If you read a Cozy mystery this month and want to recommend it to the rest of us, be sure to post it here! I have two series to recommend this month. First is one of the greatest classic Cozy series of all time, Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot Mystery Series. The other is one that I’d almost not call Cozy at all but rather police procedural, except is has many Cozy elements, a strong following among site readers, and is of such a high quality that I think it’s worth recommending again, Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery Series.
If you’re interested in reading why I’m recommending these series, you can go to the Most Popular & Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my Cozy-Mystery site for my full write-ups on each of these great Cozy series.
So, what have you been reading that you can recommend in January? 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 January 2017 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:
Cathy Ace: WISE Enquiries Agency Mystery Series
Ellery Adams (aka J. B. Stanley, Jennifer Stanley, & 1/2 of Lucy Arlington): Secret, Book & Scone Mystery Series
Conrad Allen (aka Edward Marston and Keith Miles): Dillman Mystery Series
Donna Andrews: Meg Langslow Mystery Series
Nancy Atherton: Aunt Dimity Mystery Series
Donald Bain w/ “Jessica Fletcher”: Murder, She Wrote Mystery Series
Sandra Balzo: Maggy Thorsen Mystery Series
Emily Barnes: Katherine Sullivan Mystery Series (first entry The Fine Art of Murder)
Lorna Barrett (aka L. L. Bartlett & Lorraine Bartlett): Booktown Mystery Series
Alan Bradley: Flavia de Luce Mystery Series
Lynn Cahoon: Tourist Trap Mystery Series
Bailey Cates (aka Bailey Cattrell & Cricket McRae): Magical Bakery Mystery Series
Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot Mystery Series
Sheila Connolly (aka Sarah Atwell): County Cork Mystery Series
Ellen Crosby: Wine Country Mystery Series
Kate Dyer-Seeley (aka Ellie Alexander): Pacific Northwest Mystery Series
Janet Evanovich: Stephanie Plum Mystery Series
Christy Fifield (aka Christy Evans): Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery Series
Victoria Gilbert: Blue Ridge Library Mystery Series (first entry A Murder for the Books)
Carolyn Haines: Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery Series
Nancy Herriman: Mystery of Old San Francisco Mystery Series
Cheryl Hollon: Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery Series
Julianne Holmes: Clock Shop Mystery Series
Miranda James (aka Dean James, Jimmie Ruth Evans, & Honor Hartman): Cat in the Stacks Mystery Series AND Southern Ladies Mystery Series
Sofie Kelly (aka Sofie Ryan & Darlene Ryan for Young Adult): Magical Cats Mystery Series
Libby Klein: Poppy McAllinster Mystery Series (first entry Class Reunions Are Murder)
Gayle Leeson (aka Gayle Trent & Amanda Lee): Down South Cafe Mystery Series
Catherine Lloyd: Kurland St. Mary Mystery Series
Sujata Massey: Perveen Mistry Mystery Series
Gail Oust: Spice Shop Mystery Series
Louise Penny: Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery Series
Angela Pepper: Stormy Day Mystery Series (first entry Death of a Dapper Snowman) AND Wisteria Witches Mystery Series (first entry Wisteria Wyverns)
Rose Pressey: Haunted Vintage Mystery Series
Sofie Ryan: Second Chance Cat Mystery Series
Paige Shelton: Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series AND Farmers’ Market Mystery Series AND Dangerous Type Mystery Series
Alexander McCall Smith: The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series
Karen Rose Smith: Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery Series
Fran Stewart: Scotshop Mystery Series
Denise Swanson: Scumble River Mystery Series
Diane Vallere: Mad for Mod Mystery Series
Kate White: Bailey Weggins Mystery Series (first entry If Looks Could Kill)
[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.
Carol Z says
I’m reading the third book in the Cat in the Stacks series, “File M for Murder,” by Miranda James. I love this series – very well written and Diesel is one of the most unique cats in a genre chockfull of cats. I want to read her Southern Ladies series as well, if only because I love the title of the first one – “Bless Her Dead Little Heart.”
