Hazel Holt is the British author who writes the Mrs. Malory Mystery Series. (For those of you who love E. F. Benson’s Lucia novels, perhaps you have read the two follow-up books in that series, written by her son, Tom Holt.) She has also written “My Dear Charlotte” – a Regency mystery book.
Holt’s Cozy Mystery series features Sheila Malory, a middle age literary critic who lives in the fictional Taviscombe, a very Cozy British village. (Every once in a while, however, she visits London in order to do required research.)
Sheila has a son (Michael) who is seldom at home, but who has a terrific relationship with her. As a widow, Mrs. Malory is very independent, which is perfect – since her amateur detective status requires her to be able to come and go as she pleases. Of course, Foss and Tris (Sheila’s cat and dog) think she is dependent of them!
A lot like Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, people trust and confide in Mrs. Malory. She is able to glean information from people in order to figure out the who and why of the mystery at hand.
Even though Holt is still writing the Mrs. Malory Mystery Series, it is very reminiscent of mysteries that were written before the 1960s. Holt’s series would qualify (to me) more as a classic mystery series.
Hazel Holt is one of my favorite authors not only because of her writing style which is very easy to read, but also because I like her characters and setting. Mrs. Malory, Rosemary (her best friend), the quaint village, and all of its inhabitants are interesting to me. I would enjoy meeting the people who inhabit Holt’s mystery books, as well as visiting the town. I even enjoy Sheila’s pets! All of these are woven into well-thought-out mystery cases that I happen to enjoy a lot.
If you’re interested in reading more of these brief revisits of some of the more popular Cozy Mystery Series that I’ve written in the past, you can find them at the Most Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my site.
sarah says
Thanks for sharing. It looks like I will have another cozy mystery author that I love. 🙂 sarah
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sarah, I sure hope you enjoy Hazel Holt as much as I have.
sarah says
Danna~I just got the first one on my Kindle and am already loving Mrs. Malory. She is just what I need right now! Thanks again-sarah
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sarah, you can probably see why I think of her as a classic mystery author. I’m glad you’re enjoying Hazel Holt and Mrs. Malory!
Cathy says
I am almost finished with my “Mrs. Malory” journey. I am taking my time reading the last book in the series, well, the last for me – “Death Among Friends.”
It’s been a wonderful journey. I love Mrs. Malory’s company, love the village of Taviscombe and all of Mrs. Malory’s friends.
I now have an on-going list of British words, places of interest, etc.
I am spoiled, having read these books by Hazel Holt. I don’t know what it is about the British authors, but they take the prize when it comes to writing and Hazel Holt is no exception. If you like Agatha Christie’s “Miss Marple” series, you will love the Mrs. Malory series. Get yourself a cup of tea, or a glass of lemonade, a comfortable place to read, and enjoy. Believe me, you will not be disappointed.
Cathy says
Sounds like something I would love…will definitely give this author a try…..thank you, Danna
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cathy, it looks like several other Cozy Mystery readers agree with me on Hazel Holt. I hope you enjoy her.
Ann says
I have her on my TBR list, I’ll bump her up to the beginning of the list.
Ann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ann, Holt’s worth the bump-up!
Kath says
I have had the first book in this series in my “to read” pile on my Kindle for ages, now you’ve given me the push I need to put it on top of the “pile”! Thanks!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kath, between Ann bumping Holt up and me giving you a push, we may just have a few more Hazel Holt fans in the near future!
Kath says
I finished the book I was reading (flower shop mysteries) and picked up book #1 of Mrs. Mallory. I am half way through and am already madly in love with Mrs. Mallory, the characters and the writing! Can’t wait to read more tonight! 🙂 Thank you again! I’ve been in Cozy mourning since Lillian Jackson Braun died, I desperately needed something simliar character-wise, as well as a long series and this is! 🙂 thank you again so much…
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kath, I am so glad you, too, are enjoying Mrs. Malory!
Regina V says
Danna, I have always been a fan of Hazel Holt’s series. In fact, I have her latest book in paperback all packed in my suitcase to take on my January cruise. I do so want to read it now, but I know I will enjoy it more later. I downloaded all her other books. I find that Simon Brett’s Fethering series resembles Hazel Holt’s very much. I just finished Carola Dunn’s newest book. She skillfully incorporates a growing racial problem into a mystery story.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Regina, I do the same thing as you do – with my favorite authors. I am way behind in most of them, since I like to save them for when I get tired of trying new-to-me authors. I consider reading my favorite authors’ mystery books as a treat!
linda c says
Danna, Just curious. You do seem to at least try some of the new-to-you authors that others recommend. But do you still read for just the pleasure of reading? I ask this because you say you hold back on some of your favorites for when you have grown tired of the new-to-yous.
