For those of you who are “regulars” to the Cozy Mystery site, you know that every once in a while I add new authors to the site. These are always authors who you all have told me “belong” on the site. Of course, as I have not read the authors (if I had, they would probably already be on the site!) I just have to go with what I am told.
I have mentioned before that I have actually found several of the authors on my “favorite authors” list from these recommendations. But, I have also found some authors who I tried, and did not like. You know the expression: “To each, his (or in this case ‘her’) own.”
The five newest author additions to the site are:
Linda French French writes the Professor Teodora Morelli Mystery Series, which features an nontenured history professor in Seattle, Washington. French is a professor of history in Washington state…
Ron Goulart Goulart pens the Groucho Marx Mystery Series. This series is based on Groucho Marx, a “real person” who was an actor and comedian in the 1930s+ Hollywood.
Susan Hill Hill writes the British police procedural called the Simon Serrailler Mystery Series. The series begins with Serrailler being a Chief Inspector and follows him as he is promoted to Detective Chief Superintendent. (Reportedly Not Cozy) Hill also writes Stand Alone mysteries.
Betty Webb Webb is an ex-journalist who teaches creative writing. She writes the Lena Jones Mystery Series, which features a private investigator in Arizona. Webb also writes the Gunn Zoo Mystery Series, which has, as its sleuth, a zookeeper in California. (Both series are reportedly not cozy)
Don Yarber Yarber writes the Kip Yardley Mystery Series. This series features a Los Angeles private detective who used to be a highway patrol officer. Yarber states that his books “do not use a lot of graphic sex scenes, foul language or deeply disturbed psycho-babble”…
Edie Dykeman says
Looks like some great “new” mysteries for us to check out. I’m wondering why the zookeeper mystery wouldn’t be a cozy, but the PI in Arizona is – or did I get that backwards? Might be confusing your (Reportedly not cozy).
I really enjoy when you add new authors to the list as it gives us an opportunity to try new stories and characters.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Edie, for pointing this out. I changed the “(Reportedly not cozy)” to “(Both series are reportedly not cozy)”>>> to indicate the fact that I have been told neither of the Betty Webb Mystery Series are Cozy.
I am trying to add that information now, since a lot of NON Cozy Mystery authors have been recommended to the site. Since I haven’t read the recommended authors, I have to rely on outside sources. I especially like it when the recommending people tell me that the author is really good, but not Cozy… which is what happened in this case.
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
Susan Hill is definitely not cozy! Her works tend to be very dark crime. I only read one of her books but it reminded me of Wuthering Heights. We are not talking light and happy in that case.
I have not read the series that were mentioned.
Nina says
Interesting new authors. Is Susan Hill related to Reginald Hill? He also writes English Police procedures.
Nina
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nina, I just looked at Reginald Hill‘s website, in which he says he has been married to his wife (Pat) for +/- forty years, having known her for about 50…
(I love his Dalziel & Pascoe Mystery Series… Not Cozy!)
Elaine Faber says
Can you give a clear definition of what would make a book “cozy” as opposed to “not cozy?” I’m guessing it has to do with whether there is explicit language, sex, violence or drug/gang/terrorist content, but is there an official description/ definition you can share?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Elaine, this is the closest that I can come up with:
Definition of a Cozy Mystery
Andie says
I agree completely that some supposedly “cozy” mysteries are anything but. It is somewhat subjective and sometimes it varies from book to book in a series.
I’ve read all of Aaron Elkins’ books (including those with Charlotte) and have found some of his Gideon Oliver books to be what I consider cozy, others not at all. All of the Lee Ofsted mysteries are cozies but I really don’t rate the Cris Norgren books the same.
I just read a book by Jill Winters that was touted to me as a “cozy” and it was anything but. The story line was not bad but there was too much overt explicit sexual content that had nothing to do with the story and in my opinion, was detrimental in that it interrupted the flow of the story.
I’m certainly not going to read her other books.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Andie, I think that currently a lot of “Cozy Mystery” authors are pushing the envelope. I always try to imagine Agatha Christie or Ngaio Marsh when I read a new-to-me series…
jayna says
Hello! I’m a new reader and love your site!
I don’t know if this is the right place to suggest an author, but what about Jasper Fforde? Maybe I missed him, but I looked for him on the ‘F’ authors page.
He writes the Thursday Next series (The Eyre Affair) and the Nursery Crimes series, both of which I’ve read.
I think they are quite cozy. There are full puns and many references to classic works of fiction/nursery stories. I’m especially fond of the Thursday Next series. (If you’re interested, the audiobooks narrated by Elizabeth Sastre are wonderful, but I don’t think other narrators do any justice in comparison.)
I read that he’s started two new series. I can’t vouch for them and I’m not sure if they’re mysteries, but I’m definitely planning to read them.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Jayna, for telling us about Jasper Fforde and also, for telling us about audio books’ narrator Elizabeth Sastre.