If you read a Cozy mystery this month and want to recommend it to the rest of us, be sure to post it here! This month, I read Dorothy L. Sayers’s Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery Series. If you want to know why I recommend that series, be sure to check out the blog entry I wrote on it!
So, what have you been reading that you can recommend in September? 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 September 2018 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:
Susan Wittig Albert: China Bayles Herbal Mystery Series
Donna Andrews: Meg Langslow Mystery Series
Nancy Atherton: Aunt Dimity Mystery Series
Bree Baker: Seaside Cafe Mystery Series (first entry Live and Let Chai)
Lorna Barrett (aka L. L. Bartlett & Lorraine Bartlett): Booktown Mystery Series
M. C. Beaton: Hamish Macbeth Mystery Series
Ginger Bolton (aka Janet Bolin): Deputy Donut Mystery Series
Susan M. Boyer: Liz Talbot Mystery Series
Simon Brett: Mrs. Pargeter Mystery Series
Allison Brook (aka Marilyn Levinson): Haunted Library Mystery Series
Kate Carlisle: Bibliophile Mystery Series
Vivien Chien: Noodle Shop Mystery Series
Sheila Connolly (aka Sarah Atwell): Ocrchard Mystery Series AND County Cork Mystery Series
Cleo Coyle (aka Alice Kimberly)
Mary Daheim: Emma Lord Mystery Series AND Hillside Manor Bed & Breakfast Mystery Series
Carolyn F. Dean: Ravenwood Cove Mystery Series (first entry Bed, Breakfast, and Bones)
Charles Finch: Charles Lenox Mystery Series
Joanne Fluke: Hannah Swensen Mystery Series
Darci Hannah: Very Cherry Mystery Series (first entry Cherry Pies and Deadly Lies)
Sofie Kelly (aka Sofie Ryan & Darlene Ryan for Young Adult): Magical Cats Mystery Series
Cornelia Kidd (aka Lea Wait): Maine Murder Mystery Series
Libby Klein: Poppy McAllister Mystery Series (first entry Class Reunions are Murder)
M L Hamilton: Zion Sawyer Mystery Series (first entry Cappuchino)
Charlotte MacLeod (aka Alisa Craig): Sarah Kelling & Max Bittersohn Mystery Series
Faith Martin: Hillary Greene Mystery Series (first entry Murder on the Oxford Canal)
Jenn McKinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence): Library Lover’s Mystery Series
Louise Penny: Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery Series
Rebecca Raisin: Little Paris Mystery Series (first entry The Little Bookshop on the Seine)
Dorothy L. Sayers: Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery Series
Ashley Weaver: Amory Ames 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.
Elisabeth says
Just a note to say that I am reading the Lord Peter stories based on your recommendation and really enjoy them! Thanks for the recommendation, and I look forward to seeing what others have read recently. All the best from Oregon.
Robynn Peterson says
My favorite read this month has been a couple of series. 1) Bed, Breakfast, and Bones by Carolyn L dean. 2) The Little Bookshop on the Seine, by Rebecca Raisin. This is not a murder mystery but a mystery and love story.
Margaret Smith says
They also made an adorable series from those books. Definitely worth a view but never as good as her writing
Margaret Smith says
MC Beaton also writes a delightful series, Hamish Macbeth. Absolutely wonderful!
kate says
That is one of my favorites, too!
Susan says
Read Caffe Maccchiato by M L Hamilton. Have totally enjoyed this series, would recommend it and look forward to reading more.
Derek S says
Some books that I have read this month:
On the recommendations of previous months and the discussion about long series, etc I decided to give the Joanne Fluke series a try. I read the first two books in the series(Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder and Strawberry Shortcake Murder) and I really enjoyed them. The characters have depth to them. This is a series I want to finish but 20+ more books to read it might take me a little while to get them all read.
Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chen
I really like this series. The perspective from the Asian district is unique and getting the viewpoint from another culture is nice. I look forward to reading more from her.
Jo Anne Y says
Patti Larson, Alex Erickson, Denise Swanson, Sofie Kelly, Cleo Coyle among others and currently Donna Andrews’ latest “Toucan Keep a Secret”.
S T Simmonds says
I would like to thank the person (s), whom recommended Low Country mystery. I read the all the books in the series in less than 2 weeks. The characters were so well written that once you finish 1 book, you can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Hopefully, we will get more books from this author.
