It’s once again time for me to continue my now-very-long-running series highlighting one of the many Cozy Mystery Series recommended by site readers. This month, I’ll be reading the first entry in Jana DeLeon‘s Miss Fortune Mystery Series, Louisiana Longshot.
In many ways, this is definitely a book that really stretches the definition of a Cozy, or even a ‘mystery’ to a certain extent. Certainly the protagonist is nothing like most of the sleuths you see in most Cozies. Fortune Redding is a CIA agent who is involved in a lot of serious (and violent) espionage activities. Most Cozy detectives have difficulty with the more ‘physical’ part of the sleuthing trade, particularly confronting the villain. That certainly won’t be the case for Fortune!
That said, in this one instance she is in a bit over her head. Having recently bungled a job and inadvertently ‘removing’ an international arms dealer in the process, she finds herself with a bounty on her head, and the CIA decides her best course of action is to lay low for a while posing as a librarian in the small town of Sinful, Louisiana. Probably not standard CIA operating procedure, but whatever works I guess!
Sinful, Louisiana, is where many of the standard Cozy features do begin to appear. Fortune actually has a cover story very similar, to many Cozy sleuths – a remote relative who has come to town to sort out the belongings of her late great-aunt. Naturally, the town is full of colorful characters, interesting local scenery and businesses, a geriatric hound dog named Bones… and a human bone that said dog unearths from the river minutes after Fortune arrives in town. Equally naturally, this changes Fortune’s itinerary somewhat, as suddenly there is a reason for the local Sinful police to have questions about her identity, so she decides she needs to help them out a bit and get the whole ‘corpse’ thing cleared up as quickly as possible.
While I cannot recommend this particular entry to those who are looking for a traditional Cozy experience with a knitting-loving baker who is returning to her home town to fulfill her childhood dream of opening a pet supplies store, there is still a lot to enjoy in Louisiana Longshot. There are plenty of familiar elements still present. The main difference is the sleuth herself, as much of the setting otherwise fits well within the Cozy mold. On another final note, I don’t normally discuss price, but in this one case it bears mentioning – the Kindle version of Louisiana Longshot is available for free, and as far as I can tell, this isn’t a temporary sale but a permanent pricing. So if you’re interested in a mystery that weaves together traditional Cozy elements and a decidedly non-traditional sleuth, I’d recommend giving Louisiana Longshot a try.
As always, if you want to read more of these brief discussions 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.
Marsha Bly says
I am so happy to see that other people also LOVE this series!! I’ve been gonna recommend it forever, but didn’t think it qualified as a cozy… I would have recommended it when I first read Louisiana Longshot YEARS ago! I’m currently on about my 10th re-read of the series!! Needles to say, I recommend it STRONGLY!! The characters & plots are excellent!!!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marsha, I’ve had it recommended often enough that I would call it a non-traditional Cozy. The protagonist doesn’t fit the mold, but the rest of the setting definitely does.
Linda says
This series is possibly my fav. It is a non-traditional cozy. I think of it as a mystery with a great back story, much of it comedic. DeLeon has well developed characters who just keep getting better. There is some romance but no sex. Because the protagonist is former CIA, the stories have a thread of CIA throughout and are the source of many mysteries. Sometimes the criminal is identified and it’s about the intrigue of the capture – reverse of most cozies. Highly recommend.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, non-traditional Cozy is definitely the term I would use as well.
Susy S says
I love this series! It makes me laugh out loud and wait impatiently for the next book.
No, Fortune is NOT your typical cozy heroine, but she is also a character with a lot of layers and who grows in every installment.
Read Louisiana Longshot and judge for yourself. I sometimes skim through the parts where she is taking care of the bad guys, but it also never disturbs me, which many non-cozy mysteries do.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susy, I’m glad to see so many people commenting in support of this one! It was a bit of an iffy selection for me since it isn’t quite traditionally Cozy, but it’s definitely worth a read nonetheless.
