Patti B. sent me an email with the following entry idea:
… I was wondering if you’ve ever written a blog on the preferred age of protagonists in cozies. I loved Ann George’s southern sisters series, just wish she’d lived longer so she could have kept on writing them. I love M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin. I obviously love senior sleuths. Yesterday I had lunch with a friend who said she hated senior sleuths. She found them boring and didn’t know anyone who liked them… and I began to wonder—am I the only one who likes senior sleuths? (Obviously not since M.C. Beaton is making big bucks writing her books!) But I was wondering if the cozy readers who follow your blog have an opinion on this. Do you yourself, since you’re an avid cozy reader?
I started thinking about it the day I received Patti B’s email. Hmmm… Do I have a prefered age for my amateur sleuths?
I went through all of my favorite authors and thought about their sleuths’ ages. Wow! What a span of years!
I read one particular series that has sleuths from three age groups. And, after looking at all of my favorite authors’ sleuths, I think I can safely say I don’t have a particular age bracket that I strictly adhere to.
One of my favorite authors is Margaret Grace (aka Camille Minichino & Jean Flowers). She writes the Miniature Mystery Series which features Gerry Porter as its main sleuth. Gerry is a retired English teacher in California who has, as her side-kick sleuthing partner, her granddaughter, Maddie. Maddie is an eleven year old whiz on the computer, which helps Gerry immensely. Another (sort of) sleuthing partner of Gerry’s is her nephew, a thirty something police detective. So, with just that one series, I have the very youngest sleuth I follow, a young adult aged sleuth, and a (somewhat) older sleuth.
I have to admit, while I enjoy sleuths of all ages, I find myself drawn to senior sleuths. I have enjoyed senior sleuths for as long as I can remember. I wonder if it’s because Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple has been one of my very, very favorite amateur sleuths for years >>> going back to when I was quite young, I loved Miss Marple. No other sleuth could draw me into her world the way this clever, gray-haired lady could!
How about you? Do you have a favorite age for your amatuer sleuths? If so, why do you think you prefer that age bracket?
P.S. In case you do prefer senior sleuths, Susan* just suggested that I add these links to the Senior Sleuths lists.
SENIOR SLEUTHS:
In case you prefer young sleuths:
Mystery Books with Sleuths in Their 20s
And, here is a list of sleuths who are a little older than 20 and not quite yet seniors:
Stay-at-Home Moms &/or Housewives AND Stay at Home Dads &/or Househusbands in Mysteries
Sammie says
I read many different cozy mysteries and I would have to say that age is not the main factor for me. I am more drawn by the personality of the sleuths and the locale of the story.
Laurel says
I tend to lean towards the sleuths in the age range of 30’s and 40’s. I fall in that range myself, but I do enjoy some older sleuths too, I just don’t read them as much. Having said that, I usually choose what to read by story line and book cover.
Ruby says
I like all ages because each generation has something different to bring to the table. Growing up, I adored the Nancy Drew books, but as I got older, I just related to the older sleuths more. I don’t mind an older/elderly sleuth one bit…I’m an old soul who can quite easily imagine myself as an investigative geriatric some day, lol!
dragons3 says
I don’t have any preferred age, either. I enjoy Margaret Grace and really like that Maddie is an actual partner in the mystery solving, instead of just a tag-along. I like Ayelet Waldman’s books, with her young mother sleuth. I like Kathy Reichs (although NOT a cozy writer) with her middle-aged Brennan. Love Anne George’s sister sleuths and I also wish she had lived to write more books. I just like mysteries. As long as a book is well written and has an interesting sleuth and an intriguing mystery, I really don’t pay much attention to the age of the sleuth.
Sue says
Definitely seniors. Also probably caused by Miss Marple addiction in my youth. Suddenly somehow,now the seniors are my peers.
Anne says
While I don’t have a preference, I do love senior sleuths. Gladdy Gold, Anne George sister series (it’s still early and I can’t think of the character names). And now that I’m officially a senior (how the heck did that happen!) I really appreciate the books where this age group kicks some serious butt!
Lynn says
Age doesn’t matter to me either. Right now I’m reading Donna Andrews series of Meg Langslow. Before that I read the Southern Sisters. I too, love Miss Marple and have introduced my 12 yr old Granddaughter to the DVDs from the library. I’m handing down my mysteries to her as she is a fan also!
