As usual, please do not tell us about the Cozy Mysteries you did not like.
What really good Cozy Mystery book did you read during March 2016 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:
Avery Aames (aka Daryl Wood Gerber): Cheese Shop Mystery Series
M.C. Beaton (aka Marion Chesney): Hamish Macbeth Mystery Series
Rhys Bowen: Molly Murphy Mystery Series
Simon Brett: Fethering Mystery Series
Lynne Cahoon: Tourist Trap Mystery Series
Kate Carlisle: Bibliophile Mystery Series
Amanda Carmack: Elizabethan Mystery Series
Bailey Cattrell (aka Bailey Cates & Cricket McRae): Enchanted Garden Mystery Series (Two Cozy readers recommended this series this month.)
Laura Childs: Tea Shop Mystery Series (Two Cozy readers recommended this series this month.)
J.J. Cook (aka Joyce and Jim Lavene & Ellie Grant): Biscuit Bowl Food Truck Mystery Series
J.J. Cook (aka Joyce and Jim Lavene & Ellie Grant): Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery Series
Jeanne M. Dams: Dorothy Martin Mysteries
Krista Davis: Domestic Diva Mystery Series
Carola Dunn: Daisy Dalrymple Mystery Series
Kaitlyn Dunnett (Kathy Lynn Emerson): Liss MacCrimmon Mystery Series
Kerry Greenwood: Corinna Chapman Mystery Series
Joan Hess (aka Joan Hadley): Claire Malloy Mystery Series
Hazel Holt: Mrs. Malory Mystery Series
Sofie Kelly (aka Sofie Ryan): Magical Cats Mystery Series
Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): League of Literary Ladies Mystery Series
Leslie Meier: Lucy Stone Mystery Series
Carlene O’Connor: Murder in an Irish Village
Joanne Pence: Rebecca Mayfield Mystery Series
Carol J. Perry: Witch City Mystery Series
Leigh Perry (aka Toni L.P. Kelner): Family Skeleton Mystery Series
Linda Reilly: Deep Fried Mystery Series
Barbara Ross: Maine Clambake Mystery Series
Sofie Ryan (aka Sofie Kelly): Second Chance Cat Mystery Series
Karen Rose Smith: Caprice De Luca Mystery Series
Elaine Viets: Dead End Job Mystery Series
[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.
Rachel A says
One of my favorite series is the Family Skeleton by Leigh Perry. This starts off with A Skeleton in the Family and introduces one of the most loveable characters in cozies, Sid the skeleton. I am not normally a big fan of woo-woo cozies and too often have found the supernatural element used as a substitute for a good plot, but not so here. The series has a small cast of likeable characters and the author has managed to avoid cliches like mad parents, cheating exes or unrealistically enjoyable jobs. Instead Georgia’s job as a college adjunct is described in very down-to-earth detail and indeed the only fantasy angle is Sid which shouldn’t work but does, very well indeed. There are only three titles so far but check out all those rave reviews on Amazon.
L says
Great series but the publisher just cancelled it.
avoncatlady says
I thought I read she will be continuing with another publisher.
GaMtGrl says
I agree, Rachael!
Martina M says
I just finished the first book in Kylie Logan’s “League of Literary Ladies” series “Mayhem at the Orient Express.” The book is very well written with some great characters who I am looking forward to following! Best book I’ve read this month.
Laura says
I love, love the Witch City series by Carol Perry. The supernatural aspect is kept very low key. My other favorites are Juliet Blackwell (both of her series), Krista Davis, Sherry Harris, Maddie Day/Edith Maxwell, Sheila Connoly, Amanda Cooper/Victoria Hamilton, and Eileen Brady. There are many others i enjoy and look forward to, but these are my top favorites. All of these are well written with great plots and characters – no over the top characters.
KG says
Where does the time go? I am continuing to reread both the Lucy Stone and Claire Malloy series and enjoying them just as much, if not more than the first time. I also have a huge number of books on my kindle that I want to read and so I chose the following:
One O’Clock Hustle is the first Joanne Pence book I’ve ever read. I downloaded it from Amazon, mostly because it was FREE. The setting in a cozy has become very important to me and since I live near San Francisco (where the story takes place), I was predetermined to like this book. It is about a female homicide detective who tries to solve a murder with the suspect who is on the run. The storyline was engaging and characters well developed.
