maine, I’d stop by Cape Willington and hang out with Candy Holliday, her dad Doc and their friends, although I’d avoid eating pickles during my visit. But I’d keep my distance from Cabot Cove, especially if Jessica Fletcher is in town because of the unusually high murder rate.

    Reply

    • Hilary. here in Britain we have been hooked on Scandinavian series for a few years – “Borgen” “Wallander” and “The Bridge” all smash hits. There is a delightful film in 4 short episodes on the BBC Iplayer and maybe on DVD, which is as far from Agatha Christie as you can get. It’s called “My Jhihad” and is a love story set in contemporary London. A pius, rather prudish, Muslim young man meets a pius but much more worldly Muslim single mother. It’s very humorous, very “now” very London. Very modern Britain.

      Reply

      • Anne,

        Is BBC iPlayer an app you download onto your tablet or is it a subscription-based service like Amazon Prime?

        Whenever I come across a Wallander mystery on PBS I’ll watch it. I’ve read a few of the Wallander books. I’ve read one of Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole mysteries and have another in my TBR.

        Reply

        • Hilary, here in the Uk we can watch anything on the BBC Iplayer for free just by going to the website bbc.co.uk but I’m not sure you can access it outside of the UK. You may have to subscribe. However, a lot of programmes are published now on DVD – try Amazon.
          There have been 3 Wallander series on the beeb, 2 Swedish and one British. The best one is the Swedish “Yellow Bird” series which I know is on dvd.
          I’ve read all the Wallander novels and got withdrawal symptoms when I’d finished! We are very lucky here in the UK in that we get a lot of “foreign” stuff on tv esp BBC Four. It is always subtitled. Of course most people of my generation “did” French, German and Spanish at school but now a lot of us are picking up Swedish and Danish (remarkably like Northern English.) We used to say that you could get a modern language course just by buying stuff from Ikea!

          Reply

    • Hilary, I’m 180* different: I can’t imagine being “burned out on rural village British stories”! (Of course, I haven’t lived in the UK.) I find that the more British television I see, the more I want!

      Reply

      • LOL, blame it on too much time spent watching Upstairs/Downstairs years ago…

        I loved the original series but did not care for the short-lived reboot.

        I can’t get into Downton Abbey at all. I know so many people love that series, but it just doesn’t do it for me.

        Reply

          • I too am one who did not get into Downtown Abby. I love English settings having been a fan of the all 20’s & 30’s from Agatha to Dorothy to Naigo Marsh.

            I currently write contemporary, traditional mysteries with a closed community and recurring characters. The Caleb Cove Mysteries are set in Nova Scotia, Canada. The first two are available an I am working on the third on. (Mahrie G. Reid.)

            Reply

            • Mahrie, there you go! Well there are at least four of us! I was amazed to see a People magazine in the grocery store with the Downton Abbey crowd on the cover. That’s when I knew what a phenomena it had become!

              Reply

              • Make that five. I loved the original Upstairs, Downstairs,,,and Downton Abbey is a poor series, in comparison.

                Reply

                • Aye – I suspect there are more of us. Some of my friends who like it are actually new Canadians (well a few decades in) from England and Scotland! I have made Downton Abby Cloche hats for some of them as I crochet a lot. I prefer something with more mystery…

                  Reply

      • Danna – I am currently working through all the Miss Marple movies and then will tackle HP. Although I am familiar with many of them from both books and movies, I look at them with a different perspective now that I am older and am writing contemporary, cozy mystery. I also watched three documentaries on Agatha – fascinating. Additionally I am reading: Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks. I am scheduled to give a talk on her and the notebooks for a reader/writer conference in Calgary in August. Quite fun to see how she did it.

        Reply

  47. I’m not really too picky. I do enjoy the cozies written for the East Coast – I do live in Connecticut. Don’t get me wrong I also find some interesting cozies in all the time zones. As long as the book/series appeals to me, I read them.

    Reply

  49. Location is often key to whether I’ll try out a new-to-me series or not. I like to read books either set in a familiar place that I like, or set in a northern, darker, rainier place, or set in a place I’ve never been but find intriguing. I’m thoroughly enjoying the Passport to Peril mystery series by Maddy Hunter, having been to many of the places she sends her senior tour group. Plus I love her humor. Also, the Cotswolds’ Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton: she makes great use of the location in her writing, and I always enjoy that aspect of her stories very much. I remember pre-cozy days reading English author Mary Stewart (“This Rough Magic” on Corfu, “Wildfire at Midnight” on the Isle of Skye, “The Moonspinners” on Crete, etc) with her great attention to location detail. Now, I enjoy the lighter versions in cozies. I would personally avoid deserty settings since I get enough hot sun in real life.

    Reply

    • I was lucky enough to be on a panel at Malice Domestic this year with Maddy Hunter (lovely person) where this was the topic. All of us on the panel wrote cozies set in a different place for each book. We all agreed we hope our readers enjoy reading and traveling as much as we do! 😉

      Reply

    • Wendy, it sounds like you have been really fortunate to visit most of the places Emily has taken her senior tour group. The closest I’ve gotten to some of those places is with Rick Steves, while sitting on my couch!

      Reply

      • Danna,
        Yes, I’ve been very fortunate to have had or made opportunities to travel quite a bit throughout my life! My parents influenced me with their words and actions: do it while you’re able to enjoy it. Rick Steves is great, and still enjoy traveling “with” him and through these cozy series! There are many places I would still like to see and spend time, but, for now, I’m happy to enjoy these places with the story settings. And the characters make it all the more fun 🙂

        Reply

        • Wendy, you are kidding about traveling while you can. My parents traveled whenever they could, leaving us children at home. After we all moved out, they continued traveling until my dad had a stroke. I am always happy they were able to do so much traveling while they could, as it was one of their passions.

          Reply

  51. I love reading cozy mysteries that take place in places I have lived or visited. It’s lovely when you recognize a location or place you know. The setting of a new book is one of the main reasons I select it.

    Reply

  52. I prefer mysteries set in England or the east coast. But my Pecan Valley series set in Texas seems to be really popular.
    Ann

    Reply

  53. Mary Daheim is great at the weather and atmosphere in the northern winter – especially the rain – LOL. Love her two cousins, their adventures elsewhere as well as the B&B – never a dull moment!

    Reply

  55. I live in Canada so I like all the Southern Ladies craft cozy mysteries but I have a special fondness for any cozy mysteries as well as novels taking place in New Orleans. I do like mysteries from Canada as well as Maine, Michigan, and Wisconsin. I’m waiting to read Victoria Houston’s latest cozy mystery Dead Rapunzel.

    Reply

  57. This is an old thread. But I’ll add that I love cozies in small towns especially if I have some familiarity with the location. Honestly I’m open to a variety of locations. It holds my interest best if it’s a completely made up place or if it sounds plausible. If it’s clear the author is unfamiliar with the location, then you’ve lost me. Glad there are so many to choose from.

    Reply

    • Having lived in New Orleans the first fifty years of my life, I find I can’t read books with New Orleans as the setting. The errors drive me mad. Referring to Cajuns as Creoles, or misrepresenting the whole city as being like the French Quarter just keeps me from enjoying the story. It’s as bad as the southern accents in movies that make everyone sound like the cast of Deliverence.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Please don't tell us about Cozy Mystery authors or books you don't enjoy.

Please use a nickname or your first name and last initial (unless you are an author and want your full name to appear).

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

MENU