The Cozy Mystery List Blog

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

Not Reading a Cozy Mystery? Then What?

May 23, 2015

ReadingI don’t know if I should admit this, but I am not reading a Cozy Mystery right now. Yes, it’s true, every once in a while I leave my favorite Cozies to read something different. It doesn’t happen all that often, but I have to say that it does happen.

A while ago I mentioned a book that I was reading that is still very much in my mind. This is a book that I strongly recommend to everyone: The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. It is a book that depicts the strength and positive outlook of a woman who endured much suffering. It is a book that may perhaps leave you feeling humbled. Terrific book!

Another type of book that entices me away from my Cozies is true crime. Ann Rule is one of my favorite true crime authors. She does extensive research before writing her true crime books, and she makes them read like fiction. I find myself having to remind myself that these are true stories of terrible events that truly did happen.

But right now I am reading a book that might surprise you. I am reading (and enjoying!) Nancy Zieman‘s Seams Unlikely, and I don’t sew! (Other than re-attaching buttons and fixing small seams that have come apart.)

I have mentioned before how much I miss crafting shows like the Carol Duvall Show. I absolutely loved that show! (I guess it would be more accurate if I said I loved, loved, loved that show!) Since I couldn’t find anything to take Carol’s place, I started watching Sewing with Nancy. While the show doesn’t feature crafting, and since I don’t sew, I will admit that the most interesting part of the show is the last ten-minute segment, when Nancy highlights a sewing project that benefits others. I love these segments. I usually don’t watch the ending credits, but for some reason, I did this week. And I’m glad I did. I saw that Nancy Zieman has written her autobiography, and I started reading it that very same day. Her spirit is as positive as the segment that she features in her show highlighting beneficial sewing projects from all around the world.

This got me thinking: It might be interesting to us to see what other Cozy Mystery readers read when they aren’t reading a terrific Cozy… So, I ask you this:

When you aren’t reading a Cozy Mystery, with what type of book are you most likely spending your time? Please post a comment to let us know. Thank you!

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110 Comments - Click Here to Read the Comments or to Add Another

Comments

  1. Sandy says

    May 23, 2015 at 11:49 am

    I like reading dystopian novels like Hunger Games or Divergent. I also read true crime, historical fiction and non-fiction books. I’ll also read books off the best seller lists although I’m not a fan of basic fiction. I’m lucky that my library system is a part of a state-wide system and so can get books from any library in the state. I would go broke if I bought as many books as I read! I buy a few books on kindle throughout the year, mainly authors that I love . I might try an author or a genre I haven’t tried before if I can get it for free or less than $1.00 through the bookbub kindle site.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 3:28 pm

      Sandy, I know a lot of people read the dystopian novels now. (I had to look up the meaning of dystopia to see what the books are about!) Your library sounds terrific!

      Reply
  2. Kathleen says

    May 23, 2015 at 12:01 pm

    I am new to the Cozy Mysteries, and have more than one summer worth of books and series interested in reading. However, I do enjoy reading the Rizzoli and Isles series by Tess Gerritsen; The Surgeon and The Apprentice are more gritty crime dramas mimicking the television series. I also enjoy some in the fantasy genre especially the Witches of East End series by Melissa De la Cruz. Having been a teacher for 35+ years, I do enjoy many of the young adult series.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 23, 2015 at 3:25 pm

      Kathleen, that is so neat that you enjoy the young adult series because you were a teacher. I take it you “kept up” with your students. Neat!

      Reply
  3. Rachel A says

    May 23, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    I enjoy fantasy, various types of historical novel, some Regency romances if they are not trashy bodice rippers and my favorite sub genre historical mystery. I also read lots of craft books including those about sewing!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 23, 2015 at 3:26 pm

      Rachel A, I get a cross stitch magazine, of which I have never cross stitched one project. I simply enjoy reading about them. So, I get what you are saying about craft and sewing books.

      Reply
  4. Michelina says

    May 23, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    When I’m not reading cozies, I like to read a good thriller like those by Daniel Silva and David Baldacci. Andy Mc demott is another author I read but his books do have quite a bit of violence. Another genre I like is romantic suspense-Kat Martin,Sharon Sala. I don’t like the books that claim to be romantic suspense but turn out to really be erotica.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 23, 2015 at 3:28 pm

      Michelina, I have been known to read a David Baldacci, John Grisham, or James Patterson every once in a while…

      Reply
  5. Kate says

    May 23, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    Just finished Girl on the Train. A mystery but not exactly a cozy. It was really good.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 23, 2015 at 3:31 pm

      Kate, I just looked up Girl on the Train. It certainly has great reviews! It almost sounds like an updated version of Agatha Christie’s 4:50 from Paddington.

