We’re just about at the end of February, so it’s time to discuss our favorite Cozies that we’ve 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 Ellie Alexander Bakeshop 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 February? 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 February 2021 that you want the rest of us to know about, and why did you enjoy it?
Cathy Ace: WISE Inquiries Agency Mystery Series
llery Adams (aka J. B. Stanley, Jennifer Stanley, & 1/2 of Lucy Arlington): Secret, Book & Scone Mystery Series
Ellie Alexander (aka Kate Dyer-Seeley): Bakeshop Mystery Series
Winnie Archer (aka Melissa Bourbon & Misa Ramirez): Bread Shop Mystery Series
Emily Brightwell: Mrs. Jeffries Mystery Series
Duffy Brown: Consignment Shop Mystery Series
Leslie Budewitz: Food Lovers’ Mystery Series
Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib): Key West Food Critic Mystery Series
Lynn Cahoon: Kitchen Witch Mystery Series
Laurie Cass: Bookmobile Cat Mystery Series
Maia Chance: Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery Series
Vivien Chien: Noodle Shop Mystery Series
Laura Childs (aka Gerry Schmitt): Scrapbooking Mystery Series
Nancy Coco (aka Nancy J. Parra and Nell Hampton): Oregon Honeycomb Mystery Series
Kate Collins: Goddess of Green St. Mystery Mystery Series
Vicki Delany (aka Eva Gates): Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery Series
Carola Dunn: Daisy Dalrymple Mystery Series
Monica Ferris: Needlecraft Mystery Series
Victoria Gilbert: Book Lover’s B&B Mystery Series
Dorothy Gilman: Mrs. Pollifax Series
Margaret Loudon: Open Book Mystery Series (first entry Murder in the Margins)
Jenn McKinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence): Hat Shop Mystery Series
Carlene O’Connor: Irish Village Mystery Series
Amy Stewart: Kopp Sisters Mystery Series (first entry Girl Waits With Gun)
Charles Todd: Bess Crawford 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.
Carol says
This is my five ⭐️ review of Death al Dente by Leslie Budewitz.
The first in A Food Lovers Village series, this was a fun book to read. Leslie Budewitz has a way of making you want to meet the characters and visit the town. Both are very realistic. I’ll be reading the next book soon. Don’t miss this cozy series by an excellent author.
Marianne Kotch says
I just finished #6 in the Key West food critic series by Lucy Burdette, The Key Lime Crime. Even though I hadn’t read any of the previous ones, I enjoyed it enough to want to go back and read the rest,
A Hanging at Dawn (#11.5 in the Bess Crawford series), by Charles Todd, answers a lot of questions I’ve had over the years about Simon Brandon’s past and how he came to be so indispensable and devoted to Bess’ family. It was, alas, too short!
Dear Miss Kopp (#6 in series), by Amy Stewart, shifts its narrative among the three sisters, one of whom is in Europe fighting World War I with her pigeons. The other two are also doing things to help the war effort. It’s not much of a mystery but I enjoy Stewart’s humorous writing.
Rob J says
I’ve been reading a lot of Monica Ferris and reading over the Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries series by Emily Brightwell-both lovely works. I’m waiting for the latest of Ellie Alexander’s Brewery series. Love that series so far but haven’t had a chance to read the latest.
Kate Collier says
I thoroughly enjoyed Cathy Ace’s 4-book series of the WISE Inquiry Agency. Four unique women sleuths pool their talents to solve four deliciously complex mysteries.
Marilyn Sliva says
Just about done with Murder in an Irish Bookshop. Kept me guessing the entire time. Love cozys & set in Ireland is the cherry on top.
Ginger says
I read Lynn Cahoon’s new book, One Poison Pie. I love it. Mia Malone returns to Idaho and buys a school house and turns it into gourmet dinner delivery and catering. Oh yes just everybody is witch or a warlock. But Mia s craft is food. Cannot wait for the second one in the summer.
Linda S. says
Just finished Wrong Side of the Paw: A bookmobile cat mystery. All of the fun combinations… books, murder, love in the air, competition, and especially Eddie, the cat who rides on the book mobile. Going to keep reading some more of this series.
Sally Fortney says
I read Murder in the Margins by Margaret Loudon. An American writer becomes an English bookshop writer-in-residence because she has been having writer’s block on her second novel. Another American writer asks her to help when she is suspected of murder. I liked the American in a small English village vibe and look forward to learning more about the village people in the next books.
MJ says
February Recommendations – 2021
WOW! I know it’s a short month, but it really has flown by. I usually write my recommendations as I go along, but I hadn’t done so yet….and here it is – Feb 28th!
Big Fat Greek Murder — Kate Collins
This is the second book in this series. I so enjoy the characters. But as I said when I recommended the first book, it is very similar to the Flower Shop series (note Case’s [romantic interest] career choice on the last page – 306). The mystery story with all its entanglements keeps the reader engaged. The characters are eclectic with unique personalities. If you liked the Flower Shop series you will definitely like this series. If you haven’t read the Flower shop series, give this a try. Most likely you’ll enjoy its witty dialogue and fast pace.
