I received a letter from “Lynn T.” last month with two great ideas for entry posts. Thank you, Lynn T, for both of the ideas. While I like both of them, I have been thinking about this one the most. Lynn T.:
“… I really enjoyed the blog where an author wrote more than one series. You asked which of the series by the author would you recommend to a person who wasn’t familiar with the series. I remember off the top of my head a few you asked about-Susan Wittig Albert, Mary Daheim and I think Paige Shelton and Sheila Connolly. There were more. I know I started the Emma Lord series by Mary Daheim from that post. …”
I have seen a definite increase of Cozy Mystery authors who write multiple series. Some of the authors use pseudonyms, while others don’t. I’m going to use my favorite Cozy Mystery author of all time to start the ball rolling:
So, you haven’t yet ventured into the world of Agatha Christie? Wow! Do you have a reading treat in store for you! She wrote several Cozy Mystery series, but two of them are more popular/famous than the others: Hercule Poirot Mystery Series and Miss Marple Mystery Series. Hmmm, since you can only try one book at a time, I want to be sure to recommend the series I think you might enjoy the most. Hmmm, this is particularly difficult, but if I could only choose one, it would hands-down, unequivocally be the Miss Marple Mystery Series. (I guess it really wasn’t that difficult for me to choose!)
While I have read and am currently re-reading both the Hercule Poirot series as well as the Miss Marple series, I tend to look forward to my Miss Marple mysteries a little more. When you think about both of the main sleuths, you can see that they are very different from each other. There is almost a 180º difference between them. Poirot is arrogant, needs to be the center of attention, fussy, immaculately groomed, and sometimes condescending. Poirot solves mysteries by using his little gray cells to think through the puzzle. Miss Marple, on the other hand, is likely to fade into the background, friendly, quiet, and almost reserved. Miss Marple solves mysteries through her knowledge of human nature.
Miss Marple is a true amateur sleuth, while Poirot is a private detective and an ex-member of the Belgian police force. When it gets right down to it, which of these two sleuths would I want to spend time with and get to know? Hands-down again: Miss Marple! While I think Poirot would be fun to spend a little time with, I’m not quite sure if I would be able to overlook his pomposity, the way Hastings does. Miss Marple, on the other hand, enjoys the simple pleasures – knitting, gardening, with a little gossiping -which I think I’d very much enjoy with her.
What about you? Do you have a favorite Cozy Mystery author who writes more than one mystery series? If so, without being too negative about the other series(s), which of his/her series would you recommend over his/her other(s), and please tell us why.
Danna:
Agatha Christie: Miss Marple Mystery Series
Teressa:
Susan Wittig Albert: China Bayles Mystery Series
Victoria Laurie: Psychic Eye Mystery Series
Maggie Sefton: Knitting Mystery Series
Carol:
Margaret Maron: Sigrid Harald Mystery Series
Angela:
Jenn McKinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence): Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series
Sheila Connolly (aka Sarah Atwell): Orchard Mystery Series
Agatha Christie: Miss Marple Mystery Series
Susan*:
Agatha Christie: Tommy & Tuppence Mystery Series
Susan Wittig Albert: China Bayles Mystery Series
Victoria Laurie: Ghost Hunter Mystery Series
Elizabeth Peters: Amelia Peabody Mystery Series
Kerry Greenwood: Corinna Chapman Mystery Series
Chris:
Agatha Christie: Miss Marple Mystery Series
Suzanne:
Carolyn Hart: Death on Demand Mystery Series
Jackie:
Agatha Christie: Miss Marple Mystery Series
Mary Daheim: Bed & Breakfast Mystery Series
Pat:
M.C. Beaton: Hamish Macbeth Mystery Series
Laura:
Susan Wittig Albert: (written as Robin Paige with husband Bill Albert): Kate Ardleigh Sheridan & Sir Charles Sheridan Victorian Mystery Series
Laurie R. King: Mary Russell Mystery Series
Elizabeth Peters: Amelia Peabody Mystery Series
Lynn T.:
Susan Wittig Albert: Darling Dahlias Mystery Series
Paige Shelton: Country Cooking School Mystery Series
Ellery Adams: Books by the Bay Mystery Series
Julie Hyzy: White House Chef Mystery Series
Victoria Abbott: Book Collector’s Mystery Series
Sheila Connolly: County Cork Mystery Series
Charlotte MacLeod: Sarah Kelling Mystery Series
Marja:
Clea Simon: Theda Krakow Mystery Series
Margaret Maron: Deborah Knott Mystery Series
Carolyn Hart: Henrie O Mystery Series
Lydia Adamson: Alice Nestleton Mystery Series
Donna Mc:
Agatha Christie: Harley Quin Stories
MJ:
Amanda Flower: Appleseed Creek Mystery Series
Joan Hess: Claire Malloy Mystery Series
Crickett McRae: Home Crafting Mystery Series
Judith:
Charlotte MacLeod: Inspector Mado Rhys Mystery Series
♦To return to the Cozy Mystery site, click on this link.♦
Rebecca says
I’m not sure if Victoria Holt is considered a cozy mystery. Definitely a gothic mystery I read in my teens. She also goes by Mary Stuart and Philippa Carr and several others. I absolutely couldn’t get enough of her and devoured loads of her books.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rebecca, I wasn’t quite sure how to describe Victoria Holt’s Gothic mysteries, either. I settled on Mysteries with Romance.