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
Hmm. I don’t think I have a favorite age, but probably 20s are some of my favorites. But then. I love Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune series because it combines a 20 something or early 30 something main with senior sleuths!!! And I liked Anne George too!
Really it’s more the personality than the age. I like cleverness and some daring. I like a little romance or flirting. I love humor and fun.
Amy says
I don’t think I would enjoy a child sleuth, unless I was reading a book meant for children or young adults. I love senior sleuths, always have. I think the personality matters more to me than the age; anyone can have annoying qualities!
Marie says
If you’re interested in testing whether you’d enjoy a child sleuth, try Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce books. I didn’t think I’d care for a child sleuth either but I enjoy her and Martha Grimes’ Emma Graham.
Patti says
Ditto what Marie said. I’ve recommended the Flavia De Luce books to a whole lot of women who love to read–and not just cozies. Everyone has enjoyed them! Great books to read for young and old.
Gayle says
Check out John Grisham’s “Theodore Boone, Boy Detective” you might enjoy them. I listened to them on audible disc and loved them. Grisham is a great writer. The reader adds a lot to the enjoyment.
Patti says
Thanks for the recommendation, Gayle! I’ve just added Theodore Boone to my list of books to try and hopefully get for my grandson for Christmas! I’m so thankful I have two grandchildren who love to read.
betti says
I prefer that they be at least in their 30s if not older. I don’t tend to like sleuths still dealing with babies or young children at home. I guess I just feel able to relate since I am older than 30 and quite frankly when I read books with much younger sleuths, I find the obsession with clothes, shoes, etc just off putting.
MaryAnn F says
I hadn’t really thought about it before, however I now realize that as I’m aging I’m enjoying more senior sleuth mysteries. I have to ponder if it’s “an age thing” or if I’m just discovering new authors whose protagonists are older.
Mmmm…. ??
Bernadette says
I don’t think I have any real preference as to the age of the sleuth. I think there are two things, though, that favor a more “mature” character. It takes out the “gorgeous detective” being nasty to the inevitable main suspect, only to fall madly in love with her by the fifth chapter. I love cozies, but that part is so very predictable that you can almost just change names until the real story starts. Also, an older character brings more life experience and is usually a little less reckless when “investigating” the murder to get into crazy spots. There’s less of the “oh, my gosh, my cell phone is dead and I didn’t tell anyone I was here and the murderer is facing me” situation. I really love, no matter what the age, the stories that depict relatively normal situations where I can say – you know, I could see myself doing that!
Thanks so much for this website. I love checking in to see what’s going on and you always provide all the inside info. Keep up the great work!
Sonya says
From Nancy Drew to Hannah Swenson to Hercule Poirot to Miss Marple, I realized that I don’t have an age preference at all! It’s the person inside that matters. But fun to think about!
Joyce says
I like this comment. “It’s the person inside that matters.” It’s also the writing style and the plot, of course. But the main character’s character decides how much we like and remember a story.
Ann says
I have found that people are enjoying senior sleuths these days. Lorena McCourtney has a good series (Ivy Malone). My cozy mystery Grandmother’s Flower Garden has also been well received featuring an older sleuth.
Ann Summerville
Bo says
I love Ivy Malone!
Sue says
I read your comments and thought about all I have read. It seems most are in their 30 and on up. I was thinking I would not like to have a teen until I read your review of the grandmother and grand daughter. It hit home as I am 77 and my grand daughter helps me. I think I will have to read the series you mentioned. It sounds great.
Marie says
I love well written characters regardless of their age–from Martha Grimes’ Emma Graham (12 years old) and Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce (11 years old) to Patricia Wentworth’s Miss Silver, Dorothy Gilman’s Mrs. Pollifax, Miss Seeton (written by multiple authors) and of course the star of senior sleuths, Miss Marple, and many in between. I notice these are all female but gender doesn’t matter to me either.
Sheila in CT says
I don’t have any age preference. As long as I enjoy the book/series I will read it.
