r/CozyMystery

I do not want used copies (I am a germaphobe ok). I want new, paperback copies, and I can't find them anywhere. I have searched local bookstores, B&N, Amazon, and other online retailers.

Is there a secret bookstore or distributor that I can order from?

THNX.

I had been recommended the Odelia Grey books as body positive rep and the first chapter has her basically going "I'm so huge that it beggars belief at 215 lbs" (MAN the early 2000s....) which when you said goodbye to 215 lbs a decade ago stings 😂 So are there any series that are just about a plus size sleuth who is either neutral about that or actually likes themselves the way they are?

As promised, this sub allows self-promotion in this weekly post. Self-promotion outside this post will be removed. Post only as a comment in this thread.

This is the opportunity to share your book or other cozy mystery project. Please abide by the rules of this sub in all other respects: no spoilers, no AI, be civil, and keep it cozy/cosy mystery related.

I’m watching the first Aurora Teagarden for the umpteenth time. I read the series and think the movie scripts were (sometimes significantly) always better.

While not a ‘cozy’, I loved the ‘Something Borrowed’ movie so much, that when I discovered it was based on a book I decided to read it. I DNF….
I read the Matt Helm series by Donald Hamilton, (set in the 60’s, read late 70’s/80’s) and they were so much better than the movie.

So, I’d kind of like to know what books (readers think) were better as a movie or as an original book. I thought this would be a good way to get reading recommendations.

I’ve seen before some books having a list of the characters and a basic description of them, along with key places.

I can’t decide if I want more of this? It’s helpful to keep track of people. It reminds me of a play/theatre which is kind of fun.

What do you think? (Help me out lol)

I'm nearing the end of the Cleopatra Fox series, and I realized I'm enjoying the later books as much as the first few. I haven't grown tired of the MC, the love interest, the family relationships, or the plots.

On the other hand, I got sick of the Coffeehouse Mysteries, the Agatha Raisin series (tell us more about your shiny hair and shapely legs, Agatha!), and, OMG, the Booktown Mysteries. A sheriff boyfriend who seriously believes the MC, his girlfriend, is a murder suspect again and again?? The MC and her sister should be attending AA meetings, and so on.

I read nearly all the Booktown series but gave up after Book #14, so I gave it a fair shot.

What causes you to give up on a series?

Reading all the responses from my question earlier today about quitting cozy series, now I'm wondering which series you read through to the last book, but then we're sad ​to see end?

Ok so I’ve listened to the entire mystery series all the way through about 5 times. It’s my background noise/stress relief easy listen day-to-day. Just finished Cream Puff Murder (again) and I must say- if ever there was an opportune time to wrap up the “love triangle” in a neat little bow it was after this installment. I put love triangle in quotes bc Hannah seems to be asexual, like ya girl needs to replace chocolate with orgasms at least some of the time.

Anyhow- during Cream Puff- Mike makes it completely clear that he is not Hannah’s man. He disregards her sleep by waking her up at midnight to ask for coffee and updates on the case, insults her competence by trying to run her investigation, encourages her to lose weight, AND ADMITS THAT HE SLEPT WITH RONNIE WARD BC IT WAS CONVENIENT !! He also believes he’s the hero in Delores Swensen’s regency romance ha!

Meanwhile Norman tells her that she’s beautiful and doesn’t need to be on any crazy diet, safe guards her health and sleep, makes real space for her in his life and home, AND does not assume he is the hero in the regency romance.

But alas, there will be so many “they can’t be together” tropes and distracting relationships, even a murderous marriage and we’ll never get the resolution we’ve wanted since book 1.

Readers and Writers, lately I’ve been hearing about authors, especially in romance, providing “play lists” their characters would listen to as a suggestion for readers to listen to while reading the book or to listen to later for fun.

I wanted to know what you all think. The FMC in my WIP is a senior who loves classic rock. Her best friend, the secondary character, likes the softer rock of the 60s and 70s.

It wouldn’t be that hard to make playlists, but would anyone really care?

Authors and Readers, have you had any experience with this? What’s your opinion?

Hi everyone! I’m new to Reddit and new to this group, so please excuse the newbie question.

I’m curious: how do you usually discover new cozy mystery series, especially from newer or lesser-known writers?

Do you find them through Amazon recommendations, BookBub, or somewhere else?

They have to be good, of course. LOL.

I’d love to hear how cozy mystery readers actually find their next favorite series.

The summary reads like a cozy mystery or a Hallmark romance - woman loses her job in the city and moves back to the small town where her grandmother lives and is supposed to look for a missing archaeological treasure.

I really enjoyed the writing of the first chapter or two and then - spoiler a man spends a chapter talking about political conspiracies, VR taking over the world, and a bobble-headed president.

I am not interested in a book about contemporary politics or a techno-thriller. I want a cozy mystery.

If anyone has read the book does it switch back to cozy mystery or is it really more of a Dan Brown thriller or something like that?

I have just devoured the Scottish Bookshop Mysteries by Paige Shelton, all ten (and a half) books were great. I fell in love with the ensemble cast, and the focus on history. I felt like I was genuinely learning things about Scotland (particularly Edinburgh)

Now, I've never been to Scotland. And in every acknowledgments section at the end of each book, the author kept saying they'd only been to Scotland the one time. That raises alarm bells. As a reader and writer from India, I am very suspicious of people who write about my home city or my home country after one visit.

Is there anyone over here who is from Scotland who's read the book? Was it somewhat true to Edinburgh or did it give you an ick? I'd love to hear!

I’ve hit a bit of a cozy mystery slump and I’m hoping someone can help.

Some of my favorites are the Sloan Krause Mysteries by Ellie Alexander, the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries, and the Murder, She Wrote.

I’ve tried a lot of other cozy mysteries, including some of Ellie Alexander’s other series, but they just aren’t grabbing me the same way. Most end up as DNFs, or I finish the first book and never feel motivated to continue.

I’m looking for:
- A strong recurring cast
- A protagonist I genuinely enjoy spending time with
- Cozy vibes without being overly cutesy
- Ongoing character development and community relationships
- A series that makes me immediately want to pick up the next book

If you loved Sloan Krause, Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries, or Murder, She Wrote, what series got you completely hooked?

Thanks!

For me it's things like rainy evenings, old bookstores, cafés, handwritten notes, regular customers, quiet conversations, or people cooking together. What small details instantly make a book feel more immersive to you?

I love cozies but a recurring problem I keep running into is the heroine will be dating a guy (frequently in law enforcement) who is annoyed and/or threatened by the fact that she keeps solving mysteries. Are there any series apart from Sherry Thomas' Lady Sherlock series that feature a love interest who loves how smart the heroine is?

As promised, this sub allows self-promotion in a weekly post. Self-promotion outside this post will be removed.

This is the opportunity to share your book or other cozy mystery project. Please abide by the rules of this sub in all other respects: no spoilers, no AI, be civil, and keep it cozy/cosy mystery related.

Hello cozy connoisseurs!

Like the title says, I’m looking for a cozy mystery that has faster pacing like the Marlow Murder Club series. Like shorter chapters, clues are discovered frequently to move the investigation along, and the crime happens early on in the book.

Some of the other cozy series I’ve tried to pick up after this one were just too slow for my liking. For example, I loved the voice in the Lady Hardcastle book, but the chapters felt too long and it felt like the mystery itself was taking a long time to progress.