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Cozy Mystery Books Recommendations – April 2012

It’s the end of April and, as some of you know, it is time for me to ask you all to tell us about the mystery books you all have been enjoying this month. And, of course, since this is for the Cozy Mystery site, I am hoping that you will tell us about those Cozy Mysteries you have enjoyed. (Please do not tell us about the authors you have disliked!)

I will make up a list of all of the Cozy Mystery Books Recommendations for the month of April, but will leave your comments up so that people can see the reasons you enjoyed the mystery.

What Cozy Mystery book (or author) have you read during April 2012, and why did you enjoy it (or him/her)?

I’m going to start this thread by telling you about a book I just finished. It’s called Never Buried, and is by Edie Claire. About a month ago, Claire contacted me to let me know that all of her Leigh Koslow “Never” mystery books are now on Kindle and Nook format. My daughter tried Claire’s first mystery in the series and wrote to tell me how much she enjoyed it. (I’m surprised she told me, since she is currently studying for her last semester finals!) I knew I had to try the book when she told me that it reminded her of Anne George’s books.

I read the book, and totally agree with her. The relationships between all of the major (and minor) characters really have a ring of authenticity. These are three dimensional “people”. There was no overtly saccharine “everybody loves everybody” relationship that I could see, these characters (like people) have their foibles and different motivations.

I also really enjoyed the “mystery part” of the book. A lot of times, I am willing to overlook a weak mystery because the characters (my most important interest) are so good. In this case, both the mystery and the characters are strong.

I strongly recommend Never Buried by Edie Claire.

April 2012 Author and Series Recommendations:

Avery Aames (aka Daryl Wood Gerber): Cheese Shop Mystery Series

Tasha Alexander: Lady Emily Mystery Series

Marian Babson:  Trixie Dolan & Evangeline Sinclair Mystery Series

Donald Bain & “Jessica Fletcher“: Murder, She Wrote Mystery Series

Ella Barrick (aka Lila Dare & Laura DiSilverio): Ballroom Dance Mystery Series

M. C. Beaton: Hamish Macbeth Mystery Series

Simon Brett: Fethering Mystery Series

Emily Brightwell: Mrs. Jeffries Mystery Series

Rita Mae Brown: Mrs. Murphy Mystery Series

Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib): Key West Food Critic Mystery Series

Dorothy Cannell: Ellie Haskell Mystery Series

JoAnna Carl (aka Eve K. Sandstrom): Chocoholic Mystery Series

Elizabeth Lynn Casey (aka Laura Bradford): Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series

Edie Claire: Leigh Koslow “Never” Mystery Series

Jane K. Cleland: Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery Series

Harlan Coben: Stand Alones

Kate Collins: Flower Shop Mystery Series

Susan Conant: Dog Lover’s Mystery Series

Cleo Coyle (aka Alice Kimberly): Coffee House Mystery Series

Carola Dunn: Daisy Dalrymple Mystery Series

Anne Emery: Father Brennan Burke & Monty Collins, Esq. Mystery Series

Vivienne Fagan: Hilda Hopkins Mystery Series

Monica Ferris: Needlecraft Mystery Series

Amanda Flower: India Hayes Mystery Series

Carolyn Hart: Henrie O Mystery Series

B. B. Haywood: Candy Holliday Mystery Series

Marianna Heusler: St Polycarp Mystery Series

Anthony Horowitz: The House of Silk

Sofie Kelly: Magical Cats Mystery Series

Amanda Lee (aka Gayle Trent): Embroidery Mystery Series

Virginia Lowell: Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery Series

G. A. McKevett: Savannah Reid Mystery Series

Jenn McKinlay (aka Lucy Lawrence & Josie Belle): Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series

Donna Huston Murray: Ginger Barnes Main Line Mystery Series

Mark Schweizer: Liturgical Mystery Series

Paige Shelton: Farmer’s Market Mystery Series

Charles Todd: Bess Crawford Mystery Series

Nicola Upson: Josephine Tey Mystery Series

Jacqueline Winspear: Maisie Dobbs Mystery Series

♦To access more Cozy Mystery Books Recommendations, click on this link♦

Comments

  1. Jacqueline Winspear’s books just get better and better. “Elegy for Eddie” was a great story with multi-dimensional characters.

