We’re just about at the end of January, 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 Bree Baker Seaside Cafe 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 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 2021 that you want the rest of us to know about, and why did you enjoy it?
Bree Baker (aka Jacqueline Frost, Julie Chase, & Julie Anne Lindsey): Seaside Cafe Mystery Series
Jean-Luc Bannalec: Brittany Mystery Series (first entry Death in Brittany)
Lorna Barrett (aka L. L. Bartlett & Lorraine Bartlett): Booktown Mystery Series
M. C. Beaton (aka Marion Chesney): Hamish Macbeth Mystery Series
S J Bennett: Queen Elizabeth II Mystery Series (first entry The Windsor Knot)
Bethany Blake: Owl & Crescent Mystery Series
Emily Brightwell: Mrs. Jeffries Mystery Sereis
Ellen Byron (aka Maria DiRico): Cajun Country Mystery Series
Maia Chance: Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery Series
Jane K. Cleland: Josie Prescott Mystery Series
Cate Conte (aka Liz Mugavero): Witch Hunt
Jana DeLeon: Miss Fortune Mystery Series
Victoria Gilbert: Book Lover’s B&B Mystery Series
Dorothy Gilman: Mrs. Pollifax Mystery Series
Sherry Harris: Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery Series
Lis Howell: Norbridge Chronicles Murder Mystery Series (first entry The Flower Arranger at All Saints)
Miranda James (aka Dean James, Jimmie Ruth Evans, & Honor Hartman): Cat in the Stacks Mystery Series
Jassy Macenzie: Jade de Jong Series (first entry Random Violence)
Edith Maxwell (aka Maddie Day & Tace Baker): Quaker Midwife Mystery Series
G. A. McKevett: Savannah Reid Mystery Series
Jenn McKinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence): Library Lover’s Mystery Series
Richard Osman: Thursday Murder Club Mystery Series (first entry The Thursday Murder Club)
Louise Penny: Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery Series
Angela M Sanders: Witch Way Librarian Cozy Mystery Series (first entry Bait and Witch)
Katharine Schellman: Lily Adler Mystery Series (first entry The Body in the Garden)
Paige Shelton: Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series
Karen Rose Smith: Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery Series
Dorothy St. James: White House Gardener Mystery Series AND Beloved Bookroom Mystery Series
Lee Strauss: Ginger Gold Mystery Series (first entry Murder on the SS Rosa)
A M Stuart: Harriet Gordon Mystery Series (first entry Singapore Sapphire)
Leann Sweeney: Cats In Trouble 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
I read Word to the Wise by Jenn McKinlay. I like how she makes you feel the characters are your friends, and you want to visit the area.
Rob J says
I agree, Carol. I like that series as well. Every book is a visit to a charming town with charming people. Even the Lemon is thawing.
If anyone could thaw “the lemon” it would be Lindsey and co.
Susan Bearden says
I’m in the middle of “Live and Let Chai” and loving it so far. Shhhh… Don’t tell me how it ends! Looking forward to more in this series!
MJ says
A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax. I love these books and could hardly put it down. I love her humor and her genuine interest in the people she comes in contact with and how she makes them better people.
MJ says
There are two MJ’s on this post. This MJ (above posting) is different than me (my post is further down).
Just to avoid confusion, I’m sure the Mrs. Pollifax’s books (recommended by the above MJ) are great, but I’ve never read them.
You can always tell the difference, because I’m so ‘wordy’ (some might say, “way too wordy”!). Definitely not concise (an admirable trait!) like the above MJ.
tamara quinn says
Am reading the White House Gardner Mysteries by Dorothy St James, really well written. Mysteries upon mysteries and not at all dated!
Bonita Kalaway says
I loved the Bree Baker seaside cafe books. mystery, romance. good fun. although I wonder why there are so many murders in such a small town!
Wanda Pelfrey says
I have been enjoying the Cats in Trouble series by Leann Sweeney this month. It combines my love of cats and quilting with a lovely southern setting.
Rob J says
Wanda:
If you like Cats in a Southern setting, Try Miranda James
Cat in the Stack series. Very enjoyable, all of them.
Rob J
Pam says
I like the Cat in the Stacks very much and am waiting anxiously for the newest one.
ian jopson says
Two new ones that spring to mind this month. Both supposed to be firsts in new series.
