I just added four new Cozy Mystery authors, or should I say five? As you will see when you read this entry, one of the Cozy Mystery authors writes under two names. (Would that be four people, five authors?!?) These are all authors who Cozy Mystery readers have recommended as belonging on the Cozy Mystery site. Thank you!
Ellen Byron Though a relative newcomer to writing Cozy Mysteries, Ellen Byron is a long-time television writer finally trying her hand at longer fiction. With writing credits on shows like Wings, Just Shoot Me!, and Still Standing, she brings veteran talent to her Cozy Mystery series, the Cajun Country Mystery Series.
Susannah Hardy (aka Sadie Hartwell) A graduate of St. Lawrence University in New York, Susannah Hardy has spent significant time in the New York/New England area, including growing up in upstate New York and currently living in Connecticut. She writes the Greek to Me Mystery Series, starring restaurant manager Georgie Nikolopatos, and (under the pseudonym Sadie Hartwell) the Tangled Web Mystery Series, starring yarn store manager Josie Blair.
A.L. Herbert Growing up in scenic Maryland, it’s no surprise that A.L. Herbert chose to set a mystery series in beautiful Prince George’s County, Maryland – the Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery Series. Halia owns the Mahalia Sweet Tea Restaurant, which keeps her busy >>> especially since she has a taste for sleuthing!
Carlene O’Neil A native of the Northern California Wine Country, Carlene O’Neil writes about the land she loves and knows best >>> so it’s natural that her series, the Cypress Cove Mystery Series, is set in Cypress Cove in the heart of California wine country. The series stars Penny Lively, former photojournalist now running her family winery after inheriting it from her aunt. Before becoming a Cozy Mystery author, O’Neil was a television writer.
Margaret StashEmpress says
Just wondering — what makes people decide if they will try a new series by a new author? Back in the day, there were so few cozies that any new book on the shelves was grabbed up like hotcakes. But today there are SO MANY cozies out there, we all have overflowing TBR piles, its impossible just to keep up with the new releases by our favorite authors in our favorite series. So what makes you decide if a new book by an unknown author is worth trying?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret, I find a lot of my new-to-me series from the monthly recommendations. Also, I look for settings that look like places I want to read about and sleuths who sound like people I’d like to hang out with. Let’s face it, it’d be a real drag to read a Cozy for hours (and hours!) and not like the sleuth nor the setting.
Rob says
You are right, Danna and Margaret, I don’t know what moves me to try something new. I accidentally found Miranda James, Cat in the Stacks series cause I thought a male sleuth might be worth a try for a change and lo and behold, I liked it! I don’t even like cats
(or rather they don’t like me). But a fictional cat won’t claw me so I can try at least.
I look at your site for ideas on authors I don’t know and go to the library with my list. Not too methodical but it works. I can see now that a whole new world is out there for me to read. I’ve only made mere inroads into my tbr list. But I’m going back to train to do income taxes after a time away so studies will keep me busy for a time. I’ll keep checking in to see what is new and make my lists for when I get done! It will be my reward.
All my best, Rob J and Max (the dog)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rob, good luck on the income tax training!
I went from my dad doing my taxes to my husband, so I’ve been very fortunate not to have to hassle with them. Our daughter (who isn’t an accountant) did people’s income taxes while she was in Cambridge, so she doesn’t rely on her dad (as I did!) to do her’s.
Susan* says
There was a discussion on this a little while back.
As Danna says, recommendations from friends or other people (This blog! Lol!) were cited.
Attractive covers, I remember, were a popular reason, as were (I think) interesting settings / places, things like cats or dogs, etc. and sometimes just new series by favourite old authors.
For the full list of reasons, try the search box at the bottom of the page. (New-to-me works.)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan*, thank you for the help. I knew we had talked about it recently, I just couldn’t remember who, what, when, or why!
Margaret, here is the blog entry:
What Attracts You to a New-to-You Cozy Mystery Author?
Margaret StashEmpress says
Well this is funny — not only did I comment on that post — but I gave a pretty good long in depth post on the subject in fact LOL! But I guess the reason I had no recollection of that (I mean besides my nonexistent memory!) is explained in the last sentence of my comment:
“(and why am I even joining in this discussion right now? in 9 hours I need to be at the hall & haven’t finished sewing my MOB gown!!!!!!)”
I posted my comment about 3am (my time), finished my MOB gown about 1/2 hour later, finished some last minute alteration for my daughter, fell into bed around 4:30, was up at 8:00am — we had to be by the hall at noon to start hair/makeup — so understandably I’ve totally forgotten LOL!
I’m just surprised that I was able to write as lucidly as I did 😉
But I do have to say — that even in the 4 mos since that post — my TBR pile has grown exponentially — so many new releases in my favorite series, so many new releases by favorite authors (starting new series), so many new series glutting the cozy market by new authors (so many “copycat” series too — some as good or better than the originals, some not worth the “e-paper” they’re “e-printed” on!) — that even my original parameters for a new read need more tweaking!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret, apparently my memory is just as … let’s see, “spotty” as yours! When I found the entry (thanks to Susan*) I was surprised to see that you did comment on this.
At least you have the mother-of-the-bride excuse! I don’t!
Janice says
I’ve read Feta Attraction and Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles and enjoyed both. They have some similiarities – both are set in family owned restaurants and feature strong female characters. I’m looking forward to the second book in both series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janice, thanks for letting the rest of us know about your enjoyment of both Carlene O’Neil’s Cypress Cove Mystery Series and A.L. Herbert’s Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery Series!
Diane says
The Plantation Shudders sounds good. Ellen Byron has written for a couple of my favorite TV series : Wings and Just Shoot Me. I will check out this series.
Carlene O’Neil ‘s Cypress Cove mystery series also sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Diane, I think they all sound good. I am so glad all four of these Cozy Mystery authors were recommended for the site!
Ruth says
Hi, I’ve followed you for years and I think you got me started on many cozy authors. way before anyone else. Something has been bothering me, I work in the town that Catriona McPherson lives in and I have been along time fan. Her new Dandy book is coming out this fall is called the Reek of the Red Herring her 9th book in the series and the 10th one will be that Ballroom one. The books come out in England and Scotland before USA. Her stand alones have an American publisher so dates are right. She has a FB page and you can ask her. I’m sorry if I’m being picky and do depend on you. Ruth
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ruth, thanks for the correction. There are a few authors who have different release dates, like Catriona McPherson. I appreciate this news and have added Dandy Gilver and the Reek of Red Herrings to her page. Thank you!
LuAnn Braley says
Wow. I actually already have the first book! And the 2nd one was already on my TBR. Usually I’ve been stuck thinking, “Where have I been that I’m just now finding out about these titles?” *lol*
Anyhow, the rest of them are on my TBR now as well!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
LuAnn, I know exactly what you mean >>> sometimes I get recommendations and I immediately go see what the author has published, only to be surprised that he/she has published a bunch of Cozies! I feel like I’ve been under the proverbial rock!
Teisha says
I was able to obtain a free copy of Plantation Shudders a few months ago! I look forward to reading it…once I’m able to get through a few more books on my TBR list, of course!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Teisha, lucky you! It looks like a really good premise for a Cozy Mystery series.
Marja says
I think I’ll look for the Cypress Cove mystery. It’s set in a place I love, and getting more insight into the wine industry sounds fascinating.
Oh yeah, and there’s a cat on the cover! 😉
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marja, and a dog!