The Cozy Mystery List Blog

Cozy Mystery (and Other Favorite) Books, Movies, and TV

Mystery Books with No Profanity (Swearing) and/or Faith-Based Mystery Books

I just received this letter from a Cozy Mystery Site reader:

“Subject: Help with Author List
Dear Danna: I mostly read Christian fiction because it is clean and glorifies Christ. I read your web page definition of a cozy mystery and it said  that “cozy mysteries are considered “gentle” books… no graphic violence, no profanity, and no explicit sex”. I tried a few books from your list and within the first chapter there was profanity. I guess not all authors follow the guidelines for a cozy mystery. If you know of any that are a good clean read please send me a list of the authors that do follow the guidelines.
I appreciate any help you can give me.
Thank you, Tina”

Here is my (+/-) answer:

I know exactly what you are talking about… I recently finished a book by one of my favorite cozy authors, and had that very same problem! I wonder if their publishers tell them to “spice things up” these days…

I just went through the site and found these authors who might be of interest to you. Also, since I initially posted this entry, I have received suggested authors (from Cozy Mystery readers just like you and me!) who I have also included to this entry. (*So, I have not read every book by every author on this list.*)

Hannah Alexander is a writing husband/wife team who write the Hideaway Mystery Series. This Christy award-winning team mixes medical suspence with romance.

Donald Bain & “Jessica Fletcher” write the Murder, She Wrote Mystery Series.

Christy Barritt writes the Squeaky Clean Mystery Series which features the owner of a very unusual business: a crime scene cleaning service. The amateur sleuth almost completed her college degree in forensic science, which comes in very handy while being able to get a first hand view of the evidence!

Ron & Janet Benrey: the Pippa Hunnechurch Mystery Series features an executive recruiter AND the Royal Tunbridge Wells Mystery Series which is set in England and, along with the “real” people features Lapsang & Souchong (2 British Shorthair cats), Cha-Cha (a Shiba Inu… dog) and Earl, an African Grey Parrot. The Benreys also write the Glory, North Carolina Mystery Series, which also belongs on this list.

Susan Bernhardt: Kay Driscoll Mystery Series

Laura Bradford: Amish Mystery Series

Emily Brightwell: Mrs. Jeffries Mystery Series

Lynn Bulock pens the Steeple Hill Cafe Mystery Series. I have not read any of the books yet, but from what I could find, it is a mystery series with a Christian theme.

Anne Canadeo: Black Sheep Knitting Mystery Series (Also co-authors the fiction series “Cape Light” with Thomas Kinkade, as Katherine Spencer.)

JoAnna Carl: Chocoholic Mystery Series

Laurie Cass (aka Laura Alden): Bookmobile Cat Mystery Series

Lynne E. Chandler: Mrs. Baul Investigates: Bishop Kidnapped in Egypt

G. K. Chesterton writes the Father Brown Mystery Series.

Agatha Christie (aka The Queen of Cozy Mysteries!): Miss Marple Mystery Series and Hercule Poirot Mystery Series, Superintendent Battles, and Tommy & Tuppence Mystery Series.

Mary Higgins Clark has written many stand alone mysteries and is one of the authors on the Mystery Writers of America – Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time.

Mindy Starns Clark: the Million Dollar Mystery Series AND the Smart Chick Mystery Series.

Christine E. Collier:  the Writer’s Club Mystery Series has four women who make up the club and not only write, but “right” mysteries.

Sheila Connolly: Orchard Mystery Series AND Museum Mystery Series

Alisa Craig (aka Charlotte MacLeod): Inspector Madoc Rhys Mystery Series AND Grub-and-Stakers Mystery Series

Jeanne M. Dams: Dorothy Martin Mystery Series AND Hilda Johansson Mystery Series

Kathie Deviny: Grace Church Mystery Series

Elizabeth J. Duncan: Penny Brannigan Mystery Series

Sharon Dunn writes the Bargain Hunters Mystery Series, as well as the Ruby Taylor Mystery Series. Dunn describes herself as a “Christian author” who mixes the mystery genre with some of  the humor you find in “Chick-Lit”.

Monica Ferris: Needlecraft Shop Mystery Series

“Jessica Fletcher” & Donald Bain write the Murder, She Wrote Mystery Series.

Amanda Flower: Appleseed Creek Mystery Series

Joanne Fluke writes the exceptionally popular Hannah Swenson/Cookie Jar Mystery Series. Hannah manages to sleuth while managing her Minnesota bakery, the Cookie Jar.

Dorothy Gilman writes the Mrs. Pollifax Mystery Series which features Emily Pollifax, a woman you would absolutely never think is a CIA agent. Emily is a senior citizen with a penchant for hats.

Sally Goldenbaum: Seaside Knitters Mystery Series

Margaret Grace (aka Camille Minichino): As Camille Minichino she writes the Periodic Table Mystery Series. As Margaret Grace she writes the Miniature Mystery Series. I am making my way (2009) through both of the series and enjoying them immensely.

Hazel Holt: Mrs.Malory Mystery Series

Jan Karon is on the Cozy Mystery Site even though she does not write mysteries. The Mitford Series AND the Father Tim’s Novels belong to her.

Josi S. Kilpack writes the Culinary Mystery Series, which features a stay-at-home mom/sleuth.

Charlotte MacLeod (aka Alisa Craig): Peter Shandy Mystery Series AND Sarah Kelling & Max Bittersohn Mystery Series

Blanche Day Manos & Barbara Burgess write the Darcy/Flora Mystery Series which feature a mother and daughter sleuthing duo.

Blanche Day Manos also writes the Ned McNeil Mystery Series, set in Oklahoma.

Edith Maxwell (aka Maddie Day & Tace Baker) writes the Quaker Midwife Mystery Series, which features a Quaker wife in 1880s Massachusetts.

Lorena McCourtney, armed with a college degree in agriculture, is listed under “Christian Mysteries” on her site… She writes the Ivy Malone Mystery Series (which features senior citizen sleuths), the Andi McConnell Mystery Series, the Sparrow Island Mystery Series (which features a bird watcher) and the Julesburg Mystery Series…

K. D. McCrite: Eastgate Mystery Series: Carrie Jean Lockwood is an Assistant Pastor in Arkansas.

Camille Minichino (aka Margaret Grace): As Camille Minichino she writes the Periodic Table Mystery Series. As Margaret Grace she writes the Miniature Mystery Series. I am making my way (2009) through both of the series and enjoying them immensely.

Tyora Moody: Eugeena Patterson Mystery Series – Eugeena is a recently widowed, Diabetic, retired social studies teacher in South Carolina.

Gilbert Morris was a pastor for ten years and has written many different novels, including three mystery series: the Jacques & Cleo, Cat Detective Mystery Series, the Lady Trent Mystery Series, and the Danielle Ross Mystery Series (which sometimes is refered to as the Dani Ross Mystery Series).

Katherine Hall Page has a BA from Wellesley, an MA from Tufts, and a Doctorate from Harvard… She is the first person to ever receive Best First Novel, Best Novel, and Best Short Story Agatha Awards (Malice Domestic), and writes the Faith Fairchild Mystery Series, which features a caterer/sleuth who is married to a minister.

Dani Pettrey is a homeschool teacher from Maryland who writes the Alaskan Courage Mystery Series, starring a family living in small town Yancey, Alaska.

Cyndy Salzmann writes the Friday Afternoon Club Mystery Series which features a group of stay-at-home mothers who are good friends, and great sleuths! (Salzmann bases her novels on her Christian faith.)

Susan Sleeman pens the Garden Gate Mystery Series which features a landscaper in Oregon. (Sleeman is an advocate for Christian suspense.)

Alexander McCall Smith writes The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Mystery Series.

Patricia Sprinkle has two established series: the Sheila Travis Mystery Series is set in Georgia, AND the MacLaren Yarbrough Thoroughly Southern Mystery Series. She is currently starting a new Family Tree Genealogy Mystery Series which her readers are sure to enjoy.

Jennifer Stanley (aka J.B. Stanley & Ellery Adams) writes the Hope Street Church Mystery Series.

Nancy Jill Thames writes the Jillian Bradley Mystery Series which features a gardening  columnist and her Yorkie.

Janice A. Thompson writes the Bridal Mayhem Mystery Series. She describes herself as a Christian author. She home-schooled her four daughters and has done her part in planning several weddings.

Debbie Viguié writes the Psalms 23 Mystery Series. The series features a church secretary and a Reformed Rabii as its sleuths.

Chris Well writes Christian crime thrillers with a lot of humor thrown into the mysteries. His Kentucky Geezers Trilogy will be hitting the bookstores soon. Well also includes both writing and/or editing for such publications as the Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.

Patricia Wentworth: Miss Maude Silver Mystery Series

Valerie Wolzien: Susan Henshaw Mystery Series

Here are a few Series:

Annie’s Attic Mystery Series : This series follows a woman who, upon cleaning out her grandmother’s attic, finds some very baffling items. These puzzling items are the starting points of the mysteries she and her friends solve.

Annie’s Mysteries Unraveled Mystery Series: This series is an Annie’s Crafts Company series. Each mystery book is written by a different author, and they star Kate Stevens, a single mom. She works as a crochet designer in Texas.

Annie’s Quilted Mystery Series: This is another Annie’s Crafts Company series. Like the other (currently three) series from this publisher, the books are written by different authors. They follow Emma Cotton and Kelly Grace, both members of the Nimble Thimbles quilting group in Mystic Harbor, Massachusetts.

Annie’s Secrets of the Quilt Mystery Series

I just found the Church Choir Mysteries which also include many different authors of mystery books.

