Another non Cozy Mystery book I have been reading this month is Katherine Hepburn’s Me. Being an old Hollywood movie fan, it’s been fun to hear about how things were back when they were making my favorite black and white movies. (I won’t be adding this book to the Cozy Mystery recommendations list, either!) I go back and forth between Ann Rule’s true crime and Hepburn’s autobiography, and let me tell you, they are truly different from each other!
Please tell us about a Cozy Mystery series (or a few!) that you read this past month and want the rest of us to know about, in case we don’t already. And, please tell us why. These should only be the Cozy Mysteries that you think stood out as being even better than the other Cozies you read during the month.
[As usual, I ask that you don’t tell us about the mystery books you read that you didn’t like.]
What Cozy Mystery book (or author) have you read during August 2014, and why did you enjoy it (or him/her)?
Here are the current recommended authors who some of you have read this past month:
Avery Aames (aka Daryl Wood Gerber): Cheese Shop Mystery Series
Allyson K. Abbott (aka Annelise Ryan & Beth Amos): Mack’s Bar Mystery Series
Ellery Adams (aka J. B. Stanley, Jennifer Stanley, & 1/2 of Lucy Arlington): Book Retreat Mystery Series
Esri Allbritten: Tripping Magazine Mystery Series (Chihuahua of the Baskervilles book #1)
Connie Archer: Soup Lover’s Mystery Series
M.C. Beaton (aka Marion Chesney): Agatha Raisin Mystery Series
Jessica Beck (aka Elizabeth Bright, Casey Mayes, Melissa Glazer, Chris Cavender, Tim Myers, & D.B. Morgan): Donut Shop Mystery Series
Laurien Berenson: Melanie Travis Mystery Series
Rhys Bowen: Royal Spyness Mystery Series
Rhys Bowen: Molly Murphy Mystery Series
Ali Brandon (aka Diane A.S. Stuckart: Black Cat Bookshop Mystery Series
John Bude: The Cornish Coast Mystery
Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib): Key West Food Critic Mystery Series
Lynn Cahoon: Tourist Trap Mystery Series
Blaize Clement: Dixie Hemingway Mystery Series
V.C. Clinton-Baddeley: Only a Matter of Time
Nancy Coco (aka Nancy Parra): Candy-Coated Mystery Series
J.J. Cook (aka Joyce and Jim Lavene & Ellie Grant): Biscuit Bowl Food Truck Mystery Series
E.J. Copperman (aka Jeffrey Cohen): Haunted Guesthouse Mystery Series
Gina Cresse: Kate Cimaglia Mystery Series (Sinfandel is book #1)
Jessie Crockett: Sugar Grove Mystery Series
Mary Daheim: Hillside Manor Bed & Breakfast Mystery Series
Jeanne M. Dams: Dorothy Martin Mystery Series
Hannah Dennison: Honeychurch Hall Mystery Series
Anne George: Southern Sisters Mystery Series
Dorothy Gilman: Mrs. Pollifax Mystery Series
Elly Griffiths: Ruth Galloway Mystery Series (The Crossing Places is book #1)
Victoria Hamilton (aka Amanda Cooper & Donna Lea Simpson): Merry Muffin Mystery Series
Carolyn Hart: Death On Demand Mystery Series
Lee Hollis: Hailey Powell Food & Cocktail Mystery Series
J.A. Jance: Ali Reynolds Mystery Series
Annie Knox (Wendy Lynn Watson): Pet Boutique Mystery Series
Viginia Lowell: Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery Series
Charlotte MacLeod (aka Alisa Craig): Sarah Kelling & Max Bittersohn Mystery Series
Ada Madison (aka Margaret Grace & Camille Minichino): Sophie Knowles Mystery Series
Margaret Maron: Deborah Knott Mystery Series
Alyssa Maxwell: Gilded Newport Mystery Series
Jenn McKinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence): Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series
Ruth Moose: Beth McKenzie Mystery Series (Doing it at the Dixie Dew is book #1)
Liz Mugavero: Pawsitively Organic Mystery Series
Katherine Hall Page: Faith Fairchild Mystery Series
Anne Perry: Thomas & Charlotte Pitt Mystery Series
Sara Rosett: Ellie Avery Mystery Series
Mark Schweizer: Liturgical Mystery Series
Heather Webber (aka Heather Blake): Lucy Valentine Mystery Series
[If you click on the author’s name (blue) link, it will take you to his/her page on the Cozy Mystery site. The pages have all of the authors’ books listed chronologically.]