L says
Silence of The Lamps by Karen Rose Smith. Very fun series New release with excellent sleuth. Also Bailey Cantrell New series is delightful.
MJ says
March Recommendations – 2016
Devonshire Scream – Laura Childs
When I started reading this book, I thought, “it’s the standard MO for Childs Tea series”. You know, there’s a party/event catered by the tea shop and a murder takes place. BUT by page 5 one knows this book is different. It seems to take on an ‘international flavor’, perhaps with a more thriller type aspect. You’ll know what I mean by page 5/6, but I don’t even want to give that away. A young lady, Theo (protagonist, Tea shop owner) just met dies. She is the niece of the owner of a local jewelry store.
There is a lot depth to this story in a convoluted way with several twists and turns. We all enjoy the characters in this series, so smart and intelligent. Because it tracks a bit differently, I think it’s one of the best stories in this series.
I must also mention, there isn’t any ‘romance story line’ in this book (boyfriend in last book moved away). I can’t quite keep track, but I believe Theodosia has gone through three (or is it four?) romances in the past seventeen books. In her other series, Childs keeps the romance angle pretty stable. She seems to want to keep the door open on romances in this series.
Childs real name is Gerry Schmitt. At the end of this book, she mentions she is starting a new series under her real name. The first book is, “Little Girl Gone” due out 7/6/16.
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Blood Will Tell – Jeanne Dams
What’s great about this series is there are no carry over stories, which I mentioned in the cliff hanger discussion. Some said they like a carry-over character story line for an incentive to read the next book. However, I always look forward to the next book in this series because it’s like revisiting favorite characters – a comfy thing.
There really are only two main characters in this series, Dorothy Martin and her husband Alan Nesbitt. All other characters are integral to the mystery story line and change from book to book, as does the Great Britain location/setting. The characters are always interesting, some are endearing as their depth is explored. It’s a very character driven story.
This book is set in Cambridge. Dorothy discovers blood in a science lab, but no body. It sets her on a perplexing path as she tries to find out if there is a crime or just a student practical joke. There are several twists and turns with some exciting reveals. As always, it is very well written, keeping the reader turning the pages.
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And Then There Were Nuns — Kylie Logan
Wow! For those reading this series, we finally get the ‘big reveal’. It certainly is an eye-opener!! I loved it, loved it, loved it. I know I sound cryptic. Suffice it to say, I get really tired of the ‘poor, oh woe is me!’ protagonist. There are NO mystery cliff hangers in this series. But background info about the two leading characters has been deliberately shadowy. Also this is a series that one must read chronologically, or you really miss out on the ‘flavor’ of the series.
Each book in the series is a takeoff of a famous titled book. In this case it is, ’And Then There Were None’. Several nuns come to the island mansion for a retreat. Bea (protagonist) owns a nearby B&B and has agreed to supply the meals for the nuns. One of the nuns is found murdered in the lake. When another is missing, the comparisons to the book begins.
In this book there isn’t much focus on the Literary Ladies that usually solve the mysteries. Emphasis is on the nun characters, and they are all interesting, if not intriguing. The reader can probably figure out who the culprit is, but the ‘why’ is a complete surprise. It’s paced very well, moving along quickly. A MUST READ for fans the League of Literary Ladies.
I hope there are more books to this series because I enjoy it so much. But since Logan is starting a new series (Ethnic Eats Mystery), I’m not sure this one will continue. However, when she started this series she didn’t continue with the button series (which I also enjoyed – and it left some character stories unresolved).
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For Cheddar or Worse — Avery Aames
As mentioned in a previous post, this is the final book in this series. This author did a spectacular job of ending this series. Frankly I wish all authors had the opportunity to do this and leave us with a ‘happily ever after’, especially when we have been following the series for many years.
This has been an enjoyable series, mainly because of the characters, some normal, some quirky, and yet others we disliked………………all part of good story lines. However if the series hasn’t been popular, I can understand why. There is just TOO much detailed ‘cheese info’ – the types, production techniques, etc. It’s info I’ll never retain.
