What is a Cozy Mystery?

Many readers are unfamiliar with the term cozy mystery, though I am sure they have read them without realizing it. If you’ve read an Agatha Christie novel or a Murder, She Wrote mystery, you’ve read a cozy mystery.

My simplest definition of a cozy is a mystery which focuses more on the puzzle solving than the thriller/violence aspect of the crime. Along with that definition, the majority of cozies follow a set of guidelines, though, as with everything, there are always exceptions, but here are some of the typical key aspects that make a cozy a cozy.

• The sleuth is amateur and usually female.
• The setting takes place in a small town or some other sort of closed setting so there are a limited number of suspects (think Murder of the Orient Express.)
• The sleuth is a small business owner which gives her the freedom to solve the case.
• There is little to no sex or gore and the murder takes place off stage.
• Many have a theme which is typically thought of as being a source of comfort (teashops, libraries, bakeries, pets, etc.)
• The sleuth both works with and against the police, meaning there is typically someone on the police force super annoyed with the sleuth for getting in the way, but someone else on the inside who helps the sleuth (sometimes these are even the same person!)
• Many sleuths have a best friend or an employee who help solve the case.

Most importantly, a cozy is an enjoyable escape for the reader. It is fun to follow along with the amateur sleuth because she is just an average person solving a case. Many mysteries are fast-paced and take place over only a few days; it’s easy to get sucked in to figuring out the clues and the red herrings alongside the sleuth. There is always a happy ending and the case gets solved.

Some of my favourite cozy mystery series are:

• Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mysteries (this is the series which got me started on reading cozies)
• Ellery Adams’ Secret, Book, and Scone Society
• Gemma Halliday’s Wine and Dine Mysteries
• Mollie Cox Bryan’s Cora Crafts Mystery

If you want to know more about cozy mysteries and find some new fantastic reads check out this website!

Do you read cozy mysteries? What are some of your favourites?