Have you read any Cozies this month that you thought were a lot better than the rest of the Cozies you read this month? If so, would you please tell us about these really good Cozies and why you liked them so much? We’d love to know about the Cozy Mysteries you especially liked, so that we (too) can read them. (If you have a lot of Cozies you think are terrific, would you post the ones you think are even better than the others at the top of the list?)
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 May 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:
Tessa Arlen: Lady Montfort Mystery Series
Ali Brandon (aka Diane A.S. Stuckart): Black Cat Bookshop Mystery Series
Rita Mae Brown: Mrs. Murphy Mystery Series
Maia Chance: Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery Series
Peg Cochran (aka Meg London): Cranberry Cove Mystery Series
Hannah Dennison: Honeychurch Hall Mystery Series
Elizabeth J. Duncan: Penny Brannigan Mystery Series
Kate Dyer-Seeley (aka Ellie Alexander): Pacific Northwest Mystery Series
Susan Furlong (aka Lucy Arlington): Georgia Peach Mystery Series
Sally Goldenbaum: Seaside Knitters Mystery Series
Carolyn Haines: Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery Series
B.B. Haywood: Candy Holliday Mystery Series
David Handler: Berger & Mitry Mystery Series
Laurie R. King: Mary Russell Mystery Series
Stephen King: Joyland (not Cozy)
Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): League of Literary Ladies Mystery Series (Four Cozy readers recommended this series this month.)
Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): Ethnic Eats Mystery Series
Susan Elia MacNeal: Maggie Hope Mystery Series
Jenn McKinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence): Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series (Two Cozy readers recommended this series this month.)
Laura Morrigan: Call of the Wilde Mystery Series
Katherine Hall Page: Faith Fairchild Mystery Series
Sharon Pape: Portrait of a Crime Mystery Series
Nancy J. Parra (aka Nancy Coco): Perfect Proposals Mystery Series
Barbara Ross: Maine Clambake Mysteries Series
Paige Shelton: Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series
Colleen J. Shogan: Washington Whodunit Mystery Series (Stabbing in the Senate is book #1)
Joanna Campbell Slan – Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series
Denise Swanson: Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery Series
Jane Tesh: Madeline Maclin Mystery Series (A Case of Imagination is book #1)
Jacqueline Winspear: Maisie Dobbs 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.
Lynn. T says
I believe I have found a favorite new (to me) cozy series to follow. It is Peaches and Scream by Susan Furlong. It is the first book in the series. It came out in 2015.
The book takes place in Cays Mill Georgia. Nola Harper has returned to her family’s peach farm to manage it while her parents take a well needed vacation. Nola’s brother is busy as a lawyer and her sister is going to have a baby at any time. The second book just came out this April and I am looking forward to reading it.
This book is one of my top cozy reads for 2016 so far. I liked the sense of family, the wealth of Cays Mill characters for future books, the writing style and mystery plot developed by the author.
In fact I had followed The Novel Idea mystery series. At book 4 there was an author change so I decided not to follow it. I guess I didn’t care for the idea of an author change in a series even though it is done sometimes. The the new author who now writes as Lucy Arlington for the series is Susan Furlong who wrote Peaches and Scream. Well now I am going back to that series and read book 4. I enjoyed the author’s work that much in Peaches and Scream. It was the first book I have read by her.
MJ says
May Recommendations – 2016
Body in the Wardrobe — Katherine Hall Page
This book is certainly different than most of her other books. In some ways it’s a continuation of her last book. There are two parallel story lines that interweave with each other. One is the Fairchild family in Massachusetts, and the other is set in Savannah, GA, featuring Sophie and her new husband Will Maxwell.
To a great extent the mystery is secondary to the very character driven two story lines. In the last book, problems with Faith’s son was featured. In this book it is some bullying problems with her daughter.
Sophie has problems settling in with Will’s wealthy family, as some family members disapprove of her. There are so many intricacies in this story line, that the reader is totally absorbed. The mystery really revolves around the deaths of two Maxwell family members in the past.
Like I said, it is a unique way to present this story. One doesn’t even realize it’s a mystery until the last 50 pages or so. I certainly didn’t see this ending coming!
I found a somewhat ‘disconnect’ between the title and the story. It will be interesting to see what others think.
BTW (take note, Danna) , this is a relatively short story – about 224 pages (an obvious ‘quick’ read).
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Murder at Lambswool Farm — Sally Goldenbaum
This series is the ‘epitome’ of a ‘cozy’ —- many friends, enjoyable gatherings. etc. I’d like to join their community! The characters are fantastic, well-defined and so intertwined with each other. The interaction is enviable and written with obvious acumen.