Although the author most likely was trying to inform the reader, it became somewhat trite, especially when one knows they are unlikely ever to see any of these cheeses in their communities. That never bothered me, though, because I skip over those descriptive parts and just read the ‘real’ story. I do that with several series when I’m not interested in the ‘theme’. If I enjoy the characters, and the author writes a good mystery story (and this one does), I read the book.
Simply put – there is a cheese festival and an uninvited guest is murdered. The well written story with a surprise ending keeps the reader turning the pages. This is another series that should be read sequentially from the beginning.
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Whisker of Trouble — Sofie Ryan
Since Sofie Ryan was recently discussed on this blog, I thought I’d mention this latest release. It’s the third book in the series and I had a difficult time remembering the characters. I know I read the previous two books, however it just wasn’t sticking with me. This might be a case where I should’ve waited and read the three books within a month or so.
Having said that, I think this book is a really fun read. The mystery is creative and written with some humor. The secondary characters are somewhat idiosyncratic and delightful. They are seniors who have formed a PI group called the ‘Angels’ in North Harbor, ME.
Sarah Grayson is the lead character – probably 30ish. She’s an independent and witty woman who owns her own ‘second chance’ business. I was impressed that when she found herself in a precarious situation, she used her own smarts to get out of it instead of being ‘rescued’. Kudos to the author for creating this intelligent character.
A man (wine fraud specialist) is found murdered in the kitchen of a home Sarah and her employees were hired to clean out after the owner’s death. The Angels gather to figure out ‘who dun’ it. Sarah helps them. I guessed at the perpetrator and turned out to be right, however it isn’t obvious. It is a really fast read! There is a strong family sense/connection within this group, making it a heartwarming series.
Tessa says
I have gone back to do a Reread of Hazel Holt’s Mrs Malory series.
I had forgotten just how good they were. I am up to about the
tenth one and I only started reading them the first weekend of
March.
Tessa
Karen says
I love the Diva series by Krista Davis. Read them all and always look forward to the next one.
Janice says
I enjoyed reading a number of books this month. Fogged In, the newest book in the Clambake mysteries by Barbara Ross was especially good. It’s winter time so the family business is closed and Julia and her boyfriend are running a restaurant in the evenings at Gus’ cafe. Even though it is a very icy night, a number of couples show up for dinner. The next morning, the body of a stranger is found in the walk-in freezer. As the investigation evolves, it appears that there might be some connection in the past all of the people who were in the restaurant that night.
Another good book was Out of the Dying Pan by Linda Reilly, the second in her Fish and Chips Shop series. This is another story in which the motive for the murder may go back many years and involves a character who was talked about but never appeared in the first book.
The final book I want to recommend is Murder in an Irish Village by Carlene O’Connor, the first in a new series. The main character, Shioban, is trying to keep the family tea shop running while caring for her siblings following the death of their parents in a car accident. The brother of the man who is in prison for causing the accident returns to town and claims that he has proof that his brother is innocent. When this man is found stabbed to death in the tea shop, Shioban sets out to clear her family name when her brother is accused of the crime. This was an engaging and often amusing story. The author makes extensive use of local slang and idioms but does provide a glossary at the beginning of the book as well as a pronounciation guide for the names. I’ll be interested in reading more in this series.
Jen says
I just started reading Kaitlyn Dunnett’s Scotland-themed cozies. They are light, funny, informational, and I am always anxious to figure out the end!
Tullita says
I agree with MJ. Sometimes it is better to read a series close together. It’s always fun to find a new series with lots of books already out. That being said, I spent my March reading Carola Dunn’s Daisy Dalyrimple, Louise Perry and Kerry Greenwood’s Trick or Treat. I am rotating between one and the other and think I will finish up what is available in these series before I start a new series. Kerry is back up and I have just started Forbidden Fruit. Though nothing to read in March, perhaps my all time favorite is Carolyn Haines Bones series. I’ve bought extra copies just to send friends to turn them onto her.
Loving the site and think I will never run out of good options to read thanks to all the recommendations from other cozy lovers.
