It seems like sometimes we hear more about Cozy Mystery Series that have been cancelled than about series that are thriving. So here is a “What’s the Cozy News?” entry that will hopefully bring some good news to most of us!
Ellery Adams (aka J.B. Stanley, Jennifer Stanley, and Lucy Arlington) has announced that her Charmed Pie Shoppe will be closing its doors after the latest book in the series, Breach of Crust. However there’s good news about her Book Retreat Mystery Series – it will be moving from Penguin-Random to Kensington Publishers. Also, Ellery Adams will be starting a new series (The Secret Book and Scone Society) with Kensington in late 2017.
I know a lot of Cozy Mystery readers were upset when Melissa Bourbon‘s Magical Dressmaking Series ended. Well, here’s some great news: Winnie Archer (aka Melissa Bourbon and Misa Ramirez) will be starting a new Cozy Series called the Bread Shop Mystery Series. Kneaded to Death is the first book in the series, and we will be introduced to Ivy Culpepper (our sleuth) who is an aspiring photographer who ends up working in the Yeast of Eden bread shop. The series will be set in a seaside town (Santa Sofia) in California.
Lynn Cahoon is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, which explains why Kensington is planning on releasing more Cozies in her very popular Tourist Trap Mystery Series. Brava!
Good news for Maia Chance fans! The Crooked Lane publishing company will be releasing Maia Chance’s Agnes and Effie Mystery Series, of which Bad Housekeeping is the first. This series will star a “dork” and her great aunt (who happens to have been a fashion model) in a New York town.
The Crooked Land publishers are bringing us even more Cozies! Sheila Connolly (aka Sarah Atwell) has a “snowbound” County Cork Mystery Series that will be coming out soon (Cruel Winter) and … wait for it… there’s at least one more to look forward to after that one!
Here’s more good news! We can expect at least a few more Mystery with Recipes Cozies from Isis Crawford (aka Barbara Block). Yes, that’s right, Kensington has given her series the green light!
A new Cozy series by Maddie Day (aka Edith Maxwell and Tace Baker) is on the horizon. Day’s Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery Series will feature the owner of a bike shop who holds a weekly mystery book group – which exclusively reads Cozies. (My type of reading group!) Murder on Cape Cod is the first book in the series.
Amanda Flower (aka Isabella Alan) has two new Cozy Mystery Series for us to look forward to. Flower’s Forgotten Cozy Mystery Series will feature a florist sleuth who inherits a Scottish Highlands’ cottage. Death at Duncreigan is the first in the series. Flowers is also beginning her Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series which will feature a chocolatier who works at her grandparents’ Swissmen Sweets Amish Candy Shop in Harvest, Ohio. And, yum! Recipes are included in this series. Assaulted Caramel is the first Cozy in the series.
Nancy J. Parra (aka Nancy Coco and Nell Hampton) will be starting her new Wine Country Mystery Series. A Case of Syrah, Syrah is the first in the series. (We can thank the Crooked Lane publishers for this series, too!)
Rose Pressey has been given the go-ahead on book 6 and 7 in her Haunted Vintage Mystery Series. If you aren’t already familiar with this series, it is set in Georgia and features a sleuth with a passion for vintage clothing!
Now this is great news! It looks like Denise Swanson will be kept busy writing Cozies! Swanson (a New York Times bestselling author) will begin a new series – the Chef-to-Go Mystery Series – with at least three books in it. Also, she will be writing the Welcome Back to Scumble River Mystery Series, beginning with book #1, Dead in the Water.
If you’re a Hannah Ives fan, then you’ll be very happy to know that Marcia Talley‘s 16th book in that series (Mile High Murder) will be released.
And last (but by no means least!) there’s terrific Charles Todd news! We can expect more Bess Crawford and Ian Rutledge mysteries! (I told you it was terrific!)
And that’s a wrap!
Aimee says
Is there a list/link somewhere that lists the series that have recently ended or will be ending after the next book? I am an avid series reader and like to know if the book I am finishing (for example Reading up a Storm by Eva Gates right now) is the last one in the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Aimee, no, this isn’t one of the things that I keep a page for, but I’ll think about it!
Pindropper says
I enjoy so much this site, and appreciate the work you do to keep it up to date. It’s my go-to place for all things cozy. 🙂
I would like to add my wish of a list of cancelled book series.
Thanks for all you do.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Pindropper, you are welcome. Glad you enjoy the site and blog.
Rita says
Do you know if Waverly Curtis will be writing any more of the Pepe mystery series? I really enjoyed reading all those books, they were fantastic.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rita, unfortunately I’m not sure. Hopefully there will be more!