Rob says
I have to agree with the ladies that prefer Senior sleuths as I am 61 myself. I love the Margaret Grace Miniature series with Gerry and Co. as well as Miranda James Cat in the Stacks series with Charlie Harris and Diesel! I am on the Out of Circulation book but I have read the others and I really enjoy a male sleuth for a nice change. Don’t get me wrong, I love Cozies in general but Charlie has become a favorite. And I’m not a feline lover myself but Diesel’s personality has won the day.
Personally, I have a miniature Male Daschound that is long haired and he is a winsome pup! I’m an Alpha -female from birth so the canine is a favorite but for reading cozies-I can enjoy both!
Aye says
If you like older sleuths, and great, funny books, try Mike Befeler
Krys says
I don’t really have an age preference; I read them all. Before I retired and was still an academic, there were a couple of articles I considered writing. One was on what I see as a distinctly American form of cozy detective: the young (around 30) mother who may or may not have a job outside the home, who balances homemaking with detecting (always in the company of her best friend). The other was on the difference between male and female PIs.
Pat B says
Like you I think Agatha Christie had a lot to do with my liking “Senior Sleuths” and I read her at a very young age.
Of course I love the Emily Brightwell series -Mrs. Jeffries… although the sleuths are of all ages but the leader is the older housekeeper.
And the Miss Seeton series by Hamilton Crane.
And the Mrs. Pargeter’s series by Simon Brett.
And of course the series you & Carole helped me to find Angela Benbow & Caledonia Wingate by Corinne Holt Sawyer.
Deborah says
I know a lot of people like a combination of romance and mystery. I do too. But I found myself getting tired of series with ‘insane chemistry’ that went on for book after book. When I decided to write my ‘Women of a Certain Age’ series, focusing on women in their 40’s and 50’s I thought it would be interesting to focus on marriage and romance, life after the insane chemistry has mellowed to something deeper. My protagonist has been married 20 years. Her best friend got married for the first time at age 50 to a man with a teenage son. One of the women is in her 40’s, a college professor, and single. One woman is married and has 5 children and sometimes needs the reassurance from a handsome man that she is still desirable. Something different than the most beautiful girl in town falling for the police detective who could double as a Magic Mike cast member. Not that there is anything wrong with those guys . . .
Nancy S says
As I read the replies, I realized that the majority of readers seem to be older. I’m 78 now, but I don’t feel it. I really enjoy sleuths of any age, but, let’s face it, when I read them, I think of them as about my own age – well maybe younger when I was more active myself.
Nancy says
One of my favorite series is by Cynthia Riggs who writes the Victoria Trumble series set on Martha’s Vineyard. Our sleuth is 92 and sharp as a tack. She even works for the local newspaper and is a poet.
jane says
I love senior sleuths ..they seem to have more fun and I enjoy a light hearted mystery as opposed to something dark. We need more smiles in our lives. 🙂
maggie says
I like older, probably….but middle-aged is good – don’t like them young…
Sue says
i loved Ann George’s books. I laughed throughout the entire series. I like a funny cozy mystery and I find the seniors to be extremely funny as now I am a senior. Going to try recommended series miniature mystery series.
Arlene says
Looking over my favorites – I too enjoy Miss Marple, MIss Silver, Mrs. Polifax, but I also enjoy Gregor Demarkian, Jury & Plant and all the Naigo Marsh characters. I guess I prefer the older sleuths for much the same reason betti cited – I am easily bored with clothing, shoes, makeup, boyfriends etc. Get on with the story already.
Joan in VA says
Generally speaking, I would tell you that I don’t have a preferred age for the protagonist. But, having said that, I find that I have to admit that the very young ones (say 18 – 30) tend to dwell on how they are dressed, what their boyfriend/s will think, how their college friends will react. So, I guess I prefer the folks with a bit of age and common sense. Frankly, the ones that dither turn me off completely – no matter what their age.
Sharon says
I am not overly particular about the age of my amateur sleuths but it is refreshing to read mysteries with sleuths closer to my own age (58). I sometimes roll my eyes at the younger sleuths and all their drama. I’ve reached the saturation point with the love triangles, detailed descriptions of clothing, hair, etc. That being said, I finally decided to part company with China Bayles who is an older character after the last one. Of the “newer” authors I enjoy the Gail Oust and Eva Gates mysteries. Cynthia Riggs is a favorite and golly I miss the sisters in Ann George’s series.
