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An author who I used to read is M. C. Beaton. I started reading her Agatha Raisin books and quickly found that Agatha was one of my favorite characters. She has a very dry sense of humor and isn’t particularly nice. I think that she has a way of saying and doing things that we might think are rude or underhanded, but we might also secretly wish we could get by being that blunt… and should I say…. conniving? (I have to admit that I enjoyed the first five, six, or seven novels of the Agatha series more than the later books of the series.) The books are “easy reads,” which make them ideal for taking on long airplane flights or vacations that include some time for just relaxing. Usually, if I like one series by a particular author, I find that if the author has another series (or in some cases two, three, or even four!) I don’t enjoy the other series. It is for that reason that I put off reading M. C. Beaton’s other series about a Scottish constable named Hamish Macbeth. Was I ever wrong about my “one author/one series” rule! Hamish Macbeth has overshadowed my love for Agatha Raisin! If you haven’t tried either of the series yet, I would suggest that you start reading your choice of either of the series at the beginning. I think that you might find yourself anticipating each of the next books in the series. I have spent many enjoyable hours with both Hamish and Agatha, and hope that you do, too! (As a postscript…….. I have included my VERY FAVORITE AUTHOR in this list of books beginning with B……….. E. F. Benson. I must admit, he didn’t write cozy mysteries, but he did write COZY!) Marian Babson Although born in USA (Salem, Massachusetts), she has lived in England the majority of her life, which is clear to see after reading one of her British cozies. Kathleen Bacus A former Iowa State Trooper and investigator for the Iowa Department of Justice, Bacus now writes the Calamity Jayne Mystery Series… Donald Bain w/ “Jessica Fletcher” of Murder, She Wrote… Bain writes the Murder, She Wrote Mystery Series, starring Jessica Fletcher as his sleuth. I think almost everyone knows who Jessica Fletcher is! She’s a retired high school teacher who currently writes mystery books, as well as solves a few mysteries along the way. (I don’t know why some bookstores insist on putting his “Murder, She Wrote” books in the “F” – as in Fletcher – section.) Bain also has taken over Margaret Truman’s Capital Crime Mystery Series. Bree Baker (aka Jacqueline Frost, Julie Chase, & Julie Anne Lindsey) As Bree Baker she writes the Seaside Cafe Mystery Series which stars Everly Swan, the owner of an iced tea shop and cafe. As Jacqueline Frost she writes the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series which takes place on Holly White’s family tree farm in Maine, in a town names Mistletoe. As Julie Chase she writes the Kitty Couture Mystery Series which features Lacy Marie Crocker, the owner of a pet boutique and organic treat bakery for pets in New Orleans. As Julie Anne Lindsey she writes the Cider Shop Mystery Series, the Geek Girl Mystery Series, the Patience Price Mystery Series, and the Protectors of Cade County Series. Deb Baker (aka Hannah Reed) Baker writes two series… the Dolls to Die For and the Gertie Johnson Mystery series, which features a 60s-something sleuth. As Reed she writes the Queen Bee Mystery Series. As Reed she writes the Queen Bee Mystery Series, which features a beekeeper who is the owner of The Wild Clover Market. Reed also writes the Scottish Highlands Mystery Series. This series features Eden Elliott, a recently single author in the Highland. S. H. Baker Baker, a civil engineer with her Master’s degree, writes the Dassas Cormier Mystery Series which takes place during the 1920s in Louisiana. (Baker also writes romance novels as Sarah Storme.) Tace Baker (aka Edith Maxwell & Maddie Day) Baker writes the Speaking of Mystery Mystery Series which is set in a small college town in New England, and features a Quaker linguistics professor. As Maxwell she writes the Local Foods Mystery Series. This series is set in Massachusetts, and features Cam Flaherty, an organic farmer. As Maxwell she also writes the Quaker Midwife Mystery Series, which features Rose Carroll, a Quaker midwife in a mill town in Massachusetts during the late 1800s. As Day she writes the Country Store Mystery Series which is set in South Lick, Indiana and features Robbie Jordan, the owner Pans ‘N Pancakes Country Store Restaurant. David Baldacci Not Cozy…. Not only is he a best selling author of books for adults, but now he has a series for children, which looks phenomenal. My children are now grown up, but these Freddy and the French Fries books would have definitely been the types of books they would have “devoured.” How can a series with a main character named Freddy T. Funkhouser not be a fun read! Patrick Balester Having enjoyed hiking in Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge and having a childhood buddy who later became a law enforcement agent set the path for Balester to write his Greg Parnell Mystery Series, featuring a Fish & Wildlife agent… Donna Ball Donna has been writing books for over twenty years, using five different pseudonyms. It is no wonder that she is currently writing a series about an