Teressa says
Isn’t odd how you can like an author for one series and not others? Here are a few of my authors: Susan Wittig Albert. I love the China Bayles series (except the last one, which I though was a bit much), but I am not a fan of the Darling Dahlia series. I will read them, but I do not jump at them like the China Bayles series. I think that it is more with the characterization than writing style. I have not tried the Beatrix Potter series. Another one that comes to mind is Victoria Laurie. I really like the Psychic Eye Series, but did not like the Ghost Hunter series. One more is Maggie Sefton. I like the knitting series (even though I do not knit), but was so disappointed in the Political series. This book did not have a resolution, which really bothers me. I need closure!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Teressa, as much as I loved reading Ann Granger‘s Markby & Mitchell Village Whodunit Mystery Series, I never warmed up to her Fran Varaday Mystery Series. I know exactly what you mean about liking one of an author’s series – exclusively.
Jackie J. Griffey says
Danna and all, Miss Marple is my favorite of Agatha Christie’s sleuths too.
As for others with several series, a wonderful one is Mary Daheim’s Bed & Breakfast series featuring the two cousins. Her Emma Lord series is good too, well researched and a good cozy series, but the two cousins are my favorites and Mary Daheim is now writing another of the cousin’s adventures. The title is: CLAM WAKE and it will be out soon for all of us to enjoy.
Suzanne says
Jackie, I also love Mary Daheim’s Bed & Breakfast series, but am having trouble finding a few of the books. Any site you could recommend?
Thanks Suzanne
p.s. my library doesn’t have all of them
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Suzanne, have you looked on Ebay? Also, you might be able to get some of the books through your library’s inter-library loan system. (You might not be able to do that online, though. At our library, you have to call and talk to a librarian.)
MJ says
Suzanne, Check the website betterworldbooks.com for the Daheim books you are looking for. I like this site for two particular reasons. One, shipping is free. And two, they donate all their profits to libraries.
Of course, interlibrary loan (ILL) is the cheapest way to go. Our library has an excellent ILL system which I have used many times.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Also, Barnes and Noble and Amazon usually have a lot of the older books.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jackie, isn’t it fun when our favorite authors keep one of our favorite series going?
MJ says
Jackie,
I, too, read both of the Daheim series. BUT, I was so upset at who she ‘killed off’ in the ‘N’ book of the Alpine series, I stopped reading it. My daughter felt the same way. So neither of us have read any additional books in this series. Others have commented they liked the fact that this person was killed off.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, I remember reading a book in a series that I followed that killed off the husband of the sleuth’s “rival” in the town, and then in the next book he was never mentioned… not once! I dropped that author sooooo fast!
Tessa~ says
Oh thank you!
I didn’t realize that Agatha wrote Tuppence and Tommy. Being as I’ve only seen the BBC episodes of them. Which I dearly loved, btw. 🙂
Anyway, I have requested both the first in the “T and T” series. And the first in the Miss Marple series, from my library.
:-))))))))
Tessa~
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tessa, I would have to say that Agatha Christie‘s Tuppence and Tommy Mystery Series is definitely my third pick of those three. (I haven’t read her Superintendent Battle series yet.)
