I know I just told you all about how I find some of the authors I decide to follow. If I read a mystery anthology, and there is someone who I like, I simply add him/her to my list of authors to read. Nothing complicated about that.
I also know that I just told you about two Christmas mystery anthologies that I was going to read. Well… I’m pretty sure of which author I will not be adding to my list of authors to read in the future!
I just started the second anthology last night. Sometimes, when I have a book of short stories, I read the authors out of order. I sort of pick and choose which author to read based on whether or not I’m familiar with the authors, if the titles catch my interest, etc. There’s nothing complicated about that, either. In this case, I decided to read the books in their correct order.
Last night, as I started the second anthology, I was a little “put off” by the reference of a special type of “inflatable” doll – on the second page of the first author’s novella. Hmmm…. Don’t get me wrong >>> I AM an adult! But, I do wonder why an author has to throw this type of “hook and bait” adult situation into his/her story so early. Is it to let me know that: “Wink, wink, we are all adults here.” I know I sound like a prude to a lot of people. I am using my “Would Ricky and Lucy do that ?” type of measurement, only substituting Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh for the “Ricardos.” Would you be more apt to finish an Agatha Christie mystery if she had spiced it up at the very beginning of her book, or thrown in a few expletives?
I continued to read the Christmas mystery novella, and actually finished it… just barely… And, “bare”ly is a good word to use in this particular situation… This novella features a young woman who gets up her nerve to ask a young man in her apartment complex out on a first date… I’m not going to write any spoilers here, but I will tell you one thing… Their “first date” is… I’ll leave it at “explicitly graphic”… That’s when I realized the reason for the “Wink, wink, we are all adults here.” on the second page of the novella — a warning of sorts.
Good grief!!! Wouldn’t you expect a publisher to lump the same type of authors together in an anthology? If I wasn’t familiar with two of the other authors in the anthology, I would have simply tossed the book, and not bothered to read the other novellas. I sure hope the editor didn’t make “my two authors” spice things up!
Petie says
Being an adult does not mean we have to have sexual situations in everything we read. I totally enjoy my cozy mysteries and find them most gratifying without the ‘wink wink nudge nudge’ situations. They are in fact mysteries, and my authors are entertaining and ones I always follow for the sheer joy of their writing talent. Thank goodness they, too, don’t find the need to ‘spice up’ their work to get readers.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
My sentiments exactly, Petie! I don’t read romance/Harlequin novels, so I don’t know just how “detailed” they get. But, I certainly don’t expect “details” in the mysteries I read!
(I have absolutely nothing against romance novels… I just don’t choose to read them.)
Carrie says
I don’t think that you are a prude. I think that cozy mystery books should be just that … cozy.
No graphic sex or violence just well written books with interesting characters, an intriguing murder or mystery, some plot twists to keep you guessing and a satisfactory conclusion.
I dislike authors who try too hard to be “modern” or “with it”. I’m a grown up. I know what happens between consenting adults, I don’t need authors to document each panting breath for me to understand what is happening. To be honest I find it tiresome and I usually jump forward past the supposedly titillating section and get back to the story.
If you want to write pornographic or excessively violent literature, don’t try and sell it as a cozy book. You are definitely aiming at the wrong audience.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carrie, I wonder if the publishers aren’t pushing authors to be “modern” and “with it”… It must help with their sales.
linda says
Danna, Just another comment on this topic. I think if a writer is good enough at what he or she writes he or she doesn’t need to add this foul language and the step by step sexual comments. If the only way a writer can get a book published is to use this stuff in the story that just tells me that the writer really isn’t very good to begin with.
I suppose some people think they need to be realistic in telling their story and maybe some do. But to me a good story teller does not. It also tells me what kind of publishers these people have.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, I got a letter from an aspiring mystery author saying that her setting is a big, cosmopolitan city, where everyone swears. So, she has decided to keep true to the spirit of New York City – and wonders how she should describe her books. She came up with “cozies with an edge.”
No comment.