ex-tracker and her Golden Retriever… Donna is a volunteer of her local humane shelter, Therapy Dogs International, and the Canine Companions for Independence, as well as different animal rescue groups. She is also an active member of her local Friends of the Library. Books and Dogs! What a great combination for a dog-lover’s mystery series! Mignon F. Ballard One of Ballard’s series features a guardian angel… Augusta Goodnight. Ballard also writes the Miss Dimple Mystery Series which is set during WW II in Georgia, and features an elementary school teacher/sleuth. Sandra Balzo Balzo writes the Maggie Thorsen Mystery Series which features the owner of a coffee shop in Wisconsin and the Main Street Mystery Series – which takes place in North Carolina and features a reporter, Carolyn Banks Banks, a competitive equestrian, writes the She Rides, He Doesn’t Mystery Series set in the horse-loving world. Robin Vaughan (the protagonist) must sleuth with the same degree of precision and obedience as the horses have to have in the competitions… in order to solve her mysteries… Jo Bannister Several British series to pick from… Maggie Barbieri (aka Maggie McConnon) Barbieri writes the Murder 101 Mystery Series which has, as its sleuth, an English Professor at a small New York City college… Robert Barnard British Police Procedural, an Agatha Award Winner…. Linda Barnes Two series to pick from: one with an actor/detective and the other with a redhead, 6’1″ female Boston private eye… Aileen G. Baron Baron, with her Ph.D. in archaeology / anthropology, taught in the department of anthropology at California State University (Fullerton) and spent many years as a field Nevada Barr Barr started out as an actress, but found she loved working in national parks, which led to her series about a park ranger… Lorna Barrett aka L. L. Bartlett & Lorraine Bartlett As Barrett she writes the Booktown Mystery Series which is a cozy mystery series that involves the owner of the Haven’t Got A Clue bookstore, and as L.L. Bartlett she writes a series based on a mugging victim who now has a sixth sense for solving crimes. As Lorraine Bartlett writes the Victoria Square Mystery Series, which follows a young widow who is a member of an artisan’s co-op. She also writes the Lotus Bay Mystery Series as Lorraine Bartlett. Ella Barrick (aka Lila Dare & Laura DiSilverio) Barrick, an ex-college English teacher (Air Force Academy), writes the Ballroom Dance Mystery Series. Stacy Graysin, the sleuth is the co-owner of a ballroom dance studio in Alexandria, Virginia. As DiSilverio, she writes the Charlie Swift Mystery Series – which features a former Air Force intelligence officer who lives in Colorado. DiSilverio also writes the Mall Cop Mystery Series – which features a security officer at a mall in Virginia and the Readaholics Book Club Mystery Series, set in Colorado. As Lila Dare, she writes the Southern Beauty Shop Mystery. Christy Barritt Barritt writes the Squeaky Clean Mystery Series which features the owner of a very unusual business: a crime scene cleaning service. The amateur sleuth almost completed her college degree in forensic science, which comes in very handy while being able to get a first hand view of the evidence! Barritt also writes the Carolina Moon Mystery Series, Sierra Files Mystery Series, and the Security Experts Mystery Series. Stephanie Barron aka Francine Mathews…. Barron writes a series with Jane Austen as the heroine/sleuth. L. L. Bartlett aka Lorna Barrett & Lorraine Bartlett If you’re looking for a new author to try… look no farther. Bartlett writes a series featuring a mugging victim who possesses sixth sense gifts. As Barrett, she writes a cozy series that even includes a cat named Miss Marple! Lorraine Bartlett writes the Victoria Square Mystery Series, which follows a young widow who is a member of an artisan’s co-op. She also writes the Lotus Bay Mystery Series as Lorraine Bartlett. As Barrett, she writes the Booktown Mystery Series which is a cozy mystery series that involves the owner of the Haven’t Got A Clue bookstore. Lorraine Bartlett aka L. L. Bartlett & Lorna Barrett Lorraine Bartlett writes the Victoria Square Mystery Series, which follows a young widow who is a member of an artisan’s co-op. She also writes the Lotus Bay Mystery Series as Lorraine Bartlett. As Barrett, she writes the Booktown Mystery Series which is a cozy mystery series that involves the owner of the Haven’t Got A Clue bookstore, and as L. L. Bartlett she writes a series based on a mugging victim who now has a sixth sense for solving crimes. D. B. Barton Barton writes The Singing Sleuth Mystery Series. If you’re thinking about going on a cruise… you just might want to take along one of her cozies, which are set on cruise ships! Patricia Batta Batta has worked as an elementary school teacher, as well as a (document) librarian. She writes the Marge Christensen Mystery Series… George Baxt Celebrity Sleuth Mysteries… Cynthia Baxter A series for both dog and cat lovers…… (As Cynthia Blair she writes a mystery series for young adults.) M. C. Beaton aka Marion Chesney Very Cozy! I follow both of her series, preferring Hamish Macbeth, yet loving her earlier Agatha Raisin books. Simon Beaufort Beaufort is the writing husband and wife team of Beau Riffengburgh and Susanna Gregory. They write the