The Cozy Mystery List Blog

I recently updated my Cats are Cozy entry, so thought I should give the dogs in our lives equal time. I know that cats are typically what most of us think of when we think of a “cozy animal”… to go with the white-haired sleuth, no less! Gone are those days! Now we have young sleuths who manage their professions along with their family lives. But… I’m not going to be focusing on the sleuths… rather on their dogs. So, here are the site’s authors with dog themes in their mysteries.

I will start out with the White House Pet Detectives: Tales of Crime and Mystery at the White House from a Pet’s Eye View. It is an anthology which was edited by Carole Nelson Douglas. In it, you will find stories by some of your favorite mystery authors.

There are some veterinarians and veterinary technicians who have series all of their own! Dr. Nightingale is the veterinarian  in the Deirdre Quinn Nightingale Mystery Series by Lydia Adamson.  And Karen Ann Wilson writes the Samantha Holt Mystery Series. While Samantha is not a full-fledged veterinarian, she is a veterinary technician.

Sparkle Abbey: Pampered Pet Mystery Series

Kristi Abbott: Gourmet Popcorn Shop Mystery Series (Sprocket is the sleuth’s Poodle)

Ellery Adams (aka Jennifer Stanley & J. B. Stanley) writes the Books by the Bay Mystery Series which features Olivia Limoges and her Standard Poodle (Captain Haviland), and a writers club… all of whom solve crimes!

Barbara Allan: Trash ‘n’ Treasures Mysteries Series

Annie’s Amish Inn Mystery Series (Beans is the sleuth’s English Bulldog)

Cynthia Baxter‘s series is the Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery Series. The series name lets you know that this series will have puppies and dogs, galore!

Carol Lea Benjamin knows all about training dogs… and I don’t mean just her dog Dash! (Rachel Alexander Mystery Series)

Laurien Berenson writes the very popular cozy mystery series that features a Special Education teacher who participates in dog shows. (Melanie Travis Mystery Series)

Bethany Blake: Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery Series

Michael Bond‘s Monsieur Pamplemousse Mystery Series has Pommes Frites, Monsieur’s dog. With a dog named French Fries, is it any wonder that Monsieur’s business is restaurants!?!

Duffy Brown has a mutt named Bruce Willis in her Consignment Shop Mystery Series.

Rita Mae Brown fans know Tee Tucker (the Corgi) in her Mrs. Murphy Mystery Series. But a lot of us are just becoming aware of Brown’s new series about foxhunting… and could you ever “foxhunt” without the horses and hounds?

V.M. Burns: Lilly Echosby Dog Club Mystery Series – Lilly is a recently divorced CPA who is a member of a dog club in Tennessee.

Nancy Bush writes the Jane Kelly Mystery Series which not only features Jane, but her Pug, The Binkster (aka Binks and Binkster)…

Claudius, a Siberian Husky/German Shepherd mix is Annie O’Hara’s sidekick in the mystery series that is written by Ann Campbell. Annie owns an antique shop, and Claudius owns Annie’s love and devotion! (Annie O’Hara & Claudius Mystery Series)

Laura Childs writes the Tea Shop Mystery Series, which is set in Charleston, South Carolina. And of course, Thea Browning’s dog’s name is Earl Gray.

Edie Claire writes the Leigh Koslow Mystery Series. While Leigh is not a veterinarian, her father is. Every once in a while Leigh works as a tech at her dad’s office. Also, the second book features a zoo vet and setting.

The Melissa Cleary cozy mystery series is known as the Dog Lovers Mystery Series, and features Jake, with his professor Jackie Walsh.

Nancy Coco writes the Candy Coated Mystery Series, which stars Allie, and features her dog, Mal.

Waverly Curtis writes the Barking Detective Mystery Series, which features Pepe (along with his owner) who thinks of himself as “Chihuahua extraordinaire”.

And no cozy mystery book list featuring dogs would be complete without Susan Conant‘s Holly Winter Mystery Series. Holly is a writer for Dog’s Life Magazine and also a dog trainer.

Kathi Daley: Zoe Donovan Mystery Series – Zoe does her sleuthing with her dog, Charlie.

Evelyn David is a pseudonym for two authors, one with a degree in Political Science and the other with a degree in Biology. They write the Sullivan Investigations Mystery Series which features an ex-policeman and his Irish Wolfhound (Whiskey) and a divorcée mortician  who sleuth together…

Rae Davies writes the Dusty Deals Mystery Series, which features an Alaskan Malamut named Kiska.