A stranger decides to visit the community, searching some of his roots. Of course he is considered a ‘suspect’, when a local resident is poisoned. He is well-liked and even more so, as layers of his past is peeled off.
This author writes with philosophical wisdom throughout the story. Goldenbaum does not author a ‘quick’ read, but an ‘introspective/interesting’ read. When I looked at her bio, I was not surprised to see that she teaches Philosophy classes. Methodically, I think she and Katherine Spenser (Anne Canadeo) are very similar writers. I happen to like it – others may not.
BTW, kudos to this author for the list of characters at the beginning of the book. Several times I went back and checked it, just to keep everyone straight.
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Vanilla Beaned — Jenn McKinlay
I always enjoy a ‘McKinlay’ book, each is well written with much humor. This book is set in Las Vegas as the bakery owners attempt to open a franchise. Melanie is very reluctant. This is well plotted with numerous twists. Main characters Melanie and Angie are impulsive, thus leading to precarious situations (which does get ‘old’ in this series).
Potential franchise sites are set on fire. Unfortunately a body is found in one of the fires. There are several layers to this story, which keeps the reader absorbed. Again, an unforeseen ending.
McKinlay is writing several series and I thought for sure this one would be on the chopping block….that is, until I read the last page. It certainly necessitates another book!
Funny tidbit: When discussing costumes with a Las Vegas dancer, it is mentioned the hats came from a hat shop in London (McKinlay’s other series).
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Silenced in the Surf — Kate Dyer-Seeley
This is the third book in this series and this newly discovered (about 2 years ago) author continues to please! It is set in beauteous Oregon and her descriptive scenery writings are superlative.
Meg Reed is the protagonist and writes for a sports magazine. She is assisted by two friends, one with a possible romantic lead. Her wise grandmother (LOVE her), the sheriff (grandma’s boyfriend), her mother, and Meg’s boss are also main (sometimes complex) characters that are part of the ongoing stories in this series.
This time the ‘featured’ sport is a warm weather sport – windsurfing. Meg finds the ‘star’ of this sport waylaid on the side of the river. He is not alive, but is it an accident or murder? Meg believes it’s murder and pursues that avenue. Several interesting characters are introduced in this pursuit.
Although there is a conclusion to the main mystery story line, this story does end with a bit of cliff-hanger (??). There has been an underlying story line throughout the series regarding the death of Meg’s father. I’m not sure when it will take ‘center stage’ and be resolved. I’m tempted to write the author and ask in which book she’ll plans to ‘solve’ this mystery. Then I would stockpile the rest of the books to read them in rapid succession.
BUT, I don’t want to discourage anyone from reading this series because IT IS intriguing and absorbing. The ongoing character relationships are fun to follow. Enjoy!
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Plot Boiler – Ali Brandon
Darla owns a book store in NYC. The neighborhood store owners are planning a 4th of July celebration to draw people and potential customers to the area. Of course there is the ‘featured cat’, Hamlet, adding the ‘charm’ factor.
Two people have died and police blow it off as a murder-suicide. Darla (protagonist) doesn’t believe this.
It’s an enjoyable read with sometimes quirky characters (after all, it IS NYC). It moves along nicely and is plotted well, with the ending somewhat a surprise.
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COMMENT: I’m kind of anxious to recommend another book But I’m only half way through it (read until after midnight last night – didn’t want to put it down). It’s a new series with great promise. If the second half goes as well as the first half, you’ll hear from me again later today or tomorrow!
Hope everyone has an ENJOYABLE AND SAFE MEMORIAL DAY! 🙂 🙂
KG says
Sprinkle With Murder by Jenn McKinlay is the first in a cupcake shop mystery series. I don’t know why I have never read this author or series before, but I am glad I found it. It is a quick and enjoyable read that had me grinning throughout the book. The cupcakes sounded amazing and so do the recipes in the back of the book.
This book is, of course, about a murder and how Mel, the owner of the cupcake shop, must solve the murder before she or her best friend is accused of murder. However, I felt the theme of the book was about relationships between friends, business associates, and family. The dialogue was clever and the characters over the top, but in a sweet way. I will read the next book in the series.
Does it matter that I read lots of cozies with recipes and have only made 2? I wonder if anyone has any “tried and true” recipes from any culinary cozy?