♦To access more Cozy Mystery Books Recommendations, click on this link♦
P.S. While I try to respond to all of the comments that are made on the Cozy Mystery blog, I generally don’t respond to the comments on these monthly recommendation entries. I do, however, list the recommended books that come via the Cozy Mystery blog’s comments!
Karen L. says
I read these cozies in August:
Kaua’i Me A River by JoAnn Bassett
Hand of Evil by JA Jance
Final Sentence (A Cookbook Nook Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber
Agatha Raisin and The Vicious Vet by M.C. Beaton
JA Jance is one of my favorite authors. I have enjoyed all of the Detective Beaumont Series and the Sheriff Joanna Brady series. I can add another series to my list and that is the Ali Reynolds series. I like the writing style and the setting of this series and that the main character is portrayed as smart. The plot is realistic and is well thought out.
Agatha Raisin is middle aged and flawed, but that’s ok so am I. I like to see what trouble she is going to get herself into next. She is also very nosey, opinionated, and often speaks her mind without thinking first. I love her quirkiness.
ginger says
I am not sure when but they are making tv series of Agatha Raisin I assumed in England.
Anne says
Ginger, it’s going to be made by the makers of “Endevour,” “Blandings” and other series. There’s going to be a series on Sky at Christmas but don’t know if that’s the same thing.
Peej says
This series doesn’t seem to have a name (you know, like The Witchcraft Mysteries or Haunted Home Renovations), however it’s a series written by Esri Allbritten. The first one is Chihuahua of the Baskervilles.
The first book was funny, sometimes laugh out loud funny, but also endearing. The mystery itself was solid, and made sense at the end (it didn’t feel as if the writer all of a sudden decided who did it in the last couple of chapters).
Instead of one sleuth, it’s a team from Trippin’ Magazine, “a quirky low-budget magazine that reports on travel destinations for believers in the paranormal.” The characters seem real, and not over-the-top.
Bonus: No romance!
Stash Empress says
I read that series — they’re hysterical! Wish there were more of them.
ginger says
I read the first one.
MJ says
Designated Daughters — Margaret Maron
I always recommend Maron’s books in this series because she is such a gifted story teller. The story focuses on the Knott family, which is extensive with 12 children (now adults), their spouses, ex-spouses, children, and grandchildren. Then throw in other necessary characters to the story and you have a LOT to follow.
Of course, Kizzie (father) is also featured. In addition, there is his sister and her children. Maron does provide a family tree in the beginning of the book, but it is very difficult to keep everyone straight and slows down the reading when you have to keep checking the family tree. So, I sort of read through all that.
This story reads like a family novel, the mystery is incidental. BUT, BUT, BUT the writing is excellent and the story keeps the reader completely engaged! There are numerous mini stories when writing a book of this ‘character magnitude’. Besides the various family stories, there are the many stories (humorous/witty/interesting) that Maron brings to Judge Deborah Knott’s courtroom. This author’s style is to bring some chapters to the reader from Judge Knott’s viewpoint, and some for her husband’s (Dwight) viewpoint. Frankly, I like this back and forth – always gives the stories much substance.
Maron is a whiz at developing wonderful, complicated characters. Rarely is there black and white…………….most all the characters (including Deborah and Dwight) in this series are ‘gray’. This mystery story is complex, thus difficult to explain without giving away too much info. It involves a possible murder in the past and a current murder. The resolution(s) — poignant.
The books in this series aren’t always so family featured. But this author writes a story like this every once in awhile to remind the reader of this very erratic family and the complicated relationships. I can understand why it took her almost two years to write this one. I highly recommend this book and this series. You don’t have to read all the books in this series to read this one, but it certainly helps to have read some that have focused on the Knott clan. However, I know there are many readers of this blog who have a much higher intellect than mine, and will be able to grasp the essence of the characters far more easily than I can. So to those, I say, “go for it”, you won’t be disappointed!
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Day of Vengeance – Jeanne Dams
First of all, Danna will be very pleased — just 211 pages!!!
I’ve liked most (but not all) the books in this series – this one is very good. The basic story is about appointing a bishop to the cathedral in Dorothy (main character) and Alan (husband – retired police chief) home town. Alan sits on the committee to narrow down four applicants to this position. Of course, not ALL clergy are created equal. One is murdered, thus the story follows to find the murderer.