Geoffrey Mappestone Mystery Series which is set during the 1100s in Great Britain. Susanna Gregory writes the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew Mystery Series and the Thomas Chaloner Mystery Series, both of which are set in Great Britain, one during the 1300s and the other during the 1600s. Carrie Bebris Bebris has an MA in English Lit, has been an editor, freelance writer, and college instructor. Her Mr. and Mrs. Darcy series features the two main characters from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Jessica Beck (aka Elizabeth Bright, Casey Mayes, Melissa Glazer, Chris Cavender, Tim Myers, & D.B. Morgan) Beck writes the Donut Shop Mystery Series which features the owner of a doughnut coffee shop in North Carolina. Her sleuth not only loves coming up with the doughnut recipes that are included in the mystery books, but also loves coming up with solutions to crimes! The Cast Iron Cooking Mystery Series is also written by Beck, and it features Pat & Annie, fraternal twins. Beck also writes the Classic Diner Mystery Series which takes place in North Carolina, where the main sleuth runs The Charming Moose Diner. Mayes writes the Mystery by the Numbers Mystery Series. As Myers, there are four series:Lighthouse Inn Mystery Series, Slow Cooker Mystery Series, Soapmaking Mystery Series, and Candlemaking Mystery Series. As Elizabeth Bright, we have the Card Making Mystery Series, and as Chris Cavender, the Pizza Mystery Series. The Clay & Crime Cozy Mystery Series is written by Glazer. (D.B. Morgan’s mysteries are not Cozy.) K. K. Beck Beck writes the Workplace Mystery Series which stars Tyler Benson, a parking valet in Seattle, Washington. Beck also writes the Iris Cooper & Jack Clancy Mystery Series, starring a flapper in Oregon with her sleuthing partner who is a reporter. She also writes the Jane Da Silva Mystery Series, which features a lounge singer and private detective in Seattle. Mike Befeler Befeler, with his Stanford Bachelor’s and his UCLA Master’s, writes the Paul Jacobson Geezer-Lit Mystery Series. His main sleuth is an octogenarian who simply insists on never growing old. Cindy Bell Cindy is the author of numerous series, including the Chocolate Centered Mystery Series, the Sage Gardens Mystery Series, the Dune House Mystery Series, the Heavenly Highland Inn Mystery Series, the Wendy the Wedding Planner Mystery Series, and the Bekki the Beautician Mystery Series. Lillian Bell (aka Kristi Abbott, Eileen Rendahl, & Eileen Carr) was born in Dayton, Ohio, but now lives in northern California. Lillian Bell writes the Funeral Parlor Mystery Series, which features Desiree Turner, an ex-journalist. Desiree works in California, in a rather unique place… a funeral parlor! As Kristi Abbott, she writes the Popcorn Shop Mystery Series, starring Rebecca Anderson, a gourmet popcorn shop owner and her Poodle, (Sprocket) in Grand Lake, Ohio. This series includes popcorn related recipes! As Eileen Rendahl she writes the best selling Messenger (paranormal mystery) series and stand alone mysteries and non-mysteries. As Eileen Carr she writes stand alone mysteries (romantic suspense). Maymee Bell (aka Tonya Kappes) Maymee Bell writes the Southern Cake Baker Mystery Series which features Sophia Cummings a pastry chef and owner of the For Goodness Cakes bakery in Kentucky. The books in this series include recipes. As Tonya Kappes she writes the Divorced Divas Mystery Series, which also takes place in Kentucky. Holly Harper is the owner of the Beaded Dragonfly bead store, and a member of the Divorced Divas club. Kappes also writes the Magical Cures Mystery Series, the Olivia Davis Paranormal Mystery Series, the Laurel London Mystery Series, and the Beyond the Grave Series. Nancy Bell Biggie Weatherford Series… It’s nice to have a grandmother-age sleuth! (Also, the Judge Jackson Crain Mystery series…) Josie Belle (aka Jenn McKinlay & Lucy Lawrence) Belle writes the Good Buy Girls Mystery Series. The Good Buy Girls are a group of women who are very adept at finding bargains. As McKinlay she writes the very popular Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series, Hat Shop Mystery Series, and the Library Lover’s Mystery Series. As Lawrence she writes the Decoupage Mystery Series. C.A. Belmond Belmond writes the Penny Nichols Mystery Series. Penny is an American heiress in Europe who travels through England with her (distant) cousin, Jeremy, a British barrister. C. C. Benison aka Doug Whiteway Benison is a Canadian journalist and author who has created a mystery series (Her Majesty Investigates) that features Jane Bee, a Canadian housemaid who solves crimes… with the Queen’s help, no less! Carol Lea Benjamin Dog Trainer Sleuth (Rachel Alexander Mystery series) Jenna Bennett (aka Jennie Bentley & Bente Gallagher) As Bennett, she writes the Savannah Martin Real Estate Mystery Series, which, I believe is also called the Cutthroat Business Mystery Series. This series has, as its sleuth, Savannah Martin, a Southern Belle in Tennessee – who has recently been divorced and now finds herself working as a realtor… and sleuth. She also writes the Fidelity Investigations Mystery Series. As Jennie Bentley she pens the Do It Yourself Mystery Series and gets her inspiration from the professional house renovations she has done. SJ Bennett