B Padilla says
I have enjoyed this series very much. Yes, not exactly a “Cozy” but every bit as enjoyable to me. I am always on the look out for the next installment of fun and excitement for this unique group of sleuths.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
B, I definitely agree that it is worth a read!
Steve Aubrey says
Free is a good price 🙂
I picked this one up. Thank you!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Steve, it’s definitely hard to turn down free as a selling point/price.
Barbara says
I have read this book. I agree with your summary of the book. Enjoyed it from beginning to end. Even made me laugh out loud at some of the characters. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Barbar, I hope the series continues on as strong a note as it began.
Barb Otter says
As always thank you for the recommendation.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Barb, you’re very welcome!
Tee Nelson says
Possibly the best sentence I have read in a long time: a traditional Cozy experience with a knitting-loving baker who is returning to her home town to fulfill her childhood dream of opening a pet supplies store. I did an actual laugh out loud.
As for the book, really appreciate the fair warning of stretching the boundaries of cozy genre. You make it seem like if I know ahead of time, I’m be fine. Thanks for the recommendation.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tee, thank you for the kind words! I love traditional Cozies but sometimes they can feel a little safe/predictable. I hope you enjoy this one if you pick it up.
ginny says
I first became aware of the Miss Fortune series when I bought my first kindle years ago. I purchased the first two books for 0.99 each. I enjoyed them so much that I went back and bought the paperback editions. I have bought each new book as they are released. I even hooked my husband on the series. We both reread the series during the cold winter months of Northern Ohio. This year I am ahead on my rereading, so I will have to figure out what to do during the winter. She is up to 28 books now and I hope she continues the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ginny, it’s always great to have a nice long series to return to periodically. I’m glad to hear that the rest of the series is as worth reading as the beginning.
Sherry says
My bookclub read the first book, “Louisiana Longshot” and I loved it so much, I’ve bought the whole 28-book series!!
I’ve also loaned to 5 of my friends and they’ve also loved them!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sherry, I’m glad to hear that the rest of the series is as worth reading as the beginning!
jane paskvan says
Certainly one of the very best series out there. The depictions of the Bayou put you there, and the older ladies are such a hoot! I am 75 and really relate to them. And I really like that there is a minimum of “romance.”
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jane, that’s definitely nice as well – I like romance just fine in moderation, but many Cozies lay it on a bit too thick sometimes.
Melanie E. says
The Miss Fortune series is hilarious. Full stop. I’ve read the entire series three times (yes, I am that person) and enjoyed it more each time. There is not a single character from Sinful that I failed to embrace — whether it’s Big and Little, Gertie, the town mayor, Fortune’s cat (who terrifies her) or the dreamy sheriff, Carter. Yes, you have to suspend the disbelief, although maybe in this part of the U.S., it’s common to have a pet gator. Yes, Fortune’s skills are amazing. Yes, her neighbour Ronald has a very eclectic fashion sense. It just works. If you enjoy a rollicking good time, and like your heroine to be a departure from the norm, read this series. We all need a little laughter!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Melanie, it’s always nice to have a favorite long series to come back to from time to time, so I definitely understand rereading this one three times!
Linda MH says
I love this series. My very favorite. It is just plain fun. Characters are engaging. Quite frankly, I would love to meet them all and be friends.
Characters like Big, Little, and Manny boost the fun factor. The books are laugh-out-loud funny. The author is very talented, and her characters grow with each new adventure. I recommend this series to all my friends who are readers! Thanks for spotlighting this series, Danna.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, it’s definitely great!
Linda Angelilli says
This is my fav series also and eagerly await each new installment. Since it’s been awhile, I delved into it. Sadly, Ms. DeLeon is in the midst of grieving the unexpected recent loss of her husband. She is in the process of contemplating the possibilities of her future. As if a couple of months ago she was undecided. I hope she finds and pursues whatever will meet her needs. Selfishly, I hope she continues writing.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, I’m sorry to hear that. I hope she continues writing as well, though it’s very understandable that sometimes people need to make a change, especially when faced with a huge life change.