Karen N. says
I’ve been reading the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton. These stories are set in a rural English village filled with quirky and lovable characters. Our heroine, Lori Shepherd, seems to always find a mystery that needs solving with the help of the dearly departed Aunt Dimity and learns a life lesson at the same time. It’s like Mayberry goes to the English countryside.
Barb E says
I’m recommending three new series.
Live and Let Chai by Bree Baker follows the often used 1st of a series pattern: break-up, move home, open a shop, become murder suspect, hunky detective BUT it was very well done. Good writing, good characters. A book you can relax into and effortlessly enjoy.
Death and a Pot of Chowder by Cornelia Kidd (aka Lea Wait) has good characters and relationships.
Class Reunions are Murder by Libby Klein is a fun read.
Katia says
The Hillary Greene mysteries by Faith Martin. Love that she lives in a narrowboat (friends own one and I really enjoy trips with them), and all of the characters are interesting in their own ways. Plus, Hillary grows and changes as she is affected by the people and circumstances she is exposed to, so she is not just a static character. There is always something new to look forward to with her as well as a good mystery.
Janice G says
This was a great month for me – new books in long established favorite series and second books in promising new series. The Cats Came Back by Sofie Kelly is the newest book in my favorite series. Kathleen and the cats are participating in a photo shoot for a fund raising calendar when they discover the body of a young woman in town for a music festival. The cats, as usual, end up helping to catch the murderer.
Hitting the Books by Jenn McKinlay is the latest in the Library Lovers series and doesn’t disappoint. Lindsey watches in horror from a window in the library as a car aims at and then runs down a local tennis coach. As the attempts continue, Lindsey and her friends try to figure why someone is so intent on killing this woman who doesn’t seem to have any enemies.
An Act of Villainy is the latest in Ashley Weaver’s series set in 1930’s London. This book centers on a theatrical production and threats being made against the leading lady. The ending is a real surprise. I also enjoyed The Dough Must Go On, the latest in the Oxford Teashop mysteries by H.Y. Hanna. I found myself laughing out loud many times while reading this. Just today I finished the newest book by Ellen Byron, Mardi Gras Murder. I enjoyed reading about the difference in the celebration of Mardi Gras in a small town like Pelican versus New Orleans.
In newer series, I enjoyed Goodbye Cruller World, the second book by Ginger Bolton and Read and Gone by Allison Brook.
Ellyn L. says
I just read a prequel to the Charles Lenox series by Charles Finch, the woman in the water. Very engaging.
Marie Lawlor says
I’m currently going through Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series. Finally. She’s WONDERFUL!
Sherry says
I’m rereading Charlotte MacLeod Sarah and Max mysteries. I love meeting the characters and following all of Sarah’s relatives that reoccur in the stories. Ms MacLeod brings a Brahiam society to live.
Michelle M says
Susan Wittig Alberts China Bayles Mysteries. Like taking a wonderful horticulture class while solving a mystery. Characters you want as friends
Jennifer Meixsell says
No one mentioned anything by Shiela Connolly. Her County Cork series is among the best, and my “best” is DL Sayers. Her apple orchard series isn’t bad, either. And a good author is Lorna Barrett with her Book Town series.
Miriam GP says
I love the apple orchard series, I’ll have to read the County Cork one, thanks for the comment!
Linda says
and the Book Town Mystery is great! I’ve reread them several times. I would like to add Kate Carlisle Bibliophile Mystery and Kate Collins Flowershop Mystery and Charlaine Harris Aurora Teagarden. Hope you get to read them sleuths!!! #cozymysteries
Sally Fortney says
I enjoyed Kate Carlisle’s Buried in Books. Brooklyn and Derek and family and friends solve a murder as well as get married. We knew a lot about Brooklyn’s family, and this time we learned more about Derek’s. I love that Derek and the families are supportive of Brooklyn’s solving mysteries and even help.
Linda says
omg I love this series. One of my favorites is when she goes to Scotland for the Edinburgh Book Fair but I love the entire series each book and Brooklyn’s family and omg I’d love to visit live Dharma!!!
MJ says
September Recommendations — 2018
Goodbye Cruller World – Ginger Bolton
I read several books this month that I didn’t think ‘recommendation worthy’. I’m a bit late in posting this month’s recommendations because I wanted to finish the book I was reading so I could add it to this blog. I finished it at 11:00 last night (9/30), so it was still in September!
This is a very typical cozy, but I thought it stood out because this author really draws the reader into the story. She weaves and winds a story that keeps you consistently interested page after page.
