Does anyone else read cozy mysteries.

[BlueKota]

I know they are far fetched but they help me from dwelling on just how f..ked up the world we are living in is now. A lot of the writers have a great sense of humor, and although they are almost always about murder the good people triumph and the bad ones get their asses thrown in jail. If it could only happen more often in real life, I'd be a happy camper!

[BOSSHOG]

1. Allow me to recommend James Lee Burke

I wouldn’t call his books cozy, but his characters are poetic in their violence and the bad guys always get their butts kicked. Protagonist, an alcoholic Vietnam Vet working law enforcement in South Louisiana. His books are like 400 page poems.

Try Neon Rain from 1989, Burkes first Dave Robicheaux book.

[BlueKota]

2. Thank you!

Sounds good!

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

28. Definitely not cozy

And plenty of great writers and characters similar to the Robicheaux series--

Attica Locke's Darren Matthews

Michael Connelly's Bosch (another Vietnam vet)

Ian Rankin's Rebus

Peter Robinson's Alan Banks

Henning Mankell's Wallander

Lynda La Plante's Jane Tennison

Ann Cleeve's Vera Stanhope

Most of the Nordic Noir (Eva Ægisdottir, Arnaldur Indriðason, Ragnar Jónasson and etc).

Rankin and Mankell, in particular, are tremendously gifted writers.

[Dear_Prudence]

3. A favorite genre

Yes. Until a couple years ago when I retired, I had a scientific editing job involving distressing subject matter. Then and now I enjoyed cozy mysteries to sooth my mind and to entertain me. Though dated, I can recommend the M.C. Beaton series about Hamish McBeth, an unambitious constable in the Scottish Highlands. Lots of quirky characters, interesting setting, and many books. I used to love The Cat Who series (Lillian Jackson Braun) but after the first eight books, the author starts killing off beloved characters, which for me is not permitted in a cozy mystery. Light reading is an enjoyable pastime. Enjoy!

[BlueKota]

18. Robert Caryle played Hammish in the TV adaptation.

I think Acorn TV has it available for streaming. I am familiar with his work as Rumplestiltskin on Once Upon A Time. I should look in to both reading the books and checking out the series on TV. I did love Acorns adaptation of M.C. Beaton's Agatha Rasin too. I have read some of Lilian Jackson Brown's books. I don't like when familiar characters get killed off either.

I love Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody's series as well.

[Dear_Prudence]

25. Yes!

I loved Amelia Peters too, but not the audio book because the reader gave her a haughty voice. So, I just read the series again. I have the TV series with the Hamish McBeth series on DVD and I enjoyed it, especially the beautiful landscapes. But, the characters in the tv series are not the same as in the books and MC Beaton was not happy with the casting. So, I enjoy both the books and the TV series, but they are different and each has its own charms. True confession, I have also enjoyed the regency romances by "Marion Chesney", a pseudonym for MC Beaton. The Traveling Matchmaker series is lighthearted and entertaining. I also like 100 piece puzzles, so think easy and relaxing, not brain busting. Thanks for sharing!

[question everything]

4. Cozy Mystery site is full of recommendations and details

https://cozy-mystery.com

I found many writers and enjoyed them all. At least, the first in the series..

I personally like books from earlier time: no cell phones, no DNA, no fingerprints only the observation and the analysis by the main character.

[LoisB]

5. Glad to see two of my favorites, Harry Kemelman and Nora DeLoach, on the list.

[BOSSHOG]

7. I like old books

When the detective has to stop at a gas station to use a pay phone. Edna Buchanan is a favorite. A newspaper reporter in Miami keeping up with crime in the 90s.

[BlueKota]

19. Thank you.

I wasn't aware of this site. I enjoy historical ones, and more modern ones too. I am really into reading Irish cozies right now. A lot of my Dad's ancestors were Irish and Scottish so I enjoy letting my imagination travel there.

[Polly Hennessey]

6. I love them. They are my bedtime stories.

Am now reading, Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander. Takes place in Ashland, Oregon during the Ashland Shakespeare Festival.

Another recent read: Even Cat Sitters Get The Blues by Blaize Clement. Takes place on the Western coast of Florida. She even makes Florida seem appealing. Quirky, funny, and shuts out all the endless stupidity of our world.

[BlueKota]

20. They do seem to chase reality a bit farther away at least for

a little while

[MLAA]

8. I enjoyed the Rhys Bowen series about a minor Royal young woman. Charming and funny.

She also wrote several stand alone books that were excellent.

[catrose]

11. I love those! Also the series about the Welsh policeman

Sarah Rosett has some good ones too: 1920s historical, a movie location scout in the UK, a contemporary military family.

[BlueKota]

21. Those sound excellent

[catrose]

9. I write them. Does that count?

I have 3 out now and getting ready to release the fourth. They’re about a tribe of millennials who swerve out of the fast lane and move to a small Texas town where they can practice their careers how they want and sing in their ABBA tribute band. And solve crimes. website
First in series: https://books2read.com/BlackOrchids1

[Dear_Prudence]

10. Got it!

I got the Kindle edition. Thank you!

[catrose]

12. Lovely! Many thanks

I hope you laugh a lot.

[MLAA]

15. Wonderful! Just bought it for Kindle on Amazon!

Looking forward to reading it

[catrose]

16. Thank you! I hope you enjoy your visit to Beauchamp

The best way to visit Texas

[BlueKota]

22. That Definitely counts.

What a great premise. I even love Abba music. 😀

[catrose]

26. You'll enjoy the Spotify playlists then

[nwliberalkiwi]

13. Stuart Kaminsky

Any series by Stuart Kaminsky. His Toby Peters series is great---you might want to read them in order.

[BlueKota]

23. Thank you.

I will check those out.

[vanlassie]

14. Three Pines.

The coziest village of all.

Louise Penny
Inspector Gamach series

[catrose]

17. Little edgier than pure cozy, but I love 💕 the series dearly

Re-reading from the beginning.

[BlueKota]

24. I will look for those

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

27. I read them sometimes

Because I'm working through assorted "classic" mysteries, and cozies crop up quite a bit--Ngaio Marsh, Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham, Mary Rinehart, and, of course, Agatha Christie, to name but a few. I'm fine with all of those.

As far as some of the newer ones, it depends. I'm not big on the cat-dog-bookshop-food type of cozies. They seem...silly...to me. I definitely prefer more serious-minded cozies by writers like Louise Penney, Margaret Maron, Jacqueline Winspear, Catriona Ward, and so on.

For the most part, mystery readers are the "good triumphs over evil" types, or they wouldn't be reading those books.