    I also read Lisa Burdett’s “An Appetite for Murder,” a new series featuring a food critic in Key West. Love the setting!

    • Thanks, Marianne, I’ll go add both Jacqueline Winspear and Lisa Burdett to the April 2012 list.

    • I tried reading this Jacqueline Wispear before and I just couldn’t get interested. But because so many of you have recommended this writer so often I thought I would try again. I got several of her books at the library yesterday. I sure hope I like these this time. There sure are a lot of books out by this writer. This could keep me in reading material for a few weeks.

  2. This month I have been reading Carola Dunn’s series Daisy Dalyrmple. I have enjoyed every minute of the stories. Easy reads with wonderful characters and great setting. Does anyone have suggestions for my next reading adventure? I also have on the TBR shelf, Jacqueline Winspear’s series.

  3. I just updated the post to add my Cozy Mystery book for the April 2012 Cozy Mystery Books Recommendations.

  4. I am continuing with two series that I enjoy. The first is “French Pressed”, which is part of the coffeehouse mystery series by Cleo Coyle. The second is “Deadly Notions”, which is part of the southern sewing circle mystery series by Elizabeth Lynn Casey. I have just started “Books Can Be Deceiving”, which is the first book in the library lover’s mystery series by Jenn McKinlay. We’ll see if it ends up on my like list for May.

    • Laura, I’m on my way to add Cleo Coyle and Elizabeth Lynn Casey to the April 2012 list. Thanks!

  5. Well I know I’m repeating myself from the last few “monthly” entries but I’ll do it anyway, hehe. I finished catching up on Kate Collins flower shop series, love it! I also continued with Carola Dunn’s Daisy series, love it! I also advanced my progress in GA Mckevett’s Savannah Reid series, a little harder-core for a cozy but still entertaining. As for new reads this month, I read the first in Ella Barrick’s ballroom series, I enjoyed it and will give it another try. The first in Virginia Lowell’s Cookie shop series, also enjoyable. And finally book 2 of Jenn Mckinlay’s library lover’s series, which I am enjoying (although I do like her cupcake series better).

    There are so many new series coming out that I am interested in checking out it’s getting harder to keep up! Not to mention all the already established series that I want to catch up with…I need more hours in the day! 🙂

  6. I loved Elegy for Eddie, too. Winspear really draws you into Maisie Dobbs’ world.
    I just finished the 20th anniversary Mrs. Murphy mystery, The Big Cat Nap, by Rita Mae and Sneaky Pie Brown. I love these books, and the latest did not disappoint. I love how she writes a good mystery with great characters and involves an issue most of us know nothing about – and should! I learned an awful lot about tractors, auto racing, and auto parts – subjects I never thought could be so interesting to me! But the real stars are Harry’s friends and animals. I can’t believe this is the 20th, but I hope she keeps going for many more!

    • Thanks, Deb. It is difficult to believe Mrs. Murphy has been around this many years. Did you happen to see the movie with Ricki Lake as Harry?

      • I loved the movie. I wish I could find my tape of it. I wish they had done more.
        Now I’m reading Lie Like a Rug, by Donna Huston Murray, and thoroughly enjoying it. For one thing, it’s set in Philadelphia, near where I grew up, and it’s great to read about all the places I haven’t seen for years. Gin Barnes is the wife of a private school headmaster, and between school problems and the trouble her old babysitter is in, she has a lot of opportunities to get involved. Unfortunately, there’s only one available for NOOK. But Kindle users are in luck, because some of them are free!

        • I just had an email exchange with Donna Huston Murray, who is getting 2 more books ready for NOOK!

          • I loved Murder She Purred: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery, I only saw it the one time it aired. I too thought there would be more made. I wish there were more cozy mystery movies.

        • Thank you, Deb, both for telling us about your April 2012 pick, and also for getting the word to us Kindle owners that some of her (Donna Huston Murray) books are free.

          Margaret, it’s too bad the Hallmark channel doesn’t make these books into movies, like they did with the Debbie Macomber Mrs. Miracle movies.