I like to hold back some of my favorite cozy writers for the times after I read the more intense writers such as John Sanford and John Grisham. Most of my favorites though I tend to read as soon as I can pick up the book.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, I try a lot of new-to-me authors who I add to the site, hear about in comments, hear about in the monthly recommendations, or who simply look like authors I would enjoy. I “hold back” on a lot of my favorite authors.
Joshua says
That cinches it; I must read the first Fethering book next. I keep hearing great comparisons to that series with authors I love and I really liked the Mrs Pargeter book of his I read.
Regina – is this the new Cornish mystery from Dunn? I have the first one of the series but have yet to start it. I love Daisy Dalrymple but have heard mixed things about the Cornish series. I admit I’ve been a little wary to start it because I don’t want to be disappointed in Dunn. Silly, I know, but there it is. The premise very much appeals to me though, so I do have faith.
Regina V says
I enjoyed the Cornish mysteries very much. I too was hesitant about them as I liked her other series very much. One of the reasons I like them, I can relate to the sleuth as I too am a senior citizen. I find some of the new books have perky long sleuths and I find them indigestible.
Mandy says
Sounds like an author I would like. I’ll check out my online library! Thanks.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mandy, as popular as Hazel Holt’s Mrs. Malory mysteries are, I am guessing your library will have all of them. I hope you you enjoy this coziest of Cozy Mystery series!
"Auntie" says
Love cozy British villages!!!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Me, too, Auntie!
Lynn T. says
I have read the first two books in the series due to this site.
I purchased them in Kindle form and have the 3rd book on my Kindle to read.
I find that Sheila Malory is very relatable. She is someone that you feel you could know. The books are very cozy. One sees her at home with her pets and making lunches and drinks. In the first book, one went with her on her village activities. Hazel Holt is a very good story teller.
I have only read two books but both of those books held a surprise that I didn’t see coming. One was the reason behind a murder and the other was something personal to Sheila that she found out. It is good when an author can make us pause and think about what we read while surprising the reader at the same time.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lynn T, I wish I had put your description in my entry “very good storyteller.”!
Cathy says
The way Ms. Holt ends a story is very powerful! Some of the endings, not all, are very surprising. I never see them coming. I wish I belonged to a book club when I finish some of the books as I wonder about the ethics involved. Would I handle the situation the same way that Mrs. Malory did? What would I have done, etc. are just some of the questions I ask myself. The endings would make for a good book discussion.
Mrs. Malory is a very wise woman, very compassionate.
I, too, like what you said about Hazel Holt – She is a very good story teller, and that she is.
Marla says
LOVE LOVE LOVE Hazel Holt’s Malory books! You are right – they are definitely classic cozies. Have started collecting them and am almost done! These are books you could read over and over and never get tired of them.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marla, good luck on getting a hold of all of Hazel Holt’s books!
Cathy says
Yes, they are not that easy to get. My local library does not have all of them. I have not checked the main library, much larger. They may have them all.
Unfortunately, not all of the books are on Kindle.
AndieP says
I agree wholeheartedly. I have been following the adventures of Sheila Malory for the past 21 years since the first “Mrs. Malory Investigates” was recommended to me by a friend who managed the Waldenbooks store here in Lancaster.
I would stop in every week on my way home from work and Della always kept a stack of all the new mysteries that had arrived that week. (I usually took most, if not all.)
I was so charmed by Sheila and the very well developed secondary characters, annoyed by Rosemary’s overbearing mother, and interested in learning how Michael would progress that I anxiously awaited the next. My friend at the book store told me that there was a second already at the publishers and due out in late spring of ’92.
Sadly that store did not survive the arrival of a nearby Barnes & Noble. I still miss it but Della and I meet at least once a month as she is a member of my book club.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Andie, the same thing happened here in San Antonio when Barnes & Noble came to town. Our Book Stop stores (and then the stores in all of the malls like Waldenbooks) all closed. Actually, Barnes & Noble bought our favorite Book Stop stores and then closed them. That whole process didn’t make me very happy!
Joshua says
I am a big fan of the Mrs Mallory series myself! I just discovered her a couple of years ago and have been trying to patiently read the books in their published order. But when I saw the newest one in the stores a couple of months back, I thought I would skip ahead and just see if the series still held up. And it did!