Marie says
Thanks, Danna! What good news that Charles Todd’s series will continue. I so enjoy both of them.
Just want to mention that I read two books that came out this year from the same author–R. J. Koreto (published by Crooked Lane Books)–that I thoroughly enjoyed. Several of our favorite authors wrote blurbs that are on his website commending his books. Rhys Bowen (whose books I enjoy) says in hers …”But it is by no means a cozy story, delving into the grim realities of war.” All I can say is I only read cozies and this seemed to fit that category as well as Charles Todd’s books do. I’m looking forward to more Lady Frances Ffolkes books from Koreto.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marie, thanks for the suggestions, and I’m always glad to share good news!
Patti S. says
Marie-
I am glad that Charles Todd is continuing too. I love his books, both series. I have read them from the beginning and would hate for them to ever end! Happy Holidays to all! Thank you Danna for giving us the cutting edge cozy news.
Rob says
Thanks Danna; and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family-not to forget your new little puppy? Can’t remember her name off hand but I’m sure she is cute!
A book that may not see a lot of action but should? By Elizabeth J Duncan called A Killer’s Christmas in Wales. Excellent as are all the Penny Brannigan mysteries. Couldn’t put it down-in fact I read all night! Gag. Now I have to wait for the newest next year. Was I dumb! And that was a statement-not a question!
Does anybody else do that? Read a book till you’re done and then know that there won’t be more till next year? Ouch. Especially a new favorite author -bad enough I do that with authors I know but a new one is almost worse. Cause you don’t know them yet and don’t know what delights are in store! Oh well. Live and hopefully learn!
Everyone out there please have a safe and Happy Holiday season.
Happy Reading all!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rob, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
Yes, I know I’ve done the same thing too – sometimes the books you look forward to the most disappear too fast!
Ginny says
I am sorry to hear about Ellery Adams “charmed Pie Shoppe” series.That is one I looked forward to reading. Unfortunately I’m not interested in her other series. Thanks for the news. Merry Christmas.Ginny
Liz says
At one time I asked Melissa about her magicial dressmaking series and she was thinking about self publishing, not sure if she changed her mind or not, hope not, really loved that series. I think I will ask her again to see, will let you know if I get a response.
Liz says
This is from her Facebook page back in June….Author Melissa Bourbon/Winnie Archer
June 18 ·
It’s been a busy few weeks. We’ve wrapped up our year long residence in Houston and are back in North Texas! Can you tell I’m excited? We have 6 weeks before we move back into our house so now I have nothing much to do but write. First up, revisions on Kneaded to Death, then on to book 7 of A Magical Dressmaking mystery series.
Feeling happy!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Liz, thanks!
Liz says
You are so welcome.
cuppacozy says
Great idea to post the positive news from the industry!
MJ says
In some ways the previous post (old series vs new series) and this post tie in together………..
As we’ve mentioned, sometimes an old series stops and we get upset because story lines haven’t been completed. Well………..we just move on and forget about them (after all, “so many books, so little time”!).
HOWEVER, on occasion (MUCH later) another book just appears! And, we’re thinking, “WOW!, this is a nice surprise”.
I just thought of this because I’m currently reading ‘Champagne Conspiracy’ by Ellen Crosby. After a five year absence, there’s a new addition to this great series. The other shocker is I was able to get right into the story and characters (the memory is a funny thing………..I guess when the series is a good one, you don’t really forget). Also, I just checked her facebook page where she states she plans to release the 8th book next year. But alas, nothing is mentioned about her other series which I also found excellent (only two books so far).
After a 13 year absence, Charlaine Harris wrote another book for the Aurora Teagarden series. And, it appears she’s adding the 10th book, ‘Sleep Like a Baby’ in 2017.
After a four year absence, Joan Hess resumed writing the Claire Malloy series. Same with Jeanne Dams after a six year hiatus with the Dorothy Martin series. And, Maddy Hunter returned with a new book in her Passport to Peril series after a five year absence.
I think in most of the above cases it was ‘publisher issues’ that caused the hiatus rather than lack of interest by the author. BUT, I’m always excited when a favorite series resumes!!! 🙂
Now to ponder future comebacks (shhh, quiet please, my eyes are closed and I’m daydreaming!).
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, I know >>> it’s always such a pleasant surprise when a series you had thought finished releases a new series. It’s even rarer but more satisfying when it’s an author like Charlaine Harris, who hadn’t been writing much in the way of Cozies.