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I'd Like to See More ****** in My Cozy Mysteries…

Here is the second part of Jack’s question/topic:

“…There is a question (parts A and B) I would like to hear responses from you and your readers about though…  Is there anything they’d like to see more of in cozies?  (A sleuth of a certain age, gender or career instead of the usuals, etc.?)

The reason I ask is because I’ve read so many Cozies and, while I still enjoy them tremendously, sometimes I’d like things to be shaken up a bit and not so routine.  I’m wondering if any of your readers feel the same way.  What would they like to see less of, and more of, in their cozies?  For myself, I’d like to read about a husband and wife pair of sleuths.  Throw in a teenage child to both bumble things up and help out other times!…”

Hmmm… Now this is an interesting question. I’m going to have to think about this a little longer…

If any of you have something you would like to see more of in Cozy Mysteries, please post a comment.

Comments

  1. I like to relate with the main character, so a 25 to 35 range in age is good. I wish there were more ghost themed books like E.J. Copperman’s or Casey Daniel’s.

    Reply

    • Michelle, if you like ghost-y books, I suggest Kasey Michaels. They are totally not my thing. Unfortunately I took the whole series with me on a 2-week cruise. Left the whole lot in the library on the ship. If you’re ever on HAL’s Noordam, you’ll be all set!

      Reply

  2. This is a difficult question to answer. When ever I come to the end of a well loved series by an author I always wish there were more books so that I can continue with the series.

    I also go through stages of like a particular kind of mystery. A short time ago I read lots of the locked room type of murder mysteries and before that I was interested in period mysteries. So far, I’ve found more than enough books to satisfy my cravings for a certain type of mystery. Although a friend of mine did comment that he wished that there were more of the Father Brown (clergyman sleuth) type of mysteries available now.

    The only type of mysteries that I had difficulty sourcing was the type that are derring-do mysteries set between the two world wars of the type that Sapper and Dornford Yates wrote so well. I know that there are quite a few modern derring-do writers, but they tend to be too violent and are more adventure stories than mysteries.

    Reply

  3. It doesn’t matter what age the main character is, as long as, they are thoughtful and intelligent. One thing I don’t want to see with a younger main character, is too much technology. I would love to see another “Father Brown” type of mystery. There are clergy or religious theme mystery series out there, but I haven’t found one that really impresses me.

    Reply

  4. I think I’d like to see a series where the crime isn’t always a murder. I think it would be interesting to change up the crime type from time to time.

    Reply

    • Angela, have you read “The Thin Woman” by Dorothy Cannell? That’s my idea of a perfect cozy mystery. If I were an author, that’s the book I would have wanted to write.

      Reply

  5. I would like more lawyer cozy mysteries (my profession, so I’m biased). 🙂

    In fact, Danna, it doesn’t seem like you have a lawyer cozy mystery theme yet. Maybe you could start one…?

    If you do decide to make one, Cyril Hare’s Francis Pettigrew series seems to fit the bill. I don’t know if Rumpole of the Old Bailey is really a cozy, but maaaybe that would count…

    Reply

    • Stephanie, it you want to read more lawyer themed cozy mysteries the following authors all write them …

      Lisa Scottoline
      Robert K Tannenbaum
      Paul Levine
      Stephen White
      William G Tapply
      Kate Wilhelm
      William Lasler
      Perri O’Shaughnessy
      Ed McBain
      Michael A Kahn
      Joe Hensley
      William Bernhardt
      Lesley Egan
      Judith Van Gieson

      I hope this helps.

      Reply

        • Danna, there are a lot more names I could add. I’ll check when I get home and post a more complete list for you to use tomorrow..

          Reply

          • Carrie,
            Thank you for the kind offer, but you don’t have to do that… Your list is already a great starting point for me. (Since I only list the authors who are on the Cozy Mystery site, it’s not quite as complicated as it would be if I listed ALL the mystery authors out there!)

            Reply

          • Danna, I only saw your post after I’d compiled my list as I promised. As I had the list ready I thought I might as well post it because even if you weren’t interested somone else might find an author there that they might want to try.

            All the books are themed with lawyers, judges, DA’s, JAG lawyers, etc.