Krista Davis: Paws and Claws Mystery Series

Devon Delaney: Cook-Off Mystery Series – Sherry Oliveri-Frazzelle is a competitive cook who works part-time with her dad AND Chutney, her Jack Russell Terrier in Connecticut.

Abigail Deuel: Mandy Bell DVM Mystery Series

J. F. Englert writes the Bull Moose Dog Run Mystery Series which features a Black Labrador Retriever (who is actually the narrator of this mystery series) and his often-confused owner…

Christy Evans writes the Georgiana Neverall Mystery Series which has, as its dog-stars, Daisy and Buddha, Georgie’s two darling Airedales…

Chrystle Fiedler writes the Natural Remedies Mystery Series, who gets a dachshund, Zeke.

Susan Furlong: Bone Gap Travellers Mystery Series – Brynn is an ex-Marine with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder who returns to Tennessee with her cadaver dog, Wilco.

Patricia Guiver writes the Pet Detective Mystery Series which features Delilah Doolittle and her Doberman Pinscher, Watson, who helps her solve her cases.

Victoria Hamilton writes the Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series, which features Jaymie Leighton, a collector of vintage cookware and cookbooks, and her three-legged Yorkie Poo, Hoppy.

David Handler writes the Stewart Hoag & Lulu Mystery Series. Lulu is Stewart’s faithful Basset Hound.

Sue Henry‘s first cozy series featured Jessie Arnold, a dog sled racer in Anchorage. She now has a new series about a widow in her 60s (Maxine McNab) who travels in her RV, accompanied by her Mini Dachshund, who could only be called “Stretch!” (Maxie & Stretch Mystery Series)

Gabriella Herkert writes the Animal Instinct Mystery Series, and her second book in that series features dogs.

Marion Moore Hill pens the Scrappy Librarian Mystery Series, which has the librarian and her collie/mongrel, Rip…

Suzette A. Hill writes the Reverend Oughterard Mystery Series. Bouncer (his dog) and Maurice (his cat) enjoy the British village life, even with all of the mysteries to solve…

Richard Houston: Books to Die For Mystery Series

Linda O. Johnston writes the Pet Rescue Mystery Series which features an animal advocate who runs a pet rescue agency.

Linda O. Johnston: Superstition Mystery Series – Rory Chasen is an employee at the Lucky Dog Boutique, and Pluckie is her “helper” dog.

Lee Charles Kelley is a dog trainer (along with being an author!) who writes the Continuing Adventures of Jack & Jamie Mystery Series which happens to feature a dog trainer/dog kennel owner/ex-NYPD detective.

Diane Kelly writes the Megan Luz Mystery Series which takes place in Fort Worth. Megan is a police officer who solves cases with her K-9 partner, Brigit.

Annie Knox (aka Wendy Lyn Watson): Pet Boutique Mystery Series

Amanda Lee (aka Gayle Trent) writes the Embroidery Mystery Series. Marcy owns an embroidery shop and has her loyal companion Irish Wolfhound, Angus, join her.

Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): Jazz Ramsey Mystery Series

Dixie Lyle: Whiskey, Tango, & Foxtrot Mystery Series

Nancy Martin: Miss Ruffles Mystery Series: Miss Ruffles, a very wealthy woman’s dog, inherits the woman’s estate!

Judi McCoy writes the Dog Walker Mystery Series which features Ellie and her dog Rudy… and, lest I forget, Ellie’s ability to communicate telepathically with her charges.

Jenn McKinlay writes the Library Lover’s Mystery Series, which stars librarian Lindsey and features her dog Heathcliff.

Leslie O’Kane writes the Allie Babcock Mystery Series. Don’t all dogs deserve a dog therapist? And, Allie not only solves their problems, but she also solves mysteries!

Spencer Quinn (aka Peter Abrahams) pens the Chet and Bernie Mystery Series. This mystery series is narrator by Chet, Bernie’s loyal side-kick, ex K-9 agent. (Well, technically, he never made it to graduation.)

David Rosenfelt writes the Andy Carpenter Mystery Series, in which Andy is a defense attorney who manages a dog rescue facility – with the help of his Golden Retriever, Tara.

Dana Stabenow‘s Kate Shugak mystery series has Mutt, a half-wolf/half Husky playing second fiddle to  Kate, an ex-investigator and current sleuth, in Alaska. (Kate Shugak Mystery Series)

Nancy Jill Thames writes the Jillian Bradley Mystery Series which features a gardening  columnist and her Yorkie.