Bennett is an England native from Richmond, Yorkshire, who now lives in London. The daughter of a military family, she has lived in many other places, including West Berlin and Hong Kong. She has a PhD in Italian Literarture from Cambridge, and is the author of the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates, which envisions Queen Elizabeth II as a sort of royal Miss Marple crime solver. Ron & Janet Benrey The Benreys write three very cozy mystery series, one set in England, one in Maryland, and the other in Glory, North Carolina. E. F. Benson Although these are not mysteries, I would have to say that this series is by far my absolute favorite sequence of books, and I have read many! They are about the everyday “goings on” in quaint British villages of yesteryear. If you are lucky enough to find these books, by all means try them! They are wonderful books that highlight the hierarchal struggles in small towns, struggles between friends to achieve and maintain the “Alpha-dog” status. They are truly delightful books that will make you smile, grin, chuckle, ponder, and laugh out loud. Having been written in the early 1920s to late 1930s, they are a bit dated in some areas. Jennie Bentley (aka Jenna Bennett & Bente Gallagher) Bentley pens the Do It Yourself Mystery Series and gets her inspiration from the professional house renovations she has done. As Jenna Bennett & Bente Gallagher, she writes the Savannah Martin Real Estate Mystery Series, which, I believe is also called the Cutthroat Business Mystery Series. This series has, as its sleuth, Savannah Martin, a Southern Belle in Tennessee – who has recently been divorced and now finds herself working as a realtor… and sleuth. She also writes the Fidelity Investigations Mystery Series. Laurien Berenson Special Ed Teacher Sleuth….. Susan Bernhardt A former public health nurse who volunteers at a free clinic in Wisconsin, Bernhardt has drawn on her own real life experience when writing the Kay Driscoll Mystery Series. This series also stars a retired nurse who volunteers at a free clinic in small town Wisconsin. The difference, however, between Susan and Kay is that Kay encounters murders in her small Wisconsin town! For those of you who love holiday-themed Cozies, you’ll be pleased to know this series’ mysteries are set during the holidays. Carole Berry One of this site’s viewers recommended Carole Berry’s Bonnie Indermill Mystery series, and I am adding her to my list (after looking at Amazon’s reviews, but before actually having had the time to read one of her novels.) She looks like an author cozy mystery readers might really enjoy! Connie Berry Berry spent her childhood in the town of her birth, Racine, Wisconsin, to a family involved in the antique collection hobby and business. She now lives in Ohio, and loves animals, traveling abroad, and the British. She writes the Kate Hamilton Mystery Series, starring an antique dealer spending most of her time in Scotland and England. Linda Berry Berry writes the Trudy Roundtree Mystery Series which takes place in a small Georgian town where the main character is hired into an all-male police department. Tamara Berry Berry has a B.A. in English Literature from Eastern Washington University, and in addition to being an author, is a freelance copywriter/editor. She is the author of the Eleanor Wilde Mystery Series and the By the Book Mystery Series. She also writes romance novels under the name Tamara Morgan. John L. Betcher Betcher, a lawyer and youth volleyball coach, writes the James Becker Mystery Series. The series features a former military intelligence operative and his wife, a former CIA code-cracker… Cordelia Frances Biddle Biddle is half of the Nero Blancwriting duo, the other half being her husband, Steve Zettler. Biddle writes the Martha Beale Mystery Series. Martha is a mid 1800s sleuth in Philadelphia… Maeve Binchy Not cozy mysteries… I read one of her novels and really enjoyed it… Ruth Birmingham (aka Walter Sorrells & Lynn Abercrombie) Sorrells is an Edgar Award winning author who writes suspense novels for both adults and young adults. He is an expert in the martial arts and is a bladesmith of modern swords. Claudia Bishop (aka Mary Stanton) Bishop’s very popular Hemlock Falls Mystery Series was a great beginning, and was followed by her popular Casebook of Dr. McKenzie Mystery Series. What a treat to find out that in 2008 Stanton/Bishop began the paranormal Beaufort & Company Mystery Series! Maggie Bishop Bishop has her MBA and writes the Appalachian Adventure Mystery Series. This series features Jemma Chase, family member of the owners of a North Carolina guest ranch, who happens to have some amazing carpentry (and sleuthing) skills. Joan Blacher Blacher, a psychotherapist and ex-university professor/counselor, writes the Ardis Jensen Mystery Series. Blacher and Ardis have a common professional background. Ardis is a university counselor who previously was a forensic psychologist. Laura Gail Black Black is a book collector, living on the shore of Lake Marion in South Carolina. She is the author of the Antique Bookshop Mystery Series, starring Jenna Quinn, an antiquarian bookseller in the small town of Hokes Folly, North Carolina. Veronica Black Her Sister Joan series is set in Cornwall…….. Stephanie Blackmoore Blackmoore