      • That WAS a good movie adaptation. Ricki Lake was great and Christina Pickles made a great “Big Mim”! They should make an HBO series of the Mrs Murphy books. Tho’ the books are probably not sexy/violent enough for HBO 🙁 Maybe AMC … we can always hope

        • Marja, you have probably identified the reason there weren’t more Mrs. Murphy movies!

    • Y’know, I LOVE Mrs. Murphy mysteries, but now that the covers all look alike, I can’t be sure where I stopped. The titles are awfully alike too sometimes … the last one I read had Harry and her husband at the Kentucky Derby … what’s the next one? I loved the old covers with the detailed drawings on the front. At least they still publish drawings inside. They are so charming!

      • Yikes, Marja! It sounds like you read through your mystery series withOUT a list! I absolutely need a list so I can mark off the titles of the books I have read.

  7. I finished a Frank Tuttle (Cozy fantasy/urban fantasy) — LOVED it. The Banshee’s Walk. Great read and it was funny too. Lots of giggles.

    I did finish a couple I didn’t like, but I won’t mention them here! I read and read thinking they would get better, but they were just disappointing. Characters didn’t stay in character. Hmph.

    Onward! There are more books!

  8. This month, with one exception, I’ve tried new (for me) authors. The exception was Simon Brett’s recent Fethering mystery “Bones Under the Beach Hut”. I really like this series and this one was just as good at the previous ones in the series.

    The new authors I’ve tried are:
    The first three books in Emily Brightwell’s Mrs Jeffries series.
    Dorothy Cannell’s “The Thin Woman” and “The Widows Club”.
    Tasha Axexander’s “And Only to Deceive”.
    and
    Anthony Horowitz’s “The House of Silk”.

    I enjoyed them all. Particularly Emily Brightwell’s Mrs Jeffries books. I’ve already ordered some more from the series!

    • Carrie, that looks like a very eclectic group of mysteries. I have added them all to the April list.

  9. Danna, I just this week finished reading “Those Across the River” by Christopher Buehlman. When I first started to read this book I thought oh, here we go! Another book set in the mid 1930’s, during Prohibition and during the Great Depression. Both time periods that I really like to read about, mainly because I had heard so many stories of that time from my parents and from my grandmother. This was a good book. But if any of you start to read this book, beware of a sudden change! Maybe some of you won’t be as slow on the uptake as I was and you will be able to figure out sooner what was happening.
    I should have known what kind of story this was going to be when I read that author Charlaine Harris said it was one of the best first time novels she had ever read!!! Maybe I should pay more attention to who is recommending the books that I read.

    • I know this may not be the place, but Linda, I can’t help saying that if you like 1930’s settings / paranormals: Go straight out and find the first series of P.N. Elrod’s Jack Fleming mysteries!!
      Set in 1930’s Chicago, Jack is a PI with a twist. (I won’t give any spoilers! Lol!)
      The first seven books form a continuing story arc, but can easily be read as stand-alones. They are absolutely brilliant!
      Be warned: The series does change and gets much darker and nastier, from Bk 8 (Lady Crymsyn) onwards. The first ones, though, are great and they are true to their period, in that they do Not contain graphic sex, violence, or foul language.
      Enjoy!

      • Well, I don’t know if this book is paranormal or not Danna, But I sure hope it is!! Just teasing.
        Susan, It isn’t that I like paranormal books. I really don’t. But I didn’t know that when I first started to read the book.
        I picked the book up because the time period was the 1930s, the Great Depression, Prohibition, and it was placed in a small town in the state of Georgia. I thought I was going to get a history lesson on that time period. I sure did get a lesson!!
        Why are so many strange stories like this set in the mountains in the South!! Makes me think those people in the South need to get a grip on reality. I know several people from the south and they don’t seem to be this way.
        I think setting some of these stories do an injustice to people in these areas. I am from Ohio, by the way.

        • OK, Linda, you had me going with your “I don’t know if this book is paranormal…” If you had told us Charlaine Harris recommended this author in, let’s say, 1999, then I wouldn’t have had a clue.

  10. One of the recommendations I have for April is Town in a Wild Moose Chase by B. B. Haywood (writing team of Robert Feeman and Beth Feeman).