Bek says
Oh, I hope that you enjoy the redoubtable Ducote sisters as much as I have! I want to grow up to be JUST LIKE THEM!
Dana says
Agatha Christie books are what got me into recreational reading way back in 7th grade. I’m almost 30 now and still love reading through them (had to stop for a long while to leave some left haha). Her books just never get old and make me wish I could visit the English countryside on an overcast fall day. My personal favorite are the Tommy and Tuppance books but I know I’m in the minority with that.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dana, Tommy and Tuppence are quite excellent as well! Even a Christie series that I don’t like as much as what I consider her “main” series (Poirot and Marple) is still an excellent read!
Susan* says
You might be in a minority, Dana, but you’re not alone. I love that series and ‘The Secret Adversary’ is one of my favourite Christies, full stop!
Carolyn says
Lynn Cahoon’s Tourist Trap Mystery Series has kept me turning the page. The characters are great fun and engaging. I can relate to them with their ups and downs.
LiterarySnob says
I just finished reading “Digging up the Dirt” by Miranda James. I found it very well written and the mystery was very good, I didn’t even guess who it was! It has protagonists that are a pair of eighty year old sisters set in Mississippi. Great read!!
bellalainie says
I was thrilled to see that you had the Alan Bradley, Flavia de Luce series, on your New Releases list. If you have disregarded it because the main character is a precocious pre-teen then you must reconsider.
I’m not sure it can be considered a true cozy series but it is a wonderful, smart and delightful read. Flavia is truly one of the most complex, complicated and charming characters in literature today! I already have the new release and can’t wait to begin.
Holly h says
I love Flavia! What else have you read that’s similar?
Lainie says
I really think Flavia is unique so I’m not sure what books would be similar. It’s an interesting premise but Alan Bradley is such a great writer that he really pulls it off. I love reading Louise Penny and Anne Cleeves but also Claire McGowan. None of these can be considered true cozy mysteries but they are so well written. Any recommendations for me? if you love Flavia, we obviously have similar literary tastes!
Holly h says
I read your response and went out to the library and checked out The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves. I am not sure what to make of it but I am keeping on reading:)
I have had such a hard time finding other books like Flavia. I enjoy the Agatha Raisin series by MC Beaton because they aren’t heavy but not so fluffy where I don’t enjoy it. I tried Jacqueline Winspear and read a few of her books. They aren’t like Flavia but who is???:)
Lainie says
Anne Cleeves’ Vera Stanhope is a bit much, I agree. I actually started out with Raven Black in her Shetland series and moved on to Vera. They are a little dark in theme though. I also like Agatha Raisin but I’m cheating a little with her. I read a couple of the books and ended up buying the DVD series which is pretty enjoyable. I’m thinking that you might enjoy Carlene O’Connor’s series set in Ireland ?? starting with “Murder in an Irish Village”. A young girl is left to take care of her young orphaned siblings and run the family restaurant while solving a murder. I like this series very much but, I agree, there’s no one like Flavia.
Holly h says
Thank you! I found Murder in an Irish Village! I realized through this conversation that I want books, including mysteries, to include humor and innocence and to keep away from dark themes but yet to not be fluffy. I think that’s why Flavia was so popular for me.
Holly h says
Also- I think the first cozy mystery I ever read was Mama Does Time by Mace Bauer. There are a few in the series but they are funny. Quick reads and nothing dark.
I have read 2 of the Chet and Bernie series by Peter Quinn. I don’t know if you are familiar with them but they are murder mysteries but from the dogs perspective. I enjoyed them and I am not a particular lover of dogs:) hope these help.
Holly h says
I wrote that wrong- Chet and Bernie is by Spencer Quinn. Mama Does Time is by Deborah Sharp and the main character is Mace Bauer.