First, by Richard Osman (BBC TV Quiz presenter, does ‘Pointless’ and ‘Richard Osman’s House Of Games), “The Thursday Murder Club”. The premise being that a group of pensioners in an upper echelon housing complex spend an evening a week discussing old murder cases. (Aurora Teagardens Real Murders Club style) using files provided by one of the group. an ex-detective. They get a real murder on their hands and try to solve it. The protaganists are diverse, including a psychiatrist, a union leader, and one who we assume was some sort of secret agent. A convoluted tale full of little twists.
Second, The Windsor Knot, by S.J.Bennett, where the amateur detective in question is none other than Her Majesty the Queen, who is dissatisfied with the official explanation for a suspicious death at Windsor Castle. Setting her PA on the job against the police and Home Office officials, who treat her as a little old lady who should be spared details.
Dottie G says
I have been really enjoying Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune mysteries, and I think the main reason is there is none of that Stupid “holding back of info” ploy. You know, where the over-excitable heroine doesn’t tell what she knows because she can’t trust the dimply handsome law enforcement person, meanwhile she is undressing for him at every opportunity. I also appreciate brainy heroines, of which there are several in her books, and the humor is outstanding.
Susy S says
I love this series, which I just discovered last summer, I have ordered the latest one and am waiting impatiently for delivery.
MJ says
January Recommendations 2021
First of all a ‘second’ to Danna’s recommendation. I also enjoy this series. I just started the latest release (5th) – “Closely Harbored Secrets” today. It’s particularly important to read this series from the beginning to understand the characters, their backgrounds, and relationships to each other.
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Murder with Oolong Tea — Karen Rose Smith
This is a thoroughly enjoyable story with many facets. Daisy owns Daisy’s Tea Garden with her aunt Iris. She is planning to cater an event honoring the faculty of the local high school. One teacher, Althea, is particularly offensive to her coworkers. At the event, Althea is found dead in the school’s pool by a staff member.
Daisy is front and center throughout the story. In this book, Iris is barely mentioned. BUT the numerous other well developed and diverse characters bring a variety of side stories to the book. These are well written, keeping the reader engaged and turning the pages. The murder plot has several twists with a surprise (at least to me) ending.
There’s a couple of glitches in the book, but all in all, it’s a fabulous read. I really enjoy the series. This is an author who knows how to captivate the reader.
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Murder in the Bayou Backyard — Ellen Byron
Ellen Byron’s books are often recommended on this site with good reason – they’re good!! Love this series, love this story. Maggie Crozat is the lead character. It is set in Louisiana’s Cajun country. Maggie and her family run a B&B on their plantation. There’s no shortage of adventures for this family, especially during Halloween season. The family plans to open a spa. Maggie hired a distant cousin from Canada to run this spa. In reality, Maggie doesn’t know this cousin and is surprised she has ulterior motives when accepting the position. She claims ownership of land near the Crozat estate. Obviously this is disconcerting to the Crozat family.
I’m not doing this story justice in my description. There are stories within stories. It is somewhat convoluted, but in a good way. Of course there are a couple of murders, and the twists are abundant. The characters are complex and most are endearing. Their diversity is also enjoyable.
One fun side story is Maggie and Gran a planning a double wedding. This creates some dilemma, yet humorous situations.
Byron lists the characters at the beginning of the story. YAY! With so many characters it helps the reader keep track of them. This author is a creative story teller and her stories are written with humor and wit. So-o-o-o enjoyable.
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Hidden Treasure — Jane Cleland
This is the 13th entry into this series. Josie Prescott owns an antique business in Rocky Point, NH. Josie and her new husband, Ty, have purchased a home from a woman (Maudie) who moved to a senior living complex.
After the move, Maudie is concerned about a trunk she believes she left in the home. It contains some valuable memorabilia items. Her two nieces, realizing these items could be of high monetary value are desperate to find this trunk.
Josie finds it hidden the home and returns it to Maudie. Although the nieces wanted it returned to them – not their aunt. One of the nieces is found murdered in Maudie’s apt. and Maudie disappears.
The introduction of Maudie as a featured character in this story is a delight. She is smart, resourceful, and a bit eccentric. Her nieces have tried to portray her has having the beginning stages of dementia. This mystery is intriguing with many turns the reader doesn’t expect. I wouldn’t say it was spellbinding, but it does keep the reader absorbed in the story.
A side story involving Josie’s best friend, her daughter, and the police chief is well written, keeping the reader enmeshed until its outcome.
This series is best read when started from book one to understand the interactions of the characters. It’s well worth it because this author writes with originality and creativity. The characters are diverse with a few unconventional personalities. Fascinating!
Paula Catherine says
Sherry Harris is the author of The Garage Sale Mysteries.
Her newest book: Absence of Alice is, I think this is her best so far.
