First off, Happy New Year!
December is over, so it’s time to discuss our favorite Cozies that we read this month!
If you read a Cozy mystery this 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 Lee Hollis’s Hailey Powell Msytery 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 December? 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 December 2024 that you want the rest of us to know about, and why did you enjoy it?
C. J. Archer: Glass Library Mystery Series (first entry The Librarian of Crooked Lane)
Simon Brett: Mrs. Pargeter Mystery Series
Laurie Cass (aka Laura Alden): Bookmobile Cat Mystery Series
Julie Chase (aka Jacqueline Frost, Julie Anne Lindsey, & Bree Baker): Kitty Couture Mystery Series
Agatha Christie: Midwinter Murder short story compilation
Lucy Connelly: Scottish Isle Mystery Series
Peggy Ehrhart: Knit and Nibble Mystery Series
Sarah Fox: True Confections Mystery Series
Dorothy Gilman: Mrs. Pollifax Mystery Series
Sally Goldenbaum: Seaside Knitters Society Mystery Series
Lee Hollis: Hailey Powell Mystery Series
Jennie Marts: Bee Keeping Mystery Series (first entry Take the Honey and Run)
Katharine Schellman: Lily Adler Mystery Series (first entry The Body in the Garden)
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.
Rob Jarrad says
Dear Danna et all: Due to a severe accident in September, I lost my car and am just recovering enough now for PT and OT at home. I have not been able to go to the library to discover new books or authors so am a bit out of touch with what is new. I do want to read and experience new books and revisit favorite authors soon but need to depend on the kindness of friends for transportation.
For right now, I’ve merely read Peggy Ehrhart’s book that I read in
October of the Irish Soda Bread murders. Very good and as always, I recommend the Knit and Nibble Series by Ehrhart.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rob, I’m sorry to hear you’re still having difficulty from the accident.
MJ says
December 2024 Recommendations…………..
Herringbone Harbor Murder — Sally Goldenbaum
Because of a publisher change, this series is split in two. The series title was tweaked with the second publisher. Thus, it’s listed as the 7th book. In actuality it’s the 18th book! If you haven’t read this series, please start with the actual first one – Death By Cashmere (published in 2008).
Goldenbaum is a gifted/creative author, always writing a good mystery. However, I found this book to be written differently (sort of a different voice) than her other books. I wish we could have a ‘book discussion’, because I’d love to know what others think. But, I can’t give anything away on this blog.
It’s a story with a lot of complexities, involving all four of the lead characters (I suppose, Cass takes the lead). A friend is murdered, setting off this group’s search for the culprit and reason as to why. The ending IS a surprise.
Goldenbaum always lists the characters at the beginning of the book. Although in this book (and the last one) she left out a character. Then I was puzzled as to who that person was.
Also puzzling, is Goldenbaum’s fascination with the letter ‘z’ in last names. First there is Birdie (main character) — last name, ‘Favazza’. The ‘Garozzos’ own a deli. Then, there is a boatload of ‘Palazolas’, featured in this story. I found all this VERY confusing! ☹
Be sure to read the ‘acknowledgements’ at the end of the book.
==================
I discovered a new-to-me author – Jennie Marts
I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in her new Bee Keeping Mystery Series, ‘Take the Honey and Run’ and ‘Kill or Bee Killed’.
Bailey Briggs is an author who moves back (along with her 12 yr. old daughter, Daisy) to her Colorado home town to live with her grandmother (Granny Bee). Granny owns a beekeeping business. Bailey discovers that her high school boyfriend is now the hunky sheriff, Sawyer.
In this first book, a murder occurs and Granny Bee is a suspect. Thus, Bailey gets involved in order to clear her name. In the second book, her best friend (Evie) is a suspect.
Marts writes these books with much wit. 🙂 The characters are quite varied (ages and personalities) and unique, making both stories compelling and entertaining. Another intriguing storyline (not related to the mystery) is introduced in the first book. The reader is then anxious to read the second book, where it’s somewhat resolved.
