August is over, so it’s time to discuss our favorite Cozies that we’ve read last month!
If you read a Cozy mystery last month and want to recommend it to the rest of us, be sure to post it here! For this month, I read the first entry of Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library Mystery Series. For the reasons I want to recommend it, be sure to check out the blog entry!
So, what have you been reading that you can recommend in August? Please be sure to tell us why you liked these Cozies so much. I know we’re all always on the lookout for more particularly good Cozy Mystery authors! (If you have a lot of Cozies you think are great, please post the ones you like the most at the top of the list.)
As always, please do not tell us about the Cozy Mysteries you did not like.
What really good Cozy Mystery did you read during August 2022 that you want the rest of us to know about, and why did you enjoy it?
Ellery Adams (aka J. B. Stanley, Jennifer Stanley, & 1/2 of Lucy Arlington): Secret, Book & Scone Mystery Series
Tamara Berry: By the Book Mystery Series (first entry Buried in a Good Book)
Zac Bissonnette: Hollywood Treasures Mystery Series (first entry A Killing in Costumes)
Debora Blake: Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery Series (first entry Furbidden Fatality)
Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib): Key West Food Critic Mystery Series
Valerie Burns: Baker Street Mystery Series (first entry Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder)
Kate Carlisle: Bibliophile Mystery Series
Laura Childs (aka Gerry Schmitt): Tea Shop Mystery Series
JJ Chow: LA Night Market (first entry Death by Bubble Tea)
Vicki Delany (aka Eva Gates): Tea by the Sea Mystery Series
Jess Dylan: Flower House Mystery Series (first entry Death in Bloom)
John Gaspard: Eli Marks Mystery Series (first entry The Ambitious Card)
Victoria Gilbert: Blue Ridge Library Mystery Series
Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson: The Agathas
Mimi Granger: Love is Murder Mystery Series (first entry Death of a Red-Hot Rancher)
Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton: Riley Harper Mystery Series (first entry Death in Sandpiper Bay)
Darci Hannah: Beacon Bakeshop Mystery Series
Bonnie Hardy: Lily Rock Mystery Series (first entry Getaway Death)
Sherry Harris: Sea Glass Saloon Mystery Series
Darci Hannah: Beacon Bakeshop Mystery Series
Linda Reilly: Grilled Cheese Mystery Series
Sara Rosett: On the Run Mystery Series
Dorothy St. James: Beloved Bookroom Mystery Series
Jane Thornley: Agency of the Lost and Found Thriller Series (first entry The Carpet Cipher)
Marty Wingate: Potting Shed Mystery Series
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.
Regina says
Highly recommend the Beacon Bakeshop mystery series! I read the third book in the series Murder at the Blueberry Festival and it was just wonderful. Also the first book in Jennifer J Chow’s L.A. Night Market series Death by Bubble Tea is excellent also.
Patti S. says
I just finished reading The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson. This is a YA book, but reads like a really good mystery.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Who killed Brooke Donovan? It’s the biggest mystery of the summer, and everyone in Castle Cove thinks they know what happened. But they’re wrong. Two unlikely friends come together to solve the case in this fast-paced, fun, modern Agatha Christie inspired thriller.
If you like Agatha Christie, you will like this book. I really enjoyed it!
Lisa N says
I finished The Paper Caper by Kate Carlisle. I simply love this series. So many great suspects, I was guessing until the end. Now I have to wait a whole year for the next one. :(.
Kristine Lunda says
I read the first installment of the Sandpiper Bay series, death in Sandpiper Bay, by Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton. I’m on number two now. Very enjoyable, talk’s about the code of silence
Carol says
A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs was an excellent book! I love her books.
Linda G says
I highly recommend a new series, A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery starting with the first book, Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake. A delightful well written series with likable, intelligent characters and animals.
Divorced Kari Stuart wins the lottery, is adopted by a precocious kitten, and buys an animal rescue shelter that is about to close. The evil county dog catcher is found dead on the premises. Lots of interesting twists and turns separate this cozy from the usual format, resulting in a fun read. Currently, there are three books in the series.
Hanna says
I enjoyed Dorothy St. James’ The Broken Spine. A small city decided to become the “Silicon Valley of the South,” and to attract high tech companies by turning the old library into a bookless one, offering only online searches and ebooks. The books would either be sent to other libraries or – gasp – into the landfill. The assistant librarian, Trudell Becket, is not going to have it. So she clandestinely moves many classic and beloved book into an old bomb shelter in the basement of the library. Trusted readers can come and browse and borrow books there. But then the City Manager who is behind he bookless library idea is murdered and Tru is number one suspect so she has to solve it. Among the characters, friends and foes of Tru, is a stray cat who wonders into the library at night, and is appropriately named Dewey Decimal..
Yes, she identifies the murderer and I could not leave it alone. I did not think that keeping this secret in a small town where no secrets could stay long, so I read the sequel A Perfect Bind. The hidden book room is associated with old secret of the library that vandals are keen on finding. And, yes, there is a murder that Tru solves. Both books are easily read and present interesting characters.