A.S. says
Hi.
Keep in mind that the first T&T book isn’t really a mystery, I’d call it more a political thriller. It is, as usual with Christie, very well-written. For an enjoyable set of mysteries, as well as a very funny look at the genre, the second book, Partners in Crime, is excellent.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
A.S., that’s probably the reason I’m not as fond of Tommy and Tuppence. Also, if I were suggesting that someone start the Poirot mysteries, I would probably tell them to skip The Big Four.
A.S. says
I would respectfully agree, Danna. I would also avoid Elephants Can Remember as my first Poirot book. The Big Four, however, simply isn’t written as well as any other Poirot, in fact, I’m tempted to say that it’s one of the worst Christies, though with Christie, you find her better at her worst than many writers are at their best. To put it differently, The Big Four is still enjoyable, just not as enjoyable as the others. I’m tempted to put A Mirror Cracked From Side To Side in the same category, a double rather than a home run, and for my first book in a series, I want to see a home run.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
A.S., I cannot remember Elephants Can Remember. I’m going to go have to take a look at a summary.
(Ain’t this the truth: “though with Christie, you find her better at her worst than many writers are at their best.“!!!)
Carol says
I read every book in the Sigrid Harald series by Margaret Maron. I was so disappointed when that series ended. I thought the characters were fascinating. I never could get interested in her current series featuring Deborah Knott. I think part of that is because I am not a big fan of books set in the south.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carol, that’s too bad that you didn’t prefer Maron’s more famous (and still-being written) Deborah Knott series…
MJ says
Carol, ironically, Maron has written some of the characters from the Sigrid Harald series into the last two books of the Deborah Knott series (starting with book #17, “Three Day Town”). One can read this book as a stand alone because it takes place in NYC and doesn’t involve Deborah’s relatives. I haven’t read the Sigrid Harald series, so wasn’t familiar with this character when I read the 17th book.
I didn’t start out liking the Deborah Knott series (way too many characters, a bit crude, didn’t like this particular ‘south’ setting). But the Deborah Knott character is so smart/intelligent that I gave it a chance and now REALLY enjoy each and every book. The mysteries are very well written. I’m always looking forward to the next book. The 19th book is due out in August but I don’t know if it will include the S. Harald character.
Angela says
I really like Jenn McKinlay and all of her series but I would probably recommend the cupcake series to anyone just starting out with her. I think that series really captures Jenn’s writing style and sense of humor. I agree with what Teressa said about sometimes liking one series by an author and not another, for me an example of that would be Sheila Connolly, I enjoy her Apple Orchard series but gave up on her Museum mysteries, I just couldn’t get into the characters of that series.
Oh and Danna is right, Miss Marple for the win! (not that I don’t love Poirot too!)
MJ says
Angela, try Sheila Connolly’s County Cork series. I happen to like all of Connolly’s series, but (in my opinion) this one really stands out as the best. In this series, she weaves an excellent tale which is well researched. There appears to be more passion in her story-telling talent, perhaps because (as she acknowledges) there is some personal background aspects to it.
Angela says
MJ,
Thanks for the suggestion! I did in fact read the first in the Cork series and liked it. I didn’t mention it only because it is still so new that I didn’t feel I had enough info on it to suggest it as an intro to her as an author. I really enjoyed her Glassmaker series (written as Sarah Atwell) but it seems that she has stopped that series so again I didn’t want to recommend it since there are only a few in the series. I tried really hard to like the museum series, I read the first 3 books before I gave it up. I just could never connect with the main character and found that I just didn’t care what was happening. Guess it just goes to prove that we aren’t going to love everything we read, but for me part of the fun in reading is trying and finding the ones you really love!
Laura says
My first pick is Susan Wittig Albert – I loved her last one – enjoyed her books written with her husband, as Robin Paige – Victorian mysteries about an American who marries an Englishman… [;us her non-fiction is fantastic.
My other two favorites are Laurie R. King, who writes the Mary Russell – Sherlock Holmes series, as well as a series in San Francisco with a woman police detective and several good stand-alones.