I’m always amazed at how Dams (an American writer, who resides in Indiana) grasps all the language idiosyncrasies of the English. She is a very descriptive writer and brings us into various cathedrals/churches (and communities) in England as the story unfolds. There’s a lot of religious connotations (emphasis) in this story.
The main characters are always enjoyable, but Dams adds in some extremely interesting/varied new characters necessary to the story line. This is a well paced story, with many twists and turns – all adding to the complexity of the story. I think the reader will find the unfolding of the puzzle intriguing, and somewhat difficult to figure out before the final chapters. The final paragraph leaves a question (nothing to do with the murder), not sure why the author didn’t answer it. Even though this is the 15th book in the series, it certainly can be enjoyed by all readers as a ‘stand alone’. So, for the reader looking for a good ‘English’ mystery, I say, “pick this one up — you’ll enjoy it” (previous books in the series are not necessary). I’m even recommending it to my ‘non-mystery’ reader friends.
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Paws for Murder — Annie Knox
This is the first book in a new series. Although one would think (by the title) the main focus of the story is on animals, it isn’t. The ‘center’ of the story is a shop where the protagonist (Izzy) sells outfits she designs for animals. Her friend, Rena, makes and sells animal food items. The location is northern Minnesota around Halloween.
The town ‘activist’ is found murdered behind the shop. Because Rena is accused of the murder, Izzy gets involved to find the solution. As par for the course, Izzy’s ‘love’ since high school has moved on with another woman. Enter another high school ‘male’ friend who is now a lawyer. He is dating someone else, but there could (??) be a renewed spark of interest between him and Izzy. Knox has developed several likeable characters for the reader to enjoy. However, there are the ‘unlikeable’ ones, too.
This is a very fast paced story with interesting twists to the plots. I read it in a day (well into the night/early morning). The ending is somewhat of a surprise, but I kind of guessed it towards the last few chapters. I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the next one. Good read!
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Muffin But Murder — Victoria Hamilton
In some ways this is a weird series, but I found the first book quite intriguing and thus read the second book – equally interesting. The various characters are complex, somewhat weird, and yet enjoyable. There are a lot of characters in this book to keep track of. It would have been helpful if the author had listed them in the beginning, giving us a clue as to their connection to the story.
It is set in upstate New York, where the protagonist (Merry Wynter) is trying to sell a ‘castle’ that she inherited from an uncle. She hopes to move back to NYC, but finds she has made several endearing friends in Autumn Vale.
The murder happens at the castle during a costumed Halloween type party that gets a bit out of hand. The story is somewhat convoluted, but is evenly paced. In some aspects it’s easy to figure out because there are some ‘typical’ situations along the way. A possible romance with the detective is in the offing.
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Maple Mayhem — Jessie Crockett
This is the second book of the series. One of the main reasons I like this series is goes against the norm of a ‘struggling’ protagonist. Dani Greene’s grandparents (and, thus, the rest of the family) own a very prosperous maple syrup operation in a small New Hampshire community. Dani is a smart, successful, and independent main character.
Dani is trying to set up a coop with several other nearby operators. Someone doesn’t want this coop to succeed, so sets out to destroy personal property as a way to discourage participation in the coop. One very vocal opponent is the main suspect of the vandalism, but then he is found murdered.
The dialogue in this story is witty and engaging. There is a budding romance with the Fish and Game Warden. Crockett has very well developed characters that are exciting, yet extremely varied. She utilizes several subplots to keep the reader engaged in these characters. The culprit is a bit of a surprise. One can think of him/her as a possibility, but the ‘whys’ are unknown until the end.
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Murder in the Mystery Suite — Ellery Adams
This is the first book in a new series by this very prolific author. I’ve enjoyed other series (Books by the Bay Mysteries) by this author and some written under her pseudonyms JB/Jennifer Stanley/Arlington.
Jane Steward (protagonist) has moved back to Storyton (Virginia) with her 6 year old twins after the death of her husband. She is the manager of a resort that’s been in the family for several generations. I’m willing to bet that Adams (Stanley) had a GREAT time researching and writing this book! The focus of the village and resort is books/literature. I liked the characters from the beginning. Currently the resort is owned by her great aunt and great uncle.