The main character, Sarah Winston is restarting her life from the wife of a military man to a divorced bargain hunter garage sale wonder. She lives in a charming town and in the brief time she has new endeavors she has made wonderful friends and meets some very interesting characters. One of her best friends owns the apartment building where Sarah lives and soon Sarah is informed Stella is in trouble. Sarah will be given clues that will lead her to Stella. She tries to maintain normalcy while looking for Stella. Sarah’s newest client is Alice, a wealthy woman with a lot of valuable antiques. She has the opportunity to sell the antiques but feels Sarah’s garage sale will be more profitable. There are a lot of red herrings and I did not see the ending coming. It is a terrific storyline.
Becky King says
I just finished reading The Broken Spine by Dorothy St. James. This is a first in a new series and it was delightful. Of course it is set in a library and the heroine is a librarian! She has long-term high school issues with the detective on the case, a new cat with odd markings, and a fun group of friends. The story itself was filled with twists and some of the characters have secrets yet to be divulged. I was surprised when the murderer was finally discovered-a bit unexpected. This is definitely a series I will follow
Pam says
I read an ARC of this one and also enjoyed it very much and know it is a series I will follow.
Betsy N says
There was a lot of good reading this month! For some reason, all of my favorites skewed to lite paranormal cozies.
1. A Brushstroke with Death by Bethany Blake. MC Willow runs an art school and is a so-so witch along with other members of her small coven. I appreciated the humor and the close relationship Willow has with her grandma. It is unclear if this is a first in a new series or a stand alone. Blake also writes the Lucky Paws Petsitting mysteries of which characters had a cameo appearance in this book. After enjoying this book so much, I’ll definitely check out her other series!
2. Witch Hunt by Cate Conte. Violet Mooney owns a crystal shop and and is still grieving the unexpected death of her grandma who raised her. After the murder of a very unpleasant city councilwoman, Violet’s life is turned upside down by the arrival of her mother and sister and learning she is in fact a witch. The mystery did take somewhat of a back seat as Violet was learning more about herself, but I’m looking forward to the second book.
3. Bait and Witch: A Witch Way Librarian Mystery by Angela M Sanders. After running into trouble working at the Library of Congress, Josie Way tries to hide by taking a librarian job in a small Oregon town. In this setting, her unknown abilities come to light. I’m a sucker for a good library mystery and this one really delivered! I’ve already pre-ordered the second installment, Seven-Year Witch, due out in August!
Susy S says
Since I really like the first two you listed, I am going to have to check out the third author/book. Sounds like it could be really fun, especially since I love books about libraries and I like many books with witches.
Michael says
Some Mysteries I read this last month:
Maia Chance “Sleeping Beauty, Borrowed Time” written in 2015, A fun take on an old fairy tale, and as with her other fairy tale books, light hearted and enjoyable.
Jassy Mackenzie “Pale Horses”, written in 2013. This is a darker mystery, featuring Jade de Jong, a private investigator, who is hired to check into what appears to be an accident. She reveals that it is a murder, and shows up the local police in solving it. Jassy’s stories take place in South Africa. I also read “The Fallen”, “Stolen Lives”, and “Random Violence” while binge-reading her books.
Lis Howell “The Flower Arranger at All Saints”. This is Lis’s first book, written in 2006, and I will be reading more from her. The hero is Suzy Spencer a middle-aged mother of two who’s husband had run off with his PA. She lives in a rural English village and finds the body of a local woman in the church. She goes on to solve the crime after several more murders take place.
Jo Anne Yerkes says
Read Victoria Gilbert’s Booked For Death, Lorna Barrett’s Handbook For Homicide, G A Mc Kevett’s And The Killer Is, Paige Shelton’s The Stolen Letter among others. Now reading non-cozy NYPD RED 6 by James Patterson.
Pam says
I have read most of the Paige Shelton series you mentioned and really like them.
Amy says
“Delivering the Truth” by Edith Maxwell – an historical mystery set in 1888 featuring a Quaker midwife – the first in the series. Extremely absorbing and well-written. I was drawn into the story and didn’t realize how much time had passed!
Rob J says
Has anyone out there read any Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries series by Emily Brightwell. Her newest, Mrs. Jeffries Demands Justice is a worthwhile new edition to the family of over 36 books by this author and everyone is an enjoyable read that keeps you guessing until the end.
