Here are some Fun Florida Facts:
“The Sunshine State”
Tallahassee is the capital, but Jacksonville is the largest city.
State Motto: “In God We Trust”
State Flower: Orange Blossom
Claimed by Ponce de León as “Pascua de Florida” (“Feast of Flowers”)
State Song: Old Folks at Home
Authors who are found on the Cozy Mystery Site and who feature Florida locations in their books:
Edna Buchanan: Britt Montero Mystery Series AND the Cold Case Squad Mystery Series
Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib): Key West Food Critic Mystery Series
Nora Charles (aka Noreen Wald): Kate Kennedy Mystery Series
Blaize Clement: Dixie Hemingway Mystery Series
Nancy J. Cohen: Bad Hair Day Mystery Series
Lesley A. Diehl: Big Lake Mystery Series
Lesley A. Diehl: Eve Appel Mystery Series
Tim Dorsey: Serge & Coleman Mystery Series
Mary Anna Evans: Faye Longchamp Mystery Series
Christy Fifield (aka Christy Evans) Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery Series
Lena Gregory: All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery Series
Carl Hiaasen: Writes Florida mysteries which are described as “hilarious”
Tami Hoag: Elena Estes Mystery Series
Cheryl Hollon: Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery Series
Mary Kennedy: Talk Show Radio Mystery Series
Rita Lakin: Gladdy Gold Mystery Series
Vincent Lardo: Arch McNally Mystery Series (took over Lawrence Sanders’ series)
Lisa Q. Mathews: Ladies Smythe & Westin Mystery Series
Dawn Lee McKenna: Forgotten Coast Mystery Series (first book Low Tide)
Terrie Farley Moran: Read ‘Em and Eat Mystery Series
Laura Morrigan: Call of the Wilde Mystery Series
Barbara Parker: Suspicion Mystery Series
Rose Pressey: Maggie, P.I. Mystery Series
Lawrence Sanders: Arch McNally Mystery Series (the original author of the series)
Deborah Sharp: Mace Bauer Mystery Series
Joanna Campbell Slan: Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series
Diane A. S. Stuckart (aka Ali Brandon): Tarot Cats Mystery Series
Kathy Hogan Trochek (aka Mary Kay Andrews): Truman Kicklighter Mystery Series
Elaine Viets: Dead-End Job Mystery Series
Karen Ann Wilson: Samantha Holt Mystery Series
Please feel free to contact me if you see an author from the Cozy Mystery Site who belongs on this list, or if you have any comments.
♦To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.♦
Sue says
Doesn’t Janet Evanovich’s Alex Barnaby series belong here?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sue,
You are so correct!
When I initially posted Evanovich’s new Alex Barnaby series, I thought she stayed in Philadelphia. Thank you for letting me know about this… (I have corrected the website.)
Rosemary says
Stuart Woods and his Holly Barker series. Also Randy Lee White and the Sanibel (Island) books.
Dale Stadler says
Is this the Randy Wayne White series about Doc Ford?
Connie says
Deborah Sharp’s Mace Bauer Mystery series takes place in Florida.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Connie!
CindyM says
I’d suggest Lucy Burdette who has just published the first (I pray not the last!) in her Hayley Snow, Key West Food Critic series. I took this book with me on our Key West vacation a couple weeks ago, and absolutely loved it. We visited restaurants as she mentioned them throughout the book!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, CindyM, for reminding me of Lucy Burdette – who writes the Key West Food Critic Mystery Series. You would think I would have automatically added her to the Mystery Books that Take Place in Florida theme. >>> I was born in Key West.
Cindy says
With Lucy/Roberta ready to come out with her sixth in this series, I think it’s safe to say Hayley Snow is a success!! (Danna, as soon as our house sells, we will be relocating to Key West! Since my initial post, we’ve been down several times, kindled wonderful friendships – including Roberta – and can’t wait to make it all permanent!)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cindy, lucky you! I have seen Key West on travel shows and it looks absolutely beautiful. I’m guessing you have visited Ernest Hemmingway’s cat house. Those little kittens need specially-made mittens!
NGillet says
What about Stuart M Kaminsky and the Lew Fonesca series?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
NGillet, thanks for mentioning Stuart M. Kaminsky and Lew Fonesca.
Retro59 says
My Dad had a collection of paperbacks from an author in the ’60s. They got donated after he passed away 10 years ago, but I loved reading them when I’d go to visit him! The stories were based in South Florida where we live. I’m trying to find the name of the Author, but his writing is somewhat reminiscent of Carl Hiaassen!
It was based out of Fort Lauderdale, if I remember, about a Detective guy who wins a Houseboat (?!?) in a Poker Game! Pier 17?!? People, mostly Women (if you get my drift!), come to him to solve Crimes! He’s definitely a Ladies’s Man of ’60s!