      Reply
  6. Rebecca says

    May 23, 2015 at 12:35 pm

    I am listening to On Canaan’s Side by Sebastian Barry. You mentioned Corrie Ten Boom, I admire her greatly, she was someone who helped shape me by her books, and her Christian example. I also am a fan of Ann Rule, she definitely can take a true crime and draw the reader into the events as no other true crime author can. As for Nancy Zieman, another woman I admire. I DO sew (next to reading it is my passion) and she is a wealth of information, and products.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 23, 2015 at 3:37 pm

      Rebecca, I just can’t get over how much Corrie Ten Boom went through (during the war and then surviving the concentration camps) and then was able to have such a positive attitude.

      Reply
  7. Rob says

    May 23, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    I have to admit to the same thing and I don’t go off the beaten path very often but occasionally, I will read non-fiction crime and crafts books but I’m not a cooking nut. However here is a way to stay on cozy and get your cooking fix too. Laura Childs, Avery Aames, Maggie Sefton and Lucy Burdette just to name a few, will include recipes in the backs of their mysteries. I’m sure that other authors do as well and they are also Cozy writers.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 23, 2015 at 3:39 pm

      Rob, non fiction crime and craft books sound great to me!

      Reply
  8. Anne says

    May 23, 2015 at 12:47 pm

    In my pile of books right now are 4 books of poetry, 5 books on art, 4 novels (The Buried Giant, Kazuo Ishiguro, Three Brothers, Peter Ackroyd, Worth, Jon Cantor and The Listener, short stories, Tove Jansson.) 2 books by Robert Macfarlane – Landmarks and The Old Ways, 1 biog – “The New Women and the Old Men” Ruth Brandon, and, oh yes ,2 who-dunits – Mrs. Pargeter’s Principle, Simon Brett and To Dwell in Darkness, Deborah Crombie.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 23, 2015 at 3:41 pm

      Anne, you have a very eclectic pile of books there!

      Reply
  9. Susan MT says

    May 23, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    I have picked up a few books for my Kindle that I guess would be classified as chicklit. I don’t usually buy that type but the Kindle makes it so easy to shop for cheap books and who can resist a good bargain? Just finished The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank. It was good but it made me cry at the end. My cozies never do that! Also have enjoyed Jill Mansell’s Millie’s Fling and bought several more of her books. Mary Ellen Taylor’s The Union Street Bakery was quite good too.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 23, 2015 at 4:06 pm

      Susan MT, well then it’s a good think that the Kindle deals are expanding your reading horizon, right? Who knows, you just may end up preferring chicklit to Cozies!

      Reply
  10. Doward says

    May 23, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    Adventure/action books by Steve Berry, Clive Cussler or Andy McDermott. Paranormal suspense by Heather Graham.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 3:30 pm

      Doward, from Cozy to Heather Graham and Clive Cussler >>> that’s quite a spectrum!

      Reply
  11. Pat says

    May 23, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    When not reading a cozy, I have two authors I go to whenever they have a new book out…..James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club, and Stuart Woods’ Stone Barrington series. There are a few others but never miss either of these when a new book comes out in the series.

    Reply
    • Janet says

      May 24, 2015 at 12:05 pm

      I love both of these series – – also the Harry Bosch novels by Michael Connelly and the crime fiction by Julie Garwood. Never miss any of them 🙂

      Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 3:32 pm

      Pat, I got hooked on James Patterson way back when audible . com and my library only carried mystery authors who are male. (That’s how I was also introduced to John Grisham and David Baldacci.)

      Reply
      • Pat says

        May 24, 2015 at 5:57 pm

        Grisham and Baldacci are also favorites plus J.A. Jance, all of her series.

        Reply
        • Danna - cozy mystery list says

          May 28, 2015 at 7:01 pm

          Pat, it looks like you enjoy mysteries whether they’re Cozies or not. I’m with you on this!

          Reply
  12. Kathy says

    May 23, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    Fight Back With Joy By Margaret Feinberg.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 3:35 pm

      Kathy, that title looks intriguing!

      Reply
  13. Donna says

    May 23, 2015 at 1:32 pm

    I love to read books about England or Scotland. I have read all the Outlander series. I got hooked when I watched the first Outlander show on Starz. They are in their second season now and I (of course) like the books better. There are 8 books and they are very long. But I love the story. PBS has just started a new series called Shetland. I am reading these books now. The scenery is just beautiful. The stories are good too even if I have a hard time understanding them. I record them just so I can go back and listen
    again.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 3:36 pm

      Donna, I’m going to go look up Shetland. I haven’t seen it advertised anywhere. Thanks!