Donna (Merry Mishaps blog) says
If a TV show or movie is labeled “M” for mature, you can expect that most of the dialogue consists of words commonly used by drunken frat boys – a rating of “I” for immature is more appropriate. Most literate people prefer something that is skillfully written by a gifted artist, not a graffiti artist! In my opinion, publishers who publish such things are very misguided and unaware of their readers’ feelings on the subject. Especially for a Christmas anthology – I expect that to be warm and cozy, in the spirit of the holiday, and something I can give away as a gift.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
You’re right about a Christmas anthology, Donna. The second novella in that book started out exactly how I would have wanted… very “Christmas-y”>>> well-crafted by the author, who happens to be one of “my authors”…
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
One of the things that really BUG me about anthologies is how they “mix it up.” I read one a couple of years ago that mixed in two delightful cozies with a fantasy, a sci/fi and the rest were all hard crime. I ready fantasy and sci/fi, but rarely hard crime. So half the anthology was a waste of paper for me.
I really do wish they would categorize at least the same type/feel of a story. It doesn’t have to be all the same genre, but I really hate reading a mix of stories and coming across a horror story in the middle of what I thought would be just mystery.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maria, I have to admit to not reading a lot of anthologies. Actually, the only time I do, is during the holidays. From your comment, it looks like you have read more than I have. It is indeed weird that publishers would mix categories on their “unsuspecting” audience…
Susan says
One word – Erk!
Totally unnecessary! I’m no prude, myself, but if I want to read that, I’ll go get a Harlequin ‘romance’! Like most people here, I read cozy mysteries for the mystery, and that’s all.
Hope the rest of the stories are better!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, I just started the second novella last night, and it is exactly the type of mystery I want for the holidays! Weird that the publisher decided to match these authors!
Mary Joy says
I doubt if many, or any for that matter, on this Cozy Mystery List are prudes. I personally do not choose to read “spicy” books because I find them boring. I also like to read books where people have calm and super organized lives when I want to feel more relaxed. That’s usually what I reach for, except I did love the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy, which was anything but relaxing. (And not for prudes, I might add.)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary Joy, when I was in mystery reading groups, where I read books that I hadn’t personally chosen, I found that there are quite a few authors who “rely” on this type of “hook and bait” to grab people’s attention. Those authors, who I felt tried too much to appeal to the masses (so to speak) simply didn’t make it on my favorite authors list.
Julia says
Individual tastes in prurient subject matter aside, I would (and do) expect that an anthology is comprised of similar type authors and stories. I would not expect to find Mickey Spillane and Joan Hess in the same volume, nor would I want to. There is a reason there are so many sub-categories of book genres – a cozy mystery fan is not the same as a true crime mystery fan any more than a time travel sci fi fan is the same as a paranormal romance sci fi fan, and if you’re going to spend $15 to $25 on a book, you expect the publisher to take that into account.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Julia, that would be odd, wouldn’t it? I read true crime and police procedurals, but I wouldn’t want them lumped in with my Cozies…
susie says
I agree! I hate when such situations seem so contrived. I was reading a full length novel of an author I love, with characters I mostly enjoy, and towards the end of the book the male and female lead got stuck in locked cage of sorts. They could only hope to get out by throwing their items of clothing at a distant lever in the hopes of being freed. Then, lo and behold, once they had conveniently shed their clothing, the inevitable happened. So cheesy! I was really disappointed by the lack of creativity with this author. (and this is a cozy series, not harlequin).
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susie, that would have been a “Good grief!” moment for me!!!
Paula says
I agree with you that I don’t want sexual situations thrown in my face. I read cozies because generally they are not dirty. If someone wants dirty, that is what erotica is for. I hate to waste money on a book that I can’t finish and only throw it in my fireplace. You are NOT a prude at all. If so then so am I and proud to be so 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
It’s a shame, Paula, that some authors (or their publishers!) think that the world has gotten to be a place where we need explicit “how tos” thrown into our books…
David Anderson says
I had to work today but I was thinking about your blog entry off and on throughout the day, starting with walking the dog at 6:00 a.m. I am not at all sure that I have written a “cozy mystery” but if it’s not, it’s at least in the ballpark. And I enjoy browsing your site.