The ending of the first book – don’t worry, no spoilers – still resonates with me because of how she chose to present it in such an understated way. I thought it was quietly very powerful. I still remember the last scene of the book vividly. She’s got a great touch.
Danna – Have you read any of Barbara Pym’s books? I discovered Holt through her (and thrilled at the connection w/ EF Benson whose books I cherish). I highly recommend her. Not mysteries at all, but some of my favorite books.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joshua, since I am a little behind in the Mrs. Malory books, I’m glad to hear the recent one held up.
I have a Barbara Pym book (Some Tame Gazelle) in my bookshelf upstairs. Crazy, isn’t it, how what goes around really does come around?
Joshua says
It really is. I couldn’t believe how interconnected some of my favorites are/were. But I guess in terms of taste, it must make some sense. Gazelle isn’t my favorite Pym book, I would recommend Excellent Women or Jane & Prudence as your first taste. But any would give you a good idea of her style. Whichever one you do end up reading if/whenever you do, do let us know what you think. As a Benson/Holt fan, I personally would love to hear your thoughts.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joshua, I hope they hurry up and make some of Barbara Pym’s books into Kindle format. I have looked before, and just looked again, and see there aren’t any yet. Anyone reminiscent of my very favorite author (E. F. Benson) is well-worth a try!
Jan says
I am also a Hazel Holt fan of many years. I am having a memory lapse! I am trying to remember an author I read many years ago whose main character was a woman herb person. I can’t remember the century in which she lived but it was not a current one. Her husband was murdered and she was a suspect. She really knew her herbs. Can anyone help me please!! There were several in the series.
Judith says
You might be thinking about the Susanna Appleton mysteries by Kathy Lynn Emerson. The book where her husband is murdered is several books into the series. The first book is Face Down in the Marrow-Bone Pie. All of the books start with Face Down.
Patti S. says
These books are great! I have read every one. I love them. The stories are interesting and it really is a good cozy. If you want to read a good series, try this one. I think I am going to go back and start reading them over again!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Patti! You are yet another person who enjoys Hazel Holt. It looks like there are several of us…
Tressa says
Hi Danna,
I wanted to concur with your recommendation of Hazel’s Mrs. Mallory series. What a treasure trove of real cozy english mysteries. The writing is perfect. (Some good editors) The mysteries are all very good, believable and just plain interesting stories. The setting of an english town and countryside is what I’m always hoping to find. But best of all and rather unusual they are all “clean” in every sense of the word. I have found 7 in a library. Of the 6 I’ve read so far, Silent Killer and No Cure for Death have been my favorites. Thanks again Danna, and Mrs. Holt for your good books.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tressa, I read an interview with Hazel Holt where she gives her editors a lot of credit. She is terrific, isn’t she?
hazel says
Actually Danna, in all the 20 years I’ve been writing, I’ve never allowed an editor to alter a single word of any of my books. All my own work, so I’m especially pleased that you like them.
Benson fans will like to know that my son’s Lucia books are now back in print. I think they’re brilliant (“You would say that – you’re my mother” – Tom Holt)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you for clarifying. I really enjoy your books. You have given me many hours of reading pleasure!
Gigi says
I agree with all the reviews. I would love to read more of Mrs Malorys books
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Me, too, Gigi! I love Hazel Holt’s Mrs. Malory Mystery Series.
Cathy says
“Death Among Friends” is my last “Mrs. Malory” book. I love the picture on the cover of the book. It is my favorite.
I am enjoying the story, as always, when I am “visiting with Mrs. Malory.” I am, however, reading this one very slowly (not easy to do as I want to know what happens next), but I hate for the journey to end. It has been a very enjoyable time for me, hours of pleasurable reading and very good writing.
I am going to check Tom Holt’s books. I have not read anything by Hazel’s son.
Victoria Holt, thank you for providing me with hours of enjoyable reading. so satisfying.
Linda says
I have just finished the final book in the series (at least, I think it is…can anyone confirm?). I received this particular book for Christmas a couple of years ago from my husband, who stumbled across this author while looking for a new author for me (as a surprise…and it WAS! He’s got good taste, and my “number”!). When I looked up the book list and found that this was book #21, I wanted to read the series from book #1, putting off reading this one until I got to it…thus began my journey with Mrs. Malory. I have been avoiding reading it for months…leaving it like the frosting on cake–the last good bite of a really good “cake”! Thank you, Hazel Holt, for my many hours of coziness…
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, isn’t Hazel Holt a delight to read? She is on my list of favorite authors.