However the story took a weird, somewhat unrealistic twist about page 100. Actually I had decided not to continue reading it. BUT, I picked it up the next day and because I liked the characters so much I thought I’d give it a few more pages. THEN, I became riveted with the story and couldn’t put it down. I just finished it last night.
As a marketing tool, Jane wants to create some week long book related events at the resort. The first is an October event – ‘Murder and Mayhem’. All guests arrive in costume of their favorite mystery story character. This story involves a valuable book that got into the wrong hands. Of course there is a murder(s) to be resolved as others want this book. A lot of secrecy is involved with many strange revelations.
The twins are precocious and a main part (appearing often) of the story. However they are allowed to run unsupervised throughout the resort. Early in the story Jane returns home after work and calls to the boys that she’s home. They yell back that they are ‘upstairs playing’ (Jane states she knew her sons were up to no good). There’s no babysitter, no nanny, no supervision! These are 6 yr old.kids! In another situation they bring out their Swiss army knives to carve an apple (and show it off to another character). Huh? Swiss army knives for kids just barely out of kindergarten. I had to get past this, telling myself this is ONLY fiction and the kids aren’t really in any danger!!! At the beginning of the story, the twins have the last name of the protagonist (Steward- her maiden name) and later in the book their last name is the same as her husband’s last name (Elliot).
Adams should further explain the background of her main characters (especially the protagonist). As I understand it, Jane grew up in this village, as did her best friend Eloise and her brother Elliot (who is just a couple of years older). YET Jane had never met her best friend’s brother in this tiny community. Huh? That is strange. It appears her parents are deceased, but there isn’t any explanation as to the whys and wherefores. As a reader, I’d like more background information/clarification (especially when it’s a series).
Having said all that, (I KNOW, I know……….I nitpick!), the twists in this story are original and highly creative. MUCH praise to the author for being so inventive (even though the premise is somewhat improbable). The author has developed very complex, some quirky, some secretive characters. I especially enjoy the smart and savvy protagonist……………she’s a winner! There’s also humor/wit in this book. I look forward to the next ‘installment’. Those of you that love to read a variety of literature genres will especially like all the classic book related quotes, references, etc. I think most of the blog readers will enjoy this book – just hang in there and read well beyond page 100 (it’s worth it)!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
(Yikes, MJ! I’m pretty predictable!)
Jackie J. Griffey says
Danna: I was a little surprised to see Anne George’s books listed, though she’s certainly earned her place on my lists of ‘gotta get this’ favorite authors. She only wrote eight of those wonderful classics and I have all eight. They’re with ones I’ve kept of other now gone favorites which includes the last Miss Marple and other more famous (and less famous too) ones I’ve enjoyed. Anyway, Anne George’s 8 are right there with my favorites on my ‘don’t loan this out shelf LOL)
Good luck and good reading to all of us,
Jackie
Cathy H says
Jackie,
I also love the anne george books as I grew up in Birmingham and my mother was a teacher in Tarrant City. I have reread the books at least three times and will re-read them again.
Stash Empress says
OMG MJ!!!!!!!!!!!! You’ve been reading my wish list!!! I’m so jealous — wish you could just send me the books when you finish!!!!!!!
Betti says
I have read several this month. The ones that I would recommend include:
Guidebook to Murder and Mission to Murder by Lynn Cahoon – well written, fun series, interesting romance element. Book/coffee shop/tourists theme. California setting which is somewhat unusual (or at least I have not read to many cozies set in CA)
Evil Eclairs & Sinister Sprinkles by Jessica Beck. Great protagonist and engaging storylines. Love the sidekick characters.
A Novel Way to Die by Ali Brandon – another cat and bookshop themed series but well done and interesting. I am really enjoying the series as a whole and this book was good.
Murder with Ganache by Lucy Burdette – a food writer series set in Key West. I really do like this series, but I will say that this is not the best book in the series so far.
A Cookie Before Dying by Virginia Lowell – Very good cookie cutter shop mystery series. The mystery is well done and the characters are fun. A culinary mystery with a little twist being that it is more about the equipment than the food itself.
Buttercream Bumpoff by Jenn Mckinlay I love this series! The plot is well done, the characters are well drawn, the mystery is engaging and the recipes are really good!
Curiousity Killed the Cat Sitter by Blaize Clement. This is the first in an established series. Set in Florida the protagonist is an ex law enforcement officer who had to quit due to personal tragedy. This cozy has particularly well developed protagonist. Very good writing and timely topic (exotic animal smuggling) I also read The Cat Sitter’s Pajamas out of order and really liked it.