As I wrote it, I had numerous discussions about whether or not a reader would want to see sex scenes of any type in a mystery. Mostly I asked women, because I felt they were my target audience. And I got a mixed bag of answers. My wife, definitely, said she was uncomfortable with it. Most said it was okay with them.
In the end, I felt that as long as it was tastefully done and was an important part of the plot, a sex scene had every right to be there. The important thing is the mystery, and the solving of it, isn’t it? The sex scenes, if any, should not bother the reader. That’s what I think, anyway.
Incidentally, speaking of inflatable dolls and tasteful, if you have never seen the movie, “Lars and the Real Girl”, you must watch it. It is a fine and touching film; not a mystery, though!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
David, it sounds like you didn’t take your wife’s advice. I think that every person has his/her own feeling on the matter… I am sure there are many women (your target audience) who don’t mind the “tastefully done and important part of the plot” sex scene…
As for Lars and the Real Girl… When I saw this movie reviewed, it made me very sad… I see from the reviews that it is a very touching film, I just don’t think I could sit through it… I think it would absolutely devastate me…
Vicky Lynn says
I don’t think you’re a prude at all. I’m also an adult and I like my reading to include and exclude certain content. If I’m reading a cozy mystery, then I expect it to be just that, not titillating or risque. If I want to read a book with that kind of story, I know where to find it.
Now as far as Lars and the Real Girl…it’s one of my favorite movies. It’s a sweet story. It isn’t sad, it isn’t distasteful, it’s a story of community and one lonely man’s journey. I was completely surprised at how lovely it is as a movie and I watched it with my mom.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Vicky Lynn, even though Lars and the Real Girl has a good message about community and people helping each other overcome the obstacles in their lives, I am pretty sure I would not be able to make it to the end without crying non-stop…
David Anderson says
yes, it might, but it is very uplifting at the end…
Danna - cozy mystery list says
David, the review made it look good, but I can’t even sit through the circus mother-son scene in Dumbo… and that’s with me already knowing they will be reunited and happy at the end of the movie!
Julia says
I think you’ve hit on an important point here – if the sex scene is an important part of the plot. I confess I’m a big reader of sci fi fanfic as well as cozies (I love my sci fi TV shows and the fanfic can be a very interesting part of the various universes). Anyway, at time I have come across two different versions of a story – one with sex scenes and one without – and that always makes me wonder. If the sex scenes actually moved the plot along or added to characterization, then the version without them would be incomplete. But if they did nothing towards those goals and simply existed to titillate…why bother?
linda says
Dave, More often or not, I just skip the detailed sexual encounters and move on with the story. Sometimes this might have me skipping several pages. These sex scenes rarely have any significance to the storyline.
Margaret says
In my 20’s and 30’s I read primarily Stephen King, John Saul, Dean Koontz, Robing Cook, etc. and they all started out with really good old scary, suspenseful, creepy books. Then something changed. They all started to add alot of sex and just too much bizarre blood guts and gore. The later I could deal with but all the sex just seemed out of place and unnecessary. After I entered my 40’s I moved away from that type and into Cozy’s and haven’t looked back. I hope my Authors don’t get to that stage. I don’t mind the hint of sex but I don’t need it spelled out for me. I am not into Romance Novels with all the heaving and panting either. I am by no way a prude but I want to read a good old fashion mystery.
On a side note, talking about Novellas. I found a great book; “The Columbo Collection”. It is 12 Columbo shorts written by William Link who helped create and wrote the Columbo T.V. Series and Murder She Wrote among others. They are great short little get to the point who-dun-its. What fun it was to read over the summer next to the pool. I did find it available on Amazon.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret, thanks for telling us about The Columbo Collection. I will definitely go take a look at it on Amazon.
I find that more and more authors (I hate to be sexist, but male authors…) think that we all believe their incredibly outrageous fantasies. How many have middle-aged detectives who, every time they encounter a gorgeous, long-legged, young woman end up being able to “be” with them? Right! If these same detectives have a lot of money… maybe!!!