KG says
I just finished this book and it is different from any other cozy books I have read. Stabbing in the Senate by Colleen J. Shogan is the first book in the Washington Whodunit Series. It is about Kit, a congressional staffer, who feels forced to solve the murder of her boss because she is a suspect. I did not guess the killer until I was almost to the end. This book is a page turner from the beginning and I did not want it to end. The author is a former staffer and has written what she knows, making the Washington D.C. political environment and landmarks very realistic. Loved the book and the next one in the series comes out in the middle of June.
MJ says
Danna had this topic (recipes from cozies) on the blog a couple of years ago. I’ve made many recipes – mostly from the Fluke books. All have been good. However all of Fluke’s recipes are lengthy (pages long) with too much explanation, so I rewrite them in normal recipe (much, much, much shorter) format.
A favorite that comes to mind is Lemon Fluff Jello, using lemon gelatin and canned lemon pudding. I’ve used other combinations of gelatin and pudding, too, with much success. A big potluck favorite.
I’ve also made some of Cleo Coyle’s (Doughnut Muffins – yum!) and Diane Mott Davidson recipes, among several others. I’ve never been disappointed. In fact, in our cookbook club at my branch library, we had selected ‘recipes from cozies’ as one of our monthly topics. Several tasty recipes were made for us to try. Some cozy authors have created cookbooks to showcase their recipes.
KG says
Thank you! I have tried the Chocolate Chip Crunchies and the Ginger cookies from JoAnne Fluke’s first book. They were very tasty. I will have to try the Lemon Fluff Jello.
readerdiane says
I have just finished reading the series. there are some cute connections to well known books. I hope that she continues with it. The characters are fun and I think there is so much more to them.
stellans says
I have 3 series to recommend which I just finished recently, and were thoroughly enjoyable for a variety of reasons. The first one is an author you haven’t put on your site as of yet:
1) Jane Tesh, who writes the Maddy Maclin series, a private investigator based in NC (part of the reason I picked it up in the first place). Maddy is a former pageant queen who finds that a barrier to getting the respect she truly deserves for her knack of solving mysteries. I like the small town setting of this series, as well as the interesting idiosyncrasies of the characters.
2) Laura Morrigan’s Call of the Wilde Mystery Series, which attracted my attention first because of the animal tie-in, and then held it because of the animal communication part – I love that she and her wolf hybrid communicate so well, and that he wants his own kitten. Simple pleasures.
3) Finally, a series I only finished Friday: Maine Clambake Mysteries by Barbara Ross. I have a soft spot for family business-oriented stories, and this one was set in a state I often have romantic fantasies concerning. This series cured me of some of the fantasies, but not of the strong desire to visit. Good writing, and excellent descriptions kept me reading until the last book – and I preordered the December release, which is my best indication of enjoyment.
Janessa says
I’m glad you linked her other names! I didn’t realize those were all written by the same person. It always makes me more likely to read a new series if I know they’re a good writer.
Nancy says
Last weekend I read Lavender Lane Lothario by David Handler. This is a great series about a noted Jewish film critic and his gorgeous girlfriend, a black police officer. It’s funny. The plotting is great, and the locale, Connecticut’s Gold Coast is irresistable. On the nightstand currently are Rita Mae Brown’s Tall Tail and Sally Goldenbaum’s Murder at Lambswool Farm. Can’t wait to get into those.
Janice says
My favorite book this month was Berry the Hatchet by Peg Cochran, the second in her Cranberry Cove series. The characters are very well developed and the setting of the cranberry farm is interesting. I also enjoyed Irish Stewed, the first book in a new series by Kylie Logan. I wasn’t sure at first if I liked the main character but as we learn her backstory, her prickly nature becomes more understandable.
MJ says
Irish Stewed — Kylie Logan
I wanted to get this book on the May recommendation list because we discussed this author earlier and Danna mentioned the Literary Ladies series as her recommendation.
This is the first book in a new series (Ethnic Eats Mysteries), which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, when I first picked up the book I thought it was going to be set in Ireland!! But it’s not. It’s set in a small community (Hubbard) near Youngstown, OH. Not surprising, though, since this author is from Cleveland.
At first, I didn’t like the protagonist or premise. BUT that only lasted a few pages and I was hooked. Lauren Inwood travels from CA to OH to help her Aunt (?) Sophie with her diner while recuperating from knee surgery. Lauren’s backstory is heart rendering and poignant (: . There’s a lot of emotion to this complicated character. In addition, she is smart and sassy. Another lead character is Declan who manages a family-owned Irish store. This character, too, is developed with considerable complexity.
