OK, so I have told you about my latest find – Simon Brett. Are there any Cozy Mystery readers out there who wouldn’t mind telling us about their latest finds? And, if you aren’t reading a new find, would you mind telling us who you are reading?
My husband has three books going… He listens to one in the car while making his long commute to and from work. He has a “real book” that he reads while eating his breakfast on the weekends, and his third book is on his…. yes, he finally bought himself a Kindle (after much debating), which he reads while lounging around on the weekends.
I’ll start out >>> I am listening to an Agatha Christie Miss Marple in my car and while I do the house work. I am actually reading Simon Brett.
Two books is my limit… I have a difficult enough time keeping them straight!
Jo R says
I’m reading the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross. Laughing, smiling, and crying all the way. On the 5th book of the series at the moment. A friend told me today that each book gets better. Do not see how – but, will take her word for it.
Reba says
I’m listening to Donald Westlake’s Watch Your Back! in the car – it’s a Dortmunder novel. Maybe not a cozy, but definitely hilarious. Love Westlake’s stuff.
I just finished Joanna Carl’s Chocolate Cupid Killings, my first read of her stuff and I definitely want to read more.
Just started reading Alexander McCall Smith’s latest Mma Ramotswe book, The Double Comfort Safari Club.
I’m waiting on the new JB Stanley to arrive at the library – it’s popular and I have a ‘hold’ on it.
Kay says
I just finished listening to Agatha Christie’s “Dead Man’s Folly” read by Hugh Fraser (Hastings). He does a good job of Poirot’s accent, and I laughed out loud at his rendition of the Dutch female backpacker.
I am reading “You’ve Got Murder” by Donna Andrews, a new author for me. So far it is thoroughly enjoyable.
Anne says
I am reading the second in the Southern Sewing Circle series. Death Threads by Elizabeth Lynn Casey. BTW, it is a series I found on this site. I love mysteries that take place in the south.
I can only read one book at a time…and have trouble keeping up with the one!!!
Audrey says
Sure! I’m listening to Mourn Not Your Dead, by Deborah Crombie (Duncan and Gemma have just ‘hooked up’ for the first time!) and I have Carola Dunn’s Black Ship on my nightstand — will start it soon.
Dru says
I recently found Cricket McRae’s Home Crafting mysteries and I fell in love with the heroine. I read her latest book and promptly went out and got the first three in the series.
I’m reading Chapter & Hearse by Lorna Barrett, the fourth book in the “Booktown” mystery series.
Joanne says
I am reading “Glazed Murder” – A Donut Shop Mystery by Jessica Beck while commuting/at lunch and “The Cold Light of Mourning” – A Penny Brannigan Mystery by Elizabeth J. Duncan before bed. This book by Elizabeth Duncan (www.elizabethjduncan.com), my latest find (and a fellow Canadian!), won both the William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grant (2006) for unpublished writers and the St. Martin’s Press/Malice (2008) award for best first novel. It was also nominated for both Agatha and Arthur Ellis awards in the best first mystery category. This traditional cozy series about a local manicurist/artist is set in the North Wales market town of Llanelen.
Christine Collier says
Love this website! I first read about Agatha Raisin here. I started the series with “Kissing Christmas Goodbye,” which is number 18. My problem- I wanted every book in the series, all hardcover. I did get them, mostly from Ebay. I’m anxiously awaiting the 21st, “Busy Body,” and “The Agatha Raisin Companion.” I decided to start a new series where it would be easy to collect all books from the beginning. I chose Carolyn Hart’s Bailey Ruth books, “Ghost at Work,” and “Merry, Merry Ghost.” I LOVE them and can’t wait for her third, “Ghost in Trouble,” due out in October. They are very unusual and good mysteries! So that’s what I’m reading folks.
Christine E. Collier, author of “Solve a Cozy Mystery,” “The Writer’s Club” mystery series including “Christmas at Cliffhanger Inn” and “A Holiday Sampler.”
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
Oooh, I like Westlake too! I think his work is sort of cozy. Maybe not an exact size 6, but close enough!