Lainie says
Thank you so much for your recommendations. I will definitely give them a try. The thing that I love about this blog is that it gives you so many choices that it helps you define what you like to read. It’s nice to know there’s someone else in the Flavia fan club!
MJ says
Danna, I think you mean ‘2018’, not ‘2017’ in the heading.
January Recommendations – 2018
Vineyard Victims — Ellen Crosby
I just finished this book last night. I’ve had it on my shelf for awhile, but waited to read it post holiday season. I usually like lighter fare at that time, and this series is more intense. This is the 8th book. There was a five year gap between the 6th and 7th books. It appears she has a new publisher for the 7th and 8th book.
This author really has earned her bona fides She’s written stories for the Washington Post and ABC radio. She’s a VERY talented writer. There’s much depth and complexity as she intertwines historical segments with the story.
A billionaire real estate magnet who lost the presidential election 6 months earlier crashed his car into a cement wall near the entrance of the Montgomery winery. Lucie Montgomery was there and witnessed the accident. She went to help Mr. Vaughn. He whispered a request to her. Then a nearby neighbor pulled her away as the car burst into flames. Jamie Vaughn died. Was it suicide? Was it an accident? Or, was it a homicide? This story revolves around a homicide committed 30 years earlier.
Lucie Montgomery has her own memories of this site, as she recalls her own accident several years earlier which mangled her foot and left her disabled. There are many, many layers to this character which is what makes her SO interesting. She and her fiancé Quinn are the dominate characters in the story.
Only a handful of people could have committed that murder many years ago. Crosby could have taken several avenues to the solution of this crime. However, I was totally surprised (shocked?) as the perpetrator is revealed (for reasons I can’t ‘reveal’ here, but will be obvious to readers who follow this series).
There are a lot of characters in this story. The locals, which are usually prominent in this series, have taken a back seat. AND, there’s nary a mention of Lucie’s sister, Mia (a very colorful character in previous books)
Final analysis – an EXCELLENT read. If you like a well written story with many dimensions and all the elements of a terrific mystery, you won’t be disappointed in this book (or this series)! I really, really hope this isn’t the final installment. I still need some answers to situations that arose out of this story.
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In Cave Danger — Kate Dyer-Seeley
FINALLY! It’s resolved! Each book in this series had a mystery and a solution. However there was another mystery thread running through the five books. It’s very frustrating to the reader because most of us like the mysteries to conclude in each book. I understand ongoing relationships continuing throughout a series, but not a continuing mystery.
In this book, Meg Reed, a writer for a sports publication, decides to write a story about lava caves in Bend, OR. The story takes on some political aspects as a congressman and a benefactor want to make it public land. When a group is going through the cave they find the body of a forest service employee.
The mystery in this story is intertwined with the thread that ran through the previous books. A reader must start with the first book and follow through to understand this book. The conclusion is such a shocker (SURPRISE!), I NEVER saw it coming, NEVER even considered this outcome! WOW!
Dyer-Seeley is a very descriptive writer, some might say ‘wordy’. But I enjoy her colorful portrayals of the area. The characters are vibrant and very likeable with some ‘quaintness’ thrown in. The book is evenly paced, well written, and an excellent story. This is a gifted author.
For those that have not read this series it will be much easier for you to read the books sequentially at a quicker pace. The rest of us had to wait four years.
I hope NOT, but sadly 🙁 I suspect this will be the last book in the series.
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Ginger Snapped – Gail Oust
This book was in my TBR pile, and then I read the recommendations for last month. It was recommended two (maybe three) times, so I knew it had to be the next book I read.
Protagonist Piper Prescott owns a spice shop in a small southern town. The body of a local realtor is found in a pond on the police chief’s property. The police chief and Piper are friends, but have a budding romantic relationship. Since the police chief was seen as a dinner companion of the realtor a few times, it’s assumed they had some kind of romantic involvement. He is taken off the case. Piper and her friend Reba Mae decide to investigate the murder to help the police chief.