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Murder in the Margins — Margaret Loudon
This is a first in a new series, set in England. Penelope Parish is an author who has ‘writer’s block’ writing her second book. Her first book was a best seller. As a change in scenery, she decides to take a position in a bookstore in this small community. The chairwoman of a community fest is murdered.
There is a LOT of creativity and imagination in this story, involving a Lord and his fiancée, Charlotte – an American best-selling author. Charlotte is a suspect. She befriends Penelope, asking for her help in finding the murderer.
There are several twists and turns in this well plotted story line. The characters are engaging. It’s a fast read and quite enjoyable! I’m looking forward to the next book (release date is July). That’s praiseworthy in and of itself, when one can say they want to read the next ‘installment’.
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Dough or Die – Winnie Archer
This series is set in a Florida beach town. Ivy Culpepper is a photographer, but helps her mentor, Olaya Solis, in her bakery – “Yeast of Eden’. A film crew from a national cable TV show is featuring this bakery in an upcoming episode. The mystery starts out when a cameraman is a victim of a hit and run in front of the bakery.
Featured in this story is a women’s shelter. I commend this author for enlightening the reader on this topic.
A bakery group class is involved in the filming and their backgrounds are brought to light. It’s a very entertaining read. The characters are particularly well developed with depth. Their interactions are particularly touching. The ending is somewhat of a surprise.
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Death Bee Comes Her — Nancy Coco
This is a new series by this author (Nancy Parra). Parra/Coco/Hampton has authored many series. Some only last for a book or two (much to my dismay). She’s probably best known for her fudge shop series, which has lasted the longest.
Wren Johnson owns a bee boutique in an Oregon coastal community. One of her lip balms is found on a murder victim, thus she’s considered a suspect. This is a standard for most 1st books in a cozy series — the protagonist is suspect. There is a lot of ‘bee’ info in the story. Several people have died. This story is a bit slow going, but the complexities keep the reader ‘tuned in’.
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A Curious Incident — Vicki Delany
OK………I’ve read several series by this author and her protagonists are always ‘loveable’. What surprises me about this series is the protagonist, Gemma Doyle, comes across as crass. cocky, and sometimes unlikeable (at least to me). I was wondering if anyone else has the same so-called ‘insights’ about Gemma?
NOW to make it clear, I’m definitely NOT criticizing these characteristics of the lead character. I’m just surprised, although it is a fascinating turn for a character in the ‘cozy genre’. I thoroughly enjoy this series. The last book set in England was wonderful.
Gemma manages a Sherlock Holmes bookstore on Cape Cod which she owns with her 90+ yr. old uncle. In this story the local garden club has set up a competition for the ‘best garden’. One gardener’s garden is destroyed, and another gardener is murdered. There are a couple of interesting plot lines, especially the one involving an 11 year old girl. You won’t figure out the culprit early on (at least I didn’t), but he/she is certainly on your list, thus not a big surprise ending.
Kathie Deviny says
I don’t know why I include this as a cozy, but just read Jonathon Kellerman’s Serpentine, set in LA and part of a long running series. Maybe because hero is a child psychologist with an adorable dog, a classic car and a Koi pond ——
Kimberley C says
I read Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien. This is book 6 in an utterly delightful series set in the city of Cleveland, OH. Our amateur sleuth is Lana Lee, daughter, and manager of her family’s restaurant. Lana is a late 20 something surrounded by a delightful cast of characters, and intriguing murders. There is a sweet romance with a handsome detective she meets in book 1.
It’s ironic, I tried reading this series when the first book was published but just couldn’t get into it. I’m delighted that I gave it a second chance! Now eagerly awaiting book 7, coming out on March 9th!
ginger g says
It took me a while to get through the first one but I have bought all. I like the characters. The second one is in tbr pile.
Ginger says
I forgot I read Nancy Coco first in the series. Death bee comes her. I loved it. Set in Oregon. About bees. I cannot wait for the next one
Ginger says
I read 11 of the authors listed.
Pam says
I read the second book in Victoria Gilbert’s new Booklover’s B & B series, Reserved for Murder. I am really enjoying this series as I have her Blue Ridge Library series.
Hanna says
I read Carola Dunn’s “Superfluous Women.” After WWI, when so many young men died, the young women who normally would marry and have families were described as Superfluous Women. Often looked down as spinsters. Yet many started working outside the home, building careers. One of them, a school friend of Daisy Darlymple with two other women have recently purchased a house. When Daisy and her husband Scotland Yard Detective Alec Fletcher come to visit, they decided to break a locked door to the wine cellar only to find a decomposing body. Whose body? and is it a murder? Both Alec, treading carefully as he is only a visitor, and Daisy bring their powers of detection and conclusion to answer the questions.