    This is an entertaining and well-crafted mystery with just a ‘hint’ of the supernatural, set in a small Maine community. The storyline is complex, involving a winter festival, an ice sculpting contest, AND (most importantly) a white moose!

    There is a ‘romantic’ aspect to the story with the sleuth dating the owner of the newspaper where she writes a column. It’s a beginning relationship which most likely will take several books to develop (if it does). An inkling of the next story is given at the end, indicating the newspaper owner has an important role in the next mystery.

    The only ‘extraneous’ writing the author(s) did was add in three characters (eccentric sisters who live in a mansion) which I thought was unnecessary to the plot (just added a few more pages to the book). However, if these characters were introduced because they will be used in future books, then it probably makes sense. The mystery is intriguing and keeps the reader interested. I had a difficult time putting it down, finishing it in 1½ days.

    My other recommendation for April is Dolled Up For Murder by Jane Cleland.

    This is a very well written series. In the first book of the series, the sleuth meets and eventually falls in love with the police chief as they solve the crime. BUT after that, the police chief quits for another position, taking him out of town all the time. Subsequent stories have very little of a ‘romance’ story line, except in phone calls. I only mention it because this ought to please several of you who said you preferred just a ‘mystery and not a romance’ in an earlier discussion about ‘boyfriend detectives’. Ironically the ‘main character’ (other than the sleuth) in this book is the current police chief (no romance – just a friend).

    This story combines some history with the mystery. There is a well researched focus on antique dolls. The characters are all very credible/interesting. Of course, the New Hampshire setting is idyllic. The stories are somewhat self-contained, so it isn’t ‘necessary’ to read this series sequentially. The mystery has many twists and turns and is well paced.

    This is something that hasn’t been discussed much here – the pacing of a mystery. I find many variations amongst cozy authors. Several authors go slowly through most of the book, before speeding up at the end. It’s like the author reaches page 200 (or whatever) and says, “oh-oh, I’ve got to finish this!” Others start out very fast and slow up next to nothing in the final chapters. I LIKE a well paced story and good authors like Jane Cleland deliver!

    I know we have discussed favorite authors that others may ‘not like’ because we have such individual tastes. BUT, I can recommend this author, confident the majority will like this antique series.

    • MJ, You really did make some good points here. I have read some books that are really good in the begining but then the last part of the book seems to be hurried. The story just seems to end without the conflict being settled. I know some writers will leave cliff hangers for future books but it just seems the writer is tired of writing and just wants to get the book finished. I don’t know.

      Then another point is the romantic part of the story. I do like a little romance in the story. What I don’t care for is the step by step description of the sexual encounter. Most of us are adults here. I think we all know what goes on. We don’t always need a step by step description.
      Also MJ, I have read books that introduce certain characters into the beginning of a story. While the character seems to be important to the story the writer seems to forget about that character.

      The book you recommended really sounds like a good one. I will try to pick it up.

      • Linda, good point about romantic encounters. I, too, like some romance in a story and a good description of the breathless moments that LEAD UP to a sexual encounter. But I like things like,

        “He kissed me on the nape of my neck. I knew what that meant.”

        “Afterward, we lay close and began talking about the case ….”

        As you say, we’re grown and we know what happens! And we can each bring our own visions of what a terrific encounter is like, if we care to.

        I have grown to dislike the intimately described sex scenes. And intimately described violence, for that matter.

    • MJ, thanks for the very in-depth descriptions of B. B. Haywood and Jane K. Cleland. I’ll go add tem to the list right now…

  11. HI All I am just finishing Amanda Lee’s The Long Stitch Good night. I really enjoy this series I like the setting and the people in it. I don’t know why but I really get into and enjoy the quilting and sewing themed mysteries even though I don’t know how to do either. I also forgot to mention that the print is bigger in these books – more than others so makes for a fast read. I am waiting for Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates to come out May 1st looks like an exciting new series to read and can’t wait to get it.

    • Thanks, Alfred. This is in my TBR pile and I will try to get to it sooner. I don’t quilt, but I appreciate the craft. Also, I like bigger print in the paperbacks, too. My eyesight is not that bad, but I recently gave up on a paperback because the print was so small!