      (I’m back. I just looked it up on Netflix and see it’s not available yet.)

      Reply
  14. Rebecca says

    May 23, 2015 at 1:47 pm

    I picked up The Gift of Christmas (Debbie Macomber/Linda Goodnight) from a local little free library and, not being a romance fan, really enjoyed it!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 3:41 pm

      Rebecca, I wonder if Hallmark will make a Christmas movie out of this Debbie Macomber book. They have made the three Mrs. Miracle movies, so there may be some hope…

      Reply
  15. Christi says

    May 23, 2015 at 1:55 pm

    If I’m not reading a cozy, I’m usually still reading something from the mystery genre. I love Laura Lippman, Deborah Crombie, Harlan Coben, etc. Just for a change of pace, I’ll read a romance.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 3:43 pm

      Christi, I, too, enjoy throwing in a non Cozy Mystery author into the bunch on occasion. They’re nice for a change…

      Reply
  16. Janelle says

    May 23, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    Today I am watching Mystery Woman series all day long. I’ve never gotten to see these so it is a real treat. They are showing on Hallmark’s Movies and Mysterys Channel.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 3:44 pm

      Janelle, I hope you enjoyed the Mystery Woman shows. I wish they would make more of them, but I doubt that will happen.

      Reply
  17. marla says

    May 23, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    I also read grittier books and police procedurals. Right now I’m fascinated by Harry Bosch. Also reading James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 3:50 pm

      Marla, one of my close Cozy Mystery friends follows absolutely everything Michael Connelly puts out. Harry Bosch is her favorite of his characters, too.

      Reply
  18. Allie says

    May 23, 2015 at 3:51 pm

    I too have read Carrie Ten Boom’s book and several other books by survivors. I like good autobiographies, historical biographies, Sue Grafton books, Janet Evanovich, and books like the Mitford series and Alexander McCall Smith. Basically, I read a lot! Cozies are my favs!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 3:52 pm

      Allie, after I finished Carrie Ten Boom’s book I tried to stop complaining about little things that annoy me throughout the day. I probably should re-read it! What a terrific book!

      Reply
  19. TJ says

    May 23, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    I love cozy mysteries also Anne Rule, fantasy, romance,…I have as many as five books going at the same time. the only genres I do not touch are bios (unless I am fascinated by that special person) and horror. my imagination is too vivid.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 3:53 pm

      TJ, oh my gosh, five books at one time! Unless they were all on my Kindle, I’m not even sure I could remember where all five were located, much less remember where I left off on each of them!

      Reply
  20. Lillian says

    May 23, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    I also get my fill of ‘cozies’ every so often. I then turn to some you have already mentioned but having lived in the desert, read Hillerman, John Jakes. Margaret Coel. J.A. Jance
    and B.J. Oliphant.. I also enjoy traveling in my armchair to Alaska with Dana Stabenow, and Sue Henry. Of course, there are those adventure that we must go on with Clive Cussler, Lee Childs, Jack Higgins and many more. As we all know, there are not enough hours to be able to read everything we want.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 4:10 pm

      Lillian, I like the way you describe Dana Stabenow’s and Sue Henry’s mysteries >>> traveling in my armchair to Alaska! That’s how I think of a lot of the Cozy Mystery authors who are my favorites. I feel like they are able to transport me to their settings…

      Reply
  21. Lexie says

    May 23, 2015 at 5:15 pm

    I read David Baldacci, Brad Thor (The Patriot Threat excellent! ) all Grisham and have just started women’s lit- Barbara O’Neal. I am unable to put down her books, they are all excellent and speak to women of all ages . There is a great amount of excellent women’s lit out there. They are NOT romance, they are life experiences of unique and strong women starting over . Cheryl Strayed WILD was one of the best books I read in years. Think Eat Pray Love without the cushy book advance and fancy vacation . Its a journey of grief that changes her life forever on one of the most difficult hikes in the world that she took on by herself. So much better then Eat Pray Love.
    I re-read Austen and Steinbeck and my great favorite author of all time, Thoreau. Robert Frost I adore and have to re read his poetry often. I also read environmental advocacy books and biographies.
    Cozies are normally my first choice but of late they all seem the same and am taking a break with the above choices.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 6:30 pm

      Lexie, you are another very eclectic reader! Wow!