AND The late great Elizabeth Peters (aka Barbara Michaels) did several series in all her nom-de-plumes – her Amelia Peabody Archeology series is wonderfully witty and charming.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Laura, how neat that you picked Susan Wittig Albert’s (Robin Paige’s) Victorian mysteries. I think they are so over-looked when one thinks of Albert’s work.
Susan* says
For Agatha Christie, I would probably plump for Tommy & Tuppence as my favourites, series wise. I suspect that this is because I started reading her books as a young teen, and I was closer to their ages – at least for the first couple of books.
Miss Marple and Poirot were interesting, but so much older. (They were ‘grown-ups’! Lol!) Even now, when I’m a bit older myself, I still like these the best of her series.
(Non-series Mr Harley Quin. Every time! For some reason I find these fascinating, and I’m just sorry she never wrote more of them!)
Susan Witting Albert – definitely China Bayles over Beatrix Potter. (I haven’t read the Dahlia series.)
The China books are excellent, straightforward mysteries. The Beatrix Potter books: the two that I’ve read were written in the second person (You do this / You do that rather than He / She does this or that) and I find it very condescending. It puts me off.
Teressa mentioned Victoria Laurie, and that she preferred the Pschic Eye mysteries over the Ghost Hunters.
I’m the exact opposite! Lol! I prefer MJ and crew over the Psychic Eye character. (Abby?) For some reason she just rubbed me the wrong way.
Elizabeth Peters, as well. I like Amelia Peabody and Vicky Bliss – a lot – but for some reason, I can’t stand Jacqueline Kirby.
If I had to pick just one, I think Amelia might edge out Vicky.
Kerry Greenwood is one not yet mentioned, I think. While the Phryne Fisher novels are excellent, I think her Corinna Chapman series is just that much better. (I highly recommend both, though.)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan*, I wasn’t sure whether to put her Harley Quin stories as your favorite or Tommy & Tuppence…
Susan* says
Well, I think you got it right. Lol! Harley Quin, IMHO, doesn’t really qualify as a series – not a series of books., anyway.
It’s just one book, unfortunately, plus a couple of extra short stories published later.
Tommy and Tuppence have five books, so… 🙂
Cheers!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan*, that’s sort of how I saw it, too.
Chris says
As I was reading your post, I was nodding as you chose Jane Marple as your favorite. Mine, too. I was disappointed that you didn’t mention Tommy & Tuppence. I liked that young couple very much and always wished that she’d written more of them.
I see that the BBC is going to re-do a bit of the series next year for the 50th anniversary.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Chris, I guess since I had no doubt that Tommy & Tuppence, as well as her Superintendent Battle mysteries wouldn’t be the ones I would recommend, I left them off.
It will be interesting to see if the BBC can improve on the television series Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime that starred Francesca Annis and James Warwick.
Suzanne says
My favorite is Carolyn Hart. The Death on Demand series is my all time favorite, then the Bailey Ruth Rayburn series, the What the cat saw. For some reason I never quite got into the Henrie O series. But as a multiple writer I enjoy her the most.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Suzanne, it looks like you are in luck since Carolyn Hart seems to be continuing her Death on Demand Mystery Series.
Jackie J. Griffey says
Right! And I also share Hercule’s love of chocolate LOL. But Miss Marple is still my favorite. 😎
Pat says
I think that M.C. Beaton is and author that writes in several genres but I have loved her “Hamish McBeth” mysteries and read everyone.
Her “Agatha Raisin” mysteries came later and I admit it took me a long time to warm up to “Agatha” since the character was so very very different.
However, I know that there are many who prefer “Agatha” over “Hamish” so I imagine that is why many authors try different series to reach more audience. I think that is great.
Lynn T. says
The first time I heard or read the name Hamish was in M.C. Beaton’s series. In my mind, I always pronounced it Ham-ish. Lately while listening to ABC Evening News, I am almost startled when they say Hamish McDonald is reporting. It is pronounced Hame-ish. That is what catches my ear and attention. I just looked up the pronunciation and Hamish is pronounced as Hame-ish. I am probably one of the few that didn’t know the proper pronunciation but now I do!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lynn T, even though I know it should be pronounced Hame-ish, I always think of him as Ham-ish Macbeth. I just can’t seem to make myself take the right road on this one.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Pat, I also have read both of M.C. Beaton’s series and I would have to say that eventually I too enjoyed Hamish more than Agatha.
