This month I am going to try to add at least ten new-to-the-site authors to the Cozy Mystery site. As usual, I plan to add them to the site in batches of four or five. Hy Conrad is one of these authors, but I decided to list him separately because while researching him, I read something really interesting on his website.
When I found out there is a new Mr. Monk mystery book, I quickly went to add it (Mr. Monk Helps Himself) to Lee Goldberg’s page on the site. I then downloaded the cover of the book, which left me baffled. That’s when I discovered that Hy Conrad is the author of the book.
Hy Conrad? Who’s he? Well, I’ll tell you who he is!
Hy Conrad was one of the writers for the long-running Monk television show. He wrote for the show during all eight of its seasons. He is also listed as the co-executive producer of the Monk television show during its last two seasons. And for all of you White Collar television show fans, he was listed as both a writer and consulting producer for that incredibly humorous mystery show.
I have to admit that I didn’t know about Conrad’s involvement with those two shows until I looked at his website. However, I knew that his name looked familiar to me. And the reason for that is that we own two of his “Whodunit” mini-mystery books. He has written several Whodunit mini-mysteries, as well as a mystery series for children. He also writes the Abel Adventures Mystery Series which features Amy Abel, the owner of a travel agency for people who are adventurous. The series also features Amy’s interfering mom, Fanny.
While looking through Hy Conrad’s website, I found his blog post for January 25, 2013 particularly interesting. The title of this entry is: “Wait! I’m a Cozy Writer?” With a title like that, I knew I HAD to read it. And, boy, am I glad I did!
In this blog entry he talks about finding out what a Cozy Mystery is. I love how he describes what books were called before someone came up with the “Cozy Mystery” term… simply mystery novels. He asks about Monk >>> would the networks buy it today? He talks about being someone who grew up reading Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, and Nero Wolfe. He then poses the question about people who grow up reading books by Dean Koontz and watching Criminal Minds. (I’m not going to tell you what he thinks they might “probably be nostalgic” for.)
I recommend that you take a look at Hy Conrad’s “Wait! I’m a Cozy Writer?” blog entry. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. As I read it, I found myself nodding in agreement with him. Being a fan of Monk and White Collar, as well as being so impressed by this blog I quickly bought Rally ‘Round the Corpse – the first in his Abel Adventures Mystery Series. (I’m looking forward to reading it, and will try to let you know what I think about it after I do.)
And to answer his question: Yes, by everything I’ve seen, you are a Cozy Writer!
Ann says
Very interesting. I’ll look out for the Abel series. I’m glad you uncovered this little gem.
Ann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ann, I just started Conrad’s Rally ‘Round the Corpse, and am enjoying it a lot.
Ann says
Just to let you know I gave you a shout out today. Thanks for keeping us updated on cozies you find.
Ann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks for the shout-out Ann!
Patti S. says
I am reading this very book right now. I was sad to read in the last book that it would be the last one written by Lee Goldberg. I was glad to read that someone else was going to take over. So far, the story is good. I am glad Mr. Monk will be around for awhile!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Patti S, I’m currently reading Rally ‘Round the Corpse and enjoying that one, as well.
Denise says
I am/was a big fan of Monk the TV show – I can rewatch (is that even a word?) it every Friday night on ME TV. I have never read any of the books. Read Hy Conrad’s blog about being a cozy mystery writer and I too agree with what he said. Thanks for adding another new author to the list. Looks like I’ll have to check out his Abel series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Denise, as I mentioned before, the Abel Adventures is a little different that just a travel agency series. The book I’m reading now is a travel tour on a mystery murder tour. So far “we’re” in Monaco >>> and it’s a lot of fun finding out about the little streets (etc.) in this little country.
Kimmie says
Hi Danna,
I enjoyed reading this post, and Mr. Conrad’s Blog post. Now whenever I come across a sex scene, I will have to assess in what way does this “scene” enhance or move the plot forward? I had to giggle a bit when I read that in his post….but really though, scenes like that are just used as filler material, in my opinion. Nothing wrong with that, but all I want is to get on with the story.
Kimmie
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kimmie, I don’t usually post new-to-the site authors’ blogs on the Cozy Mystery site, but I found this entry particularly interesting.
Donna says
I haven’t read the book yet but reading the blog post makes me want to buy everything he’s ever written! His philosophy toward writing is exactly what the cozy mystery genre is all about. I’m a fan of Monk, the TV show, and hope one of these days there will be more shows like that one. Where have all the good, plot-driven mystery shows gone….
Danna - cozy mystery list says
That’s how I felt, Donna. I thought Hy Conrad put oh-so well!
dana says
On the last Goldberg written Monk, Goldberg’s intro explains that he will no longer be writing the Monk series. (This is the book wherein Monk and Natalie return from Summit NJ to help Monk’s brother.)