Piper’s ex-husband is the acting mayor and has had an adversarial relationship with the police chief since high school. Ahhhhh……the ‘drama’ continues!
I’ve enjoyed every book in this series. The characters are appealing and some with unique traits. The interactions between characters is particularly enjoyable, written with some wit. The pacing is good, and it was difficult to put down.
NOTE: In the book. there are discussions about ‘ginger’ and its properties. I just wanted to pass along a ‘hint’ I discovered about ginger a few years ago. If you have a queasy or upset stomach, eat a piece of crystallized ginger (about the size of a nickel). The queasiness is gone in about 15 minutes. It’s never failed me. I’ve passed this ‘hint’ along to several friends and they’ve had the same results. Piper speaks about this in this story.
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Comic Sans Murder – Paige Shelton
Sometimes people have written on this blog they don’t read a book if they don’t like the venue, example a diner, craft shop, etc. Well, I don’t give one whit about old typewriters, but believe this author almost always delivers a good mystery story. When there is discussion about typewriters, I skip over those paragraphs.
Clare Henry and her grandfather own a typewriter repair and print store, “The Rescued Word” in a small Utah skiing community. When Clare’s niece meets a man on the hill who is puzzled by the discovery of a foot in a ski boot. It turns out the victim is a high school colleague of Clare’s. This is a story with several buried secrets and Clare tries to unravel it all to find the murderer.
A famous horror author is helping in the shop and goes missing………an intriguing side story.
The characters are eclectic with diverse personalities. Clare and her grandfather are particularly endearing, as is Clare’s boyfriend, geologist Seth. Clare’s long-time good friend is Jodie is a police detective who engages Clare in helping solve the crime.
As normal for this author it’s a well-developed story with a twisted plot(s) and great dialogue. An exciting read, notwithstanding all the old typewriter info.!
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COMMENT (a rant): Again, I read two books (by seasoned authors with series I normally read) I couldn’t recommend because the authors filled the pages with inane detail. 🙁 The mysteries were good, BUT very difficult to read page after page of things like “she put on gloves to pound the meat, then disposed of the gloves in a trash container, then she took a knife out of a nearby drawer to start cutting the vegetables, etc., etc……..UGH! Paragraph after paragraph of this kind of ‘trivial’ unnecessary words (all of which could be considerably condensed). I think authors are required to have ‘x’ amount of words and that is how they fulfill the commitment.
I’m NOT talking about authors who describe their venue/product/store. They find it necessary to the authenticity of their story. As I stated above (Comic Sans Murder), if I’m not interested I’ll just skip that particular paragraph.
Any authors who do this trivial writing, PLEASE take note of two books I recommended above who use ‘extra’ words to delight the reader -‘Vineyard Victims’ and ‘In Cave Danger’. They intertwine their words to incorporate scenery, history, etc. very effectively into the story.
Linda MH says
Hi MJ!
I enjoyed Vineyard Victims, too–and the ending was quite a surprise!!! This is a very enjoyable series. I’ve followed it from the beginning–I’m glad Ms. Crosby added to the series.
As for In Cave Danger: I have read and enjoyed this series. This book is in my ever-growing TBR pile. After reading your review, I’m moving it to the top of the pile. I’m so glad to hear there is finally a resolution. Yay!
As always, I enjoyed reading your recommendations! Thanks for sharing!!
Dfish says
I’ve been reading the Scumble River cozy’s for awhile now. There’s 20! I really enjoy them. As cozy’s go, there’s the murder, quirky characters, large extended dysfunctional family, romance. I read other cozy’s too, but always love to get back to Scumble River to catch up with what’s happening with Skye Denison!
Moira says
I’ve been catching up lately with Donna Andrews’ wonderful Meg Langslow mysteries, and the one I just finished is my favorite so far in the series – “The Nightingale Before Christmas.” It kept me entertained throughout and brought tears to my eyes at the end.
Meg is one of my favorite heroines in cozy mysteries because of her combination of heart and smarts. Not to mention her sly sense of humor – often dry, never mean.