I finished “Take the Monkeys and Run” by Karen Cantwell and I downloaded Learn Me Good by John Pearson. It’s not a mystery (not in the normal sense) although it’s a bit of a mystery as to how the guy will survive. He used to be an engineer, but was laid off–now he’s a teacher. Seems working with kids and parents is giving him some fits. It’s sort of a fictionalized-based on true experiences of what it was like to be taken from his comfort zone and plopped into teaching!
Maria
Kelly says
Right now I am enjoying “Needled to Death” by Maggie Sefton. It is the 2nd book in her knitting series, which I learned about from your site. I really enjoy the series where I begin to care more about what is going to happen with the regular characters than I do about the mystery itself and this is becoming one of those series.
Judith says
I hope Joanne enjoys the books she is reading – I finished the 2nd books in both of those series earlier this week – and I am eagerly awaiting the third book in the Donut Shop series this fall. Today, I just finished the first book in the India Hayes series, Maid of Murder, by Amanda Flower. It has a great cast of quirky characters that will be fun to come back to.
Wana says
I love finding new books so thanks for all the comments. Right now I have 3 books going. I’m listening to Murder in the Museum by Simon Brett, it’s part of the Fethering Mysteries at work. In the car to and from work, I’m listening to Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House by M.C. Beaton, and and I’m reading Glorious by Bernice McFadden on my Nook. I’ve picked up a few “regular” books but I’m not committed to reading any of them right now.
Sue says
I’m reading How to Host a Killer Party by Penny Warner (learned of from this site – loving it!) and Plum Pudding Murder by Joanna Fluke (somehow missed it and read the one after that out of sequence – HATE that!).
Fred says
I’m reading A hypnotic Suggestion by Allison Jones. It’s about a forensic hypnotherapist who solves murders in the Charlotte, NC area. My wife loved it and she thought it might be too much of a chic lit book for me but I’m enjoying it, too.
Patti says
Just finished Phot, Snap, Shot by Joanna Campbell Slan. It is a scrapbooking series featuring Kiki Lowenstein. This is a great series and was very enjoyable.
Vickie B says
I tend to have four books going at the same time, one in my purse, one on the nightstand, audiobook in the car and audiobook at work
currently:
~BOCD in the car: THE RECKONING: Darkest Powers Book 3 – Kelley Armstrong, YA paranormal series
~BOCD at work: nothing until Monday
Purse book: BOOKMARKED FOR DEATH: Booktown Mystery #2 – Lorna Barrett, cozy mystery of a mystery bookshop owner, author has just died at her book signing
~Bedside book: EMBERS – Laura Bickle, Urban Fantasy set in Cleveland, a danger book in that I want to stay up late to keep reading
Have a stack of cozy’s/amateur sleuth on the nightstand:
GLAZED MURDER – Jessica Beck
TOWN IN A BLUEBERRY JAM – B B Haywood
CAST OFF COVEN – Juliet Blackwell
and a few others….
Shirley says
I just finished a old favorite book “JUST DESSERT” author
Claudia Bishop-two sisters that run a restaurant and the other the chef……….and they always get curious and solve a murder in or around their restaurant and hotel.
Then last week I read “HOWL DEADLY”by Linda O. Johnston
This her eighth cozy mystery; She is an L. A. attorney & a pet-sitter and she always gets curious and runs into murder……grin.
Just started reading”BLUE CHRISTMAS” and I found this one at a used bookstore………and it looks good. smile.