Bekky King says
This summer I have been reading Jane Thornley. She has the Agency of the Lost and Found and Crime by Design series’. These cozies are a little different, since they deal with history as well as a modern mystery. There are particular mysteries for each book, but also a thread of mysteries that weave through the books. The characters are interesting and the stories engaging. When I read these books, I am not only enjoying a good story, but learning a few things along the way. Thornley’s imagination is a wonder.
Shirl628 says
A Killing in Costumes (A Hollywood Treasures Mystery) by Zac Bissonnette.
Released August 9, 2022
Great mystery about movie memorabilia, the collectors, buyers, and sellers. No bad language, no sex or sexual innuendos, and main characters in no dangerous situations. Jay, Cindy, and Simon are some of the best gay characters I’ve ever read about. Would love to spend time with them. Highly recommended.
MJ says
August Recommendations – 2022
The Paper Caper – Kate Carlisle
I believe this book was recommended last month. I ALWAYS recommend books in this series because they are ALWAYS good. It is best to read this series from the beginning. This is book #16.
This story is set in SF. My preference is Dharma, but it’s nice to ‘catch up’ with the SF characters. The Covington Library is featuring a Mark Twain Festival, sponsored by a wealthy local newspaper owner. A poisoning takes place. Of course, Brooklyn and Derek get involved. Derek’s team is providing security for the festival.
It’s an intriguing mystery with several twists. The characters are entertaining and so well developed. The writing and dialogue is often witty – thus creating a VERY enjoyable read.
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No Parm No Foul — Linda Reilly
After reading the first entry into this series, I was really looking forward to the second book. This series is set in a small community in Vermont. It’s Fall – Halloween time. Carly owns a grilled cheese restaurant.
An owner (not well-liked) of another restaurant in the town is found murdered. One of his part time employees quit to go to work for Carly full time. Thus this restaurant owner waged a vengeance against Carly. Carly becomes a suspect.
It’s an engaging mystery, is paced well and a quick read. The ending was somewhat a surprise. A bonus is all those tantalizing grilled cheese ideas. Who knew? 🙂
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A Time to Swill — Sherry Harris
This is the 2nd book in this series. I recommended the first book, too. Chloe Jackson, a Chicago librarian, moves to Florida because a friend (who died) left her a home and a part ownership in a bar.
The varied characters’ interactions are so enjoyable. The mystery reaches into the past involving a missing ship. The plot is complex, but flows along smoothly.
BUT, BUT, I have a bit of a ‘rant’. The mystery is good and I recommend you read it because most likely you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. SOOOOO, I don’t want my rant to take away from that!
Why in the world would an author just change the name of a main character in the middle of a series? I just don’t get it? In a bar scene mid-story, a group of men decided to change the name of this character. From there on, the name change was in effect amongst all the young and old characters in the story. We all visualize the characters. Before the name change I found this character to be strong and intelligent. With the new name, my perception is one of a sniveling, weak character (mainly because he couldn’t even stand up for himself and protest the name change). So WEIRD!
In her ‘acknowledgements’, this author stated she had 3 beta readers for this story. She also names other cozy authors who are her good friends. These are authors that are well known to cozy readers. Didn’t ANYONE tell her this was a bad idea? Have ANY other authors done this?
If Ms. Harris reads this blog, could she please let us know why this change was necessary to her story? Can other authors give me any ideas as to why an author would do this? I am very confused! 😏
OK – end of rant. That’s only ONE character. Perhaps the author will send him off to Timbuktu since she didn’t like his original name.
The rest are quite unique and appealing. I will continue to read the series because I enjoy them. The mystery is well written and moves along smoothly.
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Death in Bloom — Jess Dylan
This is the first book in a new series, by a new-to-me author. Sierra Ravenswood is a singer (unsuccessful), returning to her hometown from Nashville. She’s looking for a change in her life. She is working part-time in a flower shop when the owner (Felix) suddenly reties and disappears, leaving the flower shop (and his dog, Gus) to her
Another business owner dies (poison) in the flower shop during a class. There is complexity in the mystery storyline. The reader is kept guessing as to who the culprit is.
There’s a little ‘woo-woo’ with Granny Mae, a delightful, unique, and certainly favorite character. Calvin, another character renting an upstairs apartment, is ‘mysterious’ throughout the story.
An enjoyable read — a good start to an engaging new series.
Sally Fortney says
I read Bittersweet Herbs by Marty Wingate about an American woman who married a British policeman and now lives in England. This time she gets involved with a group trying to make an herb garden. Their benefactor gets killed, and and Pru and her husband solve the case. I love gardens so appreciate the plant details. I liked how the victim’s character was explored.
Also, read Murder of a Mail-Order Bride by Mimi Granger where a man’s supposed Russian bride is murder after their wedding. I like the romance bookstore as a change from the mystery bookstores.