      • Laura and Alfred. I don’t quilt either, but I sure would like to learn someday soon. Maybe next winter I can go take lessons. What I like about the quilting, knitting and sewing series’ is the friendships that seem to develop in these type of series. Just to be able to belong to a group with a common interest must be wonderful. That is why I love this forum so much. It seems that, although we all like to read mysteries we don’t all like to read the same type of mystery. But we can still express that difference without hurting others’ feelings.
        Most of the books with quilting themes deal with people who have other interests but come together because of that one interest. I love that.
        Someday I will get the nerve to venture out again. That is one of the reasons that I am having the carpal tunnel surgery. I want to be able to take knitting lessons and quilting lessons but couldn’t do it with these flunky hands of mine.

    • Thanks, Alfred. I am not a “culinary whiz” by any means, but there are several culinary-theme Cozy Mystery series that I follow. I bet there are a lot of us who end up doing this. (I’ll go add Amanda Lee to the list.”)

  12. Working my way thru Susan Conant’s dog lovers mysteries. Was on vacation (a cruise with 9 days at sea!) so I read more than usual. Four left til I’m caught up and can’t find 3 of the 4! Started Jeffrey Cohen’s series just this morning so it slips in under the gun for April.

    • Jackie, nine day at sea? That sounds like an absolutely delicious time!

  13. Several general recommendations for this month. All recent discoveries, strangely enough. The first is “A Body to Die For” by Grant Michaels. Found in a local charity bookshop. (I love eclectic 2nd hand bookshops!! Lol!)
    I will say, now, that this may not be to everyone’s taste, as the main character is an openly gay (and slightly effeminate) male, and that is part of the theme of the book. There is no explicit sex or violence, though there is some sexual language.
    Stan is a hairdresser (Hence the title) who is implicated in the death of another gay man, and in order to clear himself, decides to do some investigating of his own.
    I liked it. A lot. The banter between Stan and his manicurist, Nicole, had me hooked by page 8, and this one has gone on my ‘Keep’ list.
    I’m also part way through “The Tale of Holly How” by Susan Wittig Albert. One of her Beatrix Potter mysteries. I’m not wild about it, so far, but several people have mentioned liking Rita Mae Brown’s mysteries, and I think if you like those – you will LOVE these! Very similar in tone, and in how a good part of the story is told by the animals.
    Plus – I’ve just discovered JoAnna Carl. ‘The Chocolate Bear Burglary’. This I AM wild about! (Chocolate, and a well-written ‘classic’ cozy!! How can you possibly go wrong?? Lol!)
    The title really says it all about the story. The main character, Lee, works for her aunt’s small-town chocolate shop. Said small town is holding a ‘Teddy Bear Festival’, and the mystery centres around a collection of valuable antique chocolate moulds – Bear shaped, naturally! – along with some family complications. Involving more than one family.
    This is one of the best I’ve read in a while and I highly recommend it!!
    Happy Reading All!

  14. A great series I just read and loved! The author is Marianna Heusler. The first book is Murder At St. Polycarp and the second is Cappuccino at the Crypt. It has a lot of humor. Two teachers try to solve crimes while their boss, Father Felix, is always trying to keep them out of trouble. The three of them are great together!

    • Thanks, Dianne, for telling us about Marianna Heusler and her St. Polycarp Mystery Series.

  15. This month I have been reading and enjoying G. A. McKevett’s Savannah Reid mystery series. I just started Murder a la Mode.

    There are so many other authors/books I want to read that are on the list …… unfortunately you can read only one book at a time!

  16. Read quite a few new cozies this month. There were a few I I didn’t care for. Even though I have been reading cozies for years, I think I am finally realizing what I like and don’t like in a cozy.

    A first in a series that I read and enjoyed was “If Fried Chicken Could Fly” by Paige Shelton. It has an attention grabbing beginning in Gram’s cooking school. The characters were likeable, colorful and interesting. The location Broken Rope, Missouri has an interesting and unusual history. One can see other books developing from Broken Rope. I normally don’t care for paranormal in mysteries, but the cowboy ghost was an engaging character and central to the plot. I prefer this series to Paige’s other farmer market series. Will read the next in the series when it is published.

    Would like to mention 3 other series that I am progressing on. I missed these books over the years. This site and your recommendations made me aware of them. I am enjoying them immensely.

