An Introduction to Cozy Mystery

What Is a Cozy Mystery?

Also known as “cozy,” the Cozy Mystery is a sub-genre of crime fiction whose story unfolds in a small town or tightly-knit community. It is considered a rather clean type of story because of its behind-the-scenes, albeit relatively bloodless, murders or serious crime related events (e.g. theft, arson, kidnapping, or blackmail). Graphic elements such as sex, profanity, and violence are implied or non-existent, even when the murderer(s) / culprit(s) is/are unmasked and taken into custody.

  • The protagonist, often a woman, is an amateur detective with good access to the community due to their likeable traits and/or their job (e.g. caterer, librarian, shop owner, or teacher). They are likely to receive help from at least one knowledgeable and nosy character; and to have a contact on the police force in the form of a spouse, partner, friend, or family member. But overall, the police leave them alone as they conduct their sleuthing activities.
  • The murderer / culprit is a member of the small town or community in the story. Hiding in plain sight, their motives revolve around greed, jealousy, and revenge over past events. But they typically behave in a rational / highly articulate manner.
  • The supporting characters are usually used as comic relief. The story also features a major theme that is tied to the detective’s job, pet, or hobby.

A Few Cozy Mystery Book Series

  • Agatha Raisin Series (MC Beaton) – 30+ novels, including Agatha’s First Case, The Quiche of Death, Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist, Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell, As the Pig Turns, and Down the Hatch. Complete list here.
  • Aunt Dimity Series (Nancy Atherton) – 25 novels, including Aunt Dimity’s Death, Aunt Dimity and the Duke, Aunt Dimity’s Christmas, Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea, Aunt Dimity Down Under, Aunt Dimity and the Summer King, and Aunt Dimity and the Enchanted Cottage. Complete list here.
  • Father Brown Series (G. K. Chesterton) – 5 books (53 short stories), including The Innocence of Father Brown, The Wisdom of Father Brown, The Incredulity of Father Brown, The Secret of Father Brown, and The Scandal of Father Brown. Complete list here.
  • Miss Marple Series (Agatha Christie) – 12 novels and 20 short stories, including The Thirteen Problems, Murder at the Vicarage, The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding, Double Sin and Other Stories, and Sleeping Murder. Complete list here.
  • Hercule Poirot Series (Agatha Christie) – 40 novels, including The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Murder on the Links, Poirot Investigates, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, Five Little Pigs, and Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case.

A Few Cozy Mystery TV Shows / Movies

  • Murder, She Wrote (UK) – Featuring Mystery novelist Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury).
  • Murdoch Mysteries (Canada) – Featuring Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) in the 1890s.
  • Father Brown (UK) – Featuring Father Brown (Mark Williams), a Roman Catholic priest, in the early 1950s.
  • Pie in the Sky (UK) – Featuring Detective inspector and restaurant owner Henry Crabbe (Richard Griffiths).
  • Rosemary & Thyme (UK) – Featuring gardening detectives Rosemary Boxer and Laura Thyme (Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris).

Additional Resources:

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