The Cornish Coast Mystery by John Bude. This is a rereleased classic from the British Library dated in the Golden Age of Mysteries. Very good read and it was so interesting to read a book written in the time in which it was set rather than reading a modern historical take. The details really drew me into this charming tale.
A Roux of Revenge by Connie Archer – this series is a lot of fun. I just loved reading the winter/holiday setting in the middle of the heat of summer! Realistic characters with interesting lives and experiences.
mary says
Hello. Glad to see someone else is reading the new Jeanne Dams book. I caught up with the series, about 3 new ones, then dipped back to read a few of her older ones. Also a couple of the Mollie Murphy series by Rhys Bowen, very enjoyable, she feisty as ever. A few by Katherine Hall Page, I love how Faith Fairchild has grown and they are consistently good reads. I also like her prequels, gives us more insights and experiences with the characters. Just finished one Mrs. Pollifax, and hauled a couple more off my shelf. Lots of action, and she solves her mysteries the old-fashioned way, sans computer research and cell phone. The last, again as a hoot and because there was a recent mention of her in one of these blogs recently… the Anne George series. Just had fun with the book centred around The Boot and Scoot club Sister bought. (Not another word, you’ll have to find the great plot out for yourselves).
On order?? the latest Marcia Muller, new Katherine Hall Page short stories, two Agatha Raisins, and the new Rhys Bowen about Lady Georgiana.
After that? well that’s why I read this blog, I’m always finding something new.
Oh, I am also a huge fan of Laurie R.King and her Mary Russell/Sherlock Homes series, although not sure if we could call them cozies. Way back when, there was a sub-genre we called “procedurals”. anyone remember those?
Stash Empress says
Its funny that you mention Laurie R. King & her Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series! Just last night I was clearing out a file cabinet & came across a file of pages I’d torn out of old Mystery Guild catalogs with my “wishes” circled — these were from MANY years ago. So I sat down at the computer with that stack & went through methodically & looked at what I’d already read & what books I had wanted & never got to — anyway, one of the series I put on my wish list last night is Laurie R. King’s Sherlock Holmes series!
What can I say — there must be something in the air! A lot of us seem to have been rereading Pollifax & catching up on Dorothy Martin this month!
Anne says
I’m also a fan of Laurie King and I’ve just got her (latest?) book “The Bones of Paris” from my local library. It’s not a Russell and Holmes, it’s characters new to me. Can’t wait to read it.
How about a catagory called “Other?”
Linda MH says
Hope everyone had a wonderful August! Can’t believe September is almost here. My picks for this month:
The Thrill of the Haunt by E. J. Copperman
E. J. Copperman’s The Thrill of the Haunt is a very entertaining book. It boasts a great setting (the Jersey Shore), is filled with warm and relatable characters (even the ghosts-LOL), and contains a mystery filled with twists and turns that keep you reading way past your bedtime. The author has a humorous writing style, and I found myself laughing out loud at some of the lines. This author makes you believe that having ghosts in your house is the most normal thing there is. In this fifth outing, Alison Kerby (guesthouse owner and very reluctant private investigator) and Ghostly PI Paul take on two new cases—they have to prove a man is cheating on his wife, and they are hired to find the killer of a homeless man. One of the things I like about this series is the fact that Alison isn’t the only one who can see ghosts. Since her mother and daughter also have this ability, Alison is able to discuss the cases with them, which helps move the stories along. The next book is due out in December. I’m looking forward to it.
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Undeniably Yours by Heather Webber
Undeniably Yours by Heather Webber is the fifth book in the Lucy Valentine series. Lucy can’t read auras like other family members, but she is psychic and is able to locate missing objects, and at times, missing people. In this book, Lucy’s good friend shows up on her doorstep asking for help finding the mother of his daughter, the daughter he didn’t know he had. I really enjoyed this story. The beginning of this book grabbed me and didn’t let go. It is filled with wonderful characters, a well-written suspenseful mystery with twists and turns, and humorous believable dialogue. I must admit I love everything Heather Webber (AKA: Heather Blake) writes. She develops likable characters, and her witty voice comes through loud and clear in her writing. Spending time with her characters is like spending time with old friends.