has been both a lawyer and a librarian. She grew up in Pittsburgh, but now lives in Missouri. Her Cozy Mystery series is the Wedding Planner Mystery Series, which stars a wedding planner named Mallory Shepard in the small town of Port Quincy, Pennsylvania. Terri Blackstock Blackstock is an award winning Christian author (New York Time’s best seller!) She blends her love for suspense into her mystery and thriller novels. Juliet Blackwell (aka Hailey Lind) Blackwell writes the Witchcraft Mystery Series and the Mel Turner Historic Home Renovation Mystery Series… As Lind (a sister writing duo) she co-writes the Art Lover’s Mystery Series… Annette Blair Blair is a best selling author of historical romances, writing both the Accidental Witch and the Triplet Witches series, which are humorous contemporary romance novels. She has recently (2009) started writing the Vintage Magic Mystery Series… Bethany Blake Blake lives in a small town that inspired the setting of her main series, has a Ph. D. she never uses, and runs a pet sitting business. She writes the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery Series, starring Daphne Templeton, a pet sitter in the lakeside village of Sylvan Creek. Heather Blake (aka Heather Webber) Blake writes the Wishcraft Mystery Series which features Darcy Merriweather, a witch who can grant wishes. Darcy is accompanied by her dog – Missy (Miss Demeanor). She also writes the Magic Potion Mysteries which take place in Alabama and feature a sleuth who owns the Little Shop of Potions. Webber she writes both the Lucy Valentine Mystery Series and the Nina Quinn Mystery Series. Nicholas Blake Blake started out as a poet, and only started writing his Nigel Strangeways mystery series so that he could “support” his poetry writing. (He was also a professor of poetry at Oxford.) (On the Crime Writers’ Association Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time) Nero Blanc Wife & husband writing team: Cordelia Frances Biddle & Steve Zettler….. Nero=black in Italian, Blanc=white in French Jerry Bledsoe True Crime… Terrific books, but definitely don’t qualify as cozy! Miranda Bliss (aka Casey Daniels & Kylie Logan) Bliss/Daniels/Logan has a degree in English, has taught writing, and has worked in the field of journalism. As Bliss, she writes a cozy culinary mystery series about two women who aren’t at all gifted in the culinary skills. Luckily, one of them has a man in her life who is a chef! As Daniels, she writes the Pepper Martin Mystery Series which features a sleuth who conducts tours in cemeteries and gets help from a mob boss who has been dead for thirty years. As Logan, she writes the Button Box Mystery Series which is set in a button shop and features the owner of said shop. She also writes the League of Literary Ladies Mystery Series, which features a B & B owner, a cat lover, and a winery owner – all book club members. She also writes the Chili Cook-Off mysteries. Barbara Block aka Isis Crawford… As Block, she writes the Robin Light series….. which takes place in and out of the pet store her main character owns. As Crawford, she writes a series about a couple of sisters who own and operate a catering and bakeshop establishment. Lawrence Block aka Paul Kavanagh Block’s Bernie Rhodenbarr series is very popular, as are his other series. Lucky for us that he writes several series, both as Block and Kavanagh! Alice K. Boatwright Boatwright lived in England for several years, which is one of the things that inspired her to make her sleuth, Ellie Kent, an American living in England. Ellie is an American divorcée who is a professor of English Literature. She is also the wife of a British vicar, and she lives in the English Cotswolds. Janet Bolin (aka Ginger Bolton) Bolin writes the Threadville Mystery Series which is set on Lake Erie, in Pennsylvania. The village is a place where people who enjoy all sorts of arts and crafts congregate. Quilting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery are the reason the town (Elderberry Bay) has taken on the “Threadville” nickname. Unfortunately, more sinister things take place in this Pennsylvania than just the arts and crafts have to offer… As Ginger Bolton she writes the Deputy Donut Mystery Series. This series is set in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin and stars Emily Westhill, a widow of a detective who is currently running a donut shop with her dad (a retired chief of police) and “Deputy Donut” (her Tabby). Emily is an ex-911 operator. Janie Bolitho Bolitho writes the Rose Trevelyan Mystery Series which takes place in the beautiful Cornish countryside, and features an artist/sleuth. She also writes the Ian Roper Mystery Series which features a chief inspector… Ginger Bolton A pseudonym for Janet Bolin… see her entry several names up… Michael Bond Some may recognize him from his Paddington Bear series for children…. Stephanie Bond Bond (an ex-computer programmer with an MBA) characterizes her Body Movers Mystery Series as: “sexy mysteries” >>> The mysteries are set in Atlanta, Georgia. Bond also writes the Voodoo Mystery Series which features the owner of a health food store in Louisiana. Veronica Bond (aka Julia Buckley) An English teacher for over two decades, Veronica Bond is a Chicago based writer and active in a number of mystery writers