Also, as I remarked to Wanda, Miranda James writes a good series with enjoyable hero and his sidekick, Diesel. If you like your cats in a southern setting, this series is for you. I’m personally an Alpha female (pro-canine) and to tell you that i liked this series is saying a lot, but it is wonderful.
ian jopson says
MrsJ and I have both enjoyed the Mrs Jeffries series, eagerly awaiting the next book to come along. Our only quibble is the long-winded explanation about everbody’s past, but I suppose this is for readers who pick up the titles at random.
Becky says
I just restarted them again, only on book 5 at this time. But thoroughly enjoy them.
Linda Moilan says
I highly recommend The Body in the Garden by Katharine Schellman. (Fans of Stephanie Barron’s “Jane” series will like this.) It’s the 1st Lily Adler story & I hope there will be many more. Lily would be a great friend & even the minor characters have interesting back stories. A good mystery, nice descriptions & details. I liked the flow, pacing of this story of a man shot in the middle of a ball in 1815’s England.
Hanna says
I read Louise Penny A Better Man. I finally agree with you, Danna, that her books are not “cozy.” The first few, taking place in the village of Three Pines were, but she moved into describing quite violent and disturbing events. Corrupted government agencies and secret acts to hide them. Canada cannot be that corrupt, can it? And yet, there is always the kindness in Armand Gamache’s eyes.
After being demoted as a result of a ferocious battle two books earlier, Gamache is now back at the Homicide Division under his former second in command and current son in law. One of the detectives is getting appeals from a friend searching for his missing adult daughter and Gamache is sent there. Her husband has a history of abusing her but did he also kill her? Meanwhile the April snow melting cause many of the rivers to over flow. Should they demolish several dams? Dig trenches? Otherwise, might Quebec slide into Vermont?
The descriptions of the damages, of a desperate feeling after falling and drowning in an out of control river are scary.
An important role is here for “Social Media” – twitters and “hashtag” shown in their cruel and anonymous nature but also when some comes to a defense.
I have been enjoying M.C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth so much that decided to read her Marion Chesney’s Edwardian mysteries. So far I read both Snobbery with Violence and Hasty Death. Lady Rose Summer is considered “too educated” for her own good that prevents her attracting a suitable husband during her “season.” When she finally does fall in love, her father is hiring Harry Cathcart who finds out that the future groom should be avoided. Lady Rose and Cathcart then join forces in solving murders in both books, with her parents despairing about her chances of finding an adequate match. A nice addition to other book describing London Society in the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
Beaton’s Death of a Traveling Man continues with the delight of Hamish Macbeth, his friend (and more?) Priscilla Halburton-Smythe and other regulars including a second in command, after Macbeth was promoted, who is driving him crazy with his obsession of cleaning. Interesting description of the attitude of the “travelers” who are not Gypsies even though they would like to enjoy the same privileges. Here, a charming traveler man presence is associated with money and items disappearing.
Greenway says
We’ll be mourning the passing of, while saluting, and rejoicing in the SO MUCH she left, of M.C. Beaton / Marion Chesney. Your mention of Lady Rose Summer recalls, however, the rather new series of Lady and Lady’s Maid Mysteries by Alyssa Maxwell. Unlike Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness pedigreed heroine, the lady’s maid is not comic relief, nor the bent-by-the class-system Downton Abbey variety (nor omnicompetent wonder-valets like Jeeves, Kato, Bunter, etc.), but an equal-in-astuteness-and-valor to Her Ladyship. Richly drawn characters and situations; likeable heroines; keeps pretty well to period realities. Recommended!
Marie Lawlor says
Jean-Luc Bannalec Brittany Mystery Series is wonderful. I love mysteries where I learn a lot about an era or different part of the world. Descriptions of Breton make me want to go there. Thoroughly enjoy this series.
Tracy says
Lee Strauss is a USA TODAY bestselling author of several cozy historical mystery series: The Ginger Gold Mysteries series, The Rosa Reed Mystery series, and The Higgins & Hawke Mystery series. I particularly enjoy The Ginger Gold Mysteries series set in the 1920’s. Ginger, the war widow fashionista is a wonderful protagonist and I eagerly await the arrival of each new novel.
Becky Hunt says
i just finished the “Miss Fortune” series. Very entertaining. Especially Gertie (reminds me Sophia from Golden girls). found all the characters very loveable
Susy S says
Love the Sinful Ladies. I want to be like them when I get a little (very little) older.
Sally Fortney says
I read A.M. Stuart’s Singapore Sapphire and Revenge in Rubies. They are set in Singapore in the early 1900’s. A woman helps a policeman solves crimes. By the second book, she is the police typist. Stay safe and well.
Jeanne says
I am reading Vicki Delany, Rhys Bowen (Her Royal Spyness) and Lauren Elliot. All excellent.