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Sinfandel by Gina Cresse
Sinfandel is the first book in a new series by Gina Cresse, and I found it to be a fun and engaging story. Kate Cimaglia, extremely broke vineyard owner and part-time computer data expert, is hired by the California Department of Food and Agriculture to consolidate wine databases. As she begins to review the information she is given, she realizes something is off and begins to quietly investigate the inconsistency she found. When marijuana plants and a dead body are found on her land, Kate briefly comes under suspicion. However, after a few near misses on Kate’s life, the police detective finally convinces her someone wants her dead. The problem: Kate can’t figure out who is after her. Is it the murderer, the drug dealer, or does it have to do with her data investigation? I enjoyed this book. I grew to like Kate (it took me a few chapters!) and found her to be smart and capable. She has a sense of humor, and her battle with the raccoons kept me chuckling. I thought the ending was a bit rushed but I’ll definitely give the next book in this series a try. (According to the author’s website, there is another book in the works but no release date is listed.)
Enjoy the rest of the summer!!
Donna Mc says
Only a comment, not to be added to your list, as it isn’t a cozy mystery at all. I’ve been reading Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury. Every so often the time just seems right for reading one of his novels, which are always beautifully written and never disappoint. This one is sort of a fictional autobiography (if there is such a thing) about a boy growing up over the course of a summer. Somehow it just suited my mood this year, nostalgic and family-oriented, sometimes funny and sometimes sad, often poignant and moving.
I read Hepburn’s book when it was first published. Very fascinating woman and a fascinating time in history! Also a fan of classic movies and TV, I usually stop by the bio section of the library and find one to read along with the cozies. Gracie: A Love Story by George Burns is one of my favorites, I actually bought that one so I can re-read it from time to time.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Donna Mc, I usually don’t read biographies, but Katherine Hepburn’s Me was on sale for the Kindle format, and I thought What do I have to lose? I’m glad I bought it.
Donna says
I read my first Nancy Coco cozy “All Fudged Up” and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the location and the characters but I think the idea of an old hotel being renovated and the secrets it holds just kept me reading. Nancy kept the story flowing in such a way that you couldn’t wait to turn the page to see what was going to happen next.
Rebl says
Read a lot this month too: Here are my recommendations
I would have to say you have to read the series by Mark Schweizer. The first in the series is “The Alto Wore Tweed” the main character Hayden Konig is the police chief in the small Appalachian town of St. Germaine, North Carolina. His part-time job, however, is serving as the choir director and organist at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, but he’s also determined to write the next great hard-boiled mystery novel a la Raymond Chandler — a liturgical mystery novel with no real plot, but enough bad prose to make the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest look like the Oxford University Press spring catalog. The book is not what you expect it is funnier and you will want to read the rest of the series just to see what happens to the church and the people in the town.
Stash Empress says
As mentioned in a previous post, I needed some serious comfort reading this month after having been traumatized by reading a thoroughly horrible book that totally destroyed one of my long time favorite series!
One of the two series I reread this month was the Sarah Kelling & Max Bittersohn series by Charlotte Macleod:
The Family Vault
The Withdrawing Room
The Palace Guard
The Bilbao Looking Glass
The Convivial Codfish
The Plain Old Man
The Recycled Citizen
The Silver Ghost
The Gladstone Bag
The Resurrection Man
The Odd Job
The Balloon Man
From the wild & wacky characters (with wild names to match!) to the witty repartee — this series is just plain fun! And an added bonus was that I discovered that one of the books in the series, The Plain Old Man, was actually new to me! (Back in the ’80s & early ’90’s when I first read them, I had to rely on what my public library had available and not all the books were in the system at that time — now I was able to actually all find them as e-books! I just wish that I could get Macleod’s other series as ebooks too!)
The other “cozy comfy” series I reread was the Mrs. Pollifax series by Dorothy Gilman:
The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax
The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax
The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax
Mrs. Pollifax and the Hong Kong Buddha
Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled
I did not get through the whole series this month, only picking up what I could when I could, but I’m continuing them in the coming month(s)! Btw, I find that the earliest seem to be the best. In the later books its pretty much one capture, one escape, one chase, one resolution. (Though exceedingly enjoyable!) — while in the earlier books it seems like she’d escape one set of captors only to be captured all over again — sometimes 3-4x in one book!
(Note that when I read so many of a series, I don’t read them all at once — I space them out with other books in between otherwise it gets to be too much!)