            I’ve only listed those authors who have written a legal based mystery series of books. If I had included the list of authors who have written single legal based books the list would have been ludicrously long.

            As I’ve put this list in alphabetical order I’ve included the authors named in the first list. So effectively you can ignore that list and use this one if you prefer.

            Catherine Arnold
            William Bernhardt
            Sally Bissell
            Jay Brandon
            D.W. Buffa
            Alafair Burke
            James Lee Burke
            David Champion
            Margaret Coel
            Rose Connors
            Anthony P. Dunbar
            Lesley Egan
            Linday Fairstein
            Erle Stanley Gardner
            Ed Gorman
            James Grippando
            Brian Haig
            Gini Hartzmark
            Joe Hensley
            Jonnie Jacobs
            Michael A. Kahn
            Leilia Kelly
            William Lashner
            John Lescroart
            Paul Levine
            Phillip Margolin
            Margaret Maron
            Steve Martini
            Lia Matera
            Claire Hamner Matturro
            Ed McBain
            Ralph McInerny
            Penny Mickelbury
            Mary Morgan
            Michael Nava
            Perri O’Shaughnessy
            Barbara Parker
            James Patterson
            Richard North Patterson
            Hugh Pentecost
            Marissa Piesman
            Nancy Taylor Rosenberg
            David Rosenfelt
            Lisa Scottoline
            Sheldon Siegel
            Julie Smith
            Mike Stewart
            Grif Stockley
            Shirley Tallman
            Robert K. Tanenbaum
            William G. Tapply
            Margaret Truman
            Judith van Gieson
            Carolyn Wheat
            Stephen White
            Kate Wilhelm
            Stuart Woods

            Reply

      • Try the Kali O”Brien books by Jonnie Jacobs. They are fantastic – cozy, but much meatier. She hasn’t had a book out for a few years and I miss them. I also loved her ‘Murder Among…” series but they were about a suburban single mom.

        Reply

  6. I have to say it. I’m sorry I lurked so long on this website without participating. I have never seen a blog with more thoughtful, gracious and wonderful people who participate and make it even better.

    I also want to tell a secret. I made a decision about two weeks ago that I need to do something more with my life. I needed a hobby for a long time because all I’ve done is work and come home. Ugh! I like to cook but you can only cook so much! Not owning a TV, I’m an avid reader. So, I decided to try my hand at writing my own novel. Of course, it has to be a cozy because they’re what I love to read. Nothing may come of it but, then again, you never know. I just know that, at 44, I want more from life.

    I’d like to try to incorporate variety in my novels (if I should make it past one). A murder here, a haunting there… miscellaneous mysteries to keep people wondering about what the next one will be.

    I have this Thursday through Sunday off and will begin writing. It feels good to have something to look forward to again!

    Reply

    • Jack, I’m glad you finally posted! Your two-part question sure has gotten a lot of good responses.

      I think that it’s great that you are thinking about writing a book, and hope that you have gotten an idea (or two!) from all of the responses. We certainly are a diverse group, though >>> Some of us like needlework-themed mysteries, while others like paranormal series. Yes to this, and no to that…

      I like your ideas about incorporating variety into your novels. I don’t think that every mystery needs to have a murder. There are so many different crimes out there (unfortunately!) that could be used as a basis for a book…

      Now that you have finally posted, don’t be a stranger AND good luck with your writing!

      Reply

    • Jack, I think that it is wonderful that you are going to try and write your own cozy mystery. I wish you every success with your venture. It will be enormously satisfying plotting your crime and working out who all the suspects should be. Good luck with your new hobby!

      Reply

  7. Carrie and Laura,
    Now I am absolutely going to have to read a G. K. Chesterton Father Brown book!

    Angela,
    I know exactly what you mean about mixing-it-up with the crimes. It seems like it always has to be murder…

    Stephanie,
    Thanks for the Lawyer Theme idea! (Also, if you haven’t already >>> make sure you check out John Mortimer’s Rumpole of the Old Bailey television shows starring Leo McKern.)

    Reply

  8. I would like to see more cozies with intelligent protagonists. It makes me crazy when the main character constantly does stupid things and puts her/himself in harms way repeatedly while trying to solve mysteries. Good sleuthing does not require bearding the lion in its den. There are other more effective ways to gather the evidence than that. This being said, there are many great cozies out there with wise protagonists who are great fun to read about.