Mrs. Ainee C. Beland says
I was introduced to some new cozy authors and I got some free books from them as well. One that I read in August is the author named Bonnie Hardy who wrote Getaway Death based on the small town of Lily Rock in California; it is up in the mountains and most folks have not heard of it. before that read, I had to read the prequel to this book which is name Meadow’s Hat and this is where we learn about this amazing dog name Maguire who happens to be the town’s mayor and Meadow takes care of all of his appearances. More can be learned about Bonnie Hardy at her site:https://bonniehardywrites.com/
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I also read The Vanishing Type by Ellery Adams and this is a much better author and I had read The Whispered Word; and when reading the vanishing type, it was like meeting up with old friends…this time it was about planning an engagement/wedding and family secrets with this greedy sibling wanting it all for himself.
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I have also been enjoying books by Sara Rosett who wrote Elusive and Death in the English Countryside; Elusive is a spy/espionage and death in the countryside is more Jane Austen-esques as the heroine Kate leaves Los Angeles for Nether-Woodsmoor England to try and locate her missing boss; it seems that Kevin Dunn has disappeared since none has heard from since Friday and he usually touches base with his office daily…so Kate goes to England to find him since he was scouting for locations for a film on Jane Austen. They feared he might have gone on a drinking binge but not so. Learn more by visiting this site:https://www.sararosett.com/
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I think that was it for the month of August with reading. I hope this is of interest to some. Thank you.
MJ says
Just an FYI:
I really enjoyed Sara Rosette’s Ellie Avery Mystery series. There’s 10 books in the series. The first one is “Moving is Murder’.
Sometimes if you like one series by an author, you may enjoy other series they’ve written.
Kathie Murphy says
I enjoyed the Waterfell Tweed Cozy Mysteries by Mona Marple! Great characters and keeps you interested throughout!
Janice G says
I read so many good books this month that it’s hard to pick a few to recommend. The theme of Murder at the Blueberry Festival by Darci Hannah is self-explanatory, but the crime is complex and the motive surprising. Lindsay, her boyfriend Rory, and Newfoundland Wellington are engaging characters as are the other characters in the book.
Murder Spills the Tea by Vicki Delany features the obligatory TV competition show that seems to appear in many culinary cozies but this was an interesting entry in this series.
Murder of a Mail-Order Bride is the second in a series by Mimi Granger. Lizzie has been tasked with helping the popular hardware store owner plan his wedding to a Russian bride. When the bride is found dead at the end of the ceremony, a complex investigation leads back to the founding of the town.
I also enjoyed A Dish to Die For by Lucy Burdette, and Peppermint Barked by Leslie Budewitz.
MendoGirl says
I read the first in a new “ By the Book Mysteries “ called Buried in a Good Book, by Tamara Berry.
After her divorce is finalized, Tess, a bestselling thriller author, decides she and her 14 year old daughter, Gertrude, need a fresh start. So they go off to a cabin Tess inherited from her grandfather. No electricity, no wi- fi, no indoor plumbing, what could possibly go wrong?
Before they even unlock the door, the first body literally falls on top of them (don’t worry it’s not as gross as it sounds). The local sheriff looks just like the main character in the books Tess writes, much to his shagrin.
Before you know it, Tess is asking questions and trying to figure out the mystery.
The story is full of quirky characters and great twists and turns. It also involves Big Foot, a flock(?) of toucans and a mobile librarian who is more than she seems.
A really great read.
The author blurb says she’s also written the Eleanor Wilde series, so some of you may already be fans.
Dawn says
I just finished reading The Bullet Catch by John Gaspard. It’s the 3rd book in the Eli Marks mystery series. I’d label this as a cozy thriller. It’s free on Audible, and Jim Cunningham did a good job with the narration. In the story, Eli, a magician, has to find a way to keep a former classmate from getting killed while filming for a movie, solve the murder of another one of his classmates, deal with a severe height phobia, relationship issues, and o yeah, somehow stay alive. I thought the ending was really bittersweet. This series takes place in Minnasota, in Minneapollis. I like Eli’s sense of humor, and the banter back and forth with his Uncle Harry, and assorted friends. Sadly, I can’t recall the name of the first book in the series. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump, so I haven’t been reading as much.
Avalee Cohen says
I highly recommend:
Valerie Burns’ Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder.
and her Samantha Washington series.
Second I highly recommend:
Lucy Burdett
Key West series with Hayley Snow
Terri D. says
I would recommend author Steve Demaree, his stand alone books and his series Dekker Cozy Mystery, and his Aylesford Place Series.
They have great characters and keep you entertained.
S.F says
I just stumbled upon the SECOND CHANCE CAT MYSTERY Series:
Main Characters: Sarah Grayson, Owner of Second Chance second-hand shop, & Elvis, Stray Cat, Maine
The Whole Cat and Caboodle ’14
Buy a Whisker ’15
A Whisker of Trouble ’16
Telling Tails ’17
The Fast and the Furriest ’17
No Escape Claws ’19
Claw Enforcement ’20
Undercover Kitty ’21
Totally Pawstruck
I felt I was part of the PI 🕵️♀️ elderly group. I love this series and hope there is more to come
Jeanie Whitmire Jackson says
I second the vote for Two Parts Sugar, One part Murder. I love all of VM Burns books but this newest on is my favorite. In fact it is the best cozy mystery I have read this year.