Goldberg stated he was leaving the character’s open for someone else to take over the series.
Goldberg is now co-authoring with Janet Evanovich on a bunch of stuff.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dana, it looks like Goldberg and Evanovich have been busy writing!
Cathy says
Great article by Mr Conrad!!! I went in a bookstore once and asked for their ‘cozy mystery’ section…the owner didn’t know what I was talking about! Apparently he thought all mysteries were the same. Nothing ruins a good story more for me than suddenly finding myself a voyeur, lol…
Kimmie says
LOLOL…..exactly.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cathy, I totally agree with you on this!
Andrea says
I have recently found the Nell Sweeney Gilded Age series by P.B Ryan. She also writes as Patricia Ryan. I have no idea if she’s been added to your cozies, but it is a great series
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Andrea, yes, P. B. Ryan is indeed on the Cozy Mystery site.
Petie says
I love Monk but like others have never read the books. I just read Mr. Conrad’s blog and will definitely get his new book. Nice to know other authors can have success without alot of sex & violence. That’s what cozies are all about – total enjoyment for all !
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Petie, it’s odd how many of us never read Lee Goldberg’s Monk series, even after enjoying the Monk television show.
Billie W says
How cool, who’da thunk. That was really interesting and I’m glad you are curious (that makes for a mystery writer, but also a great list leader). Thanks for sharing this.
Billie
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Billie W, it’s like I said before, I don’t usually post author’s blogs, but Hy Conrad’s really stood out.
linda c says
Danna, I haven’t read the “Monk” series, mainly because I didn’t care for the TV show. To me, most of the TV comedies are the same. To me there are a lot of canned laughs that take place when someone is putting someone else down. Just not funny to me. Just my own choice.
But it is nice to see there are getting to be more and more men authors who are considered to be “Cozy mystery” writers. It just seems to me to be more believable when women write with a main character who is a woman and a man writer whose main character is a man. I know there are exceptions to this as there is to almost everything in life. But while I have had two husbands (one died) and several male relatives, I sure don’t know what makes all of the people in the male gender tick. Both of my husbands, as well as the other male people in my family all claim they have no idea as to what makes us tick!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda C, currently I don’t watch any TV comedies, except for two TVLand shows. I know exactly what you are talking about when you say “canned laughs” >>> but Monk was a “dramedy” that didn’t rely on the “applause” button telling the viewers at home when things were supposed to be funny.
Sharron says
I have never seen Monk or read the books but I plan to do both now. Thanks very much for the information.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sharron, I’m glad you enjoyed reading his blog entry. I certainly did!
Julia says
I’m a big fan of the Monk TV series, and I’ve read most of the books thusfar. I will be interested to try this new author’s take on the series, because I confess Lee Goldberg wrote Mr. Monk just a little too well for my taste (the OCD behavior was a little overwhelming without commercial breaks).
I clicked on the link you provided to Mr. Conrad’s blog (thank you for that, btw) – it was a very interesting piece, particularly when he said that to him cozies were just mysteries. This dovetails with my understanding of mysteries as well, a genre that has somehow gotten every bit as specialized as the AMA in recent years.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Julia, I wonder if the reason mysteries had to be “genred” is because of how explicit some authors are with both violence, gore, and sex…
SheilaUK says
Just read Mr. Conrad’s good blog post. I too love Monk, but have not enjoyed the books nearly as much, I assumed because of the different writer so I’m happy to give the new one a try and the other books Mr. Conrad has written look fun too. Several involve the word “Whodunnit” in the title, which made me smile. Until a few years ago, when looking for mystery books without sex and violence, a whodunnit was how I would describe them! It may even have been your site, Danna, that introduced me to the term “cozy mystery”!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
That’s interesting, SheilaUK, about your association of the word “whodunnit” with a good, clean mystery.
Donna says
Hi Danna, this is OT but wanted to remind you that the new season of Inspector Lewis starts this Sunday on Masterpiece Mystery! There is also a Murder, She Wrote marathon going on all weekend on the Hallmark Movie Channel. A big weekend for mystery fans!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Donna. Boy, did I mess up! I hope everyone is able to find the second airing of the new Inspector Lewis mystery this week!
Edie Dykeman says
My sister and I used to watch Monk, although she was more into the show and character than I was. However, this year I found White Collar thru the marathons on TNT and fell in love with the show and its characters. Can’t get enough of the shows right now!
it’s always fun to find a new author and get to know him/her through their books, website, and even social media. I’m going to read the suggested article as soon as I finish this comment.
Thanks for sharing such a detailed post about a new-to-me author.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Edie, I’m reading Hy Conrad’s Rally ‘Round the Corpse, and I’m really enjoying it. I have heard about mystery tours before, and have always thought that being on one would be fun.