      Reply
  22. Maria (BearMountainBooks) says

    May 23, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    Oh, goodness, I branch out all the time. I read fantasy and urban fantasy (although I do prefer my fantasy to be cozy as well. Frank Tuttle writes good fantasies that are pretty cozy). I love paranormal mysteries too. Now and then I read a thriller, but I actually prefer them to be over the top (Robert Crais Joe Pike series for example) because then they aren’t likely to upset me. They’re more like “Die Hard” than real violence. I enjoy general mysteries too that aren’t completely cozy and I love humor in any genre!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 6:32 pm

      Maria, when I wrote this entry, I wondered if you would post a comment, and was pretty sure you would include your urban fantasy! (If you haven’t seen the movie True Lies, I think you might enjoy it…)

      Reply
  23. Dru says

    May 23, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    I will read suspense novels, thrillers or traditional mysteries. It breaks up the cozies that I normally read.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 6:33 pm

      Dru, it sounds like you are a mystery lover through and through…

      Reply
  24. Paula says

    May 23, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    When I’m not ‘cozying it up’ I read some chic lit, and dystopian novels, some other mysteries like James Patterson, Stuart Woods, and whatever else catches my attention!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 24, 2015 at 6:34 pm

      Paula, I like that expression “cozying it up”! I wish I could expand my reading attention.

      Reply
  25. Laura B says

    May 23, 2015 at 5:47 pm

    I do love reading cozies, but when I am not reading a cozy I like to read fantasy, most often young adult/ teen. for example, the nightmare by mindee arnett, wintersmith by terry prachett and alchemist by michael scott. the way I feel is that if a book is good it doesn’t matter who it is “intended” for, the book should be read for the pure joy of it.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 26, 2015 at 6:45 pm

      Laura B, I totally agree with you about a book providing joy to anyone who enjoys reading it, regardless of who the book was intended to be for…

      Reply
  26. servedogmom says

    May 23, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    When I’m not reading cozy mysteries I generally read Christian Inspirational, Bible studies on line or medical continuing education.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 26, 2015 at 6:46 pm

      Servedogmom, hmmm… “medical continuing education” sounds difficult!

      Reply
  27. Judy says

    May 23, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    As long as it’s not exotica, science fiction, werewolves, or vampires, I’ll try anything. I may not finish it because it may not end up as my taste in books but I’ll try. I have lots of favorite authors I follow that are not cozies. But it’s always nice to pick up a favorite cozy author knowing it will be a satisfactory cozy mystery.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 26, 2015 at 6:48 pm

      Judy, I totally agree about picking up a favorite Cozy author. Every once in a while, the author may fail, but hopefully that doesn’t happen to often.

      Reply
  28. Nikki l says

    May 23, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    I’m totally addicted to southern humor especially those written by women. Love the Gayden Metcalf books especially “Somebody is going to die if Lilly Beth doesn’t catch the bouquet.” Also fun is Never sit down in a hoop skirt”. It’s a fun genre that showcases the southern love of storytelling and porking fun at ourselves in a sweet way. Nothing mean spirited.

    Reply
    • Marie says

      May 25, 2015 at 6:25 pm

      Well, that cost me some money. Those southern humor books sounded like something I’d enjoy–thanks!

      Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 26, 2015 at 6:49 pm

      Nikki l, thanks for telling us about these southern humor books!

      Reply
  29. CafeKnitter says

    May 23, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    I just finished Miss Julia lays down the law by Ann B. Ross
    And
    The cowboy’s autumn fall by Shanna Hatfield
    I’m currently reading
    The Memory Garden by M. Rickert
    I can’t quite decide if I like it. It’s turning out to be different than what I expected. I’m a gardener so it peaked my interest. It was a freebie for my kindle.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 26, 2015 at 6:54 pm

      CafeKnitter, I’m glad you posted this about Ann B. Ross. I am way behind with my Miss Julia series! You are more patient than I am. I probably should give a book longer than I do before I stop reading it, but when I can’t decide if I like it, I usually give up. (I’ve probably lost out on some very good books because of my impatience!)

      Reply
  30. Jane says

    May 23, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    Love Sarah Addison Allen
    ..realism with a touch of mystical

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 26, 2015 at 6:56 pm

      Jane, I just looked up Sarah Addison Allen and it looks like she has some wonderful reviews!

      Reply
  31. Paula Catherine says

    May 23, 2015 at 7:59 pm

    I just finished ” A Single Thread” by Marie Bostwick and I loved it. It is kind of a coming of age type of book. I really don’t know why it affected me so much but I think reading about a woman who had to find herself again made me think about so many woman who experienced what she experienced. She was brave even when life and circumstances seemed to plot against her. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
    Now I am back to Cozies!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 27, 2015 at 12:55 pm

      Paula Catherine, starting over is something a lot of us have either had to do or known someone who has had to do it. Welcome back you your Cozies!

