The final Cozy Mystery author from the March 2012 Mystery Book New Releases page to be highlighted is Sheila Connolly, who actually debuted writing Cozy Mystery books as Sarah Atwell. Sarah Atwell (pseudonym) published the first in her Glassblowing Mystery Series in 2008. This was quickly followed with Sheila Connolly’s Orchard Mystery Series being published. Two years later brought us the Museum Mystery Series, under her own name, Sheila Connolly.
Sheila Connolly is a very prolific best selling author. So, for the last time this month I will pose the question: If you were to recommend one of these three mystery series to a “hypothetical newbie” (to Sheila Connolly/Sarah Atwell) – which of these Cozy Mystery series would you want the newbie to start with?
As Connolly:
Orchard Mystery Series: Our sleuth, Meg Corey, is an apple orchard owner in Massachusetts.
Museum Mystery Series: Nell Pratt is a fundraiser for the Preservation of Pennsylvania Antiques, and she happens to also be our sleuth.
As Atwell:
Glassblowing Mystery Series: The sleuth, Em Dowell, is an artist you owns a glassblowing studio in Tucson, Arizona.
Which one of Sheila Connolly’s/Sarah Atwell’s three series would you recommend a newbie to the Cozy Mystery genre to begin with? (And, would you mind telling us why?)
PS>>> Great news for all of you Sheila Connolly/Sarah Atwell fans: She will be publishing an Irish mystery series starting next year!
readerdiane says
My favorite is the Apple Orchard series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Readerdiane. I have a strong feeling that Sheila Connolly’s Orchard Mystery Series is going to be (by far) the first of her series we would recommend a newbie begins with.
Dru says
I like the Orchard series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dru, I have only read Sheila Connolly’s Orchard Mystery Series >>> so that one has my vote, too.
Michelle says
I have read the two Sheila Connolly series and I really liked both. So to choose one would be hard. But… I think it would be the orchard series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Michelle, I’ll put you down for Orchard Mystery Series as your first pick, with the Museum Mystery Series as a close second.
Larraine says
I’ve only read the glass blower series, but I really like it. The characters are interesting and the writing is a cut above.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Larraine, I’m glad you posted. This way her Glassblowing Mystery Series will have a vote for Sarah Atwell’s Glassblowing Mystery Series to be the first we would recommend.
Shirley says
Hello; Smile.
My favorite is the Apple Orchard mysteries…..
Clean cozy mystery with a tip of romance…..smile
I LIKE IT! Grin
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Shirley, I haven’t read a lot of Sheila Connolly’s Orchard Mystery books, but I do remember them making me smile, also.
Julia says
I like both the Orchard series and the Museum series; I would be hard-pressed to pick which one I like better. I didn’t realize she also did the glassblowing series but I’m quite glad this is the first I’ve heard of it because I doubt I would have bothered with either of the other series based on my impression from reading the glassblowing series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Julia, I’ll put you down as an Orchard/Museum, without the Glassblowing!
Lisa says
I haven’t read the glass blower books, but I liked the orchard ones. I just read the first book in the museum series and I enjoyed it even more than the orchard ones. I’m looking forward to the next one at the museum.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lisa, I’m going to put you down for Museum being first, with Orchard in second place.
Deb says
I like all of them, but prefer the Apple Orchard ones. I’m looking forward to the Irish mystery series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Deb, I wonder if the Connolly’s Irish mystery series will take place in Ireland, or if they will be transplants.
sandy says
The orchard mystery series
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Sandy!
Nina says
I’d recommend the Orchard series. The characters seem real and grow as the series progresses.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nina, I have added your vote for the Orchard Mystery Series to the tally. Thanks!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nina, thanks for your vote, and your explanation as to why you voted this way.
Annie S. says
The Museum Mystery series. I love antiques!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Annie S., I have one more comment on this entry before I add up the votes. Thanks for voting!
Angela says
Well, my first choice would have been the glassblowing series, however, it seems like this series doesn’t have a future which is a shame cause I really liked the characters. I’ve read the museum books and they are good. I’ll be starting the orchard series next month so now I’m more excited about reading it!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Angela, thanks for voting. I’m going to go tally the votes up right now, but I think (from the comments)it’s pretty obvious that the Orchard Mystery Series is the one most of us would recommend a newbie starts with.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, to all of you who voted on which of Sheila Connolly‘s/Sarah Atwell‘s mystery series you would recommend to a Newbie.
The results are as follows!
1. Orchard Mystery Series (by Sheila Connolly)
2. Museum Mystery Series (by Sheila Connolly)
3. Glassblowing Mystery Series (by Sarah Atwell)
Thanks, again!
francy says
Glassblowing Myster series hands down! I read each book in one sitting. Loved’m!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Francy, for voting for the Glassblowing Mystery Series. It’s still in the third place RE: our recommendations to a newbie, but it’s also good to see another person prefers this series over the others.