Creative Woman Mystery Series is a series of mysteries that feature Shannon McClain, a crafter who makes one-of-a-kind beaded jewelry. Shannon is a Scottish widowed mother of twins who has moved to Apple Grove, Oregon. These mysteries are published by the same company that publishes the Annie’s Attic Mysteries.

Also, Heartsong Presents Mystery Series is a series which includes many authors who have mystery series of their own. I have a detailed list on their own page.

Hometown Mystery Series is a series of mystery books that are put out by Barbour Publishing. Several of the (Christian) authors write more than one mystery book in the series, but the books are not meant to be read in any particular order.

Miss Read Mysteries is a series which features a school teacher in very Cozy, British villages. They are not mysteries.

Mysteries of Sparrow Island Series  is a Guideposts mystery series which has several authors who contribute to the book list. They feature Abigail Stanton, an ornithologist (bird specialist) who moves to Sparrow Island in Washington. Mary (her sister) and Finnegan (her service dog) move with her.  This is a Christian theme mystery series.

Mystery and the Minister’s Wife mysteries. This series is unique in that each book is written by different authors (some of the authors pen more than one book in the series.) I was told by one of the authors of the series that you can read the books out of order, but she did suggest reading the first one or two msyteries before reading the others… This is one time when chronological order is not important! It is an inspirational mystery series.

Patchwork Mystery Series is a Guidepost series which will revolve around a very crafty quilter who solves mysteries.

Secrets of Mary’s Bookshop is a Guidepost mystery series that takes place in Mary’s Mystery Bookshop.

Stories from Hope Haven is another non-mystery series from Guidepost which takes place in a fictional hospital, and revolves around four nurses and their patients.

Tales from Grace Chapel Inn Series is a series of books which follow three sisters who inherit a Victorian style Bed and Breakfast from their father. The series is written by several Christian authors and is not a mystery series, but I think that it falls in well with the above-listed authors and series.

Texas K-9 Mystery Series features a Texas K-9 police dog and his/her police (person) handler. Each book in the series features a different K-9 dog, and is written by a different mystery author.

Vineyard Quilt Mystery Series

Between all of the above authors and series, you should be able to find a good starting point for your search… Hope that these help…

Here is a Previous Entry about this very same subject.

And, here’s a follow-up entry:

Cozy Mystery Authors with No Profanity/Swearing, Please…

If you have any authors who you think belong on this list… Please drop me a comment or contact me through the website.

***To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.***

Comments

    • Thank you Larry. I like your comment about your mother. My kind of conscience reading material. Know that I will check out your website. Keep writing 🙂 Again, thank you.

      Reply

        • What about Anne Perry? Particularly her Christmas series. Christion tradition and principles, but no profanity.
          Her other series (Wm. Monk and Thomas Pitt) sometimes have mature subjects (i.e., incest…)

          Reply

  2. I also enjoy Lilian Jackson Braun’s CAT WHO … series, as well as Leslie Meier’s Lucy Stone books and Ann B. Ross’ MISS JULIA series – they all provide enjoyment and great reading without the unnecessary profanity and explicit sex. Thanks, Danna, for a great website!
    Petie

    Reply

    • The Lady Darby series by Anna Lee Huber is a great one for cozy mysteries. I am not sure about her other books.

      Reply

      • Thank you for the recommendation of the Lady Darby Series, Vanessa B. I have added it to my list of books to find.

        Reply

  4. Hi Danna,

    There’s no profanity in any of my books and some of the stories have a Christian theme. My series consist of The Writer’s Club, Mystery is our Shadow, Christmas at Cliffhanger Inn and Something Borrowed, Something Blue. My book of short holiday stories is titled A Holiday Sampler. There’s romance and mystery but no sexual content.
    Thank you.
    Mrs. Christine E. Collier

    Reply

  5. Love Jan Karon. Have read all of her books. Would like to read more like Father Tim, but I did not like her Holly Springs books. I had expected the boy (Dooley) and girl to start a new series.

    Love Pat Sprinkle, too.

    Read the first Sue Grafton. I did not like the language. Wish someone would tell her to leave it out and then my hubby and I would read them. They are good, but Oh, that language.

    Do you know an author who writes about an 80 year old woman who lives on a northeastern island? She is a writer for a small paper and does some sleuthing. The books usually have the name of a flower in the title. Any suggestions on other authors without the language.

    Also love the 7 books that Anne George wrote before she passed away.

    Nancy Atherton’s Aunt Dimity series, Earlene Fowler (Christian mystery author. Scripture is in a lot of her books. Started with first one and each one gets more scripture. Think she is growing spiritually.) Ginny

    Reply

    • I like you enjoyed the Jan Karon books and especially the Father Tim books. I haven’t read any mysteries, they really have not peaked my interest. I love the idea of no profanity or sex in the ones I read. I like more wholesome books. Do you have any suggestions, and I do really enjoy the ones in series.

      Reply

      • Love, love, love Ann B. Ross books..met her at a book signing in a little town in NC and loved her, too! Wish I hadn’t already read her “Miss Julia” series! Miss Julia is a hoot…

        Reply

      • I loved Jan Karon’s Mitford Series.
        I would love recommendations of another series of similar quality.

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        • Melissa, my novel, titled “Oblivion at Tranquil Manor” fits the genre you are looking for. It’s available on Amazon as paperback or ebook; also at Indigo as an ebook.

          I hope you will try it. If you do, a review on Amazon, Goodreads or Cozy Mysteries would be greatly appreciated.

          Charlotte L. Sowers

          Reply

    • Hi Ginny!!

      The 90 something that lives on Marthas Vineyard featuring Victoria Trumbull written by Cynthia Riggs. I Love her!!

      I hope this helps. Her newest book, Trumpet of Death, just came out. I read it last week and it is, of course, perfect.

      Love this place where readers can share favorite authors and find new favorites!

      Thanks!

      Myrna

      Reply

      • One of the Audible reviewers said about book 1, “Unacceptable language. i hate it when authors use the “f” word in their writing. I won’t be listening to any more by this author.”

        I haven’t read any of these books…just researching right now.

        Reply

    • I believe the series you are looking for is the ‘Martha’s Vineyard’ series. The woman is actually in her nineties and named Victoria Trumbull. The author is Cynthia Riggs.

      Reply

  7. Hi Konnie,

    Thanks for reminding me… I have accumulated the entire list of the authors (I think it’s all of them!) and their books but still haven’t figured out how to post them. I am thinking that I might just post all of the authors on one main page instead of trying to do each author with an individual page. The books look really interesting, and I like the idea of getting a lot of authors together to make up a “sort of” series of books…

    I’ll keep working on it, and hopefully come up with an idea of how to post them.

    Reply

  8. I happened upon the Dorothy Martin Mystery series by Jeanne M. Dams at my local library, and I enjoyed reading all of them. Dorothy is an older American widow transplanted to a quaint English village with a knack for nosiness and stumbling into murder cases. The stories are enjoyable, the characters are likeable, the plot is very clean, there’s no profanity that I recall, and Dorothy has a solid moral basis to her character. There’s a blossoming romance through the early books, but the mystery remains the main theme. The first book in the series, “The Body in the Transept”, won an Agatha Award.

    As an aside, I would note that “Killing Cassady” had a noteable number of within-marriage sexual inuendoes scattered throughout. Certainly nothing explicit–more like the inuendoes on the old Cosby show between Bill Cosby and his wife. Completely appropriate for a married couple, and not in poor taste. Thankfully for me (since I’m single), that was the only book that has so many.

    Reply

    • I was just reading J. M Dams Murder at the Castle, loving Mrs. Martin and I got to page 158 where the F word is used. I put the book down and will return it to the library. I am so disappointed I thought I had found a wonderful new series and it is wonderful – if you don’t mind bad language. Just giving an alert so you don’t get half way through a good mystery that you can’t finish.

      Reply

      • I wanted to add to what Michele noted about the Jeanne M. Dams series and the F word. Up until “A Dark and Stormy Night”, there is only mild (or no) profanity. I really like her style, and was excited about reading all of her cozies. After finding the F word in this book, I thought perhaps it was an aberration, so started “The Evil That Men Do” — and saw more use of the F word. So sad that she had to follow the trend with doing this.

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  9. Since I’m always on the hunt for a clean mystery that I won’t regret having read, I wanted to mention a couple more clean mystery series that I have enjoyed:

    1) “A Thyme Will Tell” mystery series by Audrey Stallsmith. These are set in a family-owned garden shop and would probably fall into the “cozy” category. All the main characters are flawed individuals, but it is satisfying to see them develop throughout the first book. I personally preferred the first book, “Rosemary for Remembrance”, over the rest, as the antagonism between the two main characters lingered too long for my taste. I don’t think this series was marketed very well, so they may be difficult to find.

    2) Cindy McCormick Martinusen’s trilogy, “Winter Passing”, “Blue Night”, and “North of Tomorrow”. These mysteries harken back to events during WWII that are tied into the present day. The last two are a bit more dark, and the settings are far from “quaint”, so I don’t think these fit the “cozy” category exactly. However, they are very clean, no profanity, and the mystery element is very intriguing, particularly if you have any interest in WWII. The story lines between books seem somewhat unrelated, but all are neatly tied together in the last book.

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  10. This is in response to a question asked by Ginny. The author she is seeking is Cynthia Riggs. The character is Victoria Trumbull. And the book titles are: Indian Pipes, The Paperwhite Narcissis, and Shooting Star. There may be more, but those are the only ones I’ve read so far.
    The Heartsong mysteries were part of a “club.” You received four books about once a month. Unfortunately, after about two years, the program ceased. I LOVED the books – well, most of them, anyway. When about the cancellation, they said it was because they didn’t have the response they’d anticipated; meaning not enough members to make it worthwhile. Too bad. Am hoping some of the authors continue to find outlets for their work.
    Just discovered your website and love it! Thanks.