    The first is Carolyn Hart’s Henrie O series. Henrie O has become one of my favorite sleuths. She is smart and confident. Some authors portray 60 something characters as practically gaga or as a comedy foil. I sometimes wonder if those authors know any 60 plus people. I finished “Death in Lovers’ Lane” which is the 3rd in the series.

    Finished Simon Brett’s “Death On The Downs” with the two unlikely sleuths of Carole and Jude. Have the next in the Fethering seres here to read. This is a great series.

    Finally, I enjoyed Betsy Devonshire in Monica Ferris’s book “Framed In Lace”. This is the 2nd in the series. I saw these books around over the past years but didn’t realize how good and well written they would be. I perceived them to be different than they are. So far it is a great series. I am glad I finally tried “Crewel World” which started me with this series.

    So thanks to Danna, this site and this group I am enjoying some new to me authors.

    • Lynn T, I know exactly what you are saying about the site helping you identify three new-to-you authors! I just started reading my first Corinna Chapman mystery (by Kerry Greenwood), and am enjoying it a lot. The reason I finally decided to try this mystery is because so many people have recommended it. I’m glad I finally took the plunge…. and am grateful to those who “talked” about it here.

  17. I’m not going to mention the title or author of the book I just finished because the comments I make can be interpreted as negative. I normally would have recommended this book because the author did a great research job on an interesting topic, incorporating it into the story line. I was wondering what others think of excessive cliff hangers when we have to wait at least a year for the next book.

    I EXPECT a ‘cozy’ to finish the story line and everyone is ‘happy’ (so to speak) – everything tied up with a neat little bow. I know authors may offer a tease of something to come in the next book, usually involving a continuing relationship or even something indicating the next story line, but not affecting the current story line. I’m fine with this type of ending. HOWEVER this book takes all this to the max and frustrates the reader (me!). It ends with the pregnant sleuth shot in the temple, a good friend shot in the abdomen, a mother-in-law with ‘injuries’ (some unmentioned), and a criminal (conning the mother) with a warrant out, still not arrested! YIKES – it’s bit much! Nothing is said about whether the wounded people even survive to make it to the next book – it just leaves the reader hanging. One can ‘assume’ the sleuth will survive (or the series WON’T), but what about the baby?

    This author most likely sets up the ending this way so readers will purchase the next book. I suppose it is a good marketing tool if it entices us to do so. I checked the author’s website and it hasn’t been updated for a few years. The last two books in this series aren’t even mentioned. I looked at the reviews on Amazon and seven reviewers gave this book either 4 or 5 stars and loved it – especially the ending. So, most likely, my tastes are in a minority! What does everyone think of ‘cozies’ with numerous loose endings? I’m pretty annoyed by this one.

    • Ha! that’s interesting, MJ, because I just finished a book which opens with two police detectives who are married [to each other!] At the end of the book, every “permanent” relationship seems severed, and the main character is coming back in another book … I’m wondering if I want to read the next one. The author did a good job drawing characters, but to lose two significant ones in the end … not by death, but other means … was disappointing!

    • MJ, I’m with you about cliff hangers. I don’t think ANY books should end without … (what’s the word?) an END!!!

      If I take the time to read a book, I expect the story to be contained in the book>>> and not continued in another book. I would ditch that author right away!

      On the other hand, if the book is a multi part book, it should be labeled as such.>>> Clearly marked as “Part 1 of 2” or “Trilogy” on the front or back covers would be OK… I love my series, but I expect each of the individual books to have an ending.

      I dropped an author when I saw a pattern: She would always bring the main sleuth’s heart-throb back in the very last chapter each book. Of course, he would be gone in the next mystery book, and then reappear in the last chapter of that mystery book. Frankly, I didn’t care if he ever came back., and the ploy just got too predictably old for me. Enough, already!

  18. I counted I read all but 4 of the april list, I have been reading from harquelin romantic suspense. It started in January and will finish in June. One book a month and it’s set in Perfect Wyoming, about a cult and what the people do about it.
    I know it is not a cozy but I read all types of mystery books.
    The fact is the series is written by different authors, several who I read which got me interested. One of the authors is Marie Ferrarella who writes books in Louisiana. I will try to catch on cozy books next month. Danna by the way our bb is 3 games away from playing for the state championship. If we get there, guess what will be going with me, my books. They never missed sports event at my school. My school will be out in 12 days. Reading here I come until August.