Andrews has allowed Meg to evolve as a person over time in this mystery series, and it gives me great pleasure to see her change. Meg was always the smartest person in the room. Now she’s usually the most thoughtful one, too.
Linda MH says
Love this series–always so much fun!!
Rita McDonnell says
This was my Paige Shelton month…read the 2nd in her Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series, Of Books and Bagpipes. I also read the last 3 of her Farmers Market Series, A Killer Maize, Merry Market Murder and Bushel Full of Murder. I hope she will continue the Farmers Market Series in the future.
Betsy N says
My favorites from this month include Potions and Pastries by Bailey Cates and Honey-Baked Homicide by Gayle Leeson. I’ve read both of these series from book #1 and it is always nice to spend time with favorite characters!
Michael Christie says
My favorite Cozy author is Sandra Balzo. I read her newest book this month, The “Importance Of Being Urnest”. As usual, I enjoyed it. In this book she brought back many of her old characters, sort of a reunion. All of them are really enjoyable people. My all time favorite of hers is “Murder On The Orient Expresso”. Yes, it is a take-off on Agatha Christie, but she spins it off into a funny and unforgettable experience in the Everglades. Well worth reading.
Sally A Fortney says
I read Cheryl Hollon’s glass working series. I started with the latest book Etched in Tears because I thought I had already read the other books. Whoops, wrong series, so I got the other books at the library on one on my Nook. The sleuth has a posse who help her and in the last two books was a consultant to the police.
Susan* says
My reading was all over the map this month, both geographically and chronologically.
Alexander McCall Smith’s ‘No.1 Ladies Detective Agency’ was on my list – in this case ‘In the Company of Cheerful Ladies’, but they’re all excellent! – A very different series that is deservedly becoming a classic.
Along with ‘Aunt Dimity’s Death’ (The first in the series) by Nancy Atherton, set in America rather than England, it tells the story of how Lori meets Bill and solves her first mystery.
Then ‘Murder on the Minnesota’ by Conrad Allen is set on a cruise liner to the Far East in the early 1900’s, where a missionary priest is killed on board.
Plus ‘Smarty Bones’ by Carolyn Haines in contemporary Southern USA. You can almost feel the heat, in more ways than one, as Sarah Booth Delaney gets involved with a nasty, muckraking writer looking to dig up (literally) an old local mystery.
All very different to each other, but all from excellent series that I highly recommend.
Melanie says
This month I read the rest of the books released so far in Sofie Kelly’s Magical Cats Mystery Series (books 6-9). I really love this series! It’s a favorite of mine. Owen and Hercules are delightful, and the eclectic group of human characters are interesting and likeable. I think I enjoyed the latest books even more than the earlier books, and I loved all of them. I’ve recommended this series to several people.
The other cozy I read this month (I just finished it today) is Ellery Adams’ “Secret, Book & Scone Society”. I really liked this book…the story is unique and the main characters are as well. I found the characters’ journeys to be just as compelling as the main mystery. I also liked that this book was a bit different from the other cozies that I’ve read so far…the character dynamic and overall vibe of the book as as whole kept me intrigued.
sandir says
I read four cozies I enjoyed in January. My favorite was ‘Til Death Do Us Part by Kate White (Bailey Weggins #3) about a group of bridesmaids for an upper crust wedding who keep getting murdered.
I also really enjoyed The Fine Art of Murder by Emily Barnes (Katherine Sullivan mysteries #1). The sleuth is a retired police chief and I especially liked her relationship with her autistic grandson.
Murder on the Half Shelf by Lorna Barrett is the sixth Booktown mystery series and I’ve already started on another in this series.
I managed to finally read a Stephanie Plum mystery – Two for the Dough. I saw the first book as a movie so I started with the second.
Susy says
I would recommend that you go back and actually read One for the Money. While I enjoyed the movie, there we a lot of things left out or changed. Even if you kind of skim through it, you will probably see what I mean.