Thanks to everyone for the great recommendations.
avoncatlady says
I’ve been enjoying Sofie Kelly’s Magical Cats series. I just finished Copycat Killer. The best parts are the snarky conversations with the cats and the fact that she’s not wishy-washy. I never have rolled my eyes with the stories yet.
stellans says
I just finished Elaine Viets’ Dead End Job series and enjoyed it very much. I’m now reading Lynne Cahoon’s Tourist Trap series, and so far so good.
The Dead End Job was fascinating to me because of the varied environments the protagonist found herself in, plus I really, really want to live in a little apartment house like she did, with the sort of ‘we’re family’ vibe, and a landlady like Margery.
Margaret StashEmpress says
For some reason I didn’t read as many books as usual this month, and some of those I did read — while they seemed initially promising — proved to have “issues” that would prevent me from recommending them (one would have been an excellent read, except for the constant use of profanity, even from children — and when I emailed the author to ask about this, she claimed that she had to be true to her characters… well.. ok… but that doesn’t mean that I have to read her books — which is a shame as it would have been a really good series otherwise!) (another one, a previously favorite series, had an ending that just bothered me SO much that I wish I hadn’t read it at all!)
So here’s the good (without the bad & the ugly LOL):
Simon Brett – The Killing In The Cafe (Fethering series) — I really like this series & wish they’d come out more often. Very enjoyable read. Great characters — so different, yet they work so well together. I just wish they’d give us Jude’s last name, once & for all — I get that she likes to be called “just Jude” — but when she had to sign up for official stuff (like the committee she was working on) –she would have been required to provide a surname, no???
M. C. Beaton — Death Of A Nurse (Hamish Macbeth series) — Another good old favorite. Love the characters you love to hate. Love the way Hamish manages to work “outside the box” when he has to.
Amanda Carmack — Murder At Whitehall and Murder at the Queen’s Masquerade (Elizabethan Mystery series) — As I mentioned last month, I found this series & totally fell in love with it! So disappointed that its been one of the series to be cancelled (this from the author herself — she says the next one coming out is to be the last) — I really love the time & place, but that the author wrote in a language we could understand — because if it were done “authentically” — it would sound like Shakespeare — you’d need footnotes to follow — who could enjoy a cozy like that????
Kate Carlisle — Murder Under Cover (Bibliophile series) — Working my way through this series in no particular order (depending what title I can get my hands on when) — love books — so much fun to read about how they’re bound/rebound, particularly the artwork handwork that went into the older antique volumes. And the mysteries are good too!
J. J. Cook — Fat Tuesday Fricassee (Biscuit Bowl Food Truck series)
J. J. Cook — Sweet Pepper Hero (Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade series)
These are the two newest releases from J.J. Cook, who is actually Joyce & Jim Lavene. Now that Joyce is no longer with us, I hope Jim will be able to keep these beloved series going. They are both so much fun.
Rhys Bowen — Time Of Fog And Fire (Molly Murphy series) — I love both of Rhys Bowen’s series, both the Molly Murphy and the Royal Spyness series — but I have to say I do love the Royal Spyness series better, just due to who the characters are & the time & place in which they are set. That said, this Molly Murphy title was just stunning — an “away” story, in that Molly has traveled to San Francisco with her baby — just in time to be caught up in the great earthquake — very gripping story — even better than usual!
Bailey Cattrell — Daisies for Innocence (Enchanted Garden series) — I really liked this book, first in a new series by the author of the Magical Bakery series (which she writes under the name of Bailey Cates). You can tell they were penned by the same hand — similar flavor –so if you liked the Bakery series, you’ll love the Garden series as well.
Laura Childs — Devonshire Scream (Tea Shop series) — As another commenter has noted, this one is almost like a thriller — and I have to say SO much better than the previous title in the series, which had me concerned for Ms. Childs continuing involvement in this series — but I’m glad to say she’s back to form & better than ever — GREAT read!
Linda says
Just finished “Better Homes and Corpses” by Kathleen Bridge. It is one of the better cozies I’ve ever read and when you consider it is her FIRST book, her writing style is even more impressive. I am tempted to compare her to Julie Hyzy, but guess I should wait until I read the second book before making that proclamation. I have my fingers crossed it will not disappoint, but until it is released in May, I can vouch for the readability of the first one in her “Hamptons Home & Garden” series.