Finding the diner a bit repulsive, Lauren maintains she will stay no longer than the 6 week recuperation time. On her first evening in town, Lauren and Sophie discover the body of a local TV investigative reporter in the diner. This very well-paced story has many ups and downs, twist and turns, along with a VERY unexpected ending. Extensive witty dialog (a norm for this author) adds to the complete enjoyment of this book.
I don’t want to reveal any more detail ………….but I strongly encourage everyone to read it. It has ALL the right elements for a highly creative cozy read.
If I had finished this book earlier, it would have been at the top of my list for this month’s recommendation (AND that’s saying a lot, considering I have both a Page and a Goldenbaum book on the list).
Margaret StashEmpress says
I didn’t read as many books as usual this month (darn kindle game addiction!), but those that I read were all really good!
Tessa Arlen — Death Sits Down to Dinner (Lady Montfort series) — I loved the first in this series & I loved the second even more. I love the setting (Edwardian England — I’m a huge fan of Downton Abbey), the characters, and especially the mystery. Amazingly well crafted — I was sure, about half way through, that I knew the murderer and the motive — and of course I was proved totally wrong (and that’s very unusual!) — totally did not see that ending coming even though all the clues were there — the hallmark of a great writer!
Elizabeth J. Duncan — Murder on the Hour (Penny Brannigan series) I love this series! While I have no knowledge of Wales — or of sketching — nor have I ever had a manicure — or gone to a spa — yet this series just somehow draws me in every time. The characters seem like old friends that I love to spend a few hours with & catch up on their lives every now & again. Can’t wait till the next installment. (Oh, and I absolutely LOVE that Penny is friends with Jeanne M. Dams’ Dorothy Martin and the two characters “visit” in each others’ books!)
Hannah Dennison — A Killer Ball at Honeychurch Hall (Honeychurch Hall series) I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!! A modern day Downton Abbey with addition of zany cast of characters. So much fun. Can hardly wait for the next installment!
Paige Shelton — The Cracked Spine (Scottish Bookshop series) I had not read any of the other series by this author but saw this one & was totally charmed by the cover… and the location… and the premise… Read it in pretty much one sitting!!! LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Charming setting, charming and mysterious characters, so many secrets, amazing bookstore with mysterious warehouse full of all kinds of fascinating objects — even the heavy blue key to the warehouse door draws you in! So many details that pull you in to the story — well — I literally couldn’t put it down.
Denise Swanson — Between a Book and a Hard Place (Devereaux’s Dime Store series) I really enjoyed this latest installment in the Devereaux’s Dime Store mystery series. The murder mystery had me guessing till the very end, as well as the “puzzle” of the UFO hunters invading the town. I hope there will be many more books in this series, as I love the “small town feel” and the many interesting characters with their various back stories. I just hope Dev picks ONE boyfriend once and for all, as I’ve never been a fan of the whole “love triangle” thing going on in so many mystery series these days. The mystery puzzle is enough to stand on its own without the romantic distraction.
Kylie Logan — And Then There Were Nuns (League of Literary Ladies series) — As discussed on the blogpost about this series earlier this month, I’ve loved this series since the very beginning. This newest title is the best so far. On an isolated island, brought together by a mysterious (but absent host), cut off by a storm, a group of nuns… being killed off one by one? A riff on the Agatha Christie book “And Then There Were None”, Logan tells the best story so far — and in this book does bring out the secrets Bea (and her boyfriend) have been hiding.
Maia Chance — Cinderella Six Feet Under (Fairy Tale Fatal series) This is a cozy series with a decidedly original twist. Taking place in the 1800s, American variety performers Prue and Ophelia fall into a series of European adventures, where old “fairy tales” are actually based in some version of local reality and they need to solve the associated mystery. In this installment, they trace Prue’s mother to her new home in Paris, and find a dead girl in the pumpkin patch…dressed in a Cinderella costume… missing a shoe… and the house? The family home of the original Cinderella’s father and stepmother… and the residents of the house are the descendants of the wicked stepsisters… SO MUCH FUN!!!!!
Rita Mae Brown — Tall Tail (Mrs. Murphy series) — Newest installment of this old favorite series, Brown has introduced a new twist — in the previous title she introduced a cast of characters living in the same location but in the time of the revolutionary war — and moving back and forth between the historical characters and the modern day characters in the same place — and the mystery that ties them together. In this title she has continued this — same historical characters, now after the revolutionary war — and again going back and forth between the two time periods, and the mystery that binds them together yet again. Very well crafted! I hope to read more about the historical characters in upcoming books — I like them even better than the modern day folks! (and there’s even a corgi in the revolutionary time period as well!)