this one looks like a little mystery, but maybe just a fun book, too………hope you have read them or will try one and see if YOU like them, too……
Since I retired I get to go to the library more often and check up on new authors I hear about……
Amazon is another place to find nice clean, and fun mysteries or I like mysteries that lead you by the nose trying to figure who did it! I bet everyone does. haha
marge says
I very much enjoy your blog and your recommendations. I’m one of those folks that wants to start with the first book of a series. Fortunately, we have an excellent on-line library system that will pull a book from any library in the county and deliver it to your library of choice – such a deal! I’ve read all the Frances and Richard Lockridge books that the county had in its system ( Pam & Jerry North, Inspector Heimrich, and Lt. Shapiro) – they are set in the 1950’s and 60’s, very well written. I also enjoy the Emma Lathen books about banker John Thatcher. Oldies but goodies. No cell phones, no computers, and they drink like fishes and smoke constantly! Again, thanks for your site.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Looks like we are currently reading a lot of really good mysteries! I do NOT know how some of you can read three or four books at a time! I’m sure I would get the murders, sleuths, and culprits ALL mixed up…
I just finished my new author-to-me find (Simon Brett) and am getting ready to see what Katherine Hall Page’s Faith Fairchild is up to these days…
Melanie says
Today is my first day to check out your site and already I am hooked. Thanks for your time and your help.
Anne George was the first cozy mystery that I read and I laughed so hard, that I got all of them and finished them in a week. I have never done that before, but it was well worth it.
I am now reading Jimmie Ruth Evans series and I am really enjoying it. I had a hard time finding the older books, but with the help of paperbackswap, I now have them all.
After I finish reading those, I have Miranda Bliss’s series.
Thank you again, for all of the suggestions. I can’t wait to try out some new authors.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Melanie,
I know what you mean about Anne George. I love her Southern Sisters!
I also got some ideas of authors who I now feel I simply HAVE to try… As if I needed more authors to add on my TBR book shelf!
Sharon says
Penny Warner, How to Host a Killer Party, Great Read. Just started Hounding the Pavement bu Judi McCoy, so far so good….
Shirley says
Hi Danna……Smile.
Just finished reading Chris Cavender 2nd mystery:
“Pepperoni Pizza Can Be Murder” (he actually is Tim Myers)
I don’t care what name this author goes by…..I just love the way he writes)
Eleanor and her sister have a pizza restaurant. & always in these two novels murder and a body tend to happen at the Pizza restaurant…..and then of course since it is Eleanor’s restaurant she just has to try and solve it and find the guilty person.
Read it…..also a treat in the back of the book they have a delicious crust and the pizza sauce to make at home.
I have tried it and it’s delicious. grin.
Anne says
I just finished A. A. Milne’s book written in 1922 called The Red House Mystery. It was before he wrote Winnie the Pooh stories. It was good.
Now I’m reading How to Wash A Cat by Rebecca M. Hale The story is good. She uses too many adjectives. Two when one would do…but once you get used to the flowery prose it is a great story. Looking forward to more.
Janet says
I have listened to all of the Miss Julia series that I could get my hands on. The CDs are great. I have laughed in the car so much, that if anyone caught sight, they probably thought I was losing it. Anne George’s sisters are funny, but for me Miss Julia is the best. I can’t find anything equivalent. If anyone has ideas, I’d be glad to hear them.
Miss Julia Strikes Back if my favorite. Cynthia Darlow does a wonderful job as narrator.
I started listening today to a L. Lippman, “To the Power of Three.” I’m not sure I’ll finish it…. Too many F words for my personal taste.
Jo R says
Janet, I am enjoying Miss Julia by Ann B Ross, also. The following are also funny cozies:
Blackbird Sisters Mystery series by Nancy Martin
and MacLaren Yarbrough Mystery series (Thoroughly Southern Mystery series) by Patricia Sprinkle. I do not know if these are on CDs or not, but I really enjoyed these series.
Janet says
Thank you Jo R. I’ll write down the information and look them up. Maybe the local library can help me out. Thanks again.
Melissa says
I’m currently reading Stirring up Strife by Jennifer Stanley.
This is the first in the series, and I really like it!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Melissa, I haven’t started on that particular series yet. I have the first two books waiting for me in my TBR bookshelf. I have started Stanley’s Supper Club Mystery Series, and have enjoyed the books I have read…
Debbie says
I am currently working my way through the Stephen J. Cannell (Shane Scully series) novels that I found through your site. I am on book 5 “Cold Hit”. I went to the library, checked them all out and I’m slowly but surely working my way through them!