There was a third series I’ve been reading for “comfort”, the Dorothy Martin series by Jeanne M. Dams, but I haven’t actually reread any of hers this month, rather caught up on the past few that I’ve missed because my library didn’t have — but now they got them as ebooks — YAY! I’m still on hold for the newest! (Which it says is due out on September 1st & then I’m #5 of 6 holds, so I doubt I’ll get to read it in September myself.) And I’ve also got plans to reread her older ones, now that the library has many of them available as ebooks.
The ones I read this month:
A Dark and Stormy Night
The Evil that Men Do
The Corpse of St. James’s
Murder at the Castle
Interesting that even though this isn’t an “old” series, it does still “read” as an old series. By that I mean that its set in the present day, Dorothy & her husband have cellphones & internet — but
technology doesn’t intrude & dominate the story like in many newer books. Rather its very much the flavor of Miss Marple & teatime & comfort food!
So that’s 21 books for this month so far & I haven’t even started listing the “new” books LOL!
Sara Rosett — Milkshakes, Mermainds, and Murder (Ellie Avery Mystery) — I love this series, nonstop action, intelligent down to earth sleuth (she’s a mom, she’s got to be able to cope with a
little murder, no?) Newest installment didn’t disappoint, in fact I liked this one the best so far.
J.J. Cook — Death on Eat Street (Biscuit Bowl series) — Looks like the start of another good series by the prolific Joyce & Jim Lavene! Interesting characters, unusual location, looking forward to the next in the series.
V.C. Clinton-Baddeley — Only a Matter of Time — I had never heard of this author & found it recommended on this site. I really enjoyed it! Alas this is the only volume in my public library’s system, the only way I could read the rest of the series would be if I purchased all of them.
Hannah Dennison — Murder at Honeychurch Hall — this is a delightful new series — at least I HOPE it will be a series! Loads of fun — lots of modern day Upstairs/Downstairs but with wacky characters. I really hope there will be more to come.
Carolyn Hart — Death At the Door (Death On Demand series) — this has been one of my favorite series since its inception (mystery bookstore — what could be bad???) — and this was another good
installment — I had NO IDEA whodunnit! What I notice about Hart’s writing is that you have to be on your toes when you read — you can’t just skim any paragraphs, you’re bound to miss something!
Lee Hollis — Death of a Kitchen Diva (Hailey Powell series) — another good installment in this series — it really kept me guessing till the end.
Liz Mugavero — Kneading to Die (Pawsitively Organic mystery) — beginning of a new series, very enjoyable, totally kept me guessing till the end. Looking forward to the next installment.
Anne Perry — Death on Blackheath (Thomas & Charlotte Pitt series) — I was thrilled when I discovered this available as an ebook from my library — otherwise I’d have had to wait a good long time for my turn at a print copy! I love this series & this latest installment did not disappoint.
Ada Madison — The Probability of Murder (Sophie Knowles series) — Very enjoyable, suspenseful — and I totally did not see that ending coming!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, so that’s 30 books I’m recommending for this month, this is of course not counting the few that I read that I hated for one reason or another (and thankfully those were FEW!)
Yeah… I guess I read a fair bit this month, what?
😉
Anne says
go for it girl!
Denise says
Just finished reading Doing it at the Dixie Dew by Ruth Moose. Set in the south with great characters (one who walks a rabbit named Robert Redford on a leash) in a small town setting this is a wonderful new cozy read. Loved it! No wonder this book was the winner of the Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition. I hope this becomes a series.
Edie says
I just came across a “new” series this month when someone asked me to review a couple of books by the same author. It’s the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross.
I received the 13th and 14th. What a blast. I’m not sure how I’m going to fit them all in, but I would at least like to read the first couple.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Edie, your amongst a group of many who enjoy the Miss Julia Mystery Series by Ann B. Ross!
HotDog says
I have lurked here and totally appreciated the recommendations for a couple of years.
I just had to say thanks for the recommendation of “Well Read, then Dead” I loved it.
I am a huge fan of Miss Julia by Ann B Ross. I note- I would recommend reading book 2 “Miss Julia Takes Over” and then go back and read book 1 “Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind” then read the rest in order. I might not have gotten into the series if I had started with book 1. Now I have read and listened to each of the books many times.
I also really enjoy ALL of Donna Andrews ‘Meg Langslow’ series and most of Joann Fluke’s Hannah Swenson.
Danna, Thank you for a wonderful site and all the effort you put into it.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
HotDog, I’m glad you finally posted a comment, and also that you enjoy the site!