Carolyn Haines — Rock-A-Bye Bones (Sarah Booth Delaney series) — SOOOOOO GOOOOD!!!!!!!!!! I was waiting & waiting for this to come out! Read it yesterday in one sitting! One LONG sitting LOL! Sarah Booth Delaney finds a newborn baby left on her doorstep & must find the baby’s mother before time runs out for the missing mom. Also a secondary plotline running through the past few books that throws complications in her way. Excellent read, best so far!
B. B. Haywood — Town In A Cinnamon Toast (Candy Holliday series) — Warning — If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, stop right now & go back & start the series at the beginning! While the previous books were written so that they could stand alone, there was a secondary backstory running through them — in this book, that secondary story is now the main plot — so you don’t want to read this without reading the others first! That said, it would seem like the series now came to an end with the resolution (or not) of that plotline — however I’ve read on a blog that there will be more to come… so…. I guess its not over till its over!
That’s it for this month — only 10 books read — BUT THEY WERE VERY GOOOOOOD BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Liz says
This series is not over.
Marianne says
Thank you so much for the recommendation of Mayhem at the Orient Express. Loved it, too!
The book I read and loved most this month wasn’t so cozy, but it was just gripping – The Murder of Mary Russell by Laurie R. King. The pacing was just amazing, owing to the switching of scenes/narrators. The suspense kept me turning the pages right up to the end, and I enjoyed reading Mrs. Hudson’s back story. I think it was King’s best in recent installments in the series.
susy says
I have really enjoyed the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. So much so, that I only have two books left to read! They are crafted in a way similar to the Charles Todd books — tone, plotting, pace. Not just the time period. I have also read Susan Elia Macneal’s book Mr Churchill’s Secretary, with her second novel in my to-be-read pile. I recommend both series.
Elaine says
I read some good ones this month:
All washed up – Joanna Campbell Slan – Cara Mia recently opened a new store with unique items that are hand crafted by her talented friends. The shop owner next door is killed and Cara & her friends along with her grandfather & son attempt to solve the mystery. Joanna Campbell Slan is an excellent writer. Her popular series is Kiki Lowenstein where she spun off Cara Mia to her own series. As much as I love Kiki I think I am loving Cara. This is the third in the series and the author is slowly pulling you in to the trials & tribulations of the characters. Can’t wait for the next book.
And than there were Nun – Kylie Logan. Love this series. Bea owns a B&B on the island and is asked to help with meals for 10 nuns that will be staying at a monastery on the island. Bea is a member of The League of Literary Ladies. Her fellow members are helping her with the task besides keeping her establishment running at the same time.
The book falls in line with the Agatha Christie novel “And than there were none. Her secret is revealed in this book.
Bodice of Evidence- Nancy Parra. This is the second in the series. Pepper runs an engagement business. She plans engagement theme parties. In this book her sister is getting married so she is going to dress shops helping her sister find a wedding dress. At the last shop of the day Pepper finds the owner dead in back of the store. It is a quick moving enjoyable book.
Sketch a Falling Star – Sharon Pape. This is the second in this series.
Rory who was a sketch artist for the police now has her own PI business. She has a ghost that lives in her uncle’s house which she has inherited. Her aunt is in an off Broadway group and a member of the cast drowns in a freak accident. The mother of the victim hires Rory to investigate as she suspects it was a murder. Marshall helps Rory on the cases. The second story line is Rory trying to help the ghost, Marshall find out who killed him years ago. It is very cleverly written even though Marshall is a ghost he gets energy to appear with her outside of the house.
Margaret M. says
I am reading this book for a second time, and although not a traditional cozy, it is a pretty traditional mystery. JOYLAND by Stephen King, yes Stephen King. It takes place in the 70’s and it is written in the first person, and the story is told by Devin. He recounts his time working at an amusement park in North Carolina while in college. It surrounds the mystery of a girl who was murdered in the parks only “dark ride” sometime earlier. Classic Stephen King, along with the well crafted mystery, there is a ghost, a mysterious neighbor and her son with a past, a physic with some pretty accurate visions and plenty of creepy characters. And it is a coming of age story with love, loss and growing pains. The first time I read it, I found myself in tears and the second time around, I still find myself in tears. I know some people don’t read King as he is known more for his horror; but he is an amazing writer and this book is so well done.
Ginger says
I read 22 of the authors recommended. I have not been reading much lately. But now that school is out and as soon as I clean house,and storage building I will be reading a lot. With a local book fair coming up this weekend and it is time for needs books to be out. Watch out reading here I come.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ginger, that’s right >>> it’s almost summer and school will be out soon. It will be time to get all caught up with your reading!