associations. She is the author of the the Dinner and a Mystery Series, starring an actress in a murder-mystery troupe. Stephen Booth Booth worked as a journalist for years before becoming a full-time author of the Cooper & Fry Mystery Series (not cozy)… AND he is an expert of … goats! The Cooper & Fry Series has garnered (what seems to me!) almost every award given to mysteries… Kate Borden aka Kate Grilley……Writes two series, one set in New England and the other set on a Caribbean Island. Lisa Bork Bork, who has her Bachelor’s in English and her MBA in marketing, writes the Broken Vows Mystery Series. The sleuth is a sports car boutique owner who accidentally finds crimes to solve… J. S. Borthwick Sarah Deane series… a graduate student on a campus in beautiful Maine… D. B. Borton (aka Della Borton) Borton is a pseudonym for Lynette Carpenter, a professor of English. Her Cat Caliban mystery series features a 60s something sleuth. As Della, she writes the Movie Lovers’ mystery series. Melissa Bourbon (aka Winnie Archer & Misa Ramirez) Bourbon is a full time writer, having left her job as a full time teacher. As Bourbon, she writes the Magical Dressmaking Mystery Series – which features a boutique owner/fashion designer who gets help solving her mysteries from beyond the grave. As Archer, she writes the Bread Shop Mystery Series, which stars Ivy Culpepper, a photographer who ends up working in a bread shop in a seaside California town. As Ramirez, she writes the Lola Cruz Mystery Series, which features a private investigator in Sacramento. Gail Bowen Bowen is a professor of English in Canada, so it is no wonder that her Joanne Kilbourn Mystery Series features a professor in Canada. Several of her novels have been made into television movies in Canada! Rhys Bowen Bowen has three bestselling series. The Evan Evans Mystery Series features a mild-mannered village constable. The Molly Murphy Mystery Series has a sleuth who is a very opinionated immigrant in early 20th century in New York. Bowen’s third series is the Royal Spyness Mystery Series which is set in the 1930s, and features a flat-broke daughter of a duke….. who is 34th in line for the throne! Allen B. Boyer Boyer is the author of the Bess Bullock Retirement Home Mystery Series. This series features an octogenarian who has retired from her town’s police force. She is currently living in Honey Hills Retirement Home, and solving mysteries – from small to large. Susan M. Boyer – Susan M. Boyer lives in Greenville, South Carolina, so it’s no surprise her Liz Talbot Mystery Series, starring a private investigator, is set in South Carolina as well. Lowcountry Boil, the first in the series, won the prestigious Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Laura Bradford (aka Elizabeth Lynn Casey) Bradford writes the Amish Mystery Series, which features a Claire Weatherly, the owner of an Amish Specialty shop in Heavenly, Pennsylvania. Bradford also writes the Jenkins & Burns Mystery Series which feature a journalist/sleuth and a police detective in New Jersey. As Casey, she writes the Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series… Alan Bradley Bradley’s first book in his Flavia de Luce Mystery Series won the Agatha Award (among many others) in 2009. Don’t forget that the Agatha Award is the most Cozy of Cozy Mystery books’ awards! Laura Bradley Bradley writes a series about a hair stylist who has a head for solving mysteries. Phyllice Bradner & Morgan St. James These sister novelists write the Silver Sisters Mystery series which features two “curvy” sister sleuths. With names like Goldie Silver and Godiva Olivia Dubois, how can they not be a zany duo?!? Jacklyn Brady (aka Sherry Lewis & Sammi Carter) Brady writes the Piece of Cake Mystery Series, which features a pastry chef in New Orleans. As Lewis, she writes the Senior Sleuth Fred Vickery Mystery Series which features a retiree who enjoys sleuthing. And as Sammi Carter she writes the Candy Shop Mystery Series which features ex-lawyer Abby Shaw, owner of Divinity Candy Shop in Colorado. Christianna Brand Brand wrote a series of seven mystery novels featuring Inspector Cockrill. She also wrote children’s novels….. one of which was the basis for the Nanny McPhee movie starring Emma Thompson. (On the Crime Writers’ Association Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time) Ali Brandon (aka Diane A.S.Stuckart and Anna Gerard) Brandon, with her degree in Journalism, writes the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery Series. Lilian Jackson Braun The Cat Who ***** series… (I wrote this entry about Lilian Jackson Braun which elicited many responses/comments.) Christin Brecher Brecher was born, raised, and currently lives in New York City, though she says that her life-long attachment to Nantucket, Massachusetts, strongly influences her work. She’s the author of two Cozy series, the Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery Series, starring a candle maker in Nantucket, Massachusetts, and the Snapshot of NYC Mystery Series, starring a photographer in New York City. Susan Breen Breen is on the faculty of both the New York Writers Workshop and the New York Pitch Conference, as well as a teacher of creative writing at Gotham Writers in Manhattan. She has written a number of short stories and essays