Dru says
I looked at the sleuths I read and most all in the late 30s to upper 40s generation. Like you, I enjoy Camille’s Miniature series with cute as a button Maddie.
Dru
Christi says
Most of the characters in my favorite series are in their 30s and 40s. The age of the character really doesn’t matter as long as he/she is interesting and likeable.
Linda says
I also loved the Southern Sisters series and the Agatha Raisin series but I don’t think the age is really of any concern to me as long as the writing is good. I now live in a townhouse and since I am a fanatic about keeping my books so I can read them again later I tend to buy ebooks. My small home just can’t hold any more books (even the paperback size). Any one else have this problem?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, we haven’t down-sized, but I now pretty much only read Kindle format Cozies. I just love the font adjustment! I have held on to my Cozy paperbacks that are not yet on Kindle format. (Patricia Moyes comes to mind! I hope they get those Kindle-ized some day…) Last night, I was able to go through my library of Cozy Mysteries while laying in bed. (I was trying to decide which book I wanted to read next.) So, while I don’t have a problem with not having room, I am doing what you are because of my love for fonting whichever way I want!
Patti says
Thank you so much, Danna, for this great blog and all the responses about the ages of the sleuths we love. It looks as though no one hates senior sleuths, so that must have been my friend’s personal quirk! Isn’t it great that we have such a wealth of wonderful cozies to choose from?! I’m with the others who love 11-year-old Flavia de Luce in the mysteries by Alan Bradley. Thanks to Danna, last night I ordered the first in the Gladdy Gold, Mrs. Mallory and Mrs. Polifax series and can’t wait to give them a try, and have found so many new series books thanks to the comments people have made on this blog. You ladies rock!
MMJ says
I’ve read all the Gladdy Gold books. I liked them all. Such an eclectic band of crime-solvers!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Patti, I’m going through all of the responses again, and see that you are NOT alone!
You’re right, these ladies do rock!
Anne says
I forgot to mention this: The Tish McWhinny series by Barbara Comfort who wrote about an area in VT that I know very well.Barbara Comfort’s mysteries feature seventy-something amateur detective Tish McWhinny, who lives in rural Vermont and whose adventures concern the people and places of her locale. Tish’s sleuthing usually includes her close friend, 88-year-old Hilary Oats, and niece Sophie.
Linda says
I love your blog. I have been reading cozy mysteries for years but never knew what they were called when I found your blog. I don’t mind the age as long as the story catches my interest. With your lists I can find series I had forgotten about. Please, keep up the good work.
Patti says
Ditto! Such terrific information! Great blog and great responses on all topics!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, welcome to the Cozy Mystery site (and blog)! I hope you find lots of authors who you enjoy reading. I find a lot of new-to-me authors while reading the comments on the monthly Cozy Mystery recommendations >>> that Cozy Mystery readers submit.
Cheryl says
I like different ages. Love Miss Marple, but also like Brooklyn Wainwright. Read all the Hamish MacBeth series. Like the Ashton Corners group, the Darling Dahlias. The Miss Dimple series takes place close to where I grew up. I just enjoy a good mystery. Sisters, friends, male, female doesn’t matter as long as it’s interesting. Love Sarah Booth and Jitty because of the Southern humor. The Scrapbook series by Laura Childs is good. Also appreciate the humor in the Antique series by Barbara Allan. I like the tips and information given. Like the patterns in the Seaside Knitters and the Maggie Sefton series. My interests are varied and many.
Elizabeth says
I like older sleuths, like Miss Marple and Miss Silver. I like a little romance in mysteries, but I prefer it in secondary characters who can fall in love and live happily ever after within one book. When the main character is in a relationship it tends to get dragged out over several books and gets tedious. Example: Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness series. Every book has the subplot of ‘they want to but they can’t’. Also, I find that the older detectives aren’t swayed by the handsome, charming suspect. They seem to stay neutral. Three exceptions to my senior preference: Flavia de Luce, Phryne Fischer and Daisy Dalrymple!! Love these ladies!!
Susan* says
I’m with the people who say that the age of the sleuth doesn’t matter – it’s the writing. Christie is, of course, the queen, but there are many fine writers out there, with enjoyable sleuths of all ages.
