I am enjoying both of the books I’m reading right now so much! I’m listening to one of Ruth Rendell‘s Inspector Wexford mysteries, and as usual, it is a terrific read! Any time I open one of her mysteries, I know I’m in for a real treat! I simply love her books! Inspector Wexford and the rest of the characters are truly written in 3-D form. Rendell is a superb story teller and can be found on both of these very prestigious lists: Crime Writers’ Association Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time AND Mystery Writers of America Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time.
As for my “real” reading >>> I’ve veered off the Cozy Mystery road and am reading one of Ann Rule‘s true crime novels. Yow! I also love her books, so I’m in a type of euphoric reading mode!
Getting back to Cozy Mysteries >>> Have you read any during April that have made you think they are way better than the rest of the Cozies you read this month? If so, would you please tell us about these super-good Cozies and why you liked them so much? We’d love to know about the Cozies you think are “better than the rest” so that we (too) can read them. (If you have a lot of Cozies you think are terrific, would you post the ones you think are even better than the others at the top of the list?)
As usual, please do not tell us about the Cozy Mysteries you did not like.
What really good Cozy Mystery book did you read during April 2016 that you want the rest of us to know about, and why did you enjoy it?
Here are the current recommended authors who some of you have read and recommended this past month:
Kristi Abbott: Popcorn Shop Mystery Series (Kernel of Truth is book #1)
Susan Wittig Albert: China Bayles Mystery Series
Barbara Allan: Trash ‘n’ Treasures Mystery Series
Gretchen Archer: Davis Way Crime Caper Mystery Series (Double Whammy is book #1)
Karoline Barrett: Bread and Batter Mystery Series (Bun for Your Life is book #1)
M. C. Beaton (aka Marion Chesney): Hamish Macbeth Mysterty Series
Patti Benning: Darling Deli Mystery Series
Jennie Bentley (aka Jenna Bennett & Bente Gallagher): Do It Yourself Mystery Series
Rhys Bowen: Evan Evans Mystery Series
Frances Brody: Kate Shackleton Mystery Series
Duffy Brown: Cycle Path Mystery Series
J.J. Cook (aka Joyce and Jim Lavene & Ellie Grant): Biscuit Bowl Food Truck Mystery Series
J.J. Cook (aka Joyce and Jim Lavene & Ellie Grant): Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery Series
E.J. Copperman (aka Jeffrey Cohen): Haunted Guesthouse Mystery Series
Mary Daheim: Hillside Manor Bed & Breakfast Mystery Series
Krista Davis: Paws & Claws Mystery Series
Steve Demaree: Dekker Mystery Series (52 Steps to Murder is book #1)
Laura DiSilverio (aka Lila Dare & Ella Barrick): Readaholics Book Club Mystery Series
Elizabeth J. Duncan: Penny Brannigan Mystery Series
Amanda Flower (aka Isabella Allan): Magical Bookshop Mystery Series
Eva Gates (aka Vicki Delany): Lighthouse Library Mystery Series
Ann Granger: Markby & Mitchell Village Whodunit Mystery Series
Lee Harris: Christine Bennett (Holiday) Mystery Series
Ellen Elizabeth Hunter: Magnolia Mystery Series
Karen MacInerney: Margie Petersen Mystery Series
G.A. McKevett: Savannah Reid Mystery Series
Meg Muldoon: Christmas River Mystery Series
Renee Patrick: Lillian Frost and Edith Head Mystery Series (A Design for Dying is book #1)
Louise Penny: Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery Series
Anne Perry: Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Mystery Series
Carol J. Perry: Witch City Mystery Series
Rose Pressey: Haunted Village Mystery Series
Ruth Rendell: Inspector Wexford Mystery Series
J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts): Eve Dallas (In Death) Mystery Series (not Cozy)
Paige Shelton: Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series
Karen Rose Smith: Caprice De Luca Mystery Series
Denise Swanson: Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery Series
Margaret Yorke: Stand Alone mysteries
[If you click on the author’s name (blue) link, it will take you to his/her page on the Cozy Mystery site. The pages have all of the authors’ books listed chronologically.]
I will list the authors and series that have been recommended, but I urge you to read the comments below so you can see the reasons other Cozy Mystery readers thought these were their best reads of the month.
♦To access more Cozy Mystery Books Recommendations, click on this link♦
P.S. I usually don’t comment on your recommendations since they speak for themselves.
Kitty D says
I am really enjoying a cozy mystery series by author Steve Demaree. Dekker cozy mysteries. There are ten books so far and they are really an enjoyable read.
Anne says
I’ve gotten hooked on the Christmas River series by Meg Muldoon. Cinnamon owns a pie shop and the little town of Christmas River is always in murder chaos. Eight books so far.
Kimberley says
I just read the first book, Crime and Poetry, in the new series by Amanda Flower. She also writes under the name of Isabella Allan. I really loved this book, in part because there was more diversity in the characters, Native American male, who may or may not be a romantic interest for the female protagonist, an African American woman who I hope will make further appearances in future books. What also was compelling is the way that Flower weaves poetry as potential clues AND her use of historical facts. The series takes place in a fictional town close to Niagara Falls. This area just teems with historical richness. There is a paranormal tinge to the series that might be off putting to some but it worked for me.
Toni says
I am reading this one now and really enjoying it too!
PamB says
On a blog posting Lee Harris was mentioned and having not read any of this series I read The Good Friday Murder and now have another favorite author! Christine Bennett has just left being a nun and gets involved in solving a 40 year old murder. The book is well written. I am now reading the Yom Kippur Murder and it’s just as good.
Sheila in CT says
Danna.
Just like you I veered off the cozy mystery road (as you put it) and I’m reading J. D. Robb “In Death” series. This is one of my favorite “un-cozy” series. There’s only 44 or 45 books to read (on book 4). That will keep me a couple/few months of reading.
Patti S. says
I just finished A Design for Dying: A Lillian Frost and Edith Head Novel by Renee Patrick. A book set in the Golden Age of Hollywood. A really fun read. If you like old movies, I think you will like this book. Yes, it is Edith Head the fashion designer.
TXRed says
My April cozy reading has been three of Margaret Yorke’s mysteries I hadn’t read before but not the Dr. Patrick Grant series (which were the first Yorke books I read in the early 1990s when I discovered this author and I also recommend them as well as all her stand-alone cozies). Margaret Yorke’s subjects remind me of Ruth Rendell’s books but perhaps less dark and psychological but more cozy, everyday people who “go bad”; often some ironic twist of fate befalls the villain and for me is a very just, satisfying ending. Yorke books seem difficult to find in libraries and book stores. I recently moved to a new town and happily found several Yorke cozies in the library that I hadn’t read before.
MJ says
April Recommendations – 2016
Blood Orange – Susan Wittig Albert
EXCELLENT! This is a long series and sometimes Albert sets the story in a different locale or China Bayles (protagonist) takes a backseat and other characters take the lead. NOT this story, though. China is front and center and ‘appears’ on every page and the story takes place in Pecan Springs. These are the BEST books in this series! I call it ‘BTB’…….’Back to Basics’ and the original concept of the series. YAY!
Albert does extensive research for her stories. I’ve mentioned this before and I’m always in awe. In this story the focus is on oncology health care centers and fraudulent Medicare practices. As usual for this author, there is massive detail to enlighten the reader which I always find informative and interesting.
A nurse who is renting China’s cabin disappears under mysterious circumstances. She is then rear-ended on her way to China’s home. It comes to light she has been probing possible criminal elements with this health care center. Because she’s a friend, China then gets involved in investigating the car accident and the whys and wherefores that led up to it.
If one wanted, this book certainly can be read as a stand-alone. Albert does an excellent job explaining necessary past details in a concise way to follow the story.
An interesting tidbit from the book………….orange and orange scent are effective stress relievers. Who knew?
My only objection to this book is Albert again sends China’s husband (McQuaid) off on a case of his own, thus he isn’t in the story. I much prefer his physical presence in the story line, too. I like their interactions and miss it when it’s not there. Ahhhh………..even more ‘BTB’! Now, that would be perfection (but I guess a reader can’t ask for everything!).
Comment: Albert’s writing is smooth and flows beautifully……the best sign of an excellent author. In some series I read, I like the characters and the mystery, but the author adds in extensive tedious/unnecessary detail (ex: she got in her car, put the key in the ignition, turned it on, proceeded to drive down the road……blah, blah, blah), which is boring. It’s often disjointed and I find my mind wandering. I’m reading a book like this right now, so I picked up on the difference right away.
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Murder Most Howl – Krista Davis
This series is all about cats and dogs. But even those who don’t have pets will enjoy it. I recommend it each year when a new book is released. It is set in a VA tourist community (Wagtail) that caters to pets. Holly Miller manages the Sugar Maple Inn along with her grandmother.
A mystery murder weekend is planned. However, a not well-liked community member is murdered in the park. Since he’s had a few wives (one with a questionable death) and several enemies, there isn’t a shortage of suspects. The fake clues for the fictional mystery weekend oddly parallel the real murder.
Despite the blurb on the back of the book stating the story ‘includes a bit of romance’, there isn’t ANY romance — nada, nothing! Obviously this book wasn’t read by the person who made that comment. However, I wish Ms. Davis WOULD inject romance into the stories of this series. I guess I’m bit tired/bored with ‘same-o same-o’ romance (or lack thereof) aspect in this book. It’s beyond time to move along…………..
Danna highlighted Krista Davis in a recent blog entry. As always her series are entertaining because she writes a good mystery story with much creativity.
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Mother Knows Best – Karen MacInerny
This series is quite a departure and wide variance for MacInerny. A lot of times you can tell a bit of sameness when an author writes multiple series. The best example is Denise Swanson’s two current series. Not necessarily in content, but in the characters and/or their story lines. Well……there’s a world of difference in this Maggie Peterson Mystery series and the other two series authored by her.
Since I really enjoy her writing, I continued reading when initially I didn’t like the story concept or some of the characters. It’s a bit risqué and bawdy. Although I’ve only read ½ of a book by Evanovich, I guess I would draw some comparisons to that series.
Having said all that, this is an excellent mystery and as in the first book, I’m glad I stuck with it. It’s difficult to put down and is very fast paced. She does some issue enlightening, which I found somewhat interesting. I must say, though, that one is fairly breathless when reading it because of the extensive activity involved in the story lines. And there are multiple story lines – it’s dizzying to keep them all straight. MacInerney injects a lot of humor into this series.
Maggie (protagonist) enrolls her daughter at a prestigious Catholic school. The headmaster is shot in an adulterous situation. Maggie is a partner in private investigation firm. Because she and her partner move the body to protect someone, they get deeply involved in finding a solution before their illegal actions are discovered.
The first book in this series was released a couple years ago years ago. Ironically, the first book made such an impression, that I actually remembered the characters! However, I really didn’t think there would be any more books. The acknowledgements in this book are of particular interest. I had NO idea that Amazon has a publishing arm (Thomas & Mercer). It’s this company that published this series. MacInerney thanks them in her acknowledgements – very enlightening.
OH – and I must add………..MacInerney always includes in her stories words I’ve never heard of before. I never take the time to look them up, but it’s amazing how these strange words make it into her lexicon.
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Fat Tuesday Fricassee — J. J. Cook
Wow! What a variety of regular characters………..some eccentric, some weird, some even normal. This story is set in Mobile, AL during the Mardi Gras. Who knew that the Mardi Gras originated in Mobile many years before New Orleans? Zoe Chase is the protagonist who owns a food truck — the Biscuit Bowl. She has been selected to set up in the parade area of the Mardi Gras.
While attending a secret masked ball with her father she finds a reporter dead in the gardens. Since the attendees are part of this secret society they all leave the area immediately. Even the police commissioner is part of this society.
Zoe gets involved because the police claim this ‘murder’ is a suicide and she believes the truth is being hidden or swept under the carpet. There are many twists to the plot that keeps the story somewhat complex. Although a surprise, the ending is a bit bizarre.
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Between a Book and a Hard Place — Denise Swanson
Devereaux (Dev) Sinclair is the lead character and owner of a dime store in a small Missouri community, Shadow Bend. Her mother dumped her at her grandmother’s home when she was 16 and left town with nary an ounce of communication since.
Dev’s mother returns to town (after a 15+ year absence) with her new husband. The new husband offers to restore the old library infusing it with much needed funds to do so. Dev’s step-father is found murdered in the basement of the library. Since her mother and father will most likely be prime suspects, Dev steps in to solve the murder.
The road to the solution delves deeply into the past, as far back as the Civil War and Shadow Bend’s participation in it. It’s impossible to figure out ahead of time because the reader isn’t given information to hazard a guess until the final chapters.
The character interactions are complex and always interesting, if not intriguing. There are so many underlying layers. A doctor and a former US Marshall vie for Dev’s romantic attention (to use a sort of old-fashioned term – but it’s applicable). If Swanson is true to form as in her other series, this situation will take MANY more books to resolve.
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Sweet Pepper Hero – J. J. Cook
Although a ‘ghost’ (former fire chief) is one of the main characters in this series, the story doesn’t dwell on the paranormal. As long as it doesn’t overwhelm the story, I find this aspect ok. In this story a couple of more ghosts were added into the story line — but, again, it wasn’t overdone (at least, I didn’t think so).
Stella Griffin is the current fire chief in a small TN town near the mountains. She is strong-willed, independent, and smart. She has somewhat of an adverse relationship with her father – the wealthiest resident in town.
A series of fires break out in the community, seemingly without a pattern. But of course there is a pattern. This is a well written plot, keeping the reader totally engaged. Also there is an attempt on Stella’s life – the ‘ghost’ to the rescue! The ending is really a shocker.
Although there isn’t any romantic story line in this book, the friendship stories make for an enjoyable read.
Cynthia says
I would say my favorites for April were “If You’ve Got It, Haunt It”, first in a series by Rose Pressey. ( It does have a ghost in it.) And “Fatal Fixer-Upper”, first in a series, by Jennie Bently.
Suz says
Love Jennie Bentley!! all good.
Christine says
Just finished Double Whammy by Gretchen Archer. Davis Way is one of my new favorite leading characters! Great book, great read! Can’t wait to start book two!
KG says
Kernel of Truth by Kristi Abbott had me wanting a bowl of popcorn and a standard poodle! Shh! Don’t tell my yorkie. The owner of POPS, a popcorn shop, finds her friend and mentor dead. In turn, she must find the killer to clear her name. I thought most of the characters in the book were likable and well developed. I did think Rebecca, the protagonist was a little immature, but since this is the first book in the series it gives her a chance to grow throughout the series. I like the idea of seeing the main character grow and mature through the series. I do look forward to the second book in the series.
I, too, am off the cozy path. I am reading The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. I am still waiting for the magical elves to organize and declutter while I sleep.
Margaret StashEmpress says
I have that book sitting on my TBR shelf — but from what I’ve read about her attitude towards books (tear out the pages you like & toss the rest — or just toss them all, etc.) — I think maybe I should send it back to the library unread… 😉
Paula says
I’m enjoying Caprice DeLuca mystery series written by Karen Rose Smith they are so good loved your post I’ll be checking out some of the series you mentioned that I haven’t heard of.
Lynn T. says
I enjoyed Caught Dead Handed, the first book by Carol J. Perry in the Witch City Mystery series. Lee Barrett returns home Salem Ma. Due to a murder, she is hired as a replacement for a late night TV horror show psychic. She learns on the fly how to be a psychic.
This is a cozy with somewhat of an edge. I found I could not put it down and that doesn’t happen too often to me. The characters of Lee and her aunt Libby were quite likeable. The location of Salem Ma was perfect. I usually don’t mention love interests because normally I don’t care for them in mysteries. However, I did like Detective Pete Mondello as a character and romantic interest. The cat O’Ryan was a strong cat character. I did have the mystery solved before Lee but that didn’t matter because as I said I could not put the book down. I immediately ordered the next book. So far there are 3 books and I hope there will be more.
Carolyn says
I LOVE the Inspector Wexford series by Ruth Rendell. I really enjoy all the older English cozy authors. I am so excited about my long wkend coming up – I have picked up new books by Mary Daheim, Katherine Hall Page, Susan Wittig Albert & Laura Childs & just got notice today that they are holding new book by Louise Penny for me at the library. I get all the info about new books coming out from your site, then put in my hold requests! I also have my kindle with me at all times. A dream come true – never running out of something to read.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carolyn, I love my Kindle! Sounds like you have a terrific weekend planned…
carolyn says
i do! only problem is that pesky laundry, meals, & housework that eats into my reading time! LOL
Marla says
I’m reading a series by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter. The first book was “Murder on the Ghost Walk” and this book is ” Murder on the Candlelight Tour”. They’re funny, yet the characters are well-written.
I’m also reading a non-cozy series, Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache books. Just finished “How the Light Gets In”, which is the finish to the cliffhanger from “The Beautiful Mystery”, in which everything you knew about the characters completely turned around and all the events were awful. It’s been a long time since I HAD to find the next book and read it cover to cover!
Suz says
I’ve read two that you recommended that were new to me! Paige Shelton’s The Cracked Spine was so good!! I can’t wait for the next in the series. The other was Amanda Flower’s Crime and Poetry. Both had well-delineated characters and tight plots.
keep those recommendations coming!
Julie says
We live one block from Plainfield, Illinois, and that is where Denise Swanson is from. I first heard about her at our local bookstore. I think they are cute books. I think Scumble River is based on Plainfield.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Julie, it must be really neat to read the books while knowing all of the local places she’s describing.