      Reply
  32. carolyn says

    May 23, 2015 at 8:30 pm

    I read all kinds of mysteries, but have really been focused on cozies for a while. I love Margaret Maron, Laura Childs, Susan Wittig Albert, Joanne Fluke, Mary Daheim, Jane Haddam & Dick Francis to name a few. Also read biographies, historical fiction & nonfiction. Just LOVE to READ!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 27, 2015 at 12:57 pm

      Carolyn, I’m with you on the biographies and historical fiction (although mine comes in the Cozy format) and have wanted to read some nonfiction biographies on important historical people, but haven’t yet. I really should make time to do that…

      Reply
  33. Donna Mc says

    May 23, 2015 at 8:55 pm

    Currently reading The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury, one of my favorite writers but I’ve never read this book before. It is mind-bending but beautifully written. Next I’m going to try to dive into Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky, and you will laugh – it’s because I recently heard a rumor that it inspired the creation of my favorite TV detective, Columbo! I’m curious to discover if this is true.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 27, 2015 at 1:03 pm

      Donna Mc, oh my gosh, I had no idea about Dostoevsky’s detective being the basis of Columbo! Both of my children were required to read that in high school, and it might have helped them enjoy the novel a little more if they had known. (I have never read it.)

      Reply
  34. Linda says

    May 23, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    I recently read Wish You Well by David Baldacci. This is a little different from the type of books he usually writes. It is an autobiographical coming of age book which held my attention from the first page. I also just finished reading Pride and Prejudice again, what a delightful book. I enjoy reading the classics again ocassionally. My favorite of all time is The Count of Monte Cristo, I may visit it this summer on vacation.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 27, 2015 at 1:09 pm

      Linda, after I read your comment I looked up David Baldacci’s Wish You Well. You’re not kidding about it sounding different than most of his other novels. Wow! The Count of Monte Cristo would be quite an undertaking for me!

      Reply
      • Linda says

        May 28, 2015 at 12:17 pm

        Danna, the first time I read The Count of Monte Cristo I flipped right back to the front of the book and read it again. It is full of mystery and intrigue and so well crafted. I really encourage you to try it.

        Reply
  35. Angela says

    May 23, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    There are quite a few areas that I branch into when not reading a cozy. I have a few favorite non-cozy authors, Jasper Fforde writes satirical fiction (think Monty Python in books) and I follow most of his work. I also have a number of adventure authors I like, my favorite being James Rollins. I will read classics (there are so many that I haven’t read), fantasy, paranormal romance/mystery, some non-fiction usually involving archaeology or environmental themes and I enjoy collections of short stories of all kinds. Recently I have been looking into some YA books because my 11 year old son is having to read more for school and I like to read what he reads so we can talk about it. He’s about to read his first Carl Hiaasen YA and since I enjoy his adult mysteries I am looking forward to reading that one! There really isn’t much I won’t at least try, of course with so many great cozies not a lot of time is left for branching out anymore and I’m ok with that too!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 27, 2015 at 1:12 pm

      Angela, it’s really terrific that you read the books your son reads for school so you can talk with him about them. It’s great to hear about parents who take an active role in their children’s education.

      Reply
  36. Susan* says

    May 24, 2015 at 12:19 am

    Why shouldn’t you read whatever you like, Danna? If you enjoy it – well, it’s not harming anyone!
    I’m something of an omnivorous reader, myself – I’ll read almost anything. Mysteries – both cosy and non – are my favourite, and have been since childhood, but I’ll try anything once, if it catches my eye.
    Like Maria, above, I generally prefer my fantasy on the lighter side (Anne McCaffrey and Lois McMaster Bujold are favourites, and I have been known to read Terry Pratchett, although he’s mostly a little silly for my personal taste.) but I must admit to a ‘guilty pleasure’ in Laurel K Hamilton’s ‘Merry Gentry’ series. (More dark erotic-horror-fantasy than anything else. Definitely only for the broad-minded!)
    I’m not big on non-fiction, unless it’s well-written and on a topic or person that interests me, but I have a small collection of works on Colditz prison camp – and I highly recommend the two by Patrick Reid.
    I have been known to dip into children’s or young adult fiction, especially vintage stuff, and while I’m not a fan of historical fiction, I do have a couple of contemporary chick lit novels on my shelves as well.
    Currently I’m binging on J.D. Robb’s Eve Dallas novels. I found several cheaply in a charity shop recently, and decided it was time for a revisit…
    Like a friend of mine says – “I’ll read the back of the cereal packet, if there’s nothing else available!”