Tony Renner says
Currently reading one of the Charles Paris books by Simon Brett. I haven’t read one in twenty years. It was like sinking into a comfy chair with a favorite blanket. I’d call that cozy. Haven’t read any of Brett’s Mrs Pargeter, Fethering, or Blotto and Twinks books but I probably should!
Lynn T. says
Susan Wittig Albert is a very good cozy writer. I like the China Bayles series but I am “nutty” over the Darling Dahlia series. It is one of my favorite series right now. It is a very gentle cozy mystery series where the lives and interactions between the ladies of the Darling Dahia Gardening Club are written about. It takes place during the 1930’s in Darling Alabama. If I lived in Darling at that time, I would love to join the gardening club. It is a laid back and relaxing series. One reason I think I like the series so much (besides being a gardener) is I like the characters very much.
Paige Shelton writes two series right now which are The Farm Fresh series and the Country cooking School series. While I like the Farm Fresh series ok, the Country Cooking School series is one of my favorite cozy series. It is odd because I am not a paranormal mystery fan but I do love this series. I like the location of Broken Rope Missouri and the ghosts in each book. In fact, the ghosts are favorite characters. My favorite book in this series was If Mashed Potatoes Could Dance. I liked the ghost of Sally Swarthmore who carries an ax and announces herself with a scent of lavender. There are always two mysteries. One is in the past which is associated with the ghost and one is in the present.
My favorite series by Ellery Adams is Books By The Bay, The character development and the creative story telling is the reason why I like this series so much. I felt that Written In Stone was one of my best reads in 2012. This series should be read in order as it is needed for the character development. The character of Olivia can be complex and is more understandable as the series goes on.
I will shorten the following.
Here are my favorite series by these authors.
Julie Hyzy-White House Chef Series
Victoria Abbot (Mary Jane Maffini) Book Collectors Series (fun new series)
Sheila Connolly-The County Cork series
Here is an almost impossible one. I like both series by Charlotte MacLeod which are the Peter Shanty and Sarah Kelling series. I have read the first four books in each series. Felt the 1st books in each series were marvelous. I think that perhaps the Peter Shanty series is the favorite of readers. I am right now going to say the Sarah Kelling is my favorite of the two but only by a nose.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lynn T, I am so glad you suggested this entry. It looks like some of us who enjoy the same authors prefer different series. Thanks!
Frank says
I enjoy quite a few of the Cozy Mystery authors. I’ve read (so far) the entire series of Monica Ferris, Chris Cavender, Maggie Sefton & Sally Goldenbaum’s books. I think they are all a very good read and you’ll notice I’m a guy but I do enjoy a good murder mystery.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Welcome to the Cozy Mystery site, Frank. You are not alone in enjoying “a good murder mystery.”
Marja says
Clea Simon – her first series featuring Theda Krakow. I tried to read her “pet noir” mysteries, and aside from the detective’s instant mental “reading” of all animals, I couldn’t get into it. I adore Theda Krakow and her cat Musette. I hope Ms Simon writes more Theda Krakow mysteries.
Margaret Maron – Deborah Knott. How I love her extended family and the relationship with her significant other, which builds realistically throughout, Deborah’s work as a judge [Judge (K)nott, get it?], and her Dwight’s work as a sheriff.
Carolyn Hart – definitely the Henrie O series. Haven’t “taken” to the others. I like Henrie’s investigative reporter background and her feisty attitude as an older woman!
Lydia Adamson – “A Cat in the Manger” and other of her Alice Nestleton series. I love the cast of ex-theatre people surrounding Alice, and her recollections of odd Off-Broadway theatre pieces she appeared in! I also love her cats, one of whom is just crazy, “chased by invisible phantoms.”
These are all I can think of at the moment, but, Danna, I’m thinking it might make a good category, if you have any time to do that!
——————————————–
PS, I loved the “shout-out” from Jim Parsons on Craig Ferguson’s talk show. Have you had a lot more “hits” on the site as a result?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marja, it was so neat to find out that he enjoys the Cozy Mystery site. I also enjoyed hearing them talking about the enjoyment they get from reading.
