Is it necessary, in your opinion, for the 'Cozy' sleuth to be an amateur?

[Ramla Zareen]

According to the the various definitions of 'Cozy Mystery' that I have come across, it seems that the 'Cozy' sleuth is supposed to be an amateur. 

However, I thought that it might be interesting to discuss this further and share our own thoughts on this matter.

[Ramla Zareen]

As long as the overall ambience remains 'cozy', it is not a requirement for me for the sleuth in a 'Cozy Mystery' to be an amateur. 

For example, I think that both Superintendent Hannasyde Mystery Series


 
...and Inspector Hemingway Mystery Series



...by Georgette Heyer , are closer to the genre of 'Cozy Mystery' than 'Police Procedural'.

Mainly because of the overall 'cozy' feel I get while reading these stories,
...much enhanced by:

--lack of graphic violence
--the tragic impact of death being minimized
--focus on mystery and detecting
--as well as on the characters and their relationships
--presence of humour and romance
--the facts that murders usually take place in confined communities, such as family settings, and the cast of character are limited
--and that there are often some amateur characters who play an important role in assisting the detectives in solving the crimes.

[Ana]

I like when the main character is an amateur, but is involved (relative, love interest) with a law enforcement/detective person. It gives both the law aspect and the fun investigating (i.e. not following procedure) part.

[☯Emily]

Ramla Zareen wrote: "As long as the overall ambience remains 'cozy', it is not a requirement for me for the sleuth in a 'Cozy Mystery' to be an amateur. 

For example, I think that both Superintendent Hannasyde Mystery..."

I agree with you. I considered the Nero Wolfe series by Rex Stout as a cozy for all these reasons you have given.

[Rosemary]

Ramla Zareen wrote: "As long as the overall ambience remains 'cozy', it is not a requirement for me for the sleuth in a 'Cozy Mystery' to be an amateur. 

For example, I think that both Superintendent Hannasyde Mystery..."

I agree whole heartedly with your description of cozies.

[Valerie]

Ramla Zareen wrote: "As long as the overall ambience remains 'cozy', it is not a requirement for me for the sleuth in a 'Cozy Mystery' to be an amateur. 

For example, I think that both Superintendent Hannasyde Mystery..."

I also completely agree with your description of cozies.

I prefer an amateur sleuth, but it's not the end of the world if they aren't. I like if they are at least friends with someone in the law enforcement side of things, but also not a "deal-breaker" for me.

I do prefer that they have a good backbone and aren't afraid to stand up for themselves. I get frustrated with leading characters who want to pretend they aren't doing any sleuthing to appease their significant others. I don't have a problem with a significant other being concerned about the safety of the one doing the sleuthing, but I get frustrated/upset when the sleuth tries to appease them by telling them that they aren't going to do anything and then going right ahead and doing it. Just be honest and stand up for yourself. :P

[Rebecca]

I think it's more a matter of style than a requirement for an amateur sleuth. I consider Louise Penny's book cozies (so far, anyway--I've only read the first 2), despite a professional sleuth.

She kind of predates the genre (at least, the early books do), but I also consider Ngiao Marsh and her Roderick Alleyn to be more cozy than police procedural, though they maybe just fall into the "early mystery" class.

[Christine]

www.cozy-mysteries.com

[Randee]

I don't think they have to be amateurs, in fact, some of the books with amateur sleuths are so silly as to be almost unreadable. A private detective or a policeman can still work in the cozy genre, in my opinion.

[AWomanReading]

Ramla Zareen wrote: "According to the the various definitions of 'Cozy Mystery' that I have come across, it seems that the 'Cozy' sleuth is supposed to be an amateur. 

However, I thought that it might be interesting t..."


I agree. The genre parameters indicate the sleuth should be amateur, and I really love that element because it brings in the other theme of the book, i.e. cooking, bookstore, etc. Those themes are really why I read the book and how I select them. I would rarely just read a mystery with a cop or detective and no fun themes.

