The Cozy Mystery List Blog

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

Cozy Mystery News – September 2023

I’m very happy to be able to give you three pieces of great news from establish Cozy Mystery authors this month!

First, Ellen Byron (aka Maria DiRico) will be putting out at least two more entries in her award-winning Vintage Cookbook Mystery Series, with the third in this series to be named French Quarter Fright Night and the fourth Beignets and Bribes. Ellen Byron also writes the Cajun Country Mystery Series, starring the manager of a family owned bed and breakfast in Louisiana, and (as Maria DiRico) the Catering Hall Mystery Series, starring a worker at a catering hall in Astoria, in New York City.

Next up, Lynn Cahoon will be putting out a new series, with at least three entries confirmed, the first of which will be titled An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder. This will introduce us to an amateur sleuth who has just broken off an engagement and is beginning a new career as a crime-solver in her hometown of Bainbridge, Washington. Cahoon is also the author of the Kitchen Witch Mystery Series, starring a cook and witch in Magic Springs, Idaho, the Survivors’ Book Club Mystery Series, starring a breast cancer survivor in Sedona, New Mexico, the Tourist Trap Mystery Series, starring the owner of a coffee and book shop in South Cove, California, the Cat Latimer Mystery Series, starring a former English professor in Colorado, and the Farm-to-Fork Mystery Series, starring the owner of a farm to table restaurant in Idaho.

Finally, Leslie Karst will also be starting a new mystery series, titled the Orchid Isle Mystery Series, set on the Big Island of Hawai’i and starring a female caterer and her wife. The first two entries of this series will be Molten Death and Waters of Destruction. Karst is also the author of the Sally Solari Mystery Series, starring the front manager of an old-style Italian eatery in Santa Cruz, California.

 

Australian Television Cozy Mystery Series: Darby and Joan

Darby & Joan: Series 1 If you’re looking for a very Cozy Mystery television show to watch, then Darby and Joan may be for you. This Australian TV show stars Bryan Brown and Greta Scacchi, and airs on Acorn. There are eight episodes in its first season, which is available now.

This show not only features a very Cozy mood, but it also could be used as an Australian travel guide. It seems like the producers were very intent on showing the viewers stunningly gorgeous scenery.

The show features Joan (Greta Scacchi), a British nurse, who goes to Australia to find out how/why her husband died. Her plan is to follow his moves in her RV, and try to figure out the where, when, why, and what he was experiencing before his untimely death. That is the arc of the first season.

Along her journey she collides with Darby and his sweet dog, Diesel. They end up teaming together to solve a weekly mystery. This platonic, retiree couple travel from one campground to another – each week getting closer to solving the season’s arc, while solving “smaller” mysteries along the way. When the first season ends they let us know what next season’s arc will be…

Don’t be put off by the main characters being retirees. They are not old fuddy duddies! Also, don’t be put off by them being platonic… what’s wrong with becoming good friends? Who knows where their relationship will take them? What’s the rush?! Both Joan and Darby have a zest for life and are ready to enjoy all sorts of new experiences.

My husband and I both enjoyed the first season of Darby and Joan and are looking forward to the second season. Thank goodness Acorn TV had the good sense to back this show!

No behind-closed-doors scenes, no foul language, no gore, no smart-alecky children, no car chases, no shoot-them-ups… just a lot of really good acting, great chemistry between the two leads, beautiful scenery, & Cozy Mysteries.

Darby and Joan is available through Acorn on Amazon Prime Video.

Also, if you’re interested in taking a look at some other good mystery shows, make sure to go to my Cozy Mystery TV and Movies page.

October 2023 Mystery Book New Releases

The following Mystery Books will be released in October 2023:

Tasha Alexander: A Cold Highland Wind (17th in the Lady Emily Mysteries)

Donna Andrews: Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! (34th in the Meg Langslow Mysteries)

Connie Berry: Mistletoe and Murder (5th in the Kate Hamilton Mysteries)

Rita Mae Brown: Lost & Hound (15th in the Sister Jane Foxhunting Mysteries)

Kate Carlisle: The Twelve Books of Christmas (17th in the Bibliophile Mysteries)

Reagan Davis: Disturbing the Fleece (13th in the Knitorious Murder Mysteries)

Janet Evanovich: Dirty Thirty (30th in the Stephanie Plum Mysteries)

Amanda Flower (aka Isabella Alan): Dating Can Be Deadly (5th in the Amish Matchmaker Mysteries)

Sarah Fox: Baking Spirits Bright (2nd in the True Confections Mysteries)

Agatha Frost: Pumpkins and Peril (29th in the Peridale Cafe Cozy Mysteries)

Jacqueline Frost (aka Julie Chase, Julie Anne Lindsey, & Bree Baker): Stalking Around the Christmas Tree (4th in the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries)

Richard Houston: A Taste to Die For (9th in the Books to Die For Mysteries)

Sofie Kelly (aka Sofie Ryan & Darlene Ryan for Young Adult): Paws to Remember (15th in the Magical Cats Mysteries)

Leslie Langtry: Monster Mash Murder (28th in the Merry Wrath Mysteries)

Jenn McKinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence): Sugar Plum Poisoned (15th in the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries)

Carlene O’Connor: Some of Us Are Looking (2nd in the County Kerry Mysteries)

Spencer Quinn (aka Peter Abrahams): Up on the Woof Top (14th in the Chet & Bernie Mysteries) 

Larissa Reinhart: 20 Carats (novella in the Mazie Albright Star Detective Mystery Series)

David Rosenfelt: ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas (28th in the Andy Carpenter Mysteries)

Connie Shelton: Haunted Sweets (17th in the Samantha Sweet Magical Cozy Mysteries)

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