    Reply

  11. I am so happy to find a cozy series list free from any profanity. I want to read a trailer park and also a country inn cozy, do you know of any? I do not care for the trailer park series by a writer named … I cannot recall the name, something like Jimmie Ruth Dean??? Something like it, I do not care for those. Do you know of any trailer or inn cozies that make a decent reading? Thank you, Nan

    Reply

  12. Nan,
    When I first began this website, I was familiar with every single author who I included on the site. Thanks to many site readers’ recommendations, the site has grown WAY larger than I had ever anticipated. I love adding more authors to the site, but since I add more authors than I have time to read, I cannot vouch for all of them.

    I hope that some of the readers can come up with ideas for you, but I can give you this list of Bed and Breakfast mystery series and hope that you are able to sift through them and find a few that you might be interested in.

    Reply

  13. I can send you a list of Christian authors who write mystery/suspense novels. They wouldn’t be classified as cozy I don’t think, but are very good reads. If you’re interested let me know. BTW LOVE THIS SITE you’ve made it so easy to find what I am looking for.

    Thank you
    Beckie

    Reply

    • I would sure like your list of Christian writers. I’m responsible for “weeding out” inappropriate books from a Christian mission store. Thank you.

      Reply

      • If it would help Becky, I’d like her to know that both of my cozy mystery series, the Darcy and Flora mother/daughter sleuth books and my Ned McNeil moonlight mysteries are clean with no profanity or sex scenes. The protagonists are Christians. They are not preachy, but faith is part of their everyday lives. If this sounds like it would fit the bill, I invite her to check them out on Amazon.com/blanchedaymanos.

        Reply

  15. Wanted to also affirm how pleasant your mystery list is.
    I love the list of christian writers.
    And also how you keep up with the new books for the old reliable authors.

    Reply

  17. I’ve gotten many good reading ideas from your website. I wanted to mention that Barbour (publishers of the Heartsong Presents Mysteries which ended last year) will be publishing six new cozy titles this fall. They’re being presented as Hometown Mysteries and the descriptions sound very appealing. Nipped in the Bud by Susan Sleeman is one I’m especially anticipating, since Susan is the moderator of The Suspense Zone website, a useful source for finding great mysteries with a Christian viewpoint.

    Reply

  20. What a joy to find this website!!! I enjoy reading mystery and suspense books and when I do, everything else seems to get put on hold. However, I really hate getting into a book and finding profanity and sex. That’s when the book gets closed and isn’t opened again. Thank you for putting this website together. Now I can find books to really enjoy.

    Reply

    • Good for you Sandra. I have actually thrown “nasty” books in the trash.

      I too am so glad that I have found this site. Thank you all.

      Reply

  21. Again, thank you to all on this site, especially Danna. I found your site after finishing Dorothy Gilman’s Mrs. Pollifax series and was looking for something similar. Now, I have just completed Patricia Sprinkle’s Genealogy Series, and her Thoroughly Southern series. What a treat. I am already missing Maclaren, if though I just finished the last of this series yesterday.

    Danna, you offer us such a huge help in finding really good authors.

    Reply

  22. Sandra, I’m glad you found the site. I remember looking and looking for a site that “specialized” in Cozy Mysteries, and not being able to find one. So, I just felt I had to do something about that!

    Reply

  23. Jo R,
    Thank you for the kind words about the site. When I first started it, I only listed authors with whom I was familiar. Fast-forward a few years, and there are lots of recommended authors who I have had the pleasure of finding out about from the site.

    Reply

  24. Mindy Starns Clark is a wonderful author who writes mysteries with Christian characters. The books are not overtly religious, but they do not contain any cursing or pre-marital sex. Her books include the Million Dollar Mysteries and the Smart Chick Mysteries, along with several very good stand alones.

    Reply

    • Meredith, I agree whole-heartedly about Mindy Starns Clark. Have not read all of her books yet, but I am working on it.

      Linda

      Reply

  26. Oh my goodness…I can’t believe this website, had no idea I would find it by searching under “authors who do not use profanity.” This website should certainly keep me hopping to my library. Thank you sooooo much!

    Reply

  28. Mystery series sans profanity
    I was going through some authors on this very site and came upon Ron and Janet Benrey. They are from a “Love Inspired series” and one bookstore shelved these type books in the Christian fiction section the last I knew.
    The cover pictures are the type of art work that you would expect on the pages of a childs picture book-very charming. I plan on looking to buy them. Hope this helps.

    Reply

    • Seconding Terri Blackstock. (Who seems to have sneaked out of the list. :)) I definitely enjoy her ‘faith-based’ Cape Refuge Mysteries.

      Reply

      • Susan, I’ll take another look and probably re-add her, as I don’t remember why I would have taken her off. I’ll admit, this particular list is somewhat difficult to curate properly, as I don’t always remember if there was a small amount of swearing in a book. (Also as much as it pains me to admit this, I just don’t have time to read every Cozy!) She’s of the few authors a lot of people recommend for this list, so I really don’t know why I would have taken her off.

        Reply

  34. A friend just told me about your website. I love it.
    I have read the Tales from Grace Chapel and highly recommend the series. The characters are three sisters who open a bed and breakfast in the house the grew up in. They really grow on you.
    I found a series by Robin Paige (Bill and Sue Albert) titled The Robin Paige Edwardian Mysteries. The fun thing about this series is that well known people from that era pop up in the books. In the several that I’ve read so far, I’ve encountered only one instance of profanity. And that was only on one page of the book.

    Reply

  36. I don’t think she’s been mentioned here yet, but may I suggest Patricia Wentworth? A contemporary of Agatha Christie, her Miss Silver books are set in rural, cozy settings, and many of her stand-alones are set against the tumult of WWII.

    PS – I only recently stumbled onto this site after taking an internet/blogging break, and I’m thrilled and making lists of books to read…

    Reply

  37. I’m Joan Dahr Lambert and I would like to add my own mysteries to the no profanity list. I just published my first cozy, Walking into Murder. I think maybe there’s a “Damn!” from an eccentric Englishman, but other than that, squeaky clean. I dislike profanity and love unusual words. Some readers have said that they keep a dictionary handy!

    Give it a try. Thanks, Joan Lambert

    Reply

  38. I think Valerie Wolzein’s stuff is cuss-free, too.

    I’m not fond of coarseness, vulgarity, misogyny, general negativity and cynicism, but, especially, cussless writing is simply better writing, in my opinion. Many writers rely on it to establish character or mood, but it only does so at a superficial level, and then very preditably.

    A story along this line — Mark Frost and David Lynch were forced to rewrite a scene in Twin Peaks that included the “B” word (Oh, for the days when it was not heard every two seconds…) Instead of, “Don’t take any bleep from that bleep,” the line they came up with was, “Don’t take any oink oink from that pretty pig!” It wound up becoming one of the fans’ favorite lines from the series, and set that character up to actually be much smarter than his tough-guy persona implied. So much better than the kneejerk cussing would have been…

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  39. I want to suggest Fran Rizer. Sadly she only has three books but they are great. There is no cursing and are sooo funny they will make you laugh out loud. There might be some sexual comments but nothing out of the ordinary. But for all I can remember there is no cursing. The main character, Callie Parish, has her own version of “kindergarten cursing” which is hilarious. Enjoy!

    Reply

  40. This is exactly the kind of information I have been needing! While looking at thrift shops, yard sales, etc for books appropriate for our foreign mission library in the remote bush of Malawi Africa, I see books whose covers look good but I have no idea of the contents. Thanks for the help

    Reply

  42. I haven’t read any in quite awhile, but I shouldn’t imagine the Mrs Jefferies series by Emily Brightwell has much in the way of language. At the most, it might have an occasional ‘Bloody ‘ell’ as exclamation/expression of surprise, but read it in a Victorian lower-class ‘help’ accent and it translates to an American ‘what the heck!’ or Australian ‘Crikey!’

    Reply

    • Hi, glad to see this recommendation! I have read the first 2, so charming! the characters so likable how they work together. A good read for anyone wanting to relax and get away from your normality.

      Reply

  44. I’d like to add Joanne Fluke to your list of authors who do not use any profanity or have any sex in their books. Her Hannah Swenson series is squeaky clean.

    Typically times when other authors might insert a curse word, Joanne fills in with something like, “Hannah then said something that would have been inappropriate if her niece had been in the room.”

    Danna, thanks for putting this website together. I found it several years ago right after my mother-in-law introduced me to Joanne Fluke’s series. I enjoyed the Hannah Swenson books so much I wanted more and found several series that I have enjoyed since then here on your site. I constantly come back here when I am looking for something new to read.

    Thanks for all you do!

    Reply

    • Hi Kelly,
      Thanks for sharing — I just picked up Joanne Fluke’s first book in the Hannah Swenson series, “The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder”. I’m so glad to know it isn’t R-rated. I read the back cover and the first few pages and I think I’m going to enjoy it.

      I’m always browsing the mystery section at the bookstore so I’m suprised I didn’t find her on my own. Or maybe I thought the titles were too cheesy. At any rate, I’m so happy with my purchase. I’m confident I’ll be buying the rest in the series. It’s almost impossible to find “clean” books.

      I am so tired of buying books with bad content. Now, I can finally settle on an author.

      The author, Victoria Thompson, is Ok but I have a feeling Joanne Fluke will suit me even better.

      Reply

  46. The Miss Julia series by Ann B Ross is another clean series. There are a couple of curse words in one or two of the books, but nothing strong. Miss Julia is a CHARACTER !!, and so funny! I love her.