Everyone has their own preferences, so that’s why there’s a range of things available. Something for everyone – particularly true of cozies!!
To Patti B. – I think you ‘can’t’ be the only one who likes senior sleuths, or there wouldn’t be many – certainly not enough for Danna to have a full three pages (!) devoted just to them!! (I don’t know how to put a link here, so I’ll leave that to you, Danna! 🙂 )
Cheers!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan*, thanks for the idea! I’ll go add the senior sleuths to the entry.
Margaret StashEmpress says
Does the age of the sleuth matter? Well yes… and.. no… 😉
I love the older sleuths — Gladdy Gold, Bel Barret (wish there were more in these series!), Ivy Beasley, etc. — because of the characteristics that their age bring to their sleuthing — and that is because they are so well written. In general I prefer older sleuths — as opposed to empty-headed 20-somethings who are more worried about their manicures & stumble into murders along the way.
That said — many of the sleuths I adore are younger as well — and I adore them not because of their age but because of the elements in the story that particularly grab me & that are well written. For example I love Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness series. And yes, while I love the romance element in the stories, I would adore her just as much if Georgie were a middle aged royal poor relation who solves murders!
So I guess the bottom line is good writing, good characters, good themes (love historical mysteries, as long as they involve luxurious clothing LOL).
Also note –we’ve watched some sleuths grow old & we love them just as much old as young — think of Tommy & Tuppence — we loved them when they first appeared as a couple of youngsters in search of great adventure — and loved them just as much when they appear as an old couple — still solving murders! Think of Faith Fairchild through the years, etc.
As an aside — have to vent — at least people here will sympathize if nobody else will — I had “Malice At The Palace” on hold at my public library since they first put it up on their site — they ordered 20 copies, I think I was #8 on the list. Finally Thursday my book is in & awaiting pickup. I go to the library, pick up my 5 books they had on hold — 4 I recognize — the 5th is something I’ve never heard of — and — no “Malice At The Palace”! I take the unfamiliar book to the librarian & tell her that yes, this slip of paper does have my name & card number on it – but this is not the book I ordered. I figured they got them mixed up & maybe my book is there with someone else’s name on it? No such luck! She shows me that the sticker on the back of the book has Malice At The Palace’s barcode number on it — the book was processed incorrectly! So now she has to take this one out of circulation & put me back on the hold list — now I have to wait til one of the other 19 people finish & return the book! But wait — it gets even worse — she mentions that she hopes they didn’t make the same mistake WITH ALL 20 COPIES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is this frustrating or what????
At least I had the new Carolyn Hart, the new Dorothy Cannell and the new Elaine Viets titles to console me over the weekend… 😉
Denise says
I’m more interested in personality than anything else and read a full range of ages — given my super-fast reading speed and book addiction, I’d be doomed otherwise. Sometimes really young main characters acting like gormless ninnies get on my nerves and I find myself snarling “get a life already” at the book while reading it. Old and dotty characters can be annoying rather than charming sometimes too (but can also slant humorous when done well and with compassion) — it really tends to depend on how lazy the author is being about falling back on cliche and stereotype rather than developing the character fully, more than the age of the main character for me.
I get fed up with authors who are obviously using a character to push one particular issue or belief they are obsessively into to the extent that it detracts from the story and makes the character too one-dimensional. Sometimes these things do tend to be associated with older characters, but not always. There are authors I read in series for decades that I just can’t read any more because the characters have become caricatures of themselves or the book has become a preachy sermon on the author’s particular worldview and the story and/or depth just isn’t there anymore. I’m not ditching them because the characters are getting older, but because the writing has gone way past stale. 🙁
And since when is Agatha Raisin a senior? I’ve always had the impression of somewhat crabby and maybe starting to push the upper end of middle-aged and panicking about it, but she isn’t “old”.
Patti says
You’re so right, Denise! Agatha isn’t a senior, just older. I don’t know if M.C. Beaton ever mentioned Agatha’s age but I’m guessing 50ish since in the first book she sold her advertising business in London and moved to the Cotswolds. I still consider her “older,” the type of character my friend abhors! When we had our discussion, she said she thought no one liked older (or senior) main characters. She definitely doesn’t! Maybe she forgot all about Miss Marple! She feels a 30ish character is the most popular. Obviously not, considering all the comments on this blog!
I’m with most everyone else! I love my cozy characters at all ages, as long as they’re well written and well developed!
MMJ says
Age doesn’t matter to me. Though the books I read tend to have sleuths mostly females between 30 and 50, I’ve read with much older and younger. As many of you mentioned, I care more about how well the characters are drawn and the mysteries written. As long as those things are in place, I’ll enjoy the book
Deahna says
50+, definitely.
I’ve grown extremely tired of the “young things” who sleuth by breaking the law themselves, are reckless, don’t heed advice in any form – and are incredibly proud of being so “indepent” when all I want to do is to shake them into some sort of common sense.
Older persons can of course be all of this but they are not obnoxious about it. I may frown upon their behaviour but I like them for being themselves and making mistakes. They seem to learn from them. The young ones never do and I usually give up after the third book in the series if I even get that far. I also like that most older sleuths can use their brains and do so instead of jumping from one wrong conclusion to the next and suspect everyone in turn without rhythm or rhyme.
There are, of course, exceptions – and looking back over the books with young(er) sleuths I have enjoyed, almost all of them are set no later than the 1970s.
Jackie says
I enjoy all ages, they don’t even have to be human! A friend is writing a cozy with a wolf character! Can’t wait to read it!
dragons3 says
I agree, Jackie. Some of my favorites feature an animal — Lilian Jackson Braun’s Cat Who books, Rita Mae Brown’s Mrs. Murphy and Pewter and Tucker, Spencer Quinn’s Chet — although those aren’t, strictly speaking, cozies — Fran Stewart’s Marmalade.
PamB says
The book has to be well written and looking over my favorite books (which are all well written) I seem to favor older sleuths….Miss Zukas, Miss Seeton, Miss Withers, Henry and Emmy Tibbett, Peter and Helen Shandy, Sarah Keeling, Mrs. Pollifax to name a few. The commenters have named a few other older sleuths which I haven’t read so will definitely check them out.
Carmen says
Age doesn’t make a difference to me. I do have some pet peeves. I hate it when 50 plus women are portrayed as gray haired grannies who act more like they’re in the 80s. I know too many vibrant, tech savy older women. Myself included.
PlumGaga says
I agree with Carmen. And I really resent it when, as in a book I read last week, everybody over 70 was portrayed as doddering, in need of assisted living, and out of touch with the modern world.
MJ says
Like most of the respondents, I like both ‘age-type’ sleuths (as long as they are INTELLIGENT). However, I enjoy a romance story line also within the cozy mystery, which gravitates more to the younger sleuth. I also noticed, that a ‘younger’ author generally doesn’t write a story about a senior sleuth, but the ‘older’ author often writes about a younger sleuth.
Something not noted in this discussion are the cozy mysteries with multigenerational characters, solving the mystery together. I find these stories the MOST enjoyable. How would you classify Sally Goldenbaum’s series (Seaside Knitters) – senior sleuth or younger sleuth? I look at it as a ‘group project’.
Kylie Logan’s Literary Ladies series also has a group of ‘mixed aged’ ladies involved in the investigations. Along this same vein is Maddy Hunter’s Passport to Peril series.
And, don’t you love ‘grandma’ in Nancy Parra’s Gluten Free series? She is VERY active in helping her granddaughter (protagonist) in solving the mystery. Then there are the irascible twins (Leona and Margaret Louise) who help Tori (protagonist) in Elizabeth Lynn Casey’s Sewing Circle Series.
This is just a few of the many authors utilizing the multi-generational approach in recent cozies.
DianeG says
I don’t care for Senior sleuths. I love intelligent sleuths. I also don’t mind multi-age sleuths. But two Seniors complaining about their hips, knees, liver, etc while trying to take down the bad guys and solving the mystery just loses something for me.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
DianeG, yikes! What you describe would lose something for most of us!
Tiffani says
I love all age groups. Some days I prefer a senior sleuth other days I prefer a younger sleuth. I feel each age group brings something different to the table. There is a uniqueness for all characters.
Lenora says
Biggie Weatherford & her 12-year-old grandson JR make a charming sleuthing team in the Biggie mysteries set in Texas by Nancy Bell.
I prefer middle age and beyond sleuths (probably because of my own age). The irreverent Tori Miracle mysteries by Valerie Malmont and Mira James series by Jess Lourey are delightful exceptions.
MaryGrace says
I like sleuths of all ages, but I guess the older I get, the more I like the senior sleuths. The story has to be well written and fun no matter the age of the characters.
Billie says
The age doesn’t seem to matter, but I seem to prefer female sleuths (not counting Hercule Poirot and Inspt. Jury. Well, Insp C.D. Sloan also. I’ve read all the Morse books) Well, maybe it’s even, cause now I’m thinking of Inspt. Lynley and Sherlock Holmes.. Well never mind, back to age, nope.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Billie, this comment sort of negates all of us who think all our sleuths are female. There certainly are a lot of fabulous male characters out there, too! Thanks for reminding us!
dragons3 says
Male sleuths — don’t forget Qwilleran (Lilian Jackson Braun), Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin (Rex Stout), Luis Mendosa (Dell Shannon), Duncan Kincaid (Deborah Crombie), Henry Tibbett (Patricia Moyes), Spenser (Robert Parker) and a host of other male sleuths, many of them iconic. Of course, many of those aren’t cozies, but I imagine most of us have read at least some of them at one time or another.
One senior sleuth I haven’t seen mentioned here, and one I enjoy a lot, is Phyllis Newsom, Livia Washburn’s retired teacher sleuth and her group of friends who solve mysteries in Texas.
Marja says
Forgive this loong entry. I like well-written characters with depth, flaws, humor and smarts. Not to mention great skill at examining people and their motives, observing the scene &c. This usually means characters who’ve lived long enough, or seen enough, to learn to size things up. I also like a character who’s made some mistakes or had some sorrows in her/his past and is getting a second chance at happiness, or life satisfaction (wish fulfillment, anyone?). Longmire and Goldy Schulz for example, though Goldy was terribly frustrating in the first few books!
I love the Ann George southern sisters and Henrie O (Carolyn Hart hasn’t written a Henrie O in a long time, sadly).
Can’t say I care much for the young’uns who dither (especially romantically — just make a decision and get on with it!) and act stupidly when going into danger. If danger finds *them* and they’re resourceful, hooray. But I can’t stand talking out loud to the character heading into danger: “at least call someone before you go out there, dummy!”
Because of my own life circumstances (curmudgeonly late 50s cat lady long divorced), I like to remember the comforts of romance and relationships and a nice warm man. And sometimes lots of family members are nice as in the Deborah Knott mysteries. 😉 (And I love a good cat mystery of course!) Because I’ve not got to travel much I enjoy overseas settings and a look inside the cultures and bureaucracies of other countries.
I also love time travel, that is, historical settings. If they’re overseas so much the better! (Hmm! Wouldn’t it be lovely if someone could consult with Julian Fellowes and write some Downton Abbey mysteries! Lady Mary would make a heckuva good sleuth … in consultation with the Dowager Duchess, hee!)
So age doesn’t matter TOO much. If they’re older, like Henrie O, they may have an interesting past that gives them lots of referents for analysing people and situations. And I enjoyed watching Spenser age, and his love for Susan deepen and mature.
I’m not squeamish about sex scenes exactly, but prefer them to be more alluded to (than written line by line). Robert Parker does this beautifully.
I’m just so grateful to have had a wonderful reading life, meeting all kinds of characters, and express my appreciation to all the authors who’ve entertained, enlightened and educated me through the years.
And thanks, Danna, for cluing us in (couldn’t resist) on the latest and all those you’ve listed over the time you’ve been doing this blog.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marja, you put this exactly how a lot of us feel about reading:
“I’m just so grateful to have had a wonderful reading life, meeting all kinds of characters, and express my appreciation to all the authors who’ve entertained, enlightened and educated me through the years.”
Thanks!
Mahrie says
Love older sleuths – try Dorothy Gilman’s Miss Pollifax series. At 60ish she becomes a CIA courier and the fun and danger begins. Love them.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mahrie, I agree with you about Dorothy Gilman’s Mrs. Pollifax being a wonderful series. I love her relationship with Carstairs!
Billie says
The age doesn’t usually bother me.