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 27, 2015 at 1:18 pm

      Susan*, you must read a whole lot faster than I do! (I think that’s why I have my 50-page rule.) You also have a very eclectic list of genres you enjoy. I feel sort of like a one-trick-pony when I see all the different types of books you read!

      Reply
      • Susan* says

        May 28, 2015 at 6:50 pm

        If it helps, Danna, I was in the 2nd hand book trade for over 15 years, and being a bit of a magpie, I tended to pick up anything that looked interesting. Still do, in fact! Lol!
        Getting books either cheap or free, and being able to read in between customers, helped too!

        Reply
        • Danna - cozy mystery list says

          May 30, 2015 at 12:24 pm

          Susan*, it must have been fun, fun, fun to be able to immerse yourself in books for over 15 years!

          Reply
  37. LindaMH says

    May 24, 2015 at 8:19 am

    I enjoy Jack DuBrul’s Philip Mercer series, Tom Corcoran’s Alex Rutledge series, and Clive Cussler’s Oregon and NUMA series. Lots of action!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 27, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      LindaMH, it looks to me like you read two extremes of the mystery genre: Cozy and Lots-AND-Lots of Action!

      Reply
  38. Linda 2E says

    May 24, 2015 at 9:35 am

    I’m a quilter so when not reading cozy mysteries, quilting books are my go to reads…I also do Sashiko so have several books on it. Wish Nancy’s show was broadcast in my area but it has not been available to me for years.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 28, 2015 at 5:05 pm

      Linda 2E, what a shame that you don’t have access to Sewing with Nancy. It seems like it is almost a “must” for sewists. I watch mine through our local PBS station, so I assumed that everyone’s local PBS stations would air it.

      Reply
  39. Leap Year Baby says

    May 24, 2015 at 11:40 am

    For a change lately I started with Cussler the NUMA series and now Michael Connelly Harry Bosch series.

    Favorite authors Baldacci, Coben, Patterson, Woods
    I like mysteries from the southwest James Doss, Hillerman, Jance, Thurlo. I’ve read all of the Hillerman books.

    Funny that you mentioned Carol loved her show also. The show that has taken it’s place for me is Scrapbook Soup with Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.

    I like mystery books that include crafts knitting, scrapbooking, quilting, cooking etc.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 28, 2015 at 5:08 pm

      Leap Year Baby, I’m going to see if I have access to Scrapbook Soup. I somehow doubt it, but I’ll try. For a while I watched the Home and Family show and enjoyed some of their crafting segments. However, I don’t watch it anymore. (It got too chatty for me, which I’m sorry about!) So thanks for the crafting idea. I am so sorry HGTV took Carol’s show off!

      Reply
  40. robin says

    May 24, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    Besides the cozies, I also collect and read historical romance. Not as much anymore because the authors I enjoy aren’t writing much. So I admit freely, that along with astronomy and physics books (which I find fascinating but do not understand a word of)! I also love reading the Crazy unsolved mysteries of ancient aliens, cryptozoology, ufos, Atlantis, etc. I also enjoy actual history, mostly anything B.C.- Sumarians, Egyptians, Babylonians, Early India and China. And cookbooks.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 28, 2015 at 5:15 pm

      Robin, it’s always a shame when favorite authors stop writing. Yikes on the physics enjoyment! I remember my daughter enjoyed reading physics books for entertainment, also. (It sure skipped a generation with me!)

      Reply
  41. Margaret M. says

    May 24, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    I am a sucker for a good ghost story. I am not crazy about creepy slasher demon type stories; more the “lady in white” type (if you know what I mean.)
    A few years ago I picked up THE VIRAGO BOOK OF GHOST STORIES. There are several versions, the one I have features short stories by Charlotte Bronte, Edith Wharton, Daphne du Maurier and close to 30 other classic authors. There are several different volumes, the one I have is all female authors.
    I also found this fun “Ghost Stories Deck,” which includes 50 cards with very short ghost stories. The kind of thing you can read, out loud quickly around the camp fire.
    I do have a THE SPIRITS OF CHRISTMAS AND OTHER WORDLY TALES, a Christmas Ghost Story anthology; but the first two I mentioned really are great for that twilight time of day on a lazy Summer evening by the pool with a glass of sweet tea and a bowl of popcorn.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 28, 2015 at 5:17 pm

      Margaret M, my very favorite author of all time (E.F. Benson) has a ghost stories book which I have, but haven’t read. Shame on me!