    Danna, thank you for all your work in this website.

    Reply

  47. Hi All! I’m an avid reader, and when I get my hands on a good book, I can’t put it down!

    My favorite authors at the moment are Dee Henderson and Janet Oke. I don’t like ANY profanity at all (I quit reading Nicholas Sparks because his books were pushing it)
    I’ve read almost all of both of the author’s books that I’ve listed above, and I’m looking for more. I like books that have a lot of family interaction, along with mystery and maybe some romance. Dee Henderson is awesome because she writes suspense, romance, and family interaction all in one book! I highly recommend the O’Malley series to anyone looking for a good set of books!

    On the other hand, I love Janet Oke also. I’m a BIG Love Comes Softly fan, and I wish she’d written more books with that family.

    I’m fixing to pick up some Terri Blackstock books on my next trip to the library – I’ve heard they’re great!

    Thanks for posting this site!
    Katie

    Reply

  49. Love the site, and the particular topic of no profanity. Since this site concentrates on mysteries, I was wondering if there was a site listing whether a book has profanity. I can’t find anything thus far. It seems like there is everything else out there, but nothing for the question of profanity in literature. Again, I appreciate the cozy mysteries site.

    Reply

  50. Hi Janet,
    I’m glad you’re enjoying the site.
    I am not aware of a site that lists all of the mysteries without profanity.
    I have been reading Cozy Mysteries for many years, and have noticed the slow acceptance of profanity in them. I know I have said this many times, but I can’t imagine Agatha Christie having to rely on “&$^!!” to get her ideas across. Even authors for whom Christie paved the way, mystery authors like Charlotte MacLeod (Alisa Craig)… I don’t remember the inclusion of “#*/!!!” in MacLeod’s/Craig’s mysteries.
    I do not consider myself a prude (of course, saying that might be a sure sign that I am!!!) but, a lot of our most popular current Cozy Mystery authors sprinkle profanity all through their books. I just don’t get it!
    But, no, I don’t know of such a site…

    Reply

  51. I just found this site tonight and am so thankful for all the great suggestions. I dearly loved the Mitford series, and am starting the Chapel Inn series. I have enjoyed the Miss Julia series, and loved the Dearest Dorothy Series, as well as the Mossy Creek series. Thank you everyone for the reading list, it is so nice to know there is still good literature out there with stories that encourage our efforts to be good caring people while providing a great read. Thanks again.

    Reply

  53. Thank you for your quick reply. I’m sorry there isn’t a website where the reader can choose their own filters. I.e., profanity, gore, or even age of characters, etc. It would be nice to have such a place where a reader could choose literature based on their own requirements. If I come up with anything, I’ll forward it to you. Thanks again. Janet

    Reply

  56. Some readers might be interested to know that the first book in my Ivy Malone Mysteries series, “Invisible,” is currently a free download on Kindle.

    Reply

  57. I just happened across your website and am so happy to have found it!! It would be nice if publishers would put ratings on their books, just like producers do on movies. It would make it a lot easier to know immediately whether a book has profanity, sex, etc. in it and then I would save my money for a clean book instead.

    Reply

  58. I just discovered your site. Love it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
    I love Dorothy Gilman. Two things make her Mrs. Pollifax series so terrific: 1) She goes to many different areas of the world, always getting involved with the “locals”. It really gives the reader a flavor of what it is like to live in those places. 2) There is a bit more depth than in the usual cozy. As Mrs. Pollifax ponders her predicament, there is often a little gem of wisdom in her thoughts.

    Reply

    • Even when I first read her books as a teenager, I liked how Mrs. Pollifax could just adapt to a new situation. She loved being a wife and mother but when her husband died and her kids had families of their own, she reinvented herself as a spy. And in the course of her work she has to continually adapt, start over when the first plan goes awry and generally just keeps moving forward no matter what gets in her way. The books are not only great adventures but also wonderful stories about using changes, even unwelcome ones, to further your own momentum.

      Reply

      • Julia, I really enjoyed those Dorothy Gilman mysteries. I recently watched the Mrs. Pollifax – Spy movie a while ago and certainly enjoyed watching Rosalind Russell adapting to all of the obstacles she and her partner were thrown.

        Reply

  59. Danna – I have been looking for the last two years for mystery books without profanity, explicit sex and so on for my 81 year old mother to read. When I found Cozy Mysteries, I thought my search was over. Then I clicked on a page that listed Janet Evanovich, books. I had been told by others she was a good writer. I had not read any of her books. Last year while I was on vacation in Florida I found two new books she had written in the Dollar Tree. They were only a dollar each so I thought I would try them. Both books use the “f” word often. Once is too much as far as I’m concerned, my Mom is even more upset than me. I have spent the last several hours printing countless pages off your site with your different list. Then I saw Janet Evanovich name on one of your list and stopped everything.
    I sure hope I have not printed all these pages and the authors may use profanity. All the expense and hours I have spent for nothing. I want lists that are 100% profanity, sex, etc free. I know there is no way you can read all these books your self. The two book I read were published by St. Martin’s Press.

    Reply

    • I am very sorry about your time and expense, Linda.

      On August 14, 2010 I added an addendum to my Cozy Mystery definition. The reason I added this addendum is because I received a letter from a Cozy Mystery site reader who was quite upset to find that a book she got off of the site had both explicit language and adult situations.

      As I see that you posted your comment on this particular page, I won’t steer you to it. I am hoping that all of the above authors will be good fits for your Cozy Mystery reading.

      As I haven’t read every author on the Cozy Mystery site, nor every author on this list, I hope that anyone who has read one of the authors above and has found explicit situations, graphic violence, or profanity will write and let me know that I should take them off of the list.

      Again, Linda, I am very sorry.

      Reply

    • I haven’t read all of the authors on the “No Profanity” list, so I am only able to go with what Cozy Mystery site readers have told me. Hopefully, if someone knows there is an author on the list who doesn’t belong there, then he/she will write and tell me…

      Reply

  61. This site is great, my first time on it . My daughter refered it to me. I have one suggestion to make it easier for us to remember the authors.
    I am on the Christian mystery site and there are many I want to write down to remember.
    A suggestion: a print option that would list the authors and series only, no description of books, that way we could just print off your suggestions and take it with us to the library or bookstore.

    Reply

  62. A great “cozy-mystery” Christian author would be Terri Blackstock. I’m currently reading her Cape Refuge series and they are just wonderful!! Check them out 🙂

    Reply

    • Thank you, Jessica. I actually have her on my list of authors to post to the site. (I should get working on another batch!)

      Reply

  63. I just found your site and then saw that you were looking for cozy mysteries where there was little/no profanity, Christian, etc. I had JUST discovered Nancy Mehl. She writes a very good cozy, the Ivy Towers Mystery. A really good read.

    🙂

    Reply

  64. Just found your site, and will be bookmarking it…

    One thing that makes this kind of definition even harder is that many authors (including some on your list) will use an OCCASIONAL profanity–for extra “realism,” or because it allows them to establish that the character isn’t a “total prude,” or simply because they didn’t see a “nice” way of putting something that would have worked as well. And that goes back a long way.

    For example (and as a warning): Dorothy Sayers’ LORD PETER WIMSEY mysteries, written in the 20’s and 30’s, are largely upstanding citizens. But Lord Peter and his acquaintance do occasionally use a word or two.

    Sometimes it’s someone in the throes of strong emotion (the speech of the murderer at the end of BUSMAN’S HONEYMOON, for example). But sometimes it’s just a toss-off to give the flavor of the character. As in this, from the hero himself (from memory, so it may not be perfectly accurate–and with appropriate change in typology):

    “D***!. Oh, sorry, Padre, und***! What I meant was, how very provokin’.”

    Reply

    • You are so right, Terry S! A lot of authors occasionally use a word or two to indicate a “real” dilemma or emotion.

      Recently, I have gotten several comments from Cozy Mystery site readers who really object to certain authors being on this list… for a word or two that they find objectionable. I have actually taken off a few of the authors who I thought belonged on list. I am sometimes stumped about taking an author off of this list who might have had a word or two in a particular book… an author who other than that one word or two does NOT use profanity. It’s a difficult call, and your example of Dorothy L. Sayers is a perfect of this!!!

      Reply

      • Hi! Yes, there are varying degrees of comfort. I don’t mind an occasional word to show strain or emotional stress. But when the main character makes the f word a part of his daily vocabulary, I avoid that author!

        Maybe a second list would be in order? A medium degree list. I would certainly be interested. One of my favorites is Perry Mason. The characters will usually say “darn” but occasionally the other will come out. Yes, there is the tempting vixen, and the bad guys are not nice. But things are nicely vague, and Perry is always true to Della and never tempted.

        I hope you’ll consider a second list for readers like myself!

        Reply

        • Polli, other people have recommended that I make new lists with “varying degrees of comfort”, but I would have a terrible time deciding what is passable for me VS what other people find appropriate.

          Reply

  65. I can understand your dilemma. I wish the entire industry would develop a rating system for books as they have for movies and games. If I’m really enjoying a book and come across the rare “word” I’ll keep reading. But, if I’m not enjoying the book, it’s not worth reading “over” them. I dumped Evanovich after a few pages. I suggest testing the language of authors by using the library or the library book sales where you can get a book for $1.00 or less. Last weekend I bought about 25 books for $20.00. Some authors I know and like, others were trials. I’ve already gotten rid of Michelle Scott due to the “relationship” of key characters. So many to chose from, finds the ones you like then PAY for books by the authors you like. Support them.