Julie says
When I came back from a UK trip, I got a book that told about lots of UK crime and mystery writers. That is where I found the Evan Evans series set on Snowdon Mountain in Wales, by Rhys Bowen. She is known for two other more recent series, but I love the Evan Evans ones best. Definitely a series you want to read in order. And Ann Granger’s Markby and Meredith series, set in the Cotswolds. They also need to be read in order.
Marianne says
I love mysteries with a cooking theme so I picked up “Bun for Your Life,” by Karoline Barrett. It’s set in a small town in upstate NY, where Molly Tyler is co-owner of a bakery. I liked it so much, I immediately got “Raisin the Dead,” which has nothing to do with raisins, but was a fun read also. The characters are smart, the situations believable and exciting. Nice dogs, too.
Kathey says
In April, I read many of the Darling Deli series written by Patti Benning. These are relatively short novels about a Deli Owner and her daughter and her boyfriend (who is a PI). While not necessarily realistic, (If one person had been involved in this many murders in a small town, she’d probably be in jail) they are well written and I like the characters a lot. Recommend the whole series and hope she keeps writing them.
Janice says
I read a number of good books this month. I especially loved The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton, the first in her Scottish Bookshop series. The characters were engaging and Edinburgh always provides an appropriate location for mysteries. Both of her new series (the typewriter shop series is the second) show real promise.
I was pleased with the tone of Murder on the Hour by Elizabeth J. Duncan. I was thinking of dropping this series after the last two books but this newest edition brings back the charming heroine of the earlier books. The mystery involves a Welsh version of Antiques Roadshow coming to their little town and all of the characters from the town get involved.
Reading Up a Storm by Eva Gates was very good and I liked that she resolved the romantic triangle from the first two books in the series in a way that leaves everyone happy and doesn’t leave the reader hanging on forever.
Duffy Brown’s Braking for Bodies was a very fun read (almost bordering on silly) but I really enjoy the Mackinac Island setting.
Toby says
I just read two by Sigrid Vansandt, Two Birds with one Stone and A Debt is Finally Paid. They have wonderful cozy relationships in England, and wonderfully warm stories. They are good stories that have fast intrigue, but a cozy heart.
Margaret StashEmpress says
Coming late to the party here — didn’t have much reading time in April (and even less computer time, seeing as how it took me this long to post my list!)
Did read some good ones though:
M. C. Beaton — Knock, Knock, You’re Dead (Hamish MacBeth short story) — this is a short, but I couldn’t resist.
E. J. Copperman — Ghost in the Wind (Haunted Guesthouse series) — good series — love the ghost characters, love how the living & dead interact. (The main character’s parents are still a devoted loving couple, despite that her father passed away many years ago.)
Susan Wittig Albert — Blood Orange (China Bayles series) — Great read — MJ gave a very good review above, I couldn’t say it better.
Anne Perry — Treachery at Lancaster Gate (Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series) — one of the historical series I love — was not disappointed — gets better & better.
G. A. McKevett — Killer Reunion (Savannah Reid series) –Enough wacky characters to make it fun, despite being a good mystery read. Quite a favorite.
Frances Brody — Murder on a Summer’s Day (Kate Shackleton series) — This series was new to me. I love historical mysteries & plan to hunt down the remaining ones in the series to catch up.
Denise Swanson — Dying for a Cupcake (Devereaux’s Dime Store series) — I know, I’m a book behind! I do have the next one on my TBR shelf, honestly I will get to it LOL! Another good read — though I’m not happy with the love triangles in so many series (boyfriend who is a cop & boyfriend who is not a cop kind of thing…)
Laura DiSilviero — The Readaholics and the Falcon Fiasco (Readaholics series) — another new to me series (and yes, I do have the next volume on my TBR shelf as well!) — very good read, will enjoy this series — the title says it all — book club members solving murders.
Barbara Allan — Antiques Fate (Trash ‘n’ Treasures series) — Hysterically wacky series — love the mom in the series — she’s just such a hoot! Despite that the daughter tells the story in first person, every book gets one (or sometimes more!) chapters written by the mom — such a funny point of view switch LOLOL! (This book mom gets 2 1/2 chapters — with comments “insterted” by the “editor” & so on).
Mary Daheim — Here Comes The Bribe (Bed and Breakfast series) — I’ve loved this series since it began WAY back when — love the wild & wacky characters & their shenanigans. Though a few titles were not up to par & there were concerns that the series would go downhill (as some other long running series have done), I’m happy to say that this title (and the one before it) were amazingly funny & I’m glad to see that Ms. Daheim is in as fine form as ever.