Maggie Toussaint writes the Cleopatra Jones Mystery Series which features a golfing-accountant-sleuth and her side-kick, Madonna (a rather huge St. Bernard)…

Diane Vallere: Mad for Mod Mystery Series – Madison Night’s Rocky (Shih Tzu)

Peggy Webb writes the Southern Cousins Mystery Series which features a Basset Hound named Elvis.

Tracy Weber writes the Downward Dog Mystery Series, which features a German Shepherd named Bella.

Nina Wright, who writes the Whiskey Mattimoe Mystery Series which features Whiskey’s Afghan Hound, Abra.

Sue Owens Wright pens the Beanie & Cruiser Mystery Series which features a Basset Hound (Cruiser) and Beanie, a freelance reporter in Lake Tahoe…

There are two authors who feature dog trackers in their mystery series: Donna Ball‘s Raine Stockton Dog Mystery Series‘ dog is a Golden Retriever named Cisco. He keeps an eye on Raine Stockton, the North Carolina ex-tracker. Virginia Lanier‘s Jo Beth Sidden Mystery Series features a Bloodhound trainer and tracker.

While I was working on this Cozy Mystery Dog Theme List, I came across some books about dogs that look like they would be a lot of fun… They are not mysteries, but with titles like they have, if you are a dog lover, you might enjoy checking them out:

Why Do Dogs Drink Out of the Toilet?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Canine Conundrums, Medical Mysteries and Befuddling Behaviors, by Marty Becker & Gina Spadafori

bowWOW!: Curiously Compelling Facts, True Tales, and Trivia Even Your Dog Won’t Know, by D.V.M., Marty Becker, Gina Spadafori, &  Molly Pearce (Illustrator)

Dogs For Dummies – A Reference for The Rest Of Us!, by Gina Spadafori; Foreword by Marty Becker

Let’s Dance: a Beginner’s Guide to Dancing with Your Dog by Donna Ball.

Here’s a list of Favorite Dogs in Cozy Mysteries, recommended by Cozy Mystery readers!

♦To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.♦

So, you say you love cats… And even more, you love your cozy mysteries with cats… Not just a cat purring at your side while you read your cozies… But a cat (or maybe two or three!) in your cozy mysteries. Then, here is a list of books that might just interest you, the cozy-cat lover…

Avery Aames writes the Cheese Shop Mystery Series, which has a Ragdoll cat (Rags).

Lydia  Adamson writes the Alice Nestleton Mystery Series. Alice is not only an actress, but also a cat sitter. When not acting, she is sleuthing. Adamson also writes a veterinarian/sleuth series (Dr. Nightingale.)

Susan Wittig Albert writes the China Bayles Mystery Series, where Khat (previously known as ‘Pudding’) is a Siamese who adopts China.

Garrison Allen writes the Big Mike Mystery Series.

Annie’s Antique Shop Mystery Series (Snickers is the sleuth’s cat.)

Marian Babson  seems to have a way of entwining cats into almost all of her books! She is definitely a cat lover!

Lorna Barrett (aka L. L. Bartlett) writes the Booktown Mystery Series which has Miss Marple, as in a cat, not a Christie heroine.

With her series named Reigning Cats and Dogs, how could you wonder if Cynthia Baxter has cats in her cozies? Her main character, Jessica Popper, is a veterinarian who truly loves cats (and dogs!)

Bethany Blake: Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery Series

Ali Brandon (aka Diane A.S. Stuckart)  writes the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery Series which takes place in Brooklyn. Darla Pettistone and Hamlet make a dynamic sleuthing duo.

An author who I absolutely knew I had to include is Lillian Jackson Braun. She writes the Cat Who*** Mysteries, or, as others call them, the Jim Qwilleran Mysteries.  There are over thirty books (in the series) which have been written since the 1960s. Jim Qwilleran is a journalist, and Koko and Yum Yum are his beloved cats, who help him to solve mysteries.

When I first started thinking about doing this blog entry about cozies with the cat theme, there were a few authors who simply leapt to mind. Amongst them was Rita Mae Brown, with her Mrs. Murphy Mysteries. Mrs. Murphy and Pewter are two cats in this cozy “tail” and Tucker is a corgi. The three of them “help” the humans solve crimes.

Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib): Key West Food Critic Mystery Series stars Hayley Snow and Evinrude, a striped gray cat.

Janet Cantrell (aka Kaye George): Fat Cat Mystery Series – Charity (Chase) Oliver and, Quincy, her cat sleuth in Minneapolis.

Laurie Cass write the Bookmobile Cat Mystery Series. Minnie Hamilton and her rescue cat Eddie are on the bookmobile (and the case!)

