Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge discussion
2024 Level Three (Super Sleuth)
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Marysia - 1st timer 2024 (3B)
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Marysia
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Jan 01, 2024 09:51AM
Getting into cozies last year broke a long multi-year reading slump for me. I read 19 cozies only starting in October, but I don't count on keeping that pace indefinitely so 30 seems like a reasonable goal. I will be trying the B path as I like to bounce around subgenres anyway.
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Culinary 
Animal related
Craft related
Paranormal
Outside the US
Career-based
Holiday based
Travel
Historical
Freebie
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May you have many fun and exciting adventures as you discover new authors and series.
Marysia wrote: "I will be trying the B path as I like to bounce around subgenres anyway."Welcome to the challenge!! You are a better person than I. I go for the A goal because I like to read what I like/want. I keep track of how they fall toward the B goal. In the years I've done this challenge my want-to-reads have only aligned twice (actually, the last two years) to hit both A and B goals. We'll see how it goes this year.
Good luck. I look forward to adding some TBRs! :o)
Karen wrote: "Marysia wrote: "I will be trying the B path as I like to bounce around subgenres anyway."Welcome to the challenge!! You are a better person than I. I go for the A goal because I like to read wha..."
I tend to get choice paralysis as there are so many options out there, especially since I am new to the genre. So having a bit of a guide is good for me.
My first book of the year was not a mystery but I kicked off the challenge last night with Hooked on Murder by Betty Hechtman. It was another book in this series (Behind the Seams) that started my recent interest in cozies last fall. I enjoyed that book but had trouble keeping all the side friends straight so wanted to go back and start at the beginning. Also I JUST realized it's a pun on "behind the scenes" which makes sense since the setting is a TV studio, Lol. Anyway...
I read the first chapter of Hooked on Murder last night. It starts off right in the action with Molly finding the body immediately, which I think I prefer over the lengthy setup/info dumps that first installments often have. I like how Hechtman describes all the characters' houses and other places. It makes it easy to picture the scene. I also like that the MC is 48 and a widow, older than many of the 20s/30s characters and a bit of a refreshing change.
Unfortunately the first chapter already has Molly making negative comments about her body/weight, which is something that is apparently everywhere in cozies but I don't like. I also don't like her cop boyfriend, Barry. He is always being pushy and trying to get Molly to take relationship steps she doesn't want to.
1. Hooked on Murder by Betty HechtmanCategory: Crafts (Crochet)
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2. Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlayCategory: Culinary (cupcake shop)
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I posted this with your review, but figured I'd put the information here as well...Along with her Cupcake Bakery, her Library Lovers, and her Hat Shop series, Jenn McKinlay has two mystery series written under pseudonyms...
* Lucy Lawrence - Decoupage (three books)
an early craft-related series featuring Brenna Miller, a stationery/fancy paper/craft store owner who gives decoupage classes
* Josie Belle - Good Buy Girls (five books)
a series featuring Maggie Gerber, owner of a thrift shop and a founding member of the "Good Buy Girls," ladies who enjoy shopping flea markets, thrift stores, yard sales, etc. together
Karen wrote: "I posted this with your review, but figured I'd put the information here as well...Along with her Cupcake Bakery, her Library Lovers, and her Hat Shop series, Jenn McKinlay has ..."
Thanks! The themes of those don't interest me as much, but if I am still craving more of her writing after catching up on the others, I will keep them in mind.
3. Berried Secrets by Peg CochranThis could maybe fall under culinary or career (Monica is helping at her brother's farm and makes cranberry salsa and baked goods) but I am going to use it for one of the free choice books as I don't think it quite commits to either.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4. The Novice's Tale by Margaret FrazerCategories: Historical, Outside the US (1400s England). I'm using it for Historical.
Although I found this book on a cozy mystery list, I wouldn't personally quite count this book as cozy as the descriptions of death via poisoning are fairly graphic and prolonged. But I liked reading about the setting and medieval life. I really liked Dame Frevisse as the "detective", as she is smart, somewhat stern, but kind.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5. Woof at the Door by Laura MorriganCategories: Animal-related, Paranormal (using for Animal)
Grace Wilde works as an animal behaviorist. She actually has psychic powers that let her sense animals' emotions and communicate with them with basic words, images, and feelings. But, they still have free will and may not obey when she asks them to do something they don't want to do. She gets involved in a murder investigation because a dog witnessed the crime and Grace's friend is the main suspect although Grace knows he didn't do it.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
6. Forget Me Knot by Mary MarksCategory: Crafts (quilting)
Martha Rose gets involved in a murder investigation when the victim's mother asks her to look for hidden messages in her quilts.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
7. Seven-Year Witch by Angela M. SandersCategories: Career-based (Josie is a librarian), Paranormal (witches) (using for Paranormal)
I really enjoy this series.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
8. Death in the Clouds by Agatha ChristieCategories: Travel, Outside the US (England/France) (using for Travel)
This is a "locked room" mystery where the murder is committed on an airplane in flight. Poirot travels back and forth between London and Paris over the course of the investigation. I always enjoy time spent with Poirot and his little grey cells.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Marysia wrote: "This is a "locked room" mystery where the murder is committed on an airplane in flight...."I love a good locked room murder!
9. Glazed Murder by Jessica Beck (aka Tim Myers)Category: Culinary (donut shop)
I was disappointed with this one.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Marysia wrote: "9. Glazed Murder by Jessica Beck (aka Tim Myers)Category: Culinary (donut shop)
I was disappointed with this one."
I've read a lot of Tim Myers' series under his various pseudonyms. I have this series TBRed, but there are so many right now (I think over 50 at this point). I can't start the series without wanting to read them all, so I leave it in favor of other things.