THEN, in the second book, the very last sentence introduces another surprising event — AGAIN making the reader looking forward to the third book! However, it doesn’t appear a third book will be released in 2025 ☹ — none are listed. She writes cowboys and horse series. A book is slated for release in the cowboy series in 2025. I’m not interested in either a cowboy or a horse series.
These stories in this new bee keeping series are well-paced and a quick read — a page turner. Give it a try – I think you’ll enjoy it. I’m pleased I found this author.
=======================
I’ve enjoyed several of Sarah Fox’s series. Her recent series is True Confections Mystery series. I’ve read the first two books – ‘Six Sweets Under’ and ‘Baking Spirits Bright’. The second book is holiday related. I’m waiting for the third book.
Becca Ransom is an LA actress who has returned to her small Vermont hometown (kind of a fun tidbit — a no car community, with people getting around via the canals). She takes over a confectionary bakery from her grandparents. She’s a ‘chocolatier’.
I find this series and the Marts series very similar. Again, a light, fun read and well-paced, with enjoyable/interesting characters. In fact, both series have ‘hunky detectives’ named “Sawyer”. What a coincidence!!!
========================
HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!! May it be a wonderful year. 🙂
Fortney, Sally says
I really enjoyed Lucy Connelly’s An American in Scotland with how the community relayed around their new doctor. Also read Mushroom Capped by Cathy Wiley, Murder the Tey Way by Marilyn Levinson, We Three Queens by Rhys Bowen, A Southern Quilting Cozy Christmas by Elizabeth Craig, A Merry Little Murder Plot by Jenn McKinlay, Peking Duck and Cover by Vivien Chien, and Blame the Beignets by Ginger Bolton. I recommend them all.
CATHLEEN MAY says
I was able to get “Midwinter Murder” through my library. I found this book of short stories by Agatha Christie to be very enjoyable. Would recommend it to any Christie fan.
Miriam says
I’ve just read the second-to-last story in Simon Brett’s Mrs Pargeter series. I’m sad it seems he didn’t write anymore of them. Mrs Pargeter is a clever lady and the stories of her late husband’s “associates” are hilarious.
Linda Marglon says
I highly recommend the Glass Library series by C. J. Archer.
Starts with The Librarian of Crooked Lane. Fun with interesting characters.
Hanna says
I read the last of Laurie Cass Bookmobile series A Paw to Stand On. The story was a bit thin compares to the previous books; too many side stories but Eddie saved the day and was rewarded after the wedding ceremony to be told that he was part of the family, shedding hair and all. A nice conclusion to the series.
I also enjoyed Katharine Schellman The Body in the Garden. It takes place in Regency London. A young widow, Lilly Adler, arrives to start a new life and is invited to a party at the home of her best friend from school. While not dancing and not interested in gossip and discussion she steps into the garden where she hears angry argument and a gunshot. An old childhood friend of her late husband, a Navy captain on leave is her escort and soon both of them are investigating since the then brand new police force is bribed to stay away from the family.
It is similar to Dianne Freeman series that takes place later, during Victorian time. There the widow is an American but in both series it is interesting to see how women are limited by society on what they can do and say and travel. They rely on their conversations, observations and deductions. And, yes, in both series an open minded police officer accepts their suggestions.
Delta Blue says
Hello, I’ve lurked on the page for years but this is my first time making a recommendation. A new to me author, Julie Chase and her Kitty Boutique series set in New Orleans. I really liked the pace of the series and the descriptions of the Garden District and its people. Aside from the crimes/criminals there was a happy and positive vibe to the people and scenes. Plus a realistic description of the lingering trauma of being involved in a murder investigation, the min character is in therapy with no stigma attached throughout the series!
I loved the pet bakery and costume boutique as well she runs. I listened to the audiobooks and was sorry when the series ended.
Mary R says
Thank you. Lots of authors I am not familiar with yet! Hoping they are avaliable on Hoopla and/or Libby.
Two new to me authors I really enjoyed Dorothy Gilman’s Mrs. Polifax series and Robert Goldsborough’s Nero Wolfe books.