      Reply
  42. MJ says

    May 24, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    WOW and I thought I read a lot! I’m impressed with the variety of reading material everyone posted. I pretty much stick to cozies.

    However, A few years ago I started the Katherine Spencer’s Cape Light series. I loved the characters and their stories. However, not so much the preachiness. I still read them if the original characters are featured in the story, but lately she’s been introducing new characters and weaving tales around them. So I’ve lost interest.

    One non-cozy book I always recommend is, ‘Winter Solstice’ by Rosamunde Pilcher. Many have said Shell Seekers is her best book. I have it on the shelf, but haven’t read it yet

    Another book that is an EXCELLENT historical mystery (it isn’t a ‘cozy’) is, ‘City of Light’ by Lauren Belfer. I have a copy which I lend out all the time. I think (??) it was on the best seller list when it was first released.

    AND, for a humorous/fun book, I recommend, ‘Ladies With Options’ by Cynthia Hartwick. It’s about the Mostly Methodist Club who meet Saturday mornings discussing investment opportunities. It is truly hilarious!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 28, 2015 at 5:22 pm

      MJ, I know! I am surprised by how many different genres people have told us about. I thought we might have some non Cozy Mysteries, true crime, and romantic suspense, thrown in with a few historicals, but we even have physics in the blend!

      Re: the Katherine Spencer (aka Anne Canadeo) Cape Light Series >>> Did the books change a lot after Thomas Kinkade died? (Actually, was there only one book he didn’t collaborate on, or more?)

      Reply
  43. Mark says

    May 24, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    As a 5th grade teacher, I find myself reading a lot of middle-grade fiction. Most of them still tend to be mysteries, however. The Sammy Keyes books by Wendelin Van Draanen and the Red Blazer Girls books by Michael Beil are two of my favorite series. I also love the supernatural mysteries by Mary Downing Hahn. This school year I read the first four Trixie Belden mysteries to my students. I think the boys may have liked them even more than the girls!

    Reply
    • Susan* says

      May 25, 2015 at 8:32 am

      Trixie Belden is amazing! Especially when you consider that they were originally written some sixty years ago! (I know Nancy and Co. are older, but they’ve been updated so often. Trixie never has.)

      Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 28, 2015 at 7:03 pm

      Mark, I think it’s terrific when teachers read the books they see their students like. How neat that you read four of the Trixie Belden mysteries to your fifth graders!

      Reply
  44. Catherine H says

    May 24, 2015 at 6:55 pm

    I’m currently reading a collection of short “Victorian” mysteries. I also love true crime.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 28, 2015 at 7:39 pm

      Catherine H, if by Victorian you mean books by Victoria Holt, they hold a very special place in my heart. Every time I went to my grandmother’s house to stay with her she would be reading a Victoria Holt or a book by another very similar author. I think those were my very first Cozy Mysteries. Great memories for me

      Reply
      • Catherine H says

        May 28, 2015 at 8:56 pm

        It’s actually a collection of 27 mysteries set in Victorian times.

        Reply
  45. Lynn T. says

    May 24, 2015 at 9:46 pm

    I stay in the mystery field when I am not reading cozies. I really enjoy crime fiction or police procedurals set in England, Scotland or Ireland.

    I am now reading my favorite series which is the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths. It is set around Norfolk England. The new book is The Ghost Fields. The characters and the atmospheric location really make this series special for me.

    A mystery trilogy written about the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides by Peter May has been a favorite read this year. I have read The Black House and The Lewis Man. I will read The Chessmen soon.

    I am enjoying Jane Casey’s series about Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan set in London. The name Maeve was new to me and I really like it. The author writes really good police procedurals.

    I also enjoy mysteries from the southwest. A really good series that I started recently is a series called A Red River series. It is based in Texas and the time period is the sixties. The author is Reavis Z. Wortham. I have read the first two in the series. These are mysteries that have stayed with me. Most of the time stories fade after reading them but this series has been memorable and has stayed with me.

    Reply
    • Janice says

      May 25, 2015 at 12:19 pm

      I am also reading The Ghost Fields right now. Elly Griffiths does such a wonderful job of setting the atmosphere in her books. Reading last night when the weather was warm and calm, I could almost feel the cold winds blowing from the sea over the desolate landscape. I wouldn’t describe her books as cozy but I highly recommend them. The writing is wonderful and the characters unforgettable. I would suggest starting from the beginning of the series.

      Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 30, 2015 at 10:30 am

      Lynn T, thanks for telling us about Reavis Z. Wortham. I know what you mean about books that stay with you. It doesn’t happen very often, so when it does, it says a lot about the author. I’m going to go look Wortham up right now…

      Reply
  46. drcmg says

    May 25, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    I like to read. I have several genres that I especially like – history in general; military history; historical fiction especially swashbucklers and nautical from the Napoleonic period; mysteries by Robert Parker, Lawrence Block, Donald Westlake and others; science fiction, and cozies. Science fiction is probably my greatest interest and I have been reading it for well over 50 years.

    Currently I am re-reading all the Lord Peter Wimsey novels and short stories in chronological order not the order they were published. I have just finished “Busman’s Honeymoon” and will start the four by Jill Paton Walsh today. When I have completed these I have a new SF novel, “Dragon In Exile”, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller that is calling for me to read it. It is the eighteenth in the Liaden Universe series and I just a few weeks ago completed re-reading the first seventeen in preparation for the release “Dragon In Exile”. After that I will be off “As my Whimsy takes me” to whatever I find that catches my interest. I have enough unread to last me for years and enough that I could re-read to last many more years. Ah, so much to read, so little time.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 30, 2015 at 10:38 am

      drcmg, you certainly have no shortage of books to fill your reading “likes”! Swashbucklers to science fiction, to mystery, to military history, your list seems to take you all over in a library or bookstore!

      Reply
      • drcmg says

        May 30, 2015 at 11:17 am

        I also like others, but I did not want to bore you with an exhaustive list. The nice thing about being eclectic is that there is always something to grab my attention. I am constantly on the lookout for new genres and authors to read. Being a librarian comes in handy, too. We have a paperback exchange where people get books and leave some in exchange so there is always an influx of new material to look through. We also get a number of gift books and they often provide new fodder. Add to that seven brothers and sisters-in-law who are readers and who all exchange books with me and each other and you have a steady in flux of new material.

        Reply
  47. Stash Empress says

    May 26, 2015 at 1:11 am

    Ok, guess I’m the only Trekkie here LOL! While I used to read each & every Star Trek novel as they were released, they kind of went overboard, I couldn’t keep track of all the divergent & overlapping storylines & so gave them a pass for a while — but every now & again I do pick up one (or a “mini series”) that catches my fancy (particularly favorite characters or storylines). Also love Harry Potter & reread the series in one binge every couple of years.

    That said — the *majority* of my reading is cozies. Not too crazy about non-cozy mysteries anymore. I guess the older I get, the more I look to my reading for relaxation — instead of excitement! So skip the gory/horror/suspense, etc. (Interestingly enough, my 35yo daughter, who *started* in the cozies with me, has over the past 5-10 years, gone off towards the suspense, etc. type of mysteries — I guess at her stage of life excitement is more .. exciting???)

    The other kind of books I like is historical fiction (eg. Upstairs, Downstairs & Downton Abbey style) — prefer those with some mystery thrown in, when possible!

    Also do read the occasional non-fiction book that catches my fancy.

    And of course sewing books.. .lots & lots of sewing books — but I don’t count those as “books read”, any more than I count the daily newspaper — its more like keeping up with current events.

    Reply
    • Susan* says

      May 26, 2015 at 5:27 pm

      ‘Ok, guess I’m the only Trekkie here…’
      Stash, that comment is not logical. (Nor is it true! Lol!) Like you, I used to read everything I could – I’m an Original Series fan – but I, too, gave up after getting tangled in too many mini-series and ‘overlapping’ storylines. (I like that word. it fits.)
      Still have a big stash (No pun intended!) of books, though.
      Live Long and Prosper.

      Reply
      • Danna - cozy mystery list says

        May 27, 2015 at 7:08 am

        OK, Susan* and Stash >>> Make it so!

        You have got to see this YouTube Christmas “Make It So” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrG4JnrN5GA

        (I love the Wesley section!)

        Reply
  48. Trice says

    May 26, 2015 at 5:09 am

    I really enjoy John Sandford and Nora Roberts. I also like to read Lincoln Child, Douglas Preston, Tom Clancy, Dean Koontz, Michael Palmer, David Baldacci, James Michener, Irwin Shaw and Herman Wouk.

    I generally prefer to read authors that write series.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 30, 2015 at 10:44 am

      Trice, it looks like you are one of the people who when not reading Cozies, are reading mysteries. That’s usually the case with me as well.

      Reply
  49. Marian says

    May 26, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    I’m currently barreling my way through Matthew Pearl’s historical fiction. They all have a bit of mystery/suspense in them. Very enjoyable!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      May 30, 2015 at 10:49 am

      Marian, I just looked Matthew Pearl up, and those are pretty clever plots!

      Reply

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