I also read Dorothy Gilman’s “The unexpected Mrs. Pollifax” who decided she wanted to be a CIA spy. As stated on these pages, this is not a “cozy” and as it was written in 1966, the desire of superpowers to influence third world countries is a bit anachronistic. Yet Gilman kept me interested and turning the pages. Mrs. Pollifax has been compared to Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple not just because of her no nonsense approach while viewing puzzles, but also, I think, because both draw from their experience back home. Miss Marple is reminded of neighbors in her village, and Mrs. Pollifax remembers using a Swedish Massage and extracting splinters and broken glass from her children knees. Both experiences come handy while a prisoner. I also enjoyed the characters of her CIA operator and of a fellow CIA spy. I am looking forward to the next installments. This book ended with a delightful conclusion.
Greenway says
Now that Ace of Aces, Master of Many Genres in One (=Amelia Peabody Mysteries) Elizabeth Peters has spread her wings, Carola Dunn is She Who Is Most Excellent in All Things. Starting a little before the WWI centenary and, apparently, continuing, many authors have addressed that cataclysmic war that had no rationale that “the Establishment” will ever admit. Kerry Greenwood (sorry, I forget the novel’s title; may have been MURDER IN MONTPARNASSE, though the war seems to have been addressed in almost every volume) wrote, in one on the Phryne Fishers, awesomely about the horror of the Gallipoli and Normandy campaigns, transcribing much from been-there records of the time. Unforgettably devastating. SUPERFLUOUS WOMEN is an after-effects set novel; as always, with Carola Dunn, perfectly and surpassingly done, a great salute to forgotten endurers, so many of whom carried on in the next horrid, “part two” war. Salutimus!
Mrs Pollifax is a cozy character plunged into opposite of cozy circumstances. Her toughness (= endurance, logic under stress, forging on– not anything Unbecoming of a Lady Under the Circumstances!) and intrepidity are almost SUPER heroic, but not fantastic… And then, she goes back to her gracious little apartment with her potted plants, till the next adventure. In the “metaverse”, I imagine Pollifax stories encouraged Graham Landrum’s club ladies in their investigative adventures.
Roxane says
I just finished The Secret, Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams. We are reading that for our Cozy Book Club at the public library where I work. It was very good. A little different from some other quirkier cozies that I have read, but it was good.
Linda S. says
I loved that one too. It’s the first in a series. Be sure to read the rest:
The Whispered Word and The Book of Candlelight.
Ellery Adams has other series too. Good writer and story teller!
Miss Aly-may says
Hiya!
I am almost done with ‘Snow White Red Handed’ by Maia Chance, a cozy mystery with a fairy tale theme. This is the first in the series and is a fun ready. It is set in Germany in the Black forest and the central character/sleuth is a young American actress who is out of work and posing as a lady’s maid. Also the whole book is set during Victorian times.
Patrick Kelly says
In February, I really enjoyed Keepsake Crimes (A Scrapbooking Mystery) because it is set in New Orleans, and the author, Laura Childs, is a prolific writer of cozy mysteries.
The hero of the story, Carmela Bertrand, owns a scrapbooking store in the French Quarter, and the author does a brilliant job of weaving Carmela’s craft tips into the mystery without bogging down the story.
The mystery begins when a friend of Carmela’s estranged husband is poisoned during a Mardi Gras parade. The estranged husband soon becomes suspect number one in the eyes of the police, and Carmela must solve the crime to get him off the hook.
I found the setting quite enjoyable. I love NOLA. Though I’ve never attended Mardi Gras myself, this novel made me put it on my wish list. Lots of parties. Lots of eating and drinking. Great costumes.
Carmela Bertrand makes an excellent amateur sleuth, and the author did a nice job of plausibly portraying Carmela’s need to solve the mystery. There is a nice bit of romance in the mystery as well. Carmela and her husband are estranged, but it is not clear that they will remain so forever.
I’m not a scrapbooker, but if you are or you really like New Orleans, you should definitely read Keepsake Crimes.
Greenway says
Laura Childs’s books break so many of the “commandments” for mysteries: Otherwise highly able and intelligent protagonists “never learn” and get themselves in wildride trouble, and who done it usually turns out to previously unsuspected nuts. But, they’re as rich and delicious as cruise ship buffets–and that’s not even counting the extra treasures at the end of each book! You’ll learn things, be tempted to try hobbies and amusements you can’t afford while getting much vicarious satisfaction from Ms Childs’s expert and imaginative display of them. Your own fantasy life will gain loads of ammunition, and you’ll search websites and travelogs for further enrichment. Never boring, always fun, and, as with Jenn McKinlay, Anne George, and too few others, the characters think and express themselves like real people. Really, really WORTH IT!
Janice G says
Duffy Brown is back with her consignment shop series featuring Reagen and Boone along with the wacky characters they count as family and friends. The book opens with a dead body showing up at Reagen and Boone’s wedding with Aunt Kiki as the main suspect. The books in this series are always a fun read.
PamB says
Yay! This series is a delightful read.