    • Good luck, Ginger, on the basketball team making the state championships!

  19. Harlan Coben definitely does not write cozies but his books are so good. I just read Caught (great) and another. Really recommend his books but they do contain alot of what most of these readers want to avoid.

    • Ricky, the Cozy Mystery site has quite a few mystery authors who aren’t Cozy. I’ll add Harlan Coben to the April 2012 list.

  20. I did not get to too many books this month. For my book club I read the second Sofie Kelly Magical Cats Mystery “Sleight of Paw”.
    I read the second Avery Aames Cheese Shoppe Mystery “Lost in Fondue”. Although I enjoyed the first in the series, I enjoyed the second one more. I thought it flowed nicely and really focused on the mystery. Even the side stories connect in some way to the mystery and the murder. The Mystery is always the main topic. Side stories are okay, but I don’t like when it takes away from the mystery. What Avery Aames does in her stories is introduce small side mysteries into the story, for example some characters have mysterious pasts, which intertwine with the murder or mystery. The character introductions were in the first and now in the second we find out just a little more about them, but there is still a little held back.
    I am now reading Donald Bain (Jessica Fletcher) Murder She Wrote Series “A Slaying in Savannah”. I love love loved “Trick or Treachery” and “Fatal Feaste” which take place in Cabot Cove. I am reading this because I love Savannah. Donald Bain really gets his facts right about the setting which makes it enjoyable for me. I hate bad fact checking, when an author uses a real location, especially when I know an area. He really writes the books like the T.V. series; Jessica is smart and sharp and witty. The plot is well thought out and the story moves quickly. I will definitely read more. I also like that they are written almost like “stand alones” you won’t get confused if you read them out of order. Especially with a series this large, it would be hard to start from the beginning.

    • I am dying to ask this: does Sofie Kelly stop having her main character say “Crap on toast!” ?

      I enjoyed the first Magical Cats Mystery quite well, except this stupid phrase was really a turnoff! A simple “oh, crap!” would’ve fulfilled the purpose just fine.
      ________________________________

      I have a very hearty recommendation to all: Ann Emery’s Father Brennan Burke and Monty Collins, Esq. series!

      The first book in the series is “Sign of the Cross.” Monty, who is a lawyer in Halifax, Nova Scotia, must defend a priest accused of two murders. The priest is a complicated, difficult character; both men sing music of many kinds [Emery’s love for music is obvious and just one part of the appeal for me!]. Burke directs a children’s choir and in later books starts a choir for adults. Monty loves to sing blues and is in a blues night group he and his friends call “Functus.”

      Each of Emery’s great characters, even some of the minor ones, really shines. These people are irritating, difficult, complicated, and Emery’s wit comes through in much of their dialogue! Monty’s ex-wife, with whom he shares custody of their two children, is a law professor with compassion [for everyone but Monty], razor-sharp intelligence and a tart wit. Father Burke matches her quip for quip.

      There is a lot of warmth in the family moments, and Burke, while a very difficult client for Monty, also begins a long campaign to re-join Monty and his ex in marriage.

      Emery is an excellent writer. To me her stories verge on literature, so, they aren’t among the more formulaic cozies.

      There are no offensive details of sexual acts. However, for devout Catholics, Fr. Burke is a bit of a handful. Let’s just say he sowed a few pret-ty wild oats in his past. [Before he became a priest, that is.]

      There is plenty of Irish humor and some Irish history in the stories, too.

      All around, some of the best mysteries I’ve read, and has made me curious to visit Halifax!

      • Gee, Marja, I didn’t even notice that phrase. I guess I think of that word as meaning “stuff” >>> so it never makes any impression on me.

        Also, thank you for telling us about Anne Emery’s Father Brennan Burke & Monty Collins, Esq. Mystery Series.

    • Thanks, Margaret, for adding Sofie Kelly, Avery Aames, Donald Bain, & “Jessica Fletcher” to the April 2012 list.