I have really enjoyed this series, but I think it is about time for it to end. I recently read 24 and it seems as if Evanovich is getting tired of Stephanie and I find myself wanting Stephanie to grow up already!
sandir says
Thanks Suzy! I will go back and read One for the Money on your recommendation.
Leslie says
I have finally, over the last couple of months, taken advantage of your list of cheap kindles, and I picked up several books and sets for next to nothing! I do not have a Kindle, but I can use the Kindle app on my phone, and it works fine when I am places I can’t have a book with me or I have forgotten to bring one.
I just finished binge reading two series by Angela Pepper. The first series, her Stormy Day mysteries, were great! Stormy was a commodities broker who moved back to her hometown, bought a gift shop and got involved in murder! Her new tenant is a lawyer, who she gets involved with thru the course of the books – her dad is a retired cop and she has some pretty interesting friends. The books are funny, kinda sweet and a little romantic (not too much) and I hope there are more to come (there are 5 in the series).
The other series is Wisteria Witches. If you don’t like witches and fantasy mixed into your cozies, you will definitely not like these – there are more than just witches (there is even a magic house) and there is definitely murder! Angela’s light, fun writing style is really great, and Zara and her family really came to life for me.
I did check my library and didn’t find any of the titles there, so if you have a Kindle or use the app, I hope you give these a try!
Jennifer M says
Class Reunions Are Murder – Libby Klein
This has to be the best book from a new author that I’ve picked up in ages! There’s heart and humor in equal dose.
I love Figaro and his personality. I couldn’t get enough of him! ?
Ugh. High school bullies. We all had them. Now we get to watch as Poppy’s #1 bully gets what’s coming to her!
Aunt Ginny is a hoot and I hope I’m like her when I grow up! I enjoyed the friendships Poppy shared with her highschool group. I would LOVE to visit Sawyers bookstore “Through The Looking Glass.” (Completely Alice in Wonderland themed!) I can’t wait to see more of Gia in the next book, and I really hope things work out for them.
Janice G says
I read the first book in two new series this month. A Murder for the Books by Victoria Gilbert is set in a small town library where the main character gets involved in helping her charming new neighbor in researching the history of the house that he inherited – which happens to be right next door to the librarian and her aunt. An elderly woman is found murdered in the library archives leading to an interesting connection to events that happened in the history of the town.
The second new series is Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith. The two main characters are an aunt and her niece who run a tea shop in Amish country in Pennsylvania. The gentleman who the aunt is dating is found dead outside of their shop and the niece sets out to find the real killer since the police have their sights set on the aunt. The characters are interesting and it was an easy read.
I also enjoyed Many a Twist, the newest book in Sheila Connolly’s Irish series. In this series, the relationships between the characters are as important as the mystery and this latest entry certainly doesn’t disappoint. I really love these books.
DaShannon Lovin says
Murder She Wrote Hook Line and Sinker by Fletcher and Bain. Yes I know Jessica Fletcher is a fictional character but that is how it is listed on the book and online. I love the Murder She Wrote television series and after making it to season 10 on Netflicks they discontinued it. So I tried to get it from the public library and although they didn’t have the videos they had these books. I read it on my Kindle and enjoyed my familiar characters and the mystery line. Fun, cozy storyline and available online through my library made it a good January choice!
Margaret StashEmpress says
I’ve read some good ones this month, some were old favorite series & some new (or new to me).
Miranda James — Dead with the Wind (Southern Ladies series) — according to the library records I’ve already read the first in this series, just can’t remember it… so I started with this one & loved it. Love the two elderly sleuths & the down south flavor. I know everyone loves the author’s Cat in the Stack series, but I’ve tried that & I’m not such a big fan of cats so I’ll pass on that. (This series has animals too, but they don’t feature so hugely as in the other series). To be honest, I REALLY miss the authors Simon Kirby-Jones series!!! I LOVED THAT ONE!!!!!