that have been published in various places, including Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. Her Cozy Mystery series is the Maggie Dove Mystery Series, which stars a Sunday school teacher turned detective in Westchester County, New York. Simon Brett Three English series to pick from: Fethering Mystery Series, Mrs Pargeter Mystery Series, and Charles Paris Mystery Series. (I really like the Mrs Pargeter series AND the Fethering Mystery Series, and am looking forward to reading the Charles Paris series.) (On the Crime Writers’ Association Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time) Sandra Bretting Bretting has lived in multiple parts of the United States, including California, where she grew up, Missouri, where she attended the Missouri School of Journalism, and Houston, Texas, where she now resides as a freelance journalist and author. Her Cozy Mystery series is the Missy DuBois Mystery Series, which stars Missy DuBois, owner of Crowning Glory, a hat shop in Louisiana. Missy lives in an area of Louisiana that is known for having many plantations. Barbara Bretton Although Bretton may be better known for her romance novels, she is now writing the Chloe Hobbs’ Paranormal Mystery Series which takes place in Sugar Maple, Vermont. Chloe is half sorceress, half human. Kathleen Bridge Kathleen Bridge is the author of the Hampton Home & Gardens Mystery Series, starring Meg Barrett, a former Home & Gardens writer solving mysteries in the Hamptons. Meg is the proud owner of Cottages by the Shore, an interior design business. Elizabeth Bright (aka Tim Myers, Melissa Glazer, & Chris Cavender, Casey Mayes, Jessica Beck, & D.B. Morgan) Bright writes the Card Making Mystery Series. As Myers, we have four series: Lighthouse Inn Mystery Series, Slow Cooker Mystery Series, Soapmaking Mystery Series, and Candlemaking Mystery Series. As Chris Cavender, there is the Pizza Mystery Series, as Glazer, the Clay & Crime Cozy Mystery Series. As Mayes, we have the Mystery by the Numbers Mystery Series. As Jessica Beck, we have the Donut Shop Mysteries, the Cast Iron Cooking Mystery Series, the Classic Diner Mysteries, and the Ghost Cat Cozy Mysteries. (D.B. Morgan’s mysteries are not Cozy.) Emily Brightwell Mrs. Jeffries series: English Victorian housekeeper working for inspector… Frances Brody Brody writes the Kate Shackleton Mystery Series. Kate is a sleuth in a British village with a mill. Her husband is an MIA (missing in action) from WWI. This historical series is a British series which has been likened to Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobb’s Mystery Series.) Allison Brook (aka Marilyn Levinson) Brook is a former Spanish teacher who grew up in Brooklyn, New York, then Long Island, off the coast of New York. She has studied in Mexico and Spain to become fluent in Spanish, and has written in the genres of mysteries, romantic suspense, and young adult fiction. Her mystery series are the Haunted Library Mystery Series, and (under the name Marilyn Levinson) the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club Mystery Series and the Lydia Krause/Twin Lakes Mysteries. Grace Brophy Brophy worked as a systems engineer as well as teaching university-level literature and writing before penning her Commissario Cenni Investigation Mystery Series… Barry S. Brown Brown, a clinical psychologist, writes the Mrs. Hudson of Baker Street Mystery Series. Sherlock Homes and Dr. Watson aren’t the only sleuths at 221-B Baker Street… Duffy Brown Brown is an USA Today bestselling author for her romance novels (as Dianne Castell). As Brown she writes the Lizbie Brown Brown taught English before deciding to write the Elizabeth Blair Mystery Series, which is set in Bath, England… where Brown resides. As the names of her novels suggest (Broken Star, Turkey Tracks, Double Wedding Ring, among others), this is a quilting-themed mystery series… Rita Mae Brown You can pick between a young postmistress who owns a cat & dog (Mrs. Murphy series), or an older Master of the Fox Hunt (Foxhunting Mystery Series), both set in Virginia. Brown also writes the Mags & Baxter Mystery Series which is set in Nevada, and features a Wirehaired Dachshund side-kick. Virginia Brown Brown writes the Dixie Divas Mystery Series. The sleuths in this series are twelve middle-aged women who call themselves “Dixie Divas”. Brown also writes the Blue Suede Mystery Series, which features Harley Jean Davidson, a Memphis tour guide. Jill Conner Browne Not Mysteries…… the Sweet Potato Queen books…. Maggie Bruce aka Marilyn Wallace…..Bruce writes a mystery series that features “gourd crafting.” Catherine Bruns Bruns has worked as a newspaper reporter and press release author. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and Performing Arts, and has lived in upstate New York all of her life. She writes the Cindy York Mystery Series, starring a real estate agent, and the USA Today bestselling Cookies & Chance Mystery Series, set in Colwestern, New York, starring a baker. Catherine lives with an assortment of males: a husband, three sons, dogs, and cats! Kate Bryan Bryan writes the Maggie Maguire Mystery Series which features Maggie and her cousin Grady as the sleuths. Grady is an unusual sleuth, being Maggie’s pickpocket cousin… Mollie Cox Bryan Bryan is the author of the Cumberland Creek Mystery Series. This series revolves around a scrapbooking sleuth who also cooks. She also writes the Cora Crafts Mystery Series which takes place in North Carolina and features a sleuth who blogs when she’s not running her craft shop. Bryan is also the author of the Classic Star Biography Mystery Series. This series features a Hollywood biographer as its sleuth. She also writes the Buttermilk Creek Mystery Series which features a Shenandoah Springs organic dairy farmer who makes cheese. Edna Buchanan Not cozies, but I like these mysteries a lot. Buchanan won a Pulitzer Prize in ’86… Marie Buchanan aka Clare Curzon, Eileen-Marie Duell Buchanan, Rhona Petrie… That’s a lot of pseudonyms/names for a Vedy British author of Vedy many series… Fiona Buckley Historical Mysteries set in England… A Lady in Waiting in Queen Elizabeth I’s court. Julia Buckley (aka Veronica Bond) An English teacher for over two decades, Julia Buckley is a Chicago based writer and active in a number of mystery writers associations. She is the author of the the Undercover Dish Mystery Series, starring Lilah Lake, a caterer in a small town who lets her clients take credit for her delicious meals. She also writes Writer’s Apprentice Mystery Series which stars Lena London, a budding author who apprentices for a best selling author. She also authors theMadeline Mann Mystery Series, starring a reporter and theTeddy Thurber Mystery Series, starring an English teacher. Recipes are included in the Undercover Dish Cozy Mysteries. Leslie Budewitz Budewitz writes the Food Lovers’ Village Mystery Series which take place in a Montana lake resort village. She also writes the Seattle Spice Shop Mystery Series. As a practicing lawyer (as well as a fiction author), Budewitz has written a book to help non-lawyer mystery authors be accurate about the law. Luisa Buehler Buehler writes the Grace Marsden Mystery Series which features a woman with obsessive/compulsive disorders who solves cold case mysteries… D. W. Buffa Not Cozy… Courtroom/Legal Carole Buggé Buggé writes both the Claire Rawlings Mystery Series and the Sherlock Holmes Mystery Series… Lynn Bulock Bulock pens the Steeple Hill Cafe mysteries. I have not read them yet, but from what I could find, it is a mystery series with a Christian theme. Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib) As Lucy Burdette, she writes the Key West Food Critic Mystery Series. This series features Hayley Snow, a food critic for a magazine in Key West, Florida. As Isleib, she writes two mystery series, one about a professional golfer and her second series is about a psychologist/advice columnist. She has been nominated for both of the prestigious Agatha and Anthony mystery awards. Isleib is a clinical psychologist, as well as a Cozy Mystery author. Joyce Burditt Writer & producer on TV series: Diagnosis: Murder, Perry Mason, Matlock, Father Dowling Mysteries… Barbara Burgess & Blanche Day Manos Barbara Burgess (a retired trial court administrator) and Blanche Day Manos (an ex-teacher) co-author the Darcy / Flora Mystery Series. This series features a daughter/mother sleuth team in a friendly and small town in Oklahoma. James Lee Burke Not Cozy… Police Procedural Jan Burke Irene Kelly series…. W. J. Burley aka William John Burley Burley wrote the highly successful Inspector Wycliffe Mystery Series… V.M. Burns Burns is from South Bend, Indiana, and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Urban Studies from Northwestern University in Evanston, as well as a Master of Science in Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill university. She now lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She is the author of the Mystery Bookshop Mystery Series, the Lilly Echosby Mystery Series, and the RJ Franklin Mystery Series. Nancy Bush (aka Nancy Kelly & Natalie Bishop) Bush writes the Jane Kelly Mystery Series which not only features Jane, but her Pug, The Binkster (aka Binks and Binkster)… Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli (aka Elizabeth Lee) Buzzelli she writes the Emily Kincaid Mystery Series which is set in Michigan and features a reporter (Emily Kincaid) and Dolly Wakowski, a deputy. As Lee she writes the Nut House Mystery Series which features a plant biologist who works on her family pecan farm in Texas. Lindy works on bioengineering the best pecan crops possible and she also works in the little family-owned shop where they sell all sorts of pecan goodies. Ellen Byerrum Crime of Fashion Series… Ellen Byron (aka Maria DiRico) Ellen Byron’s experience might be more in television, but with more than a hundred producing and writing credits on hit television series like Wings and Just Shoot Me!, she’s more than qualified to take on Cozy Mystery-writing! Her debut series, the Cajun Country Mystery Series, introduces us to Maggie Crozat, manager of a small bed-and-breakfast converted from her family’s old Louisiana plantation. As Maria DiRico, she writes the Catering Hall Mystery Series, which stars Mia Carina, who works at her father’s catering hall. Back to “A” Authors ***** ***** “C” Authors
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“B” is for Jessica Fletcher, or should I say Donald Bain. The Murder, She Wrote mystery books are said to be written by Donald Bain & Jessica Fletcher… hmmm…