  21. I just started reading Never Buried by Edie Claire yesterday on my Kindle. I have to agree, it grabbed me from the very begining. Highly recommend this series.

    • I know, Barbara, isn’t Edie Claire good? I’m glad we found out about her!. I have added her to my list of “favorite authors” to follow.

  22. I’m back from Boston where I attended my 60th high school reunion. I was so unhappy in high school that I swore I would never attend a reunion and I did not until now. My husband said I had to lay my ghosts and I did and I am glad. Now on to books, this month I finished Simon Brett’s newest book in the Fethering Series. I had a long wait for the library to obtain a copy but it was worth it. The chief characters are the same but they seem to be mellowing. Carola Dunn is also allowing Daisy to develop naturally. I found McKevett’s book a little difficult to swallow and I am afraid that I am finished with her. Thanks for tip about the Josephine Tey’s books. I obtained the first one from the library and am enjoying it but am having difficulties following all the characters. I wish she supplied a list of characters. In between time I have been reading all the new books about the Titanic.

    • Regina, I hope you were able to lay some ghosts to rest at your high school reunion.

      Also, thanks for your recommended authors.

  23. I’m listening to “Duty to the Dead” by Charles Todd which takes place during WW1. It’s the first in the Bess Crawford series. Started listening on a road trip & it made the driving so much more pleasant. Looking forward to the next book. I believe there are only 3 in the series so far.

    • Ellen, I wouldn’t think of making a road trip without audio books. (I’ll go add Charles Todd to the list.)

  24. i just started reading SIMON BRETT’s fethering mystery books. i read three this month, also “MURDER BUYS A T SHIRT”by christy fifield, A TOUCH OF GOLD by jim lavene, “ALL THE PRETTY HEARSES” by mary daheim and “DEATH OF A KINGFISHER by m.c.beaton. she is my favorite.

  25. Maybe it’s because I’m a church organist and choir director, but I love Mark Schweizer’s books. The titles alone are funny and each book is laugh-out-loud funny! (which is especially embarrassing in the exam room of a doctor’s office!) I have been able to find these on Amazon for Kindle, but not in my library. Also, thanks to your wonderful site, I have enjoyed Lucy Arlington, Kate Kinsbury (especially her WWII books), and Monica Ferris. Thanks to your hard work, and readers’ comments, I have enjoyed reading cozies while recovering from a broken wrist. Thanks to all of you!

    • Marla, I’ve found a lot of authors from reading people’s comments, also. I hope your wrist is quick to mend! Hopefully your church has been able to find someone to fill in for you as the organist.

  26. I have been enjoying reading the Hilda Hopkins series of stories by Vivienne Fagen on my Nook. I believe you can also buy print versions from the author’s website. Hilda is definitely a unique character in cozies: she is a serial killer. I usually want the killer to be caught but in Hilda’s case I keep rooting for her to get away. The books are set in England and Hilda’s hobby is machine knitting, which I had never heard of before. I would consider them cozies because despite the body count, they are not particularly violent and they have re-occuring characters, such as the police sergeant who is trying to capture Hilda. There is also a lot of humor in the books. The stories are only .99 as ebooks and are novellas as opposed to novel length. I would recommend giving the first one a try to see if you are as intrigued by Hilda as I am.

    • Thank you, Dayna, for telling us about Vivienne Fagan’s Hilda Hopkins Mystery Series.

  27. This month I reread the first six books in Marian Babson’s Trixie and Evangeline mysteries before reading the latest book in that series, No Cooperation from the Cat. The main characters are former movie stars from the Golden Age. I love this series! It is very funny, and while each book is a complete mystery – there is an ongoing story line that follows their adventures as they plan on returning to the stage on London.

    Another book I read and enjoyed this month was Amanda Flower’s Murder in a Basket, the second India Hayes Mystery. The basic story was resolved in the book, but she through in a little teaser at the end that made me want to know what happens next. I met Amanda at Malice Domestic and she told me that she planned on writing the next book, but she was not sure when as she has a new series coming out soon under her own name starting with A Plain Death and another series coming out under Isabelle Alan (I think) – both are Amish related.

    • Thank you, Judith. I’ve just added Marian Babson and Amanda Flower to the April 2012 list.

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