Erika Chase writes the Ashton Corners Book Club Mystery Series, in which the main sleuth (Lizzie Turner) has two Siamese cats, Edam and Brie.

Edie Claire writes the Leigh Koslow Mystery Series. While Leigh is not a veterinarian, her father is. Every once in a while Leigh works as a tech at her dad’s office. Also, the second book features a zoo vet and setting.

Blaize Clement & John Clement: Dixie Hemingway Mystery Series 

Susan Conant, widely known for her dog lover series, has a first in her Cat Lover’s Mystery Series! That’s a great addition for the cat fanciers out there.

Cate Conte (aka Liz Mugavero): Cat Café Mystery Series, which stars Maddie James who returns home and is “adopted” by JJ, an orange Tabby.

Krista Davis writes the Domestic Diva Mystery Series, which features Mochie – and owner Sophie Winston.

Claire Donally writes the Sunny & Shadow Mystery Series.

What list of Cat Cozies would be complete without  Carole Nelson Douglas? Douglas writes the Midnight Louie Mysteries, some of which include “his human” Temple Barr. But, Midnight Louie also has some novels without Temple! Carole Nelson Douglas also has a book: White House Pet Detectives: Tales of Crime and Mystery at the White House from a Pet’s Eye View.

K.J. Emrick: Darcy Sweet Mystery Series and its spinoff, the Smudge the Cat Mysteries, both featuring Smudge, a “slightly psychic” cat.

Monica Ferris: Needlecraft Mystery Series – Sophie (large, lazy cat)

Kay Finch: Bad Luck Cat Mystery Series – Hitchcock the cat

Amanda Flower (aka Isabella Alan): Magical Bookshop Mystery Series – Emerson is a tuxedo cat.

Patricia Fry: Klepto Cat Mystery Series

Yasmine Galeron (aka India Ink) includes cats in some of her Chintz ‘n China Mysteries. 

Eva Gates writes about a librarian who keeps a cat at her library in the Lighthouse Library Mystery Series.

Karen Anne Golden: The Cats that….. Mystery Series

Debra H. Goldstein writes the Sarah Blair Mystery Series which features a sleuth who isn’t used to housework and her Siamese cat, RahRah. The books contain quick and easy recipes.

Kerry Greenwood: Phryne Fisher Mystery Series – Ember (black cat)

Kerry Greenwood: Corinna Chapman Mystery Series – Horatio (Tabby), Heckle & Jeckle (mousers in the bakery)

Carolyn Haines: Carolyn wrote the Fear Familiar Mystery Series (written as Caroline Burnes) which features a cat who escapes from a research facility, who then finds himself sleuthing around! Also, years later, Familiar (the cat) has a son named Trouble who is featured in the the Familiar Legacy Mystery Series – which is written by various authors, including Carolyn Haines, Rebecca Barrett, Claire Matturro, and Susan Tanner.

Rebecca M. Hale is a patent lawyer who writes the Cats and Curios Mystery Series. This series features a main character/sleuth who is the owner of an antique shop and also an accountant. She has two pets… cats!

Carolyn Hart‘s Death on Demand has a cat both at home (Dorothy L), as well as in the bookstore (Agatha). AND Hart’s Nela Farley Mystery Series is a paranormal series with a cat.

While attending law school, Gabriella Herkert became aware of a case which involved a woman whose will benefited her cat. (Hmmmm…) The cat became the recipient of a fortune and Herkert (years later) used this case as the basis of her first Animal Instinct Mystery Series novel…

Suzette A. Hill writes the Reverend Oughterard Mystery Series. Bouncer (his dog) and Maurice (his cat) enjoy the British village life, even with all of the mysteries to solve…

Mollie Hunt: Crazy Cat Lady Mystery Series – Lynley Cannon is a retiree who lives in Portland with her rescue cats.

Delia James writes the Witch’s Cat Mystery Series, which stars a witch and her familiar, Alistair.

Miranda James (aka Dean James, Honor Hartman, & Jimmie Ruth Evans) writes the Cat in the Stacks Mystery Series which features a librarian and his very well-behaved cat, Diesel…

Linda O. Johnston writes the Pet Rescue Mystery Series which features an animal advocate who runs a pet rescue agency…

Diane Kelly writes the House-Flipper Mystery Series which stars Whitney Whitaker, a house flipper. Oh, and also, it stars Sawdust, her cat.