Margaret Anne says
My favorite read from this past month was Clobbered by Camembert by Avery Aames. The Cheese Shop Mystery series was one of the first I sampled when I first became an avid cozy mystery reader. I enjoyed the first book, but didn’t care for the second (too many characters and a convoluted plot), but I found the third book in the series at a used bookstore. I am really glad I gave the series a second chance! This book was highly enjoyable, and the characters are very likeable (even if the main character Charlotte and her coworker Rebecca make questionable judgments when investigating murders!) I definitely plan on reading the next book in the series.
I also tried reading a bestseller non-cozy this past month, but I only made it halfway before I had to stop reading it. The book depicted a graphic torture scene that I found upsetting, so I decided to go back to comforting cozies instead. I wonder if other readers of cozies also find that mainstream novels are too stressful, especially after reading cozies. I used to force myself to read through disturbing scenes in books, but I now feel that even if a book is well-written and a “must-read,” it isn’t worth me becoming upset by violence and/or emotionally wrenching storylines. (I am probably extra sensitive, though- I still haven’t recovered from my first viewing of Bambi when I was a child!)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret Anne, I know, right! Bambi’s mom’s fate was pretty awful!
reginav says
Most of the books I read this past month were the latest in a series.They were all a fine example of the authors’ abilities,but each had a special touch. Rhys Bowen’s was part of her Royal Spyness series;it was fun trying to match true life Hollywood stars to her fictional ones.Mary Daheim’s continued her B&B series;the zany cousins have aged very well.I always enjoy Margaret Maron’s Deborah Knott;her family and career in the South have a special appeal for a Northerner like me.Another Southern favorite is Bill Crider;his sheriff faces many difficult challenges not found in our suburbs .Jeanne Dam’s books I consider true cozies albeit she has her characters visit big cities.I think the book I enjoyed the most of mysteries was Laurien Berenson’s “The Dog Whisperer”. My Son owns a Basset, BO. and Barney the basset reminded me of him. To know a basset is to love him. I always space out my mysteries with other novels and biographies. One author I found this month is Daisy Godwin.Her 2 novels, “An American Heiress” and “The Fortune Hunter” deal with the Edwardian period in England and the problems faced by American heiresses married into British nobility. Those books led me into an excellent biography “Consuela and Alva. Consuela Vanderbilt was forced into loveless marriage with the Duke of Marlborough by her mother Alva Vanderbilt Perry. He wanted her money to restore his palace and her mother wanted Consuela to be a Dutchess.It is a very intriguing look at women’s roles and the changes that have been made.
Stash Empress says
I also recently read “An American Heiress” by Daisy Godwin & currently have her second book, “The Fortune Hunter” on hold at the library (being #4 in line, looks like it will be a couple months till I see it!)
If you enjoy that period, another series you might like is Alyssa Maxwell’s “Gilded Newport” series. They feature the Vanderbilt family & the sleuth is a Vanderbilt poor relation named Emma Cross. I read & loved the first in the series, “Murder at the Breakers” & currently waiting for the second one, “Murder at Marble House” to be available at the library. (I’m first in line for that one, so hopefully sooner rather than later LOL)
Cheryl says
I recently began reading the series written by Elly Griffiths with her main character, Ruth Galloway. Louise Penny calls them “gripping”.
Angela says
I just finished book 2 in the Mack’s Bar series by Allyson K. Abbott titled Murder with a Twist. So far I have enjoyed both books in the series. Mack is a bar owner in Milwaukee who has a rare condition in which her senses are all mixed up. In other words she sees smells, hears sights and tastes sounds etc… This condition of hers makes her perspective of the world much sharper than other peoples would be and so is perfect for crime solving which gives this series an interesting twist. So far the characters are delightful and the mysteries have been interesting. Of course there is the budding relationship with the hunky detective but that isn’t detracting from the other elements of the story. I did Google her condition and it’s a real thing and very rare, makes for an interesting mystery read!
janie says
Lauren Carr writes a series about Mac Faraday, who on the worst day of his life, inherits a bundle of money from his unknown birth mother who is the queen of mystery writers. The characters are interesting and likeable and the mystery is good. There are several books in this series. I have read the first two and enjoyed them immensely and look forward to the rest. Give them a try. I think many of you will like them. I think they deserve to be listed on your site.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janie, thanks for telling us about Lauren Carr!