The Cozy Mystery List Blog

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

Miss Seeton Mysteries… Are There Any More on the Horizon?

I might have asked this question before, but I’m not sure. If I have, please bear with me. I know that I have had other Cozy Mystery Site readers ask this question, but I’m just not sure if it was a question posed in a “comment” or a question sent to my e-mail address. (I try to answer every question I get at my e-mail address… and hopefully, I do! I hope my “canned ham” hasn’t accidentally deleted any of your letters.)

Elsa asks:

“I’ve just finished re-reading the complete Miss Seeton series.  These books are just delightful, but there is not a new title after 1999 (Miss Seeton’s Finest Hour).  Would appreciate hearing whether or not there will be any more Miss Seeton books.”

 As some of you may know (if you are fans of Miss Seeton) I have a page made up for the Miss Seeton mysteries, which is divided into three sections. During Miss Seeton’s sleuthing time, she has been “brought to you by” three different authors: Heron Carvic, Hampton Charles, and Hamilton Crane.

If you have any information about future Miss Seeton mysteries… please post a comment.

(And, while I’m asking for information on future books… Does anyone know if  (and if so when)The Cat Who Smelled Smoke by Lilian Jackson Braun will be published?)

Knowing the Culprit Without Clues… Does This Bother You?

Yesterday, in a conversation I had with my daughter, I described a “problem” I just had with the mystery book I finished very recently. While I really appreciate the author’s writing style, my “complaint” is that since I LOVE cozy mysteries, I put a lot of weight on the “mystery” part of the book. I have only read two of this author’s mysteries. I don’t know if the third will prove to be different, but in the first two books of her series, I knew exactly who the culprits were as soon as I was “introduced” to the characters.

I don’t mean to say that the characters first appeared holding  knives, while their clothes were drenched in a telltale crimson-colored substance >>> I mean that the characters did something as simple as say hello. I absolutely KNEW they were the culprits… Why else would they have been included in the mystery books?!? The culprits seemed to ingratiate themselves with the sleuth >>> becoming overly friendly with the sleuth in a very short time >>> always asking about the sleuth’s progress solving the crime.

Of course, mystery books are full of new characters… Some are added to the series’ rosters of  “regulars” and some are simply there for one book. So, why is it that in both books by this author, I knew which characters were the “bad guys” upon meeting them? Have I read too many mystery books? Nope!!! That could never be the case for me!

Why am I not able to do this with every author? Why can I be left wondering whodunit in the vast majority of the mysteries I choose to spend my time reading?

When I told my daughter about this particular “problem,” she asked me if the author’s style of writing outweighs the “problem.” And, she suggested that I write an entry about this and ask you all:

If you really enjoy the writing style of an author, is it important that the mystery be well-played? Do you continue with authors who aren’t able to keep the culprit a mystery until the end of the book? Do you enjoy going along with the author as he/she weaves red herrings in and out of the mystery?

PS>>> I am currently taking a break from the author described above  while I read my next Susan Wittig Albert mystery. She keeps me guessing all of the time, and I love her writing style!

Robert B. Parker :Jesse Stone Mystery Series, Spenser Mystery Series, & Sunny Randall Mystery Series…

Sandra wrote to me with this very sad news about Robert B. Parker:

“FYI: Robert B. Parker, one of my top 5 all time favorite authors passed away suddenly while sitting at his desk in Cambridge, Mass on Jan. 18th. He was 77 yrs old and it was reported this A.M. that the cause of death was heart attack.

While not “cozy”, Mr. Parker wrote over 50 books mostly in the Jesse Stone (tv shows starred Tom Selleck) and Spenser private detective very long series which were the basis for the 1980’s tv series, Spenser for Hire. A less known fact is that a smaller book series “Sunny Randall” was created for actress Helen Hunt(at her request) to star in but the shows never materialized but Parker continued to write the book series.

The latest Spenser novel was just released, The Professional, top 10 on the NY Times list now. I just today finished this book and wow, it was as good as any of the others that I have enjoyed.

His last Jesse Stone novel will be released 2/23/10, Split Image. He completed this but alas never got to see it published.

If you go to his website, www.robertbparker.net you can find so much info and good interviews but an added little treasure is in the “press room” button where you can listen to “Moon River” as sung by Robert B. Parker and his son Dan Parker.

Danna, if you could post news on Mr. Parker’s death, I am sure others would like to know and comment. Thank you, Sandra”

I know that he will be missed by many!

Pie In the Sky Mystery (Television) Series…

Pie in the Sky: Series One Here’s another British mystery “dramedy” (drama & light comedy) series that might have been “undiscovered” by many people outside of the United Kingdom. Pie in the Sky stars Richard Griffiths as Henry Crabbe, the main character of the series.

When we first meet Crabbe, we find out that he wants desperately to retire from the police force in order to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time chef in his very own restaurant. This is not to be!

Crabbe (deliciously portrayed by Griffiths!) is left to be a part-time chef and restaurateur, having to solve crimes while planning the menu, collecting the eggs from his chicken coop, and supervising his ex-convict sous chef. The name of his restaurant: Pie in the Sky.

Maggie Steed is perfectly cast as his wife Margaret, an accountant who eats to live, prefering numbers over the delectable fare Crabbe prepares at his restaurant. They make a delightful “opposites attract” couple. She simply does not enjoy food, even though they own a restaurant and he is a wonderful chef.

Bella Enahoro plays the detective who is assigned to Crabbe. Her purpose is to spy on Crabbe and keep his boss (Malcolm Sinclair) informed of everything Crabbe is up to. However, sometimes things don’t work out as intended…

Pie in the Sky is one of those detective series that is character-driven. There isn’t a fast chase scene in each episode, or a shoot-out that climaxes with several close-ups of the wounded. This is not to say that there is no plot!

My husband and I finished watching Pie in the Sky – second season. We think that the show improved with each episode, and that’s saying  a lot, since we both really enjoyed the first show!

We have yet to watch the Pie in the Sky third season, but are really looking forward to seeing it.

♦If you would like to see more TV and Movies suggestions, click here.♦

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