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  66. I’m so glad to have found this website! Yes there are many “clean” authors! Clair M. Poulson, Betsy Brannon Green, Jeffrey S Savage, Lynn Gardner, Josi Kilpack are a few more that I love. Please keep up the awesome work!

    Reply

    • Thank you, Arnell, for all of those authors who write books without profanity.

      Reply

  67. Very good suggestions, you just gained a brand new reader. I’m curious if you have any follow ups to this post?

    Reply

  68. I have recently created Airplane Books, a publishing outlet for my own series, the Kip Yardley mysteries. I do not use profanity or explicit sex scenes. There may be some inuendos in my books, and they are NOT squeaky clean, but I believe that I can tell a story without “spicing” it up. Please check out my webpage for a list of my books, or look up Airplane Books on Facebook.

    Reply

    • You’re welcome, Theresa. I know there are a lot of mystery readers who would prefer the superfluous language be kept out of their books…

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  70. May I suggest Laura Childs books. I love the Tea Shop Mysteries and have read quite a few. I don’t ever recall reading a bad word or feeling uncomfortable with her story telling. She is fabulous!

    When I read a book and finish it I feel like I have lost friends. That is why I love the cozy mysteries series. I can pick up an new edition and reunite with old friends such as Theodosia the main character in the Tea Shop Mystery Series. It also so happens to be situated in So. Carolina which is a favorite place I love to read about.

    Thanks for this site. I have found other authors I am eager to learn about and read their works.

    Reply

    • Thanks, T.W., I just added Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mystery Series to the list of Mysteries with No Profanity.

      Reply

  71. I adore the Dorothy Martin series by Jeanne Dams. They are true Cozy’s by the ‘gentle’ standard. I think anyone would enjoy them as much as I do and there are two new entries in the series.

    Reply

    • Thanks for the reminder, Marilynn J… I am off to go add Jeanne M. Dams to the list of Mysteries with No Profanity… Thank you.

      Reply

  72. Thank you so much for your website and what you do! It is so wonderful to find someone who is interested in what I am and who takes the extra time to make a list such as this. I too can handle a word or two in the moment–such as Mrs. Weasley in Harry Potter–but don’t want the profanity to be over the top etc. Thank you for your dedication. I have been reading the Meg Langslow series. No, it is not totally profanity free–usually it is a bird who is spewing words–but very infrequently. No graphic sex scenes, etc and a fun, fun read. Thanks again for making this site. Finding a lot of authors I never knew about and enjoying so many of them too!

    Reply

    • Welcome to the site, Kristine! when I first started the site, I only had authors who I could vouch for. Since then, I have added many, many authors who have come recommended by site readers. Unfortunately, not having read them, I can’t vouch for them.

      I, too, can take a few expletives here and there… but I certainly don’t need them all over the place! I am getting ready to write my next entry, which has to do with graphic sex scenes. Thanks, but I can definitely do without those!

      Reply

  73. I like Amy Patricia Meade, she has the “Marjorie McClelland mystery series” She is a mystery writer in the med.30s. Her books are great ! I saw she as a new one out ” Well-Offed in Vermont” can’t wait to read it.

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  74. I have been searching for good books that do not have profanity and sexual content. I have found some good authors. Here are a few. (They aren’t necessarily “christian authors”) Karen Young, Mary Higgins Clark, Mary Jane Clark, Sue Grafton, John Grisham. I hope to find more.

    Reply

  75. There seem to be more and more TV shows with the bad language and sexual scenes. Maybe that is one reason for so many of the major network stations having almost nothing decent to watch these days. I feel so sorry for writers and publishers having to resort to having this stuff in their books in order to sell them. I guess though all these people can think of is “a buck is a buck” huh?? Most of these books that have this kind of content aren’t really good reads.

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  76. Danna,

    I have just started reading The Patchwork Mystery and Mystery and the Ministers Wife series. I am so thankful that I am not embarrased when I am asked what I am reading.
    II am really enjoying all of the diffrent authors. It’s like taking a mini vacation for free every time time i read these books. ~giggles
    I just wanted to say thank you for all that your doing. May God continue to bless you and all your readers.

    Reply

    • Welcome to the site, Cathy. It is nice that we can all enjoy different series, and no one “judges” us here, isn’t it? I’m glad you are enjoying the site, and hope to “hear” from you often!

      Reply

  77. Even before I was a Christian living with atheist parents I didn’t like vulgarity or profanity. I’ve rediscoverd my love for reading & often go to the kid’s section to find books that won’t surprise me! Thanks so much for having this list. I’m going to share it on my FB page.

    Reply

    • Drema, I keep hearing about more and more people who simply don’t want to put up with profanity in their books. Agatha Christie was somehow able to write her mysteries without having to “spice them up” for her readers!

      Reply

  78. I love mysteries and sci-fi. Had given up hope on mysteries due to language and sex. About the same with sci-fi now. I don’t need to know someone is sleeping with whomever, except as a fact (for detective thinking) and sci- fi has started to really get into same sex relationships. Gonna check out these authors, and hopefully find some people who are truly using their God given talent to motivate and get us thinking, NOT entertain (or try and fail) to get us to either ‘their view point’ or think we read the book due to the nasty things. Many of the authors filled with language and sexual situations I would not want to meet because I would be wondering what is going through their brain. In short, although too late, thank for this list. Let me know of any scifi too.

    Reply

  79. thanks for this list I’m always checking out your list before going to the library. before I was always carrying back books unread it is so nice to have your list thanks again

    Reply

  80. The Recommended Books page on my website lists books I’ve read and reviewed for content, varying from four stars for no cussin’/objectionable material to one star for, well, downright embarrassing. It’s a small list right now but it’s a start! Also included are links to other sites that review clean books, including cozy-mystery.com, of course. And the novels I write are totally clean, Mom won’t let me write anything else! 🙂

    Reply

  82. Alexander McCall Smith!! He is wonderful!! No.1 Ladies Detective Series is the BEST!!! Clean and extremly well written.

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    • Thanks, Jennifer, I’ll go add Alexander McCall Smith to the list of Mystery Books with No Profanity.

      Reply

  83. Thanks for the information! I’m an avid reader/listener of cozy mysteries. I, too, have been tirelessly looking for cozy mysteries and other fiction with no profanity and unnecessary sex. At first they seemed hard to come by but this site, which I’ve used in the past, has given me hope.

    Reply

    • Shenise, if you know of any other authors who fit this bill, please let me know! I get a lot of letters asking for this very same type of author.

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  84. Hi, I just discovered your website a couple of weeks ago and I enjoy it and find it helpful in trying out new authors. These authors may have been already mentioned but I am trying out Donna Andrews ‘…with Peacocks” and Kate Collins ‘Mums the Word’ and find them quite clean. I am well into each one and I couldn’t say whether there are no swear words but they haven’t caught my attention. I can deal with an occasional profanity but some authors seem to use them a lot and that really bugs me so I am very pleased. Keep up the good work. I love your website and recommend it to all who will listen!

    Reply

    • Welcome to the site, Marion. Thanks for telling us about Donna Andrews and Kate Collins being profanity-free!

      Reply

  85. Just wanted to say “thank-you” for this website.Found your website today. I have a new big list of authors to check out. I love to read and appreciate good clean writing.

    Reply

    • Welcome to the Cozy Mystery site, Sheryl! I’m glad you’ve found some authors you might enjoy reading.

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  86. It’s funny but I was thinking about this subject myself just a few days ago. I am a big fan of audiobooks – I love to plug in my iPod on a drive, or take it along with me on my morning walk, and lose myself in another place and maybe time (especially if the fictional place is Italy in the springtime and reality is upstate New York in January). I was recently listening to a longtime favorite author on my morning walk, and almost stopped dead because I was so surprised to hear one of the characters swearing. A few minutes later another character swore, and then another.

    I certainly don’t consider myself a prude, but I was really surprised – I just didn’t remember that kind of language in her books. I actually went back to the house, pulled the book out and checked to see if maybe they had ‘updated’ the book since it was published in the 90’s. They hadn’t – the words had always been there but they never registered before, at least not in the way they did when I heard someone read them out loud. That made all the unpleasant difference.

    Reply

    • Julia, you might have a point about profanity seeming to be worse when you hear it as opposed to reading it. I’m much more selective of the books I listen to, so I really don’t hear a lot of profanity. But, I do remember one author in particular, who I had on my “favorite authors” list years ago. I believe it wasn’t until I started listening to her books that I took her off that list.

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  87. You know, I would be a liar if I said I don’t curse or talk about ‘sexy’ things but I don’t make a habit of it. It’s in private or if I feel very strongly about something. I can deal with curse words or sex in novels if it is occasional or truly relevant to the story. I do feel, however, that many authors seem to rely on such elements. That is tacky and unpleasant to me and is a sign of poor writing. I remember a really nice boy from high school who had every appearance of being from a nice family but whenever he spoke every other word seemed to be a curse word. I think perhaps he was trying to impress us as ‘manly’ and grownup but it was unpleasant. I hope he dropped the habit later. I can’t remember if they have NO cursing and what not but I enjoy Monica Ferris, Jill Churchill, and Leslie Meier and I wouldn’t be able to read them if there was much cursing. I also enjoy Earlene Fowler and Diane Mott Davidson but there is some cursing in them. Does not strike me as excessive though.

    Reply

    • Marion, I follow quite a few Cozy Mystery authors, and most of them have vocabularies that are big enough to not have to rely on profanity. There might be an occasional word here or there, but my “favorite authors” seem to not have to use profanity to express deep emotions. I read all of the authors who you mentioned (except for Earlene Fowler, but her first Benni Harper is in my TBR queue), and I agree about them not having to rely on expletives.

      (I should note that I also follow some authors who are not Cozy in any sense of the word, and that includes the authors’ language.)

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  88. Julia, I just finished a book yesterday that was a very good book that had no profanily at all. “Ellie’s Haven” by Sharlene MacLaren was set in Tennessee and Indiana during prohibition. I would say there were a lot of expressions used in the story that just might be kind of hard to believe that people really used back in those days. But then, I can remember my older family members from that time period saying and using those same expressions.
    The reason that I am skeptical about some of the expressions is because the villains used a lot of these expressions also. And I just can’t see someone who would smack his wife and children around, run a bootlegging business and kill people in cold blood being opposed to uttering some profanity.
    This was a good book, though. I hope I can find more in this series. The series of this book is from the “River of Hope Series.”

    *****SPOILER*****
    *****SPOILER*****
    *****SPOILER*****
    *****SPOILER*****

    There is a lot of what I would call “preaching” in this series and I thought the ending where everything worked out okay was a little far fetched. Things just don’t always work out how we want them too, I don’t care how hard a person prays!! But still a very good story.

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  89. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have found this page! I’ve been looking all over the web for a listing of profanity-free and sexual-free reading. I bookmarked this page. I want to recommend Bodie & Brock Thoene – Christian writers whose books are fabulous! Very well researched, and very well-written. Laurie King wrote “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” about Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell – part of a series. I only read the first book, but there was no objectionable material. Beth Hoffman’s book – “Saving CeeCee Honeycutt” was very nice, too, but it was not a mystery.

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  90. I would like to recommend author Ronie Kendig. She is new -only has two books out that I can find, but both are extremely well written and exciting. No profanity, no sex, and a lot of morality. Both books are a series (and there may be more) about a group of search and rescue heros who will be denied by the goverment if caught. They have some romance in them which ties in well with the storyline.

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  91. Thank you for adding Lorena McCourtney.
    I was getting a little jaded in my efforts to find clean, cozy reads. I just read the 1st 2 “Ivy Malone” mysteries by this author…totally clean!! Fun, intelligent mystery!
    The first in series is free on the kindle and the 2nd is $5
    Great, exciting reads!!

    Reply

  92. Peggy Darty wrote several really great christian mysteries. However, I do have trouble finding her books in stores. Google her name, and you can find a list of her books available online.

    Reply

    • You’re very welcome, Johanna. I hear from a lot of Cozy Mystery readers who are tired of a lot of profanity sprinkled into their favorite mystery genre.)

      Reply

  94. Hi- i am looking for a trilogy about a group of women that find records in the church attic indicating that the pastor that married most of the townspeople was not really a pastor – so therefore, the couples are not legally wed.

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  95. I was happy to find you, I really don’t mind terribly the language it’s a fact of life, I don’t use it but can deal with it in a good book, WHAT I DON’T LIKE IS IF THEY TAKE GODS NAME IN VAIN THAT’S WHAT I HATE.I literally tossed a book aside when it comes to that and have thrown away many a good story, couldn’t finish it once I see they use GOD’S name like that. I refuse to buy that author anymore, so was so glad to find you. I haven’t bought or read any of your books yet just found you, will keep in touch. thanks

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  96. My daughter is 12, and I would love to find some clean mysteries for her that don’t involve vampires, ghosts or any kind of supernatural stuff. Any suggestions? Sorry, this may be answered already, but I have not read through all of the comments. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Thank you, Beth S, for telling us about Kristen Heitzmann’s Michelli Family Mystery Series.

      Reply

  98. I just read Crewel World by Monica Ferris because it was suggested above. Although it is certainly a cozy, it does not fit the requirements of the letter that led to this post because there was quite a bit of profanity.

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  99. I came across a new-to-me series of Christian Mysteries, in a lot that I bought from a 2nd hand sale today.
    The “Massachusetts Mayhem” series by Elizabeth Ludwig and Janelle Mowery.
    There are apparently only two, so far… “Where the Truth Lies” (The one I found today) and “Died in the Wool”.
    So far quite good.
    Cheers,
    Susan.

    Reply

    • Thanks, Susan*, for telling us about Elizabeth Ludwig’s & Janelle Mowery’s Massachusetts Mayhem Mystery Series.

      Reply

  100. As a mom of 3 boys (2 of which are special needs), I love to get lost in a good book. However, I don’t have the time to search tirelessly for a book that doesn’t offend. Your website is a breath of fresh air. Thanks for taking the time to look for quality writing for those of us who simply don’t have that time. You are a blessing! Any cozy books that involve cooking? A Happy Easter to you and thanks again!

    Reply

    • Susan, I hope you’re able to find a few authors you enjoy reading from this list. I must warn you that I haven’t read all of these authors’ books, so I can’t personally vouch for all of them being “no profanity (swearing)”…

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  102. I wrote my first African American Christian Fiction Mystery because I am a huge mystery fan but am also not a fan of profanity or vulgarity. In my novel, “Pastor June and the Righteous” I am able to solve a murder without getting gory and still manage to have relevant, relatable content that address social concerns that plague today’s society.

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  103. I would like to see the Secrets of Mary’s Bookstore series listed here from Guideposts. It’s a delightful series.

    Reply

    • That’s a great suggestion, Maggie K. I’ll work on getting the Guidepost at list together in the near future.

      Reply

  104. The Jessica Fletcher Mysteries by Donald Bain are also very good. I have read all of Joanne Fluke’s mysteries and was glad to see she made the list. Both Donald Bain and Joanne Fluke have graciously responded to me when I have written to them praising their books.

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    • Thank you, Blanche S, I’ll go add Donald Bain (& “Jessica Fletcher”!) to the list of Mysteries with No Swearing.

      Reply

  105. Dee Henderson ..start with Dangers in the Shadows & move into the O.Malley’s Series.

    Irene Hannon is another great …She also has several series book. I like to read in order so make sure whichever you start with its book #1.

    I promise these will not disappoint you.

    Reply

    • Thanks, Debi, for telling us about Dee Henderson’s O’Malley Series and Irene Hannon’s Private Justice series.

      Reply

  106. Thank you so much. It is discouraging to get into a good mystery and the swearing and other things start. I appreciate this clean list.

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    • Dee, more than just a few people like their mystery books without profanity/swearing. I wonder why there aren’t more authors willing to write that way.

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  107. I am thrilled to find this site! Now I can enjoy good mystery books without the vulgarity. I haven’t explored the complete site but is there a list of books on CD? I am in my car a lot and this is the only way I can “read”. Thanks! Sonny

    Reply

    • Welcome to the Cozy Mystery site, Sonny!

      When I started this site years ago I could vouch for every author. (Actually I did include some authors who are not Cozy, but I added something like “Not Cozy” to their descriptions.) Since then I have posted many authors with whom I am not familiar, who have been recommended by other Cozy Mystery readers.

      Reply

  108. I’m not sure I see any Emily Brightwell books. She writes the Mrs. Jeffries series, and they are all clean and just sweet little mysteries. They have a British slant, and I am enjoying them immensely.

    Reply

    • Thank you, Liz, I added Emily Brightwell’s Mrs. Jeffries mysteries yesterday after I read your comment.

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  109. I have been reading some Mary Higgins Clark. They are probably what you would call “murder mysteries” or suspense. So far, I have not encountered bad language, torrid love, or explicit sex scenes.

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    • Hyacinth, thank you. A while back I saw a clip with Mary Higgins Clark and her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark, talking about just that. I’ll go add her to the list.

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  110. I personally have read and own several of the Grace Chapel Inn series and Annie’s Attic and The Creative Woman series. All of the books in these series would be considered family friendly and clean. They are definitely based on their belief of God and His influence in their lives, but they also offer a good plot and ending. I’m finding it harder and harder to find any Grace Chapel books that I don’t already own being released any more. And, finding some of the older ones that don’t cost an arm and a leg because they are not being reprinted in paper back. It’s such a shame, that you get hooked on the characters and fall in love with them and then can’t find any more “new” books to keep in touch with them. Thanks Danna for all that you do to bring us up to date information on all these publications!

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    • Carol, as you probably know, the companies that release these mysteries don’t make the chronological lists of their series available. I rely on people who are members of the mail-order clubs to let me know the titles. So in thanking me, you’re also thanking the people who take the time to write and let me know when they become aware of new titles.

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  111. Waverly curtis barking detective mystery. The Big Chihuahua..book 1 is Dial C for chihuahua.. Only she can hear him talk.

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  112. Does anyone know if the books written by Kylie Logan “button Box mystery series has any profanity in it. Thanks.

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  113. The Benni Harper mysteries by Earlene Fowler should fit the request. Benni is a frequent church goer, occasionally quotes scripture and even the bad guys don’t curse. Consensual sex between the main character and her husband is hinted at and there is mild, social drinking. There is also murder, of course, and that’s worse than cursing in real life but ok in a book.

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  114. Hello I would like to add Jennifer Stanley’s novels to this list. She is a cozy mystery writer and her Hope Street Church mysteries are christian-based and very good!

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  115. The Butterfly Caper: a sparrow falls mystery #4 has just been released, and it fits this category perfectly. It can also be added to your “Mysteries without a Murder” list, something that quite a few readers requested!

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  116. So happy to find this website. Thanks! Glad to see Terri Blackstock’s name here. Her Christian mysteries captures your interest from the beginning and you just become a part of the story!

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  117. Hi Danna

    I appreciate so much your web site. I have been trying to find decent reads for sometime, and I really love mysteries. I have read a couple of listed cozy authors, but I had not thought of them as “cozy”. I think I am really going to enjoy your blog. Thank you for your time and effort.

    Linda H

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  119. Mary Higgins Clark – an incredibly gifted and popular author, but not one I would recommend as an alternative to Christian literature. Actually, she writes plots dark enough that I very seldom read her anymore. Just a warning…

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    • Deb P, that’s a problem with this list. I have the no swearing mixed in with the faith-based books. I should go through and separate them. I put that list together for people who don’t want any strong language in their Cozies.

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  120. What a wonderful site to stumble on – thank you for this great list of cozy mystery authors – I’ve read a good few of them including Lilian Jackson Braun, I was so sad to read of her passing what a wonderful storyteller she was. I too have tried to read Sue Grafton and agree they are great books but dislike the unnecessary language so I too will not read them.
    I’m looking forward to checking out some of these books at the library or on my ereader.
    David Rosenfelt is another great writer with humour and I have to I don’t remember now if there is any profanity – his Tara series is wonderful with his golden retriever Tara being the star.

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  121. I too dislike excessive profanity and explicit sexual content in my fiction reading. I say that to qualify the rest of my statement. Although as a Christian I find much out there extremely offensive I have to defend what is a writer’s literary right and responsibility to be authentic. Realism is an issue that eludes a lot of the Christian literature. By that I mean, I have no issue with the rare use of a word of profanity for realistic depiction. Not literature peppered in it but let’s be honest, we do not live in a godly society where everyone is a Christ follower. People curse and unfortunately they seem to be cursing out in public a lot more these days. Foul language like so much other immorality is becoming common place. Little children are even cursing up a storm. So as a writer and in the interest of honest storytelling one may have to use some profanity to show the other side of this world. I don’t cotton to using profanity much but have a couple of times in a couple of novels to be authentic. Everybody is not saved and we who are of the family of faith hear profanity even if we don’t use it personally. Good storytelling doesn’t need a lot of foul language but my point is that one should not totally discount a novel because it has a couple of naughty words in it.

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    • Marlene, I remember getting a letter a few years ago from a Cozy Mystery reader who took exception to one of the Cozy Mystery authors I had on my “No Profanity” list. One of the criminals uttered a word she found unacceptable, and she wanted me to take the author off of the list. (The word rhymed with “fit”.) I didn’t take the author off of the list. The Cozy Mystery author had written more than a dozen Cozies by then, with absolutely no expletives in them.

      I have quite a few Cozy Mystery authors who I follow, who somehow are able to get their point across without having to use expletives. However, I also am a fan of mystery authors (like Reginald Hill) who do use expletives. It would seem odd if Andrew Dalziel didn’t swear. I guess it’s all in the context.

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  122. Thank you for this list! Also would recommend that you add the Glory, North Carolina series to Ron and Janet Benrey. Lots of fun! (though, I see the date on this list is from a few years ago, so maybe you already have. 🙂 )

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  124. Hello Danna. I thought I would add my two cents. The Kay Driscoll mysteries, i.e. The Ginseng Conspiracy, Murder Under the Tree, and Murder by Fireworks do not have swearing and the protagonist Kay Driscoll goes to church. Also there aren’t any sex scenes at all.

    Thanks. 🙂

    Susan

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  125. Do you know how I can find out if The Mystery and the Minister’s wife series is still being written and published, and if so where do I find a listing of the newer books. The last book that I am aware of is Stranger’s in the Midst by Patricia Rushford which comes in at # 27 and that was dated as of 2/6/2013. I have checked your listing and haven’t found anything more current as of 08/04/2015.

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  126. I was wondering if anyone could tell me whether or not Edith Maxwell’s new series is profanity free. Delivering the Truth comes out next year. I just wondered if she is known for writing clean books without the profanity. Thanks for any help!

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    • All the Quaker Midwife Mysteries are profanity free, Christy. Sorry it took me so long to answers. My contemporary cozies are, too.

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  127. Just make the list totally “clean” and if someone runs across an author who is not on the list, let that person try that author out … if an author is ON the “clean” list, one should be able to depend on it. If someone doesn’t mind off color or explicit or vulgar stuff, let them go find their own mysteries.
    No need for YOU to have to sift and sort the degree of offensiveness — it’s either totally clean and inoffensive or not — nothing in between.

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      • I agree with this for sure. I am sure there are tons of good reads out there with language that some don’t find offensive at all;) I’m just searching for what I like:)

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    • Please consider “Mystery on Mirror Lake” and “Mystery of Spirit Spring” by Buck Million. Both are free of adult situations and adult language.

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  128. Ladies and gentlemen: What a response! OKay, Maggie Sefton, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Beverly Lewis (Amish Mysteries), Krista Davis, M.C.Beaton, Rhys Bowen, Laura Childs, and for the non-mystery youngster age, Grace and Ruth Livingston Hill, and Betty Neels.

    The lists that everyone contributed was great. Avery Aames and Ellery Adams, Lucy Burdette and Lucy Arlington also write “Clean mysteries”
    and Miranda James (Cat in the Stacks). for some suggestions expecially as the young lady reads above her age.

    All my best to our readers, you all really are a lovely group of people, (even the men) that are Christian, decent and caring of others.

    Rob

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  129. Thanks all of you ladies, especially Danna, I also picked up a few books and was sadly disappointed when in the first chapter or so, foul language. Ladies, I am no prude, but over the years I just changed into someone that cringes at those types of words, and can’t believe I ever used them.

    Thing is, I do have something to add since I love the Lorena McCourtney series books, and, I found the series by guideposts on Mysteries of Sparrow Island. These can be really leaning towards church, and the bible, but I enjoy them because I know there won’t be any foul language.

    I will read over all of your suggestions above to find more variety in my reading, so thank you much, Denise E

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      • I thought I had replied here but I wanted to thank you again Danna, for all your hard work on this site. You have helped me more than you will ever know. I come here exclusively for my reading needs now;)

        I am familiar with Guideposts, as well as Annie’s, love them both!! I found many names on your list that are in the library so I checked them out to see if I could gather some “reads” there. The one I am in now I am loving, can’t put it down, and she has several others waiting for me(at the library) when I’m done;) Hannah Alexander, I was hooked from the first page!

        Thanks so much, and I hope my list showed up here somewhere about who’s books I’ve found in my library2go;)

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          • Hi Danna,

            Those you mentioned aren’t in my library, but the “below”

            authors do have some there. Enough to help me fill in the spaces during the month when I can’t purchase books from B&N for my Nook:

            Hannah Alexander X
            Ron & Janet Benrey x
            Lynn Bulock x
            Laura Childs x
            Mary Higgins Clark x
            Monica Ferris x

            I am reading Safe Haven by Hannah Alexander, and I love it. A new “top of the heep” author in my opinion;)

            Thank you for the response;) Denise:)
            PS I do get my library books from library2go as I mentioned, for digital copies to check out. Several of Lorena McCourtney books are there as well, and Terri Blackstock;)

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  130. Hi. I’m new to this site. My question is.. I’m looking for some authors or books about mysteries that are clean ( no profa nity or sex) that aren’t about murder. Am I asking for the impossible? If anyone has suggestions that would be great. Thanks

    Reply

        • I welcome readers to check out my Darcy and Flora cozies and the first in a new series, Moonlight Can Be Murder. None of my books contain profanity or lewd scenes in any way. The Cemetery Club, Grave Shift, and Best Left Buried as well as MCBM are clean mysteries with an added helping of the shivers.

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        • I love the Guideposts series. But also, I love Hannah Alexander’s books. I use a Nook Reader, so that is the books I buy, digital. I know you can buy them as hardcopies etc. as well though.

          I haven’t had any of her books that had but one, actual murder, the rest are about life in general. You might try Hideaway Home to start with. Hideaway is the first book in the series, but Hideaway Home was written later on, even though it was about the “history” of an old couple that appear in Hideaway.

          Anyway, well worth checking out;) imo, Denise

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    • I do I do!! Most of these series do not have murders:

      Authors:

      Hannah Alexander
      The Mysteries of Sparrow Island (Guideposts, lots of authors, same characters)

      Lorena McCourtney (several series)

      Sue Henry (I think there are more murders in hers, but it is not blood and guts)

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  132. Delighted to find your list of cozy mysteries, clean, without profanity! Because I read them aloud, it’s particularly important to us. I’d like to add a new favorite author/series we found this year: Laurie Cass’s Bookmobile Cat Mysteries. We’re through the first 3 and in order they are: Lending a Paw, Tailing a Tabby, and Borrowed Crime. Many fun and memorable characters, some humor, some romance, and a librarian sleuth with a kind heart–someone you’d like to know.

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  133. Australian author Kel Richards has a short series set in 1930’s England with C.S. Lewis as an amateur sleuth. “C.S. Lewis And The Body In The Basement” is the first book. The religious content is very high. In fact, parts of the book read like a gospel tract. I enjoyed it just as a cozy mystery.

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  134. Thank you for creating this list! I’m sure I’ll find a lot of nice stuff for my binge reading here 😉
    I think profanities are useless in that kind of literature, and so is sex. The latter bothers me especially since the Cozy Mystery genre is supposed to be clean. Therefore, a reader like me has particular expectations.
    My favorite contemporary C.M. author is Nell Goddin as she keeps her stories neat and clean as well as thrilling. She is the proof that an author who can create a well developed plot, carried out by original, interesting characters, doesn’t need profanity or filth to keep the reader interested.

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  135. I have read Brandilynn Collins Hidden Faces series and love them. Clean Christian mystery suspense.

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  136. Sorry if I’m a bit late in the game, but if your daughter likes historical mysteries, there is the Jane Austen series by Stephanie Barron (In it, Jane is kind of like Jessica Fletcher (but younger) in that wherever she is someone happens to get killed (no gory details are in the books) and she solves the mystery! It is fictional, but the author did A LOT of research and used locales Jane really was in!) I remember the s word in one book and that’s all. Not bad in a 14-book series. There is also the Carole Nelson Douglas Irene Adler series. (She is the only woman to outsmart Sherlock Holmes) That series has no swearing either-I remember the ba word used once, but someone was describing themselves as born out of wedlock (and that kind of thing is rarely mentioned in the book series) That one does kind of have a feminist leaning, but nothing too blatantly annoying. The Irene Adler series is Victorian (late 19th century), whilst the Jane Austen series is late Georgian/early Regency (early 19th century)

    If more contemporary time periods are her thing, there’s the Three Investigators series. It was a YA mystery series like the Hardy Boys that started being written in the mid-60s and ended in the late ’80s. I have the whole set, but the books are kind of rare.

    Hmm, what else? As said before, there’s Agatha Christie, and of course other female authors of her time like the Campion series by Margery Allegham (i might not have spelled that correctly) or the Lord Peter Wimsey series by Dorothy L Sayers. Those all have murders, but they are not gory, there are no sex scenes, and maybe just d or h as far as cursing

    She’s a bit older than these, but I still at 41 dust off my McGurk series by E W Hildick (they have no murders, or even serious crime usually-the detective organisation are all tweens. This series started in the early ’70s and ended in the mid-90s. Again, a rare series but I still have the set. As well as the Bobbsey Twins. Now with those, the original series ran from 1904-1979 and are not mysteries, but the 2nd series were Wanderer paperbacks from 1980-1986 and definitely are mysteries. The 3rd series is my favourite. It is called “The New Bobbsey Twins” It started in 1987 and ended in 1992. These are mysteries, and the first 17 especially are GREAT!

    Now, let’s see, what other mysteries would I recommend? The Twin Connection by Adam Mills are a cool mystery series from 1989 to 1990. I have the set, but they are SUPER RARE to find

    (I still have the books from my childhood, but many of these weren’t very popular, so they just kind of faded into obscurity)

    I’m sure more adult and children’s books will come to me, but I think I’ve given you enough to start her off. Hopefully, my suggestions will catch her fancy!

    Oh, and Terry-I DO remember the Happy Hollisters! But I wasn’t really a fan ? (Sorry)

    P.S. I almost forgot-the Enola Holmes series! They are 6 books starring Sherlock’s younger sister (she’s 13) by Nancy Springer

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  137. Thank you so much for this list. I like being able to read clean novel without any profanity and sexual immorality.

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  138. These may not be considered “cozy” authors, but they write excellent Christian mysteries, very much like Mindy Starns Clark, Kristin Heitzmann and Terri Blackstock who are mentioned here: Vannetta Chapman, Kathy Herman, Colleen Coble, Rene Gutteridge.

    Alyssa Maxwell is also good, very clean.

    Charles Todd and Jacqueline Winspear and Victoria Thompson are not Christian authors but also write clean mysteries.

    Thank you for this list.

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  139. Besides Guideposts’ Sparrow Island series, there are several other faith-based cozy mystery series published by Guideposts- the Secrets of the Blue Hill Library, Secrets from Mary’s Bookshop, Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries, Tearoom Mysteries, Mysteries of Silver Peak and Patchwork Mysteries- as well as the Miracles of Marble Cove series by Guideposts (they are marketed as mysteries, but I would not consider them as such) and three more Guideposts series definitely not mysteries- Stories from Hope Haven, Home to Heather Creek and Tales from Grace Chapel Inn.

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  140. I appreciate this list as well.

    Authors that I enjoy include Dee Henderson, Lynette Eason and Irene Hannan. They are very clean (I am very picky) and all fit in the mystery suspense category.

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  141. All my Quaker Midwife Mysteries are profanity free, Christian, and clean. Turning the Tide is the third one, and it releases April 8, 2018.

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  142. Love finding this site are wholesome mysteries as hard to find anymore. I’m almost finished with the Mitford series which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed so looking forward to start on your list. I have come across a seried and so far finding it’s a fun read. They are by Elizabeth Peters, called the Amelia Peabody series. Maybe the author has already been mentioned but I didn’t see her. It’s a Victorian age mystery about Egyptian archeology adventures with a women described as a female Indiana Jones.

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  143. So happy to find this site, which I found through “cozy mystery Christian”. I’m about 1/4 through “The Cat Who…” series which I am thoroughly enjoying. While not specifically Christian, the lead character shows kindness towards others and appreciates others who do the same. It got me wondering if there are any similar books, cozy mysteries, with Christian characters who grow in their experiences. I’m looking forward to checking out some of the recommendations here. Thank you for maintaining this site – it’s very helpful!

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  144. I LOVE the 15 mystery novels by Dorothy Simpson…

    If you are looking for sex and profanity.. you WILL NOT find
    it in her novels. They are extremely well written ( she was
    an English teacher ) and it is evident within the novels that
    she has a strong faith.. (( even though there is a murder to
    solve, of course !)) I have REREAD these books as I can’t find
    another author who holds my interest in such a way.. but I keep
    looking, as it looks like Dorothy has stopped writing.. ENJOY

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  145. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if Peg Cochran’s Cranberry Cove series with the first book being Berried Secrets is without profanity? I’m new to the cozy mystery world.

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  146. Thank you – thank you – for this great list of suggestions and the many helpful comments that followed : )

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  147. Squeallllll! This is my preferred genre of books and I am so delighted to see authors and series I have never seen before. I bookmarked this page. Your site is AWESOME.

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  148. Could anyone tell me if there is any profanity in the Krista Davis The Diva Series or her Paws and Claws series? Thanks.

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  149. Julianna Deering writes a series titled Drew Farthering Mysteries set in 1930’s England. They are published by Bethany House, which is a Christian publisher. They could be worth a try.

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  150. How come Terri Blackstock is not on the list?..a NYT (Christian) best seller. Start with the IF I RUN series, followed by THE MOONLIGHTER series, and you’ll be hooked

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  151. For a clean read of a Christian-based series for tweens and teens, try The Fuller Creek Series, by author David C. Reyes. If your teen loves, action,adventure, mystery, school life drama, and coming of age romance, they will just love this series.

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  154. Hi,
    I am new to this blog and I would like to recommend the ” Port Danby Cozy Mystery Series” by London Lovett

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  155. My favorite author for cozy mysteries didn’t even make your list.. and that’s Hope Callaghan; she has many series out and I’ve read them all, they’re clean, fun, not graphic at all.. I love that she lets them be on Amazon Unlimited [cost effective]. I can’t praise her series enough, and her characters.. you never want the series to end and she lets her fans talk her into writing more.. which I love. She talks to us on FB. Probably my favorite series was Cruise Ship Cozy Mysteries and the Garden Girls, though Made In Savannah .. oh, they’re all great! LOL!

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  156. Cozy Mysteries without a listing for Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes? He’s less risque than Agatha Christie. Just an oversight, I think, but you really ought to put him on the list.

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  157. You have left a great author off your lists. Robin Merrill writes Christian cozy mystery’s. One of my favorite characters is Gertrude Gumshoe. Love all her books. I have read them all. Some twice. Which is what brought me to your site. Looking for more books like hers.

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  158. One author I didn’t see on the list was Tonya Kappes and her Ghostly Southern Mystery Series. I read the first book “A Ghostly Undertaking” simple because the main character, Emma Lee Raines, was hit in the head by a 5ft Santa that fell off a roof. She and her sister run one of the funeral homes in town and now she can see the ghosts of people just just buried. I loved it and finished the whole series in a month. It’s not the normal books I go for but I loved watching the show “Father Dowling Mysteries” when I was a kid with my Grandma…. Maybe it’s fate I find it now lol

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  159. I have just read the first three of the Eve Mallow Mysteries by Clare Chase. I have really enjoyed them and hope to read all the series. As yet I haven’t come across anything objectionable like bad language sex etc. I also really enjoy Patricia Wentworth’s Miss Silver series which to me is a cross between Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Thank you for this website it is so helpful.

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  160. Janet Bolin and Lee Strauss don’t have profanity in their books. I’m glad I found your website. I like to read cozy mysteries, but so many of them have language I find offensive.

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  161. Sara Rosett should be on this list. Her “On the Run” series is great as are her other series!

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    • I would add Sara Rosett’s other series, too: High Society Lady Detective, Ellie Avery, and Murder on Location.

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  162. I recently discovered Hope Callahaghan’s books. She does several series, all very clean and even Christian based. Very cozy! One of her series is about a retiree who has taken a job as assistant cruise director on a cruise ship, another is Mafia widow and her daugher who move to Savannah, GA, to make a new start in life. Another is the Garden Girls, a group of women in a small town in Michigan, who solve mysteries in their small town. And she has more!

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    • Yes… Hope Callaghan for sure! She’s one of my favorite authors.

      Her mysteries are very clean, also very fun to read. She’s got a lot of cozy mysteries in like 8 different series that I’m working my way through.

      The other thing I really like about her books, is they are not cookie cutter plots.

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  163. The Cuck Winters Thrillers, Foreign Involvement, Ghost in the Night, Steps Ahead in Morocco, Zurich Contact and Gone to Goa, do not have swear words and hopefully you will enjoy these books. More to come.

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  166. Just finished Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanna Fluke
    Long book and seemed clean.
    Near the end multiple uses if profanity were used. 😞It is disgusting that people do that. I have noticed that with shows too (supposedly clean and once you are 2-3 seasons in and do not want to stop the profanity begins and grows).

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  167. I keep a printout of your recommendations on my desk. Thank you for your blog. The Davis Morgan mystery series and the Adairsville Heritage mystery series, published by Crosslink, and written by my husband and myself are faith-based and contain no profanity.

    Reply

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