Rose Pressey — Haunted Is Always in Fashion (Haunted Vintage series) — next in the series, sleuth Cookie Chanel owns a vintage clothing store & solves murders with the aid of resident ghost(s). In this case they are joined by the ghost of the murder victim, an author who was actually on the way to meet with Cookie at the time of her murder.
Catherine Lloyd — Death Comes to the School (Kurland St. Mary series) A historical series I’ve loved since the very first. In this installment Lucy must solve the murder of the local schoolmistress, a woman with many secrets, who was possibly blackmailing the locals. I did figure out whodunnit almost immediately, but more because when you’ve read as many mysteries as I have, you get a “feel” for these things — but in all honesty, I didn’t have a clue as to WHY until the reveal at the end.
Fran Stewart — A Wee Dose of Death and A Wee Homicide in the Hotel (ScotShop series) I began this series last month with the first title in the series (A Wee Murder in My Shop) and was instantly hooked. ScotShop owner Peggy Winn buys a (very) old plaid shawl while on a buying trip to Scotland & discovers it comes with its very own 14th century ghost attached. All three books in the series highly enjoyable, but alas the series is ended at three. I had emailed the author with a question about a point in the plot & mentioned I was hoping to see more, but she says that her former publisher cancelled the series & since they own the rights to the series, she can’t write any more for another publisher.
Nancy Herriman — No Comfort for the Lost (Celia Davies — Mystery of Old San Francisco series) This series is new to me. Celia Davies is was a British nurse in the Crimean war, married a charming Irishman, relocated to San Francisco — and her husband went out to sea, never to return. Celia opens a free clinic to help the poor women of the city, aided by her cousin and housekeeper. In the first title, she solves the murder of a pregnant young Chinese former prostitute whom she had become friends with. This takes place amidst citywide unrest aimed at the Chinese population of the city. Was she murdered by an “activist” to make a point? Or was it more personal than that? I admit that the ending took me almost totally by surprised. (Almost totally — I had guessed correct household, wrong family member 😉 Currently in middle of the next title in the series.
Julianne Holmes — Just Killing Time (Clock Shop series) — New (to me) series. Ruth Clagen comes home to take over her grandfather’s clock shop and solve his murder. Very good plotting, didn’t have a clue in the world whodunnit! Have the next two books in the series sitting on my TBR pile.
Sujata Massey — The Widows of Malabar Hill (Perveen Mistry — Mystery of 1920s Bombay series) This was an amazing book, hopefully will become a new series. Perveen Mistry is the first female lawyer in Bombay in the early 1920’s (as it is, she can’t take the bar or appear in court, can only help her father in his office with his work). But she is uniquely situated to solve a murder that takes place in the home of one of her father’s clients. The deceased left 3 widows, being Muslim, in seclusion, so no male (ie lawyer or police) can interview them or even fingerprint them, or even search their part of the house. So when their (male) household manager is murdered, only female Perveen is able to sleuth. Excellent plot & characterizations & rich with detail of the time & place & culture. Hope to see more from this author.
Lynn Cahoon — Hospitality and Homicide (Tourist Trap series). Next in this old faithful series. A mystery author has decided to come to South Cove to be inspired for his next book, including riding along with local police and generally making everyone crazy. But when a body turns up — in the same place and situation as what he wrote in his book — Coffe/Bookshop owner (and sleuth) Jill Gardner has to prove his innocence and get to the bottom of things.
Christy Fifield — Murder Ties the Knot (Haunted Souvenir Shop series) Another old faithful series. Souvenir shop owner Glory Martine has to solve a case involving 2 bodies found in out of the way area in order to clear the family living nearby — in time for them to finish the quilt she’d commissioned for her best friend’s rapidly approaching wedding.
