I’m new to your website and also new to reading “cozy mysteries”. I was hoping you could help me decide where to start. I’m almost done reading through The Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun. I’m originally from Russia so English is my second language. So I enjoyed the simplicity of Braun’s books. I love cats and anything to do with nature.
The first thing that came to my mind is the Authors Similar to Lilian Jackson Braun list of authors and series, which we compiled way back in 2010. I also thought about the Cat Theme Mysteries : Kittens, Cats, and Cozies entry we started putting together even farther back >>> in 2007. However, I wonder if you all have any other suggestions for Natalia. If you can think of another Cozy Mystery series which might be the perfect fit for Natalia, please post a comment. Thank you!
dragons3 says
There’s The Gordons. The books are older but still available. They created DC Randall, who became “That Darn Cat” in the Disney movie. DC is a Persian in the books, though.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dragons3, thanks for recommending these books. I just looked up The Gordons’ That Darn Cat books, and they look like they will be pretty difficult to locate. Hopefully Natalia has access to a good library system.
dragons3 says
They’re readily available at abebooks (all under $5 including shipping) and a couple are listed on Amazon Marketplace.
Lexie says
Miranda James books she may enjoy
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lexie, I think Miranda James’ Cat in the Stack series may be a good next pick, too.
Rob says
Amen, Lexie. I was going to suggest Miranda James myself. There are other “cat fancier” cozies out there as well-although I couldn’t lay my hands on the titles right now but you’ve confirmed my immediate choice!
Kimberley says
I would recommend the Magical Cats series by Sofie Kelly. There are 5 books in the series, easy reads and delightful characters. In addition, I am a huge fan of Ali Brandon’s Black Cat bookshop mysteries.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kimberley, I wonder if we could add Sofie Ryan’s Second Chance Cat series to both of these…
Kimberley says
Absolutely! I thought of that series but didn’t include because there is just the one book although I think the second novel is forthcoming.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kimberley, thanks! (The second in Sofie Ryan’s Second Chance Cats series came out in April 2015: Buy a Whisker.)
Sheila in CT says
I would suggest Sofie Kelly: Magical Cats Mystery Series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheila in CT, thanks! It looks like Sofie Kelly may be the way to go for Natalia. Thanks!
Fishmom23 says
I really like Kathi Daley’s Zoe Donovan series. It is a simple cozy mystery with always a touch of our furry friends in it.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Fishmom23, thanks for the suggestion. It sounds like these mysteries may be exactly what she is looking for. (You say they are simple, which she specifically is looking for.)
Blue says
Rita Mae Brown’s Sister Jane and Mrs. Murphy series
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Blue, thanks for the suggestions. I sure hope Natalia takes some of you up on your suggestions.
Chris says
I recommend The Cat in the Stack series by Miranda James. It’s a cozy read, and Natalia liked Koko and Yum Yum, she is sure to fall in love with Diesel.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Chris, Miranda James had the right idea when it came to fleshing Diesel out. He seems to be everyone’s favorite cat…
dragons3 says
I definitely would recommend the Rita Mae Brown/Mrs. Murphy series. Fran Stewart’s Biscuit McKee series is very good, too, but they may be more complex than Natalia is looking for. Carolyn Hart’s Death On Demand books features 2 cats, and Hart always mentions many different cozy authors, too, so those might also give her some suggestions for more books to check out.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dragons3, thanks for the recommendations. I like that you added Carolyn Hart’s Death on Demand series to this list for Natalia.
Ruth N says
Kathi Daley’s Whale and Tails series is all about cats. Easy read and so much fun. But Rita Mae Browns Sneaky Pie. cat, and his animal friends talk to each other..Lots of cat in books and I’m a dog lover.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ruth N, I enjoy the mix of cats and dogs in Rita Mae Brown’s Mrs. Murphy series, too.
Julie says
I found a few more that might work.
Kathi Daley- Whales and Tails Mysteries
Laurie Cass- Bookmobile Mysteries
Claire Donally- Sunny and Shadow Mysteries
All of these are fun books that I think she might enjoy.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Julie, thank you!
Tullita says
I enjoyed the Cat Who series and hope to spend my retirement years rereading that and several other series I’ve loved. So much good stuff to read.
I think Miranda James would be great. Also I’ve enjoyed the Alphacat, Midnight Louie series from Carole Nelson Douglas. Midnight Louie is awesome.
That being said I appreciate getting ideas for some new series.
I think I’ll check out the Magical Cats next.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tullita, I didn’t think I would like a paranormal cat Cozy, but I was totally wrong! I enjoy Sofie Kelly’s Magical Cats.
MJ says
There’s also Janet Cantrell’s Fat Cat Mystery series. Only two books out so far, with a third one due to be released in 2016.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, I think this series would be a good pick for Natalia.
Stacy says
I would highly recommend the Cats in Trouble series by Leann Sweeney as well as the Bookmobile Cat series by Laurie Cass.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stacy, I sure think Natalia has some super good Cozies from which to pick. Thanks!
Cee Pluse says
Don’t forget Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen series, which features the antics of her cat Moeshe as well as lots of cookie recipes.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cee, even though Moeshe doesn’t play a really large part in the Hannah Swensen Cozies, it does sound like this would be a terrific series for Natalia to move on to.
Billie says
enjoy your suggestions very much
Trisha says
Shirley Rousseau Murphy “A Joe Grey Mystery” should be at the top of the list for a satisfying reading along the lines of Lillian Jackson Braun. They’re up to about 20 books in the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Trisha, thanks!
Peggy says
Have you found Rita Mae Brown’s Sneaky Pie Brown series? Wonderful fun in the Virginia countryside – main character has a cat and dog who “help” solve mysteries.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Peggy, thanks!
Blue says
Rita Mae Brown’s mysteries are very good. Well written, full of fun and warm characters. Love the information included about Virginia.
And learning about fox hunting in the Sister Jane series. I don’t care for the social snobbery of the hunt but I do like being better educated about what goes into it.