Margaret says
I agree it seems to be more of an issue with male authors. The last five years I have been reading Cozy Mysteries and they have all been female authors. In many of the books I have read the authors hint at the romance and sex by putting the characters in the bedroom or in a situations for more, but leave the scene or room (so to speak) before the details need be revealed. To me it seems the authors are showing respect for their readers and I appreciate that.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret, ah, yes>>> the scene that takes place the next morning, as they sip their cups of coffee..
linda says
Margaret, I agree with you on this.. I, too, think the author is trying to show some sort of respect for his/her readers on this. But I just wonder too, if maybe the author thinks that most of his/her readers are mostly adults and already know how sex is conducted!
Judith says
USA Today had an article today about the rise of profanity in publishing – is this a trend we really need?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Judith, thanks for bringing this to our attention. I just read the article, and it goes along with something I have been saying to my family for years:
The Emperor’s Clothes!!!
As one of the quoted people says in the article, everyone is afraid of being labeled a prude! I know I feel like that, and somehow this doesn’t seem right! When did it all turn around – so that those of us who think it’s “not needed” became the outsiders?!?
By the way, I had no idea that there are actually books that have these words in their titles. What about the seven and eight year olds who are browsing through the book store aisles?
MJ says
I was so distressed when I read this post because I checked previous post as to who the authors were on the second anthology that you planned to read. I knew one of my favorite authors was listed, and in your description you happened to list her first. I just couldn’t imagine an author of her caliber (with the lead character a minister’s wife) would include an inflatable doll in the story line. I checked the book description on Amazon and found they list her as second author. Whew! Distress gone.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nope, MJ, Katherine Hall Page is definitely not the author to whom I was referring!!! She is actually one of “my authors”… and her novella was exactly what I expected… a delightful Christmas theme Cozy Mystery.
That’s why I just couldn’t understand the reasoning behind the publisher adding the “spice it up” author at the beginning of the Christmas anthology. I just don’t get it!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, she would have had to change her style 180*!!!
Samantha says
I totally agree with you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a prude either. I read romance novels (sometimes even Harlequins) where there’s plenty of explicit situations. But it needs to have its place. I once read a suspense romance (in which you expect a few explicit scenes sprinkled throughout the action) where the main characters ended up in a *very* explicit situation up on a ledge while waiting for the bad guys in the building to let their guard down! That’s just stupid and felt like it was just thrown in there to meet some quota of explicit scenes. Your book sounds like that: explicit scenes for the sake of *wink-wink, we’re adults here* instead of actually bringing two characters closer together. (I don’t care what some critics say, I am firmly of the belief that every scene should serve a purpose for the story – either for the plot or for the development of the characters – and even explicit scenes can do that, if used well.)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Samantha, the characters who were out on the ledge must have been thin, thin, thin! You are not kidding! That is STUPID!!! And, let’s face it, when you are in mortal danger, isn’t the first thing you think of doing is just that! Good grief!
Ann says
I totally agree with you. I like the idea of comparing with Ricky and Lucy. I attended a book festival in Austin last year and at many of the author interviews, people asked why there aren’t more books that are good clean fun, even with a murder thrown in. People tend to read books in spite of the sexual content not because of it.
Ann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ann, I love what you wrote: “People tend to read books in spite of the sexual content not because of it.” I wish editors and publishers would understand this!
Dale says
Just found your wonderful site, and am excited for my wife and I to go through your list of recommended Cozy Mystery authors. However, in your list of “R” authors, one lady is missing that we’ve both been enjoying recently, and well fits your Cozy Mystery definition. Cynthia Riggs, in her 70s, writes from Martha’s Vineyard; her sleuth heroine is 92, named Victoria Trumbull, and who is modeled after her late poetess mother…
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Welcome to the Cozy Mystery site, Dale. I hope you and your wife enjoy it.
Here is Cynthia Riggs‘ page on the site…
Brenda says
Yuck. Christmas cheer and those scary blow-up dolls?
I suppose the anthology was planned so multiple audiences will buy the book for the one story that suits their fancy. I doubt this plan works though because readers enjoy enjoying ALL the stories in a book that they have paid money to buy.