[L J]

I think the feel of the book is what makes a mystery a cozy. I probably read more cozies with professional investigators of some type than ones with amateurs only. I read some with amateurs but those usually have themes I like, such as paranormal. Even when it is a theme I like I lean toward professional investigators be they police, private detective, investigative reporter or something else.

[Stef]

L J wrote: "I think the feel of the book is what makes a mystery a cozy. I probably read more cozies with professional investigators of some type than ones with amateurs only. I read some with amateurs but tho..."
I agree with you about the feel of the book being important.
I would consider "The Falconer Files" cozies of the first order, even though the MC and his sidekick are policemen. And of course, there's Poirot - often discussed. Definitely cozy for me. Lots of fun aspects with those two MCs.

[L J]

Stef wrote: "L J wrote: "I think the feel of the book is what makes a mystery a cozy. I probably read more cozies with professional investigators of some type than ones with amateurs only....
I agree with you about the feel of the book being important.
I would consider "The Falconer Files" cozies...

I think Andrea Frazer books fit in the cozy category along with others I read with police officers where the characters and what is happening with them is as important as the crime.

[Beth]

I think a semi-professional sleuth can fit into the cozy genre, such as someone who is a member of the investigative team, though not the primary detective. For instance, in my RM Outdoor Adventures Mystery series starring river ranger Mandy Tanner, if a river ranger discovers a dead body in the river, she becomes a member of the sheriff department's investigative team. That makes it easier for her to get access to the progress of the case, evidence, etc. For me, "cozy" is more a characterization that the book has a G or PG rating, so it will be a relatively clean read with minimal foul language and violence and no sex scenes on the page.

[Victoria]

I think it's more difficult these days to have a contemporary police officer as the sleuth in a cosy, because the police are far more bound by procedure now and there's less room for individuality. Plus the police have access to forensics, computer records, cctv and all the rest.

Part of the charm of cosies, and historicals, for me is that the sleuth doesn't have access to all of those, but instead relies on knowledge of human nature, of their local community, and his/her own specialist knowledge.

What can work well, I think, is when a police officer is investigating alongside an amateur who may be involved because of some specialist knowledge, such as Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series, where Ruth is an archaeologist who is consulted when human remains are found.

[QNPoohBear]

I prefer amateur female sleuths but not one who butts up against stupid police. The exception to the stupid police problem is in a historical cozy when the police don't have access to modern forensics. My favorite type is when the police can't even get to talk to the suspects because the police are mistrusted by lower class people yet the upper class people lie about everything.

Murder Most Malicious
The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries

and others.

[Carrie]

Ramla Zareen wrote: "According to the the various definitions of 'Cozy Mystery' that I have come across, it seems that the 'Cozy' sleuth is supposed to be an amateur. 

However, I thought that it might be interesting t..."
Are there any cozy mysteries where there are two sleuths that work together?

[Victoria]

Are there any cozy mysteries where there are two sleuths that work together?

Quite a lot of the Golden Age ones. Poirot, Miss Marple and Miss Silver work alongside the police, sharing information and discussing how to proceed with the investigation. And Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane work together in three (I think) mysteries.

And in quite a lot of historicals there are either two amateurs or an amateur and a professional. With amateurs, a man/woman pairing is useful, because one can go places and talk to people that the other can't.

I don't know if my books count as cosies, but I find it useful to have a team or partnership in order to bring different skills or knowledge to the investigation.

[L J]

Carrie wrote: "...Are there any cozy mysteries where there are two sleuths that work together?"

Yes. A couple of mystery sites to check if you're looking for some:

The Cozy Mystery List Blog/Two (or More) Cozy Mystery Sleuths Who Work Together. https://www.cozy-mystery.com/blog/two...

StopYoureKillingMe cozy list. http://stopyourekillingme.com/GenreCa...
There are several that list a second sleuth in description.