Cathy Ace — The Case of the Unsuitable Suitor (WISE Agency series) Love this series! Though another one where I saw the “WHOdunnit” immediately (before the murder, in fact), though no idea “WHYdunnit” till the big reveal at the end. Love the four ladies of the WISE agency. In this title they have to solve a perplexing murder of a retired elderly doctor at a croquet match, while discreetly checking the background of the new would-be boyfriend of one of their members, while at the same time providing back up for another one of their members who is vacationing at her parents’ estate in Ireland, when the caretaker goes missing, presumed kidnapped…. Very involved plot, lots going on, really love this series. And I *STILL* here the Dowager Duchess speaking in Dame Maggie Smith’s voice! 😉
Carol Z says
Thanks for the Simon Kirby-Jones recommendation. I had never heard of that series! I bought the first one.
I didn’t know Fran Stewart’s series was cancelled. I read and loved the first book. And the fact that she can’t take it to another publisher really stinks.
MJ says
That’s what happens when an author doesn’t copyright her/his series and writings. Many of us were disappointed when this happened to Julie Hyzy’s popular White House Chef series.
I suspect many authors don’t have a choice. They can either agree to write for a publisher-owned series or not write at all (and get published).
Lynn T. says
Margaret-I am glad you enjoyed The Widows of Malabar Hill. I just started it last night.
Lynn T. says
I enjoyed Pillow Stalk by Diane Vallere this month. I had overlooked the series in the past due to the cover and the protagonist was a Doris Day fan. I like Doris Day but didn’t know if I wanted to read a mystery or book about the Doris Day influence.
Well, I was wrong. The book was really good. It had a very good mystery. The protagonist is a feisty interior decorator who loves mid century styling. She is in her forties and has a bad knee due to a injury. She has a dog named Rocky for Rock Hudson. There is also a cat featured in the book. I didn’t know who committed the murders (there were quite a few) until the author divulged the solution. One murder happened twenty years ago. All the victims resembled Doris Day.
It was a fast read because I enjoyed it so much. I thought about your Danna. I know you like Doris Day movies. I wondered if you had tried this series.
Bek says
I’ve just begun the Second Chance Cat series by Sofie Ryan. I know, I KNOW…I’m way, way behind you guys, but it took me almost 65 years to find this marvelous genre! But I’m here now, and playing catch-up as fast as I can!
Michael Christie says
I just read Frances Brody’s “Death In The Stars” and I recommend it for your list. It is the latest of her Kate Shackleton series, and I think it is her best work yet. The setting is England just after WWI and Kate has started an investigation business where she does amateur detection. If you want to read this series, I suggest starting with “Dying in the Wool” which is the first book. I find them to be very enjoyable books.
Frances Brody says
Thanks for your comment, and recommendation, Michael!
Michael Christie says
Martha Grimes surprised me with “Cold Flat Junction” second in her Emma Graham series. It is an older book (2002), not at all like her Richard Jury series, which I have been reading. Emma is a 12 year old girl in a rural village somewhere in the US. She is fixated with problems when she finds them and cannot rest until she solves them. I am not going to tell you the plot. You have to read the book. It is the second in the series, with Hotel Paradise as the first. It fits the definition of a Cozy Mystery quite well, and, of course, Martha is an excellent author. ‘Nuff said, you wont regret reading it.
Barbara says
I just discovered author Sister Carol Anne O’Marie. I finished her first book “Novena for Murder” written in the mid 1980’s. It takes place in San Francisco–at “St. Francis College for Women” which I knew as Lone Mountain. Sister Mary Helen is a 75 year old retiree who settles at Lone Mountain to study some history. She has some mildly eccentric nun buddies. A couple of murders take place and Sister Mary Helen discovers an intrinsic need to be a detective and help the San Francisco police force. There are quite a few books in the series and I’m looking forward to reading them!
Lainie says
This sounds amazing! I taught at a Catholic school in San Francisco for many years so a series about an Irish Catholic nun and her buddies is one I will really enjoy! My youngest son even went to pre-school at Lone Mountain. Thank you Barbara ~ I had no idea this series even existed!