Donna Mc says
My first choice is always Agatha Christie, but then which of her sleuths should I choose? It depends upon the sort of mystery I feel like reading at the time. Miss Marple for cozies, Hercule for a traditional whodunit, Tommy and Tuppence for romantic comedy/mystery, there are the Parker Pyne stories that are non-murder mysteries, and the stand alones are also excellent. My personal favorites are the unusual, but really wonderful, Harley Quin stories. They are sort of like Poirot in the Twilight Zone – very different, but very fascinating little gems in Christie’s crown as the Queen of Crime.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Donna Mc, I went ahead and put down the Harley Quin stories as you Agatha Christie preference.
MJ says
I was just thinking about this the other day……………..I wasn’t a fan of Amanda Flower’s India Hayes mystery series. I think they were her first published books and it appeared (to me, anyway) she needed to gain experience as an author. Since there’s only two books in the series, I assume I wasn’t the only reader that felt this way. However, I love the Appleseed Creek mystery series. There is a lot of complexity and depth in the characters and story lines. I also enjoyed the first book of her new series (Amish Quilt Shop) written under the pseudonym, Isabella Alan.
I enjoy Joan Hess’s Claire Malloy series, but not the Maggody series. I just didn’t like the characters in the Maggody series. But I have friends that really enjoy it, so it’s all a matter of opinion/taste.
Some authors have branched into writing a paranormal cozy series, and I’m not a fan of that genre. It’s obviously popular or they wouldn’t go there. I like Crickett McCrea’s Home Crafting series, but not Bailey Cates’ (pseudonym) Magical Bakery Mystery series. It’s way too ‘woo-woo’ or ‘witchy’ for me. But others really enjoy this type of story, so I certainly cannot judge (nor be critical) of what others may or may not like. I’ve read some mystical cozies (ex: Sofie Kelly, Annette Blair, Kari Townsend) that I’ve enjoyed, but they don’t dwell on it to the extreme or make it the whole story.
I could say the same for the very prolific Lavenes. I’ve enjoyed most of their series (Sharyn Howard, Renaissance Faire, Peggy Lee, J.J. Cook’s Fire Brigade), but I just couldn’t finish the last book in the Missing Pieces series. It was wa-a-a-y too weird for me and I had to put it down. I haven’t even attempted their other psychic series.
Oh – I never liked the Hercule Poirot series, but always enjoyed Miss Marple.
Generally speaking, I enjoy all multiple series by the same author (Bartlett/Barrett, Stanley/Adams, McKinlay et al, Logan/Bliss, Sprinkle, Connolly, Isleib/Burdette, Hyzy, and many others). However, I may like one series in their body of work better than the other(s).
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, I found Joan Hess when I started reading her Maggody Mystery Series. I remember having read a few of the Maggody mysteries before venturing into her Claire Malloy Mystery Series. It was sometimes difficult to imagine that the same person had written both series. I surprised myself when I ended up preferring her Claire Malloy series.
Judith says
I love all of the series that Charlotte MacLeod wrote, those under her own name and those as Alisa Craig, but if I had to choose a favorite it would probably be the Madoc Rhys books. Nevertheless, if I were recommending one book for someone new to the author, it would be Rest You Merry, the first Peter Shandy book. The opening chapter is just wonderful and really hooks the reader.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Judith, I went ahead and put the Inspector Madoc Rhys mysteries down as the series you would recommend. (Please let me know if that’s not right.)
joan j. says
I am 79 and started reading Agatha Christie as a teenager. I have read and reread all of them except the murder of roger Ackroyd for obvious reasons. of all the movies Tv shows and recent pbs series my favorite Miss Marple is Joan Hickson. she is the one I picture as MM. and for Hercule Poirot it is David suchet. I love the Alpine mysteries by Mary Daheim and stopped her B & B ones about 10 years ago. I have a preference for book stores and libraries and their employees. I used to get so put out with Miss Zukas the librarian in Washington state by Jo Dereske (I think) She was so straight laced and her friend tried to get her to open up. She aggravated me but I kept reading her. I like all types of mysteries except vampires and ghosts. The first I read was Nancy Drew.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joan J, then you have come to the right place!
Mary says
Kathi Daley’s Zoe Donovan series. I like them both but I like this series better, partly because there are animals in the the Zoe series. And I really like the characters, seems to be more development in this series. Mary