    Reply

    • Miki, I’ll second that! I have to admit to having several Cozy Mystery authors on my “favorite authors” list who do put themselves in harm’s way more often than not. But, I am so devoted to their main sleuths, that I just keep on, keeping on…

      Reply

  9. I always appreciate when a Cozy isn’t too “nicey” where bad things sometimes happen to the characters. I’ll compare Joanne Fluke to a Diane Mott Davidson. Both have “culinary themes” but Fluke’s characters are so sugary sweet I want to strangle them! It completely takes me out of the story when I have to roll my eyes. DMD’s characters on the other hand have experienced things and they aren’t all sugary sweet. While the characters are all generally good people, they’re relate-able and I appreciate that more.

    I also appreciate good humor. Most cozies have some funny elements, which is great.

    Laura: If the author is going to feature younger characters the technology thing is tricky. Sometimes the age of the author shows when their 27 year old protagonist doesn’t know how to use a cell phone. They could have just avoided talking about cellphones and computers all together and I wouldn’t have noticed. I’d rather have them not talk about technology at all than get something wrong.

    Reply

    • Technology. Uff-da, could I go on about that fad. (Suffice it to say that after they invented indoor plumbing they could have ceased with all new technology. I was happy enough with that.)

      I like living simply. I don’t own gadgets. I don’t have a TV, radio, stereo, CDs, DVDs, iStuff, a microwave, toaster, dishwasher, coffee maker, etc., I cook from scratch and still make my own bread every other day. (Not in a bread machine, which people then ask.) I don’t Twitter, Putter, Book Faces or TakeUpSpace.

      I have a cell phone (which I leave at home) only because it’s cheaper than a land line. I have a computer for research and writing. I didn’t even have an e-mail until a week ago! I created an account just to get involved here and at one other site!

      If my novel is ever published, I’ll do it under a pen name because I want nothing to do with “fame” or recognition. I’d go with a female pen name but Laura Ingalls was already taken.

      Watch out folks. I entered the 19th Century kicking and screaming all the way. (I’m a curmudgeonly 44 year old.)

      P.S… Has anyone seen that new movie with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn? It’s called Roman Holiday. Mark my words, that Audrey Hepburn is going to make a name for herself.

      Reply

    • YIKES, Jack!!! I agree with Denise… I cannot function without my coffee maker, toaster, dishwasher… well, in short, every gadget you don’t want!

      My morning begins with my coffee maker drip, drip, dripping while my English Muffin toasts (two cycles, at that!) until it gets a golden brown. After I hit the computer for a few hours, I make my way to the…. TELEVISION (family) room, and listen to the national news while I putter around getting some things done >>> like load the dishwasher OR (two times a month) crank up the bread machine.

      As for leaving my cell phone at home >>> I’ll repeat myself in saying: YIKES, Jack!!!

      And, yes, I agree with you>>> I think that Audrey has the making of a star!

      Kristin, I’d like to add that I don’t like it when the main sleuth is absolutely beautiful. Back in the 1990s, that was quite a common practise… Make the sleuth a beauty! And, of course, she never knew just how beautiful she was. That was a pet peeve of mine!

      Reply

  10. Jack you crack me up! I couldn’t survive without the technology. I was without cable and internet for 5 days (summer storm and having to wait for an appointment with the cable company) – Despite the ton of books – I thought I would never survive. Needless to say I am still here.
    Good luck in your writing endeavor. Let us know how it is going.
    You know I always liked the nick and nora movies /books. I think Miki has a good point about good sleuthing- I don’t think you need to be 5 minutes from the grim reaper before the calvary comes rescues the heroine/hero and the mystery is solved.

    Reply

  12. My friends laugh at me and say I wouldn’t even know it if the electricity went out. Sadly, I learned that was true when it DID go out a short while ago and I just thought my light bulb burned out. I was reading at the time and had to stop because I was out of light bulbs. (Even my clocks are either wind-ups or battery operated!)

    In my defense, I DO vacuum. And I do it with a Dyson. (What do you think it was that finally brought me into the 19th Century?)

    Reply

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