Great stories and having grown up in the ’60s, they are definitely engaging!
Deb says
John d macdonald’s Travis Magee books. Great writing.
Judith says
Are you thinking of the Travis McGee books by John D. MacDonald? The first book in the series is The Deep Blue Good-bye.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Deb and Judith!
Ken says
Got me through my chemo sessions, reading his books.
Suzi says
Please add about Florida: State song: “old Folks at Home”
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Suzi, I’ll go add it right now.
Joanna Campbell Slan says
My Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series is set here in Florida on the Treasure Coast. Book #1 — Tear Down and Die — is now only 99 cents because I’m celebrating the release of Book #2 — Kicked to the Curb. The books include Florida lore and history. You can see them at
Tear Down and Die
Kicked to the Curb
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Joanna, for updating us on your Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series.
(I hope it’s OK that I went ahead and highlighted them in your comment. I thought some Cozy Mystery readers may enjoy seeing them.)
m says
Randy wayne white!
Mary Ann Wuebker says
Exactly what I was going to say! How could he not be here???!!!!
Sarah E says
who is the author of series with ‘hero’ who used to be a ranger in maine or such, lost his family and moved to florida “hammocks” and has old guy neighbor with the mule who is picky about hats, and dog – sanchez maybe? and bees.
Vivian Pyle says
That is what I am trying to find….great books….
William says
A friend told me about a series of books about a newspaper reporter who traveled around the State of Florida in search of criminals. I believe the criminals are fictitious but the places in Florida that he visits are historicaly accurate. Can anyone shed some light on the series and my search? Thank you.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Hello William.
Unfortunately I don’t think I’m familiar with the series you are describing. If anyone else thinks they know what series William is looking for, please be sure to write in!
Edward says
Could it be Tim Dorsey’s books? He’s a former reporter and does exhaustive travel and research throughout Florida for his novels. He’s even published a couple books of photographs from the places he’s visited on his research trips. His protagonist is a criminal.
It’s the only thing that comes to mind.
Fred says
Dawn Lee McKenna’s mysteries set in the Panhandle? Starting with LOW TIDE?
Brian M says
A.J. Stewart with his Miami Jones series is a good one!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Brian, thanks for the suggestion! I’ll check that one out some time.
Kay says
Who is the author of the series set in Ft Lauderdale? The detectives are now married but live in separate apartments in a lovely retro building where the tenants celebrate sunset every night with happy hour around the pool. One mystery was centered around the Bonnet House/Gardens
Lindsay says
Elaine Vietnamese dead end job mysteries
Kay says
Yes! Thank you!!
Jeanne Meeks says
My Tennis Team Mystery series takes place in SW Florida: Gator Bait and Killer Serve. It would be great to be included in this list. Thanks!
Robert says
Trying to find name of author who wrote about a Florida keys murder mystery. She was a district attorney, her boyfriend was a cop.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sorry, Robert, I can’t help you with this one! But I’ve put it up on the front page as part of a big questions post, so hopefully someone else can help.
Kay says
Hialeah Jackson! Farewell Conch Republic and Alligators Farewell
bobbie says
I am looking for a series that takes place in Florida with a young man that is a half brother or illegitimate son of a wealthy boat owner or maker. He has a friend or grandfather that he associates with. It’s a mystery series. I think his name was Chase or Chance. It is not the Saving Chase series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bobbie, I don’t know – I have put it up as part of a questions post, so hopefully someone else will be able to assist.
Dawn says
There’s a series called The Glock Grannies which is a cozy mystery series that takes place in Florida. It’s about a woman named Niki who moves to Florida to live with her Grandmother in her retirement community for a fresh start, and solves crimes. I’ve read the 1st 3 books in the series on Audible, and I highly enjoyed them! I even found myself pushing pause to laugh out loud for a few minutes several times! I can’t recall who the author is, but, I think you all would get plenty of enjoyment out of reading this series!
Dale says
I’ll give those a try. Thanks for the suggestion.
ChrisM says
Judy K. Walker writes books set near Tallahassee. Female PI, assorted characters. Highly recommended!
Kay says
About a year ago I read a book about a recently widowed woman (she had a daughter and son) who embarked on a new career as a travel writer, sending her to Florida (Dinosaur World, Shell World, Titanic) with a group of other writers, one of whom was an extremely unlikable,arrogant, insulting man who gets murdered. Can’t remember the name of the character or the author. Can you help?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kay, it might be Murder Packs a Suitcase, by Cynthia Baxter?
Kay says
Yes!!!! Thank you!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kay, glad to help!