There are quite a few mystery authors who started out as journalists. Perhaps this is the reason that there are so many mystery authors who have reporters / journalists as their sleuths. What better profession for your main character to have than something with which you are very knowledgeable. Also, a journalist/reporter is someone who is paid to seek out a story, solve a mystery (of sorts), delve into areas into which others may not feel comfortable doing so. Here is a list of authors (with lasts names beginning with A – G) who are on the Cozy Mystery Site and who happen to write series which feature reporter / journalist sleuths :
Rebecca Adler: Taste of Texas Mystery Series stars a former journalist and current head waitress in Texas.
Sheryl J. Anderson: Molly Forrester Mystery Series features a “Dear Abby” type of columnist in New York City.
Sandra Balzo: Main Street Mystery Series features a reporter who moves to a resort town in North Carolina.
Jo Bannister: Primrose Holland Mystery Series has, as it’s main character, an English advice columnist AND Mickey Flynn Series features a North American photojournalist.
K.K. Beck: Iris Cooper & Jack Clancy Mystery Series takes place during the 1920s.
Lillian Bell (aka Kristi Abbott, Eileen Rendahl, & Eileen Carr): Funeral Parlor Mystery Series – Desiree Turner is an ex-journalist who changes professions big-time to become a funeral director in California.
Laura Bradford: Jenkins & Burns Mystery Series features a reporter and a detective in New Jersey.
Lilian Jackson Braun: The Cat Who *** Mystery Series features Koko, Yum Yum, and Jim Qwilleran.
Kathleen Bridge: Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery Series features Meg Barrett, former Home & Gardens writer.
Edna Buchanan: Britt Montero Mystery Series features one tough Miami reporter.
Julia Buckley: Madeline Mann Mystery Series stars a small town reporter.
Jan Burke: Irene Kelly Mystery Series is about a reporter in California.
Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli (aka Elizabeth Lee): Emily Kincaid Mystery Series is set in Michigan.
Ellen Byerrum: Crime of Fashion Mystery Series features a fashion columnist.
Helen Chappell: Sam & Hollis Mystery Series features a very much “alive” reporter and her very dead ex-husband.
Edie Claire: Leigh Koslow Mystery Series features an advertising copywriter.
Margaret Coel: Catherine McLeod Mystery Series is set in Denver.
Jeffrey Cohen: Aaron Tucker Mystery Series revolves around a screenwriter.
Susan Conant: Dog Lover’s Mystery Series features a writer for a dog magazine.
Vivian Conroy: Lady Alkmene Callender Mystery Series – She’s a British aristocrat in London during the 1920s who partners with Jake Dubois, a reporter.
Sharon Love Cook: Rosie McNichols Mystery Series has Rosie working as a newspaper reporter in a coastal village.
Barbara D’Amato: Cat Marsala Mystery Series is set in Chicago.
Mary Daheim: Emma Lord Alpine Mystery Series features the editor/owner of a Washington (state) newspaper.
Rae Davies: Dusty Deals Mystery Series stars a former reporter turned antiques dealer.
Claire Donally writes the Sunny & Shadow Mystery Series. Sunny is a newspaper reporter.
Carola Dunn: Daisy Dalrymple Mystery Series is set in 1920s’ England.
Kate Dyer-Seeley (aka Ellie Alexander): Pacific Northwest Mystery Series
Janet Evanovich & Charlotte Hughes: Full Mystery Series has, as its protagonist, a newspaper editor.
Anthea Fraser: Rona Parish Mystery Series stars a British biographer and journalist.
Antonia Fraser: Jemima Shore Mystery Series features a British TV journalist.
Shelly Fredman: Brandy Alexander Mystery Series is set in Philadelphia.
If I have missed any other Cozy Mystery site authors whose last names begin with A – G, and who have reporter/journalist sleuths, please post a comment so that I can add the omission.
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Maria BearMountainBooks says
Strangely, the quickest way to make sure I don’t read a book is to star reporters…you’re right there are a LOT of them out there. I read too many growing up and just got…tired of the “motivation” of the nosy reporter (especially since the reporters in the books seem to have no relation/similarity to real reporters today.)
I last tried to read a “reporter” mystery about a year ago. I made it to page 30.
Just one of those things.
Maria BearMountainBooks says
Oh–I do read the Jan Burke books. I’m not current on the series, but that is the one exception to my rant above. :>) Burke can write. And she doesn’t let the day job (reporter) overtake the character. Her characterization, at least in the books I read, was so well-rounded, I didn’t even remember the character was a reporter!
Dennis says
Like you said it is common for mystery writers to write about things they know – this example involving journalists and others (lawyers, teachers, miniaturists(sp?), etc). There are so mant different areas it is hard to keep up. Luckily you appear to be grouping a lot of these. Thanks.
-V- says
I concur with Dennis. I like how you group the occupations of the characters. Sometimes a reader can get overwhelmed with the variety out there.
Gary says
Gerry Boyle writes mysteries where the central character, Jack McMorrow, is a reporter who works for a weekly paper in small-town Maine. His latest was released in February 2010. The series dates back to 1993.
Susan says
Technically juveniles – Ie: Aimed at teen or younger, girls – Sylvia Edwards’ series “Sally Baxter, Girl Reporter”. Published in the 1960’s, but still fun.
A young woman reporter, who gets mixed up in all sorts of mysteries, both at home and abroad!
Susan* says
Ken Holt from the Vintage teen mysteries by Bruce Campbell.
Ken and his best friend Sandy Allen continually run into mysteries while on assignments for the small newspaper Sandy’s father owns and runs.
Theresa says
Hello love this site. Someone who is missing is Anthea Fraser. She wrote, among other things, the Rona Parish series, which I love. Thanks!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Theresa, thanks for the suggestion! I’ll add it to the list.