Karen wrote: "Marysia wrote: "9. Glazed Murder by Jessica Beck (aka Tim Myers)Category: Culinary (donut shop)
I was disappointed with this one."
I've read a l..."
I was surprised to see how many there are. It looks like only the first 9 or so were traditionally published but I guess he keeps churning them out.
10. Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti by Bailey CatesCategory: Culinary (bakery), Paranormal (witches), Holiday (Halloween/Samhain)
On second thought I am going to use this for Holiday as Samhain is pretty important to the story.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
11. Kneaded to Death by Winnie Archer aka Melissa BourbonCategory: Culinary (bakery) (using for Freebie as I have 2 Culinary already)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
12. The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi KashiwaiCategory: Culinary, Outside the US (Japan) (using for Outside the US)
This one is a little different as instead of investigating a crime, the Food Detectives investigate a lost recipe. I'm still counting it as it has a Cozy Mystery tag on Goodreads and that seems like the closest genre to put it in.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
that sounds like a good change up. I'm so tired of the only crime in mysteries being murder
13. The Rocky Road to Ruin by Meri Allen (aka Shari Randall)Category: Culinary (ice cream shop) (using for Freebie as I have 2 Culinary already)
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
14. One Poison Pie by Lynn CahoonCategory: Culinary, Career (Mia runs a catering business), Paranormal (witches, ghosts)
I'm using this one for Career, as there was actually more about the business aspects (remodeling, permits, etc) than details of the food.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
15. Tea & Treachery by Vicki DelanyCategory: Culinary, Career (Tearoom/B&B)
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
16. The Cider Shop Rules by Julie Anne LindseyI really enjoyed this series. Unfortunately it was canceled after book 3 per the author's GR page.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
17. Witch and Famous by Angela M. SandersCategory: Paranormal, Career (Josie is a witch librarian)
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
18. Littered with Trouble by Eryn ScottCategory: Animal-related, Career (Lou is opening a bookstore/cat rescue)
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
19. Death of a Mad Hatter by Jenn McKinlayCategory: Outside the US (England). I don't think I would put it as Career as while Scarlett works at the hat shop, we don't get much detail about what she actually does. (She helps customers while Viv and Fee make the hats.)
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Marysia wrote: "10. Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti by Bailey CatesCategory: Culinary (bakery), Paranormal (witches), Holiday (Halloween/Samhain)
On second thought I am going to use this for Holiday as Samhain is pretty important to the story."
Interesting, a non-standard standard holiday.
I need to get back to this series. I started it years ago but have only read the first couple. I have her other series (under her pseudonyms) TBRed as well.
Thanks for the review, too.
20. Dead Men Don't Crochet by Betty HechtmanCategory: Crafts (Crochet)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I need to focus on those categories where I still need another one. If I do this challenge next year I will probably do A, but it's been helpful seeing where my interests tend to fall. Seems to mostly be paranormal, culinary and crafts.
Marysia wrote: "I need to focus on those categories where I still need another one. If I do this challenge next year I will probably do A, but it's been helpful seeing where my interests tend to fall. Seems to mostly be paranormal, culinary and crafts."Looks like you're doing well with the "B" version. You only need four in four different categories, then some freebies. I still have 14 to go (doing the "A" version). At this point, I don't think I'll hit the "B" goal. I need to work out just where I'm lacking as see if anything in my pipeline matches up.
21. Murder on the Golden Arrow by Magda AlexanderCategory: Historical (1923), Outside the US (England and France), Travel (murder takes place on a train) (using for Historical)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
22. Tabby or Not Tabby by Eryn ScottCategory: Animal-related (cats)
My review (fixed now): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
23. Antiques, Artifacts & Alibis by Sally BaylessCategory: Career (Libby is the new director of a history museum)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
24. Survival of the Fritters by Ginger Bolton:Category: Culinary (donuts)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
25. Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinlay:Category: Culinary (cupcake bakery), holiday (Valentine’s Day) (using for Holiday)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I think I am still on track. My goal is to finish 1 more by the end of November. I need 1 more historical (I have a few options there) and the rest are free choice. I have some shorter Kindle books I can bust out if it's getting close.
26. A Deadly Walk in Devon by Nicholas George:Category: Travel, Outside the US (Chase is an American on a walking tour in England)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I think I am going to switch around a couple of categories and use this for Travel and Murder on the Golden Arrow for Historical. Then, my categories will be complete. I may be a bit late with the challenge as I needed a break from cozies for a while. I also think for whatever reason I read a bit slower on Kindle compared to my tablet but it's easier on my eyeballs.
27. Shifting and Shenanigans by Elizabeth Pantley:Category: Paranormal (magic books/library, talking cat)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
28. Murder in a Teacup by Vicki DelanyCategory: Culinary, Career (Tearoom/B&B)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
29. Vampires and Villains by Elizabeth PantleyCategory: Paranormal (magic books/library, talking cat)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
One to go...
30. Flea the Scene by Eryn ScottCategories: Animal-related (cats)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished on time! I'll make another post with some of my final thoughts...
I had fun doing the challenge. Since late 2023 and now I have read about 50 cozy mysteries. Rookie numbers compared to the super fans, but, I think, enough to get a good feel for what I like in the genre. I do feel like I need a bit of a break from them (at least mixing it up with other genres), so I plan to do a lower level of the challenge in 2025.I like most of the subgenres, but seem to prefer culinary, pets and paranormal the most. I like ones that overlap too, like the Magical Bakery series.
I bought a Kindle this year after using Libby regularly for a few months. It's easier on the eyes for extended reading compared to my tablet screen. I think I read a little slower on there than on the tablet, though, probably because each page is smaller. It usually takes me at least twice the "typical time to read" that Goodreