Cozy Mystery reader (Rabia) just asked this question:
“I was wondering if there are any cozy mysteries with a protagonist that is in their twenties? Maybe rich and in their 20s?”
I think that Daisy Dalrymple (Carola Dunn) is in her 20s when the series begins, as well as Aurora Teagarden (Charlaine Harris) and Faith Fairchild (Katherine Hall Page) >>> and possibly the Blackbird Sisters (Nancy Martin). Does anyone else know (for sure) if any of the sleuths are in their 20s?
Here is the link for the entry: “Rich Sleuths Theme Mysteries”
Also, in case I misunderstood the comment… Does anyone have suggestions for Cozy Mystery series with protagonists (rich or not rich) who are in their 20s?
Sleuths in Their 20s:
Victoria Abbott (aka Mary Jane Maffini & Victoria Maffini): Book Collectors Mystery Series
Barbara Allan: Trash ‘n’ Treasures Mystery Series
Madelyn Alt: Bewitching Mystery Series
Sheryl J. Anderson: Molly Forrester Mystery Series
Rhys Bowen: Royal Spyness Mystery Series
Kate Carlisle: Bibliophile Mystery Series
Agatha Christie: Tommy and Tuppence Mystery Series
Max Allan Collins (aka 1/2 of Barbara Allan): Mallory Series
Susan Conant & Jessica Conant-Park: Gourmet Girl Series
Amanda Cooper (aka Victoria Hamilton): Teapot Collector Mystery Series
Carola Dunn: Daisy Dalrymple Mystery Series
Janet Evanovich: Stephanie Plum Mystery Series
Kerry Greenwood: Phryne Fisher Mystery Series
Charlaine Harris: Aurora Teagarden Mystery Series
Dorothy Howell: Haley Randolph Mystery Series
Anna Loan-Wilsey: Hattie Davish Mystery Series
Nancy Martin: Blackbird Sisters Mystery Series
Alyssa Maxwell: Gilded Newport Mystery Series
Katherine Hall Page: Faith Fairchild Mystery Series
Elizabeth Peters (aka Barbara Michaels): Vicky Bliss Mystery Series
Rhonda Pollero: F. A. T. Mystery Series…
Maria E. Schneider: Sedona O’Hala Mystery Series & stand alone: Catch an Honest Thief
Dornford Yates: Richard Chandos Series
If you know of any, please post a comment.
♦To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.♦
Max Allan Collins says
My wife and I write the “Barbara Allan” bylined cozy “Trash ‘n’ Treasures” series. I believe Brandy was 29 in the first book, but she’s probably 30 or 31 by now.
I did a medium-boiled series about a character called Mallory back in the ’80s. He was in his late twenties.
deb says
Love your trash n treasure. Books, read them all
Carrie says
In the first few books in the Richard Chandos mystery series by Dornford Yates the lead characters are both in their 20’s.
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
Mine are (Sedona O’Hala Mysteries or Catch an Honest Thief — stand alone.) Available for Kindle, Nook, Sony and so on.
Janet Evanovich (Stephanie is not wealthy, but she is in her 20s.)
Elizabeth Peters Vicky Bliss series (I think. I’m not certain. She is a museum director/curator so I don’t think she’d hard-up for money, but not wealthy. She might also be 30?)
Erm…there must be more…
Angela says
In Kate Carlisle’s Bibliophile series the main character is younger, if not twenties then early thirties and she comes into some money early in the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks for all of the suggestions for the Sleuths in Their 20s . I am going to go add them to the list right now.
Stephanie says
What about the Tommy and Tuppence (from Dame Agatha)? They started out young (in their twenties, I think) in The Secret Adversary. And they’re rich.
Although I think that, by their next full novel, they’re in the 40s… I could be wrong, though.
Judith says
There are several mystery series featuring young single female protagonists that are fun and rather light-hearted – but are probably closer to chick lit than cozy mysteries (in addition to being concerned about designer apparel, there is an emphasis on the sex life of the protagonist). Some that I have enjoyed are Sheryl J. Anderson’s Killer series, the F.A.T. series by Rhonda Pollero and Dorothy Howell’s Handbag series – none of them are rich (although at least 2 have well-to-do mothers)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stephanie, thanks for telling me about Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence. I tried reading the first mystery in the series years ago, but decided against continuing with that particular Christie Cozy Mystery series.
Judith, thank you for your additions to the Younger Sleuths list. I am going to go add them right now…
Kathryn says
Marian Chesney (M. C. Beaton) writes about Lady Rose Summer, only daughter of the Earl and Countess of Hadfield and her maid, Daisy.
Snobbery with Violence
Hasty Death
Sick of Shadows
Our Lady of Pain
Lois says
I think that Annie Laurence of the Death on Demand series by Carolyn Hart is in her 20s at the beginning of the series. She isn’t rich, but does own her own bookstore – and Max Darling, her boyfriend (husband later in the series) is very wealthy.
Rabia says
Thank you guys so much for the list right now I’m reading “Cooking up Murder” by: Miranda Bliss. I love it already and although they aren’t quite in their 20’s they’re close (early 30’s) I’m still enjoying the story. It’s like I know the characters. I just wanted to know if there were any amateur sleuths in their 20’s (not necessarily rich) and I got my answer…there are plenty. Thank you all
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rabia, I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying a close-to-twenties sleuth…
Rebecca says
I finished reading a series by Suzanne Enoch that was great. Suzanne Enoch is normally a romance writer (I do not normally read romances), but she branched out to write a contemporary mystery. You might want to consider her.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Rebecca, for telling us about Suzanne Enoch!
Katie says
I recently read “Steamed”, the first in the Gourmet Girl series by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant. I didn’t care for the book, but the main character, Chloe, is in her mid-twenties.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Katie, I’ll add Susan Conant’s Gourmet Girl to the list of Mystery Books with Sleuths in Their 20s.
Chrissie says
I loved Jennifer Colt’s “McAfee Twins” Series. The ladies are in their 20’s and the book are great!
PS I am new to this site and I have fallen in love with it!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Welcome to the site, Chrissie. Thanks for telling us about Jennifer Colt’s McAfee Twins.
*Susan says
Kerry Greenwoods ‘Phryne Fisher’ is only in her 20’s.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, *Susan, I’ll go add Phryne Fisher to the list of Mystery Books with Sleuths in Their 20s.
Victoria Hamilton, aka Amanda Cooper says
So funny to come across this! My new series written as Amanda Cooper, the Teapot Collector Mysteries, has a 20 something heroine (when the series starts) and she was born into a wealthy family, though she prefers to make her own way in the world as a chef!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Victoria Hamilton, I am going to go add Sophie Taylor to this list!
Kate Dyer-Seeley says
I write the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington, and the first book Scene of the Climb just released last week. It features a young journalist, Meg Reed, who is fresh out of college and in her early twenties. Her goal is to land a gig writing for a newspaper, but sadly they are a dying breed. She bills herself as an intrepid adventurer in order to get a job for an outdoor magazine, when in reality her idea of sport is climbing onto the couch without spilling her latte.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kate, when I read your comment, I immediately thought of the sports theme I’m getting ready to post. I was planning to add your Meg to the “mountain climbing” theme, even though I know she isn’t an avid outdoors fan.
BJG says
Lady Georgianna of the “Her Royal Spyness” series by Rhys Bowen is in her early 20s and a minor member of Briton’s royal family. She is herself penniless but she travels in glamorous, rich circles. Wonderful series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
BJG, thank you! I just added Rhys Bowens Lady Georgianna to the Sleuths in their 20s theme.
deb says
Isn’t laura child’s scrapbook main character in her twenty. Name isn’t coming to me right now.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Deb, I think Carmela is in her 30s, but I could be mistaken.
Ann says
I don’t have any suggestions currently but I want to say a thank you for including this category. It has been a growing concern of mine as I begin to write my own series targeting women readers 22-42 years old. It looks as if there is an uptick in authors appealing to a younger generation given the two recent posts from authors. Hoping there will be more of us to come!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ann, I know exactly what you are talking about. I think that ever since Miss Marple hit the Cozy Mystery genre in the 1930s, we have seemed to become fascinated with older female sleuths. (However, I still think that the 22-42 year olds should start with Miss Marple and Hercules Poirot!)
Anna says
Hi, Just to let you know, Hattie of my Hattie Davish Mystery series is in her late 20’s. Also, Emma Cross of Alyssa Maxwell’s Gilded Newport Series is in her early 20’s. Thanks!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Anna, I just added your Hattie Davish Mystery Series and Alyssa Maxwell’s Gilded Newport Mystery Series to the list of 20 Year Old Sleuths.
Anna says
Thank you for having a great site! I use it all the time!
Lily says
I think Jordan in Victoria Abbott’s Book Lover’s series is in her 20s!
Lily says
BOOK COLLECTOR series, sorry! 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lily, thanks! I’m going to go add Victoria Abbott’s Jordan to the 20 something sleuths list.