Emily is a widow, her husband was a police detective killed while on a case four years ago. Emily and her father-in-law (Tom, retired police chief) have opened a donut place. The owner of a nearby shop is getting married and have asked Emily and tom to create a donut wall for their reception. The bridegroom is poisoned at the reception. Of course, the new bride is accused.
The characters are so vivid which makes the story particularly enjoyable. The plot is fairly well paced and laid out. The ending is explosive.
The ‘romance’ side stories are well written, keeping the reader engaged in this aspect of the book. Again, deftly weaving it consistently throughout the story.
This definitely is my favorite read of the month!
—————————-
Cherry Pies and Deadly Lies — Darci Hannah
This appears to be a new author in this genre. Her name could very well be a pseudonym, though.
First of all, I love, love the setting — Door County (WI). It is a beautiful area……….if you haven’t been there you’re missing out. So I REALLY, really wanted to like this book because of that.
Whitney Bloom is living in Chicago when she discovers that her family’s B&B and cherry orchard is in trouble.
So she moves back home to help. The orchard manager is murdered. Whitney’s father is the p;rime suspect.
I enjoyed the characters and this author wrote an excellent mystery with numerous twists and turns. Whitney is an intelligent protagonist. Many other characters have depth, adding appeal to the story.
However, the romance angles are unbelievable, especially since the author has developed such a smart and savvy character. Whitney even turns on her best friend by accepting a dinner date with her friend’s ‘romance interest’. There’s a certain ‘desperation’ aspect to this part of the story line.
I’m recommending this book because I think this author deserves encouragement as she is developing this series. She obviously has the ‘creative juices’. BUT, this story is 360 pages and way too long. You really feel the story drag in the middle. It needs a good editor to pare down 50+ pages and the unnecessary ramblings. I hope this author will take this critique as positive and learn from it before her next book (which I definitely will read).
Again, don’t let that put you off from reading this story, though, because you will enjoy the mystery and the MARVELOUS setting! Pack your bags — October is the best time to visit Door County (and the fish boils are super yummy!).
Miriam GP says
I’ve been reading Mary Daheim’s Emma Lord series: Emma’s a small town newspaper editor and owner, single mom of a priest, and mystery solver. Daheim’s other series about a B&B owner is truly good too.
Also, Simon Brett’s Mrs Pargeter is a great lady, and a lot of fun.
Vanesssa says
Vanessa R.
I have been reading an undercover dish mysteries: The Big Chili and Cheddar Off Dead
Book Dragon says
First, thank you for your website. I’ve found so many new books and authors to enjoy.
Second, now that you’re reading on a Kindle please check out The Mysteries of Max by Nic Saint, if you haven’t already.
I have included a review I did of one of the books for your reference.
*****Cats collect clues to solve mystery in entertaining read
Nic Saint (actually a married couple collaborating) writes this mystery series from the perspective of Max, the cat. In this adventure, Max and his feline friends, supporting his owner, newspaper reporter Odelia Poole, are investigating the murder of a TV personality who was literally roasted in a local restaurant’s over sized oven.
Now, what’s really interesting is that Odelia can talk with Max and his feline friends. Each story takes place in two intersecting worlds, so to speak: felines interacting with Odelia and then the feline characters have their own subplots. Saint writes incredibly entertaining fiction and makes it quite believable. In fact, with the Max Mysteries, Nic Saint provides an excellent example of meeting Aristole’s admonition in Poetics that a “convincing impossibility is preferable to an unconvincing possibility”. The reader can almost hear Max’s smart responses throughout this adventure.
The mysteries are smartly conceived and stand on their own. The story’s pace keeps the reader turning pages. Characters and relationships are well developed and the dialogue realistic. In Purrfect Heat red herrings abound but it all comes together neatly at the end.
Purrfect Heat is such a fun and easy read, the reader might well miss how masterful the story telling is.
I laughed out loud at Max’s antics. I wrote the author and asked for more. The reply is “I’m writing Max 5 right now, actually.” (9.5.17)
Linda says
Hi there, I’m always here looking for new #cozymysteries to read. I started with Aurora Teagarden years ago but it never dawned on me there was an entire world of cozy mysteries. After Flowershop Mystery became a Hallmark movie i looked in this further and bought the entire series, loved them still do. Then it dawned on me to do some online search and found this website, thank you! Where do I add my favorite cozy mystery authors?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, I do a monthly recommendations post like this one that will come up toward the end of the month (usually the 28th or 29th of the month) that would be very appropriate to suggest authors!