Sofie Kelly (aka Sofie Ryan & Darlene Ryan for Young Adults) writes the Magical Cats Mystery Series which features two magical cats and their librarian human…

Laura Levine pens the Jaine Austen Mystery Series which features Jaine and Prozac, her cat…

Richard & Frances Lockridge: Mr. & Mrs. North Mystery Series

T.C. LoTempio: Nick & Nora Mystery Series (book #1 Meow If It’s Murder)

Dixie Lyle: Whiskey, Tango, & Foxtrot Mystery Series

A site reader just reminded me about Valerie S. Malmont‘s Tori Miracle Mystery Series.

Blanche Day Manos pens the Darcy & Flora Mystery Series. (Barbara Burgess co-authored the first two in the series.)

Evan Marshall writes the Jane Stuart & Winky Mystery Series.

Gilbert Morris writes the  Jacques & Cleo, Cat Detective Mystery Series which features Jacques and Cleo, and their human care-taker (they don’t consider her their “owner”!) … and is set in Alabama.

Liz Mugavero: Pawsitively Organic Gourmet Pet Food Mystery Series (includes pet treat recipe)

Shirley Rousseau Murphy‘s Joe Grey cat mystery series…. Just another example of a mystery series with a cat theme!

Shirley Rousseau Murphy and Pat J.J. Murphy write the Lee Fontana Mystery Series which features a parolee and a prison ghost cat in California.

Tim Myers (aka Chris Cavender, Casey Mayes, Elizabeth Bright, & Melissa Glazer) Slow Cooker Mystery Series – Sarah Jacobs has a column in her local paper, instructs on the techniques of slow cooking, and has a cat names Cleo.

Allison Cesario Paton: Mrs. Bundle Mystery Series – This senior citizen/sleuth loves her cat, Cracker.

Carol J. Perry: Witch City Mystery Series – Lee Barrett, a reporter in Salem, Massachusetts inherits O’Ryan, a cat with magical powers.

Linda Reilly writes the Cat Lady Mystery Series.

Sofie Ryan (aka Sofie Kelly & Darlene Ryan for Young Adults) writes the Second Chance Cat Mystery Series, which features the owner of a second-hand shop and her cat, Elvis.

Clea Simon writes the Theda Krakow Mystery Series which features Musetta, Theda’s (and Clea’s real life!) cat… Simon also pens the Dulcie Schwartz Mystery Series. Clea also writes the Witch Cats of Cambridge – which features Becca, a single unemployed woman who studies to become a witch – but who also gets a lot of help from Harriet, Laurel, & Clara – her three cats .

Rosemary Stevens (aka Rosemary Martin): Beau Brummell Mystery Series features the very first Siamese cat in England, Chakkri.

Fran Stewart writes the Biscuit McKee and Marmalade Mystery Series.

Diane A. S. Stuckart (aka Ali Brandon): Tarot Cats Mystery Series – Ruby Sparks is a tarot card reader who gets help from Aphelia & Brandon >>> tarot-reading black cats in Florida.

Leann Sweeney writes the Cats in Trouble Mystery Series.

And, last but not least… Karen Ann Wilson writes the Samantha Holt Mystery series, which features Samantha, a veterinary technician.

Martin H. Greenberg is the editor of several mystery anthologies featuring cats:
Cat Crimes
Cat Crimes 2
Cat Crimes 3
Cat Crimes through Times
Cat Crimes takes a Vacation
Cat Crimes for the Holidays
Black Cats and Broken Mirrors
Danger in D. C. : Cat Crimes in the Nation’s Capital
Murder Most Feline: Cunning Tales of Cats and Crimes
A Treasury of Cat Mysteries
Feline and Famous: Cat Crimes Goes Hollywood
Crafty Cat Crimes: 100 Tiny Cat Tale Mysteries

Miscellaneous Cats Caught in Cozies and Other Mysteries:
Kittens, Cats and Crimes  Anthology, edited by Ed Gorman
Feline Felonies: 43 Cat Crime Stories from the World’s Best Mystery Writers, edited by Abigail Browning
Mystery Cat Tales of Felonies and Felines  Patricia Highsmith et al Ruth Rendell
Mystery Cats..Lillian Jackson Braun, and others
More Mystery Cats… Lillian Jackson Braun, and others
Mystery Cats 3: More Feline Felonies… Lillian Jackson Braun, and other

Not a Mystery, but Sure Does Look Interesting for Cat Lovers:
Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered about Feline Unfathomables, Medical Mysteries and Befuddling Behaviors by Marty Becker & Gina Spadafori.

Here’s a list of Favorite Cats in Cozy Mysteries, recommended by Cozy Mystery readers!

♦To access more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.♦