July is almost 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 Leslie Budewitz’s Spice Shop 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 July? 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 July 2023 that you want the rest of us to know about, and why did you enjoy it?
Kate P. Adams: Charleton House Mystery Series (first entry Death by Dark Roast)
Tamara Berry: By the Book Mystery Series (first entry Buried in a Good Book)
Ginger Bolton: Deputy Donut Mystery Series
Laura Bradford (aka Elizabeth Lynn Casey): A Friend for Hire Mystery Series
Leslie Budewitz: Spice Shop Mystery Series
Elizabeth Lynn Casey (aka Laura Bradford): Southern Sewing Mystery Series
Ellen Crosby: Sophie Medina Mystery Series
Maria DiRico (aka Ellen Byron): Catering Hall Mystery Series
Peggy Ehrhart: Knit & Nibble Mystery Series
Agatha Frost: Claire’s Candles Cozy Mystery Series AND Peridale Cafe Mystery Series
Lena Gregory: Mini-Meadows Mystery Series
Bruce Hammack: Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series (first entry Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells)
Veronica Heley: Abbot Agency Mystery Series
Libby Klein: Poppy McAllister Mystery Series
Leslie Langtry: Merry Wrath Mystery Series
Kate Lansing: Colorado Wine Mystery Series (first entry Killer Chardonnay)
Edward Marston (aka Keith Miles and Conrad Allen): Dillman Mystery Series
Marjorie McCown: Hollywood Mystery Series (first entry Final Cut)
Elaine Viets: Dead-End Job 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.
Ben says
I really enjoyed Survival of the Fritters by Ginger Bolton this month. I liked that there were additional mysteries beyond the body to investigate as well as a solid cast of characters. Also Deputy Donut is the best cat name.
MJ says
I’ve read all the books in this series and agree the stories are all enjoyable. I read the latest release, “Cinnamon Twisted” a month or two ago. The mystery is good, and the character interactions is entertaining. I second Ben’s recommendation with two thumbs up.
Teressa says
I am reading the fourth book and Kate Lansing’s Colorado wine mystery series. It is called.”Till Death Do Us Port”. I love the characters in the series gives information on winemaking. The author also gives a great sense of place. I have enjoyed each of the other books, as well!
Rob Jarrad says
Danna: I totally endorse the Spice Shop mysteries by Budewicz. Every one has been a winner and I’ve read everything including the Peppermint entry at Christmas. Waiting patiently (more or less) for the most current that she has written in that series. Love them all!
Peggy Ehrhart writing in the Knit and Nibble series with Pamela Paterson, Bettina Fraser et all. Actually Peggy confided to me that her husband (in real life) is the model for Bettina’s Wilfred. I love that series and her most current is Irish Knit Murder. A clear winner.
I’m looking forward to her newest.
So two recommends from me.
Pat McGhan says
I love both of these series and am reading Peggy’s Irish Knit Murder right now. I love Pamela’s unique job and the details on some of her assignments. And Bettina and Wilfred are the perfect neighbors. It is such a comforting cozy!.
I love learning about spices in the Spice Shop mystery series along with learning about Seattle
I love Pepper and her friends, coworkers, ex husband and friends. I totally expect to see the shop there if I ever visit Seattle.
Fortney, Sally says
I read Final Cut by Marjorie McCown and really enjoyed the look into the movie business, especially the costume side. The French Paradox by Ellen Crosby is one of her Virginia winery series, and I also read the three Sophie Medina books. These being set near or in Washington, DC have political connections, involving senators, ambassadors, and other politicians.
Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen and How the Murder Crumbles by Debra Sennefelder are more cozy.
Kimberly says
MOTTO FOR MURDER and MAP SKILLS MURDER in the Merry Wrath series by Leslie Langtry (books 6 & 7). What’s not like in this series? Merry Wrath, former CIA agent who is now hiding and is a Girl Scout troop leader who seems to teach all her girls about assassins, weapons, and more. (Hey, you never know when these skills might come in handy!) We have Merry’s best friend, Kelly; Rex, the hunky cop neighbor; his wild and weird sisters; and other assorted folks. We also have Merry’s cat, Philby; and a King Vulture who patiently listens to Merry’s woes; politicians and more. I laugh through every book.
DEATH THREADS and PINNED FOR MURDER in Southern Sewing Circle series by Elizabeth Lynn Casey (books 2 & 3). I love Yankee librarian Tori, and her new friends—southern gals all. Humor, friendship, and sometimes heartache. I’d love to be a part of Tori’s sewing circle.
ON SPINE OF DEATH in By the Book series by Tamara Berry (book #2). Tess Harrow and her teenage daughter Gertrude are turning the town of Winthrop upside with their quirky lifestyles. I enjoy the characters, the settings, and I often find myself laughing at what happens. 😉
Joelle says
I’ve never heard of Merry Wrath series! This looks fantastic as I enjoy the Miss Fortune series. I’m so excited to start this series!! Also the Southern Sewing Circle sound lovely too!
MendoGirl says
For July I’d like to recommend Murder on the Celtic by Edward Marston.
George Dillman and Genevieve Masefield are ship’s detectives for the White Star Line in 1910. They are also married, but they keep that to themselves so they can keep an eye on people without raising suspicion.
On this particular crossing, George and Genevieve find out that none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is also on board and he wishes for nothing more than anonymity. Unfortunately that doesn’t last long, and to make matters worse a book is stolen from Sir Arthur, one that could fetch a pretty penny. And then there’s the added matter of a murder on board. And if all of this weren’t enough both George and Genevieve must contend with unwanted attention of their own.
This book was a great read. Wonderful characters and a mystery worthy of Sherlock Holmes himself.
My favorite part of the book was that there was a lot of dialogue that kept the story moving along.
Alice P Rebecchi says
I love all the books in this series. Edward Marston also has a series of medieval mysteries that take place in England at the time of William the Conqueror
BHL says
“Well Dressed to Die” by Kate P. Adams, newest in the Charleton House Mystery Series. Great series with a spin off series.
Also Bruce Hammack’s “Smiley and McBlythe” series is very good. I read a couple books in that series in July.
Hanna says
I enjoyed Laura Bradford’s A Plus One for Murder. Offering a service of a friend to accompany individuals who need one to attend with them, her first client promptly drops dead while reciting a poem. After realizing that it was murder, she and her two friends – both mystery enthusiasts – are determined to solve the murder themselves. The rescue dog, Scout, is an important part of the story, offering his love to all. Nice characters and easy read.
MJ says
First of all, I agree with Danna and her recommendation of Budewitz’s Spice Shop books. It’s an enjoyable series.
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Blow Up — Ellen Crosby
This journalist has excellent story telling skills. I’m quite sure I’ve recommended all of her books in her wine series.
This is the third book in a series, but reading the first two isn’t necessary to read this story. Since the last book was written in 2015 it’s been a looong time to remember the characters. I did remember the protagonist (Sophie) was a photojournalist, but that was about all. Crosby explains each character in this 3rd book. The characters are well-developed with a lot of depth and introspection.
This is an EXCELLENT book. In fact there are three story lines that intertwine. It is set in DC and somewhat current. Sophie and an old friend (now a priest) find the body of a supreme court justice in an alley. There are so many twists to this story, keeping the reader engaged and glued to the pages. It’s a well plotted story and flows smoothly. It has an unbelievable ending!!!
I’d really say that this is a ‘must read’, except for one thing. There is a ‘bedroom scene’ about 2/3 the way through the book. I’m surprised because I don’t think (or I don’t remember) this in her other books. Frankly, I don’t think it’s necessary to the story. BUT, this doesn’t me from reading a great mystery. I can easily skip this page (and, I did).
Again, an enthralling story by an author who knows how to write them. 🙂
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Four Parties and Funeral – Maria DiRico (Ellen Byron)
This book was recommended on this blog a couple of months ago. It’s a terrific story as are all the books written by Ellen Bryon. She usually has a list of characters at the beginning of her stories, but didn’t do so with this one. I was a little lost in the beginning until the ‘memory’ kicked in. Initially some characters weren’t explained.
This series is set in Queens with several quirky characters including some with the ‘mob’. This author has a way of making a large city feel like a small town.
Now an observation – not a criticism. Byron is obviously a person with a VAST vocabulary!!. She uses several words I’ve never ever heard of. What do I do? Stop reading and check the meaning of the word? IF I did this I could ‘educate’ myself. However, I don’t because it stops the flow of reading. I just keep on and get the ‘jist’ of the sentence. But, what do you do?
Jayne Guidinger says
The Peridale Cafe Mysteries and the Claire’s Candles Cozy Mystery Series by Agatha Frost. They are both British Cozy ‘s. The stories are fast paced and not easily figured out. There’s a lot about village life and personalities.
Barb E. says
No Small Murder by Lena Gregory (Mini-Meadows Mystery)
New series set in a tiny home community in Florida. Fun read.
False Name by Veronica Heley (Abbot Agency Mystery)
Book 16 in this series. Her books draw you in right away and are fast paced from beginning to end.
It is good to see MJ back. I always enjoy reading her recommendations.
Joelle says
This month I discovered the Liz Talbot series first book is Lowcountry Boil. I love the setting, on an Island near Charleston. There’s a little paranormal aspect but it’s done really well I think. The characters are likeable and the writing is well paced.
Mischief Nights are Murder- I also finished Libby Klein’s latest book. This is probably one of my favorite books in the series, there’s an introduction of a new character named Kenny and he is hilarious! I am going to listen to the audiobook as soon as the weather turns cooler. The fall/halloween vibes are so good in this one.
In The Market for Murder- the narrator of these books is one of the best! It’s like listening to a radioshow. “Spring, 1909, and Lady Hardcastle, amateur sleuth and all-round eccentric, is enjoying a well-deserved rest. But a week after a trip to the cattle market, Spencer Caradine, a local farmer, turns up dead in the pub, face-down in his beef and mushroom pie. Once again, it is up to Lady Hardcastle and her maid, Florence, to solve the case.”
Paula B says
I loved the Liz Talbot series set on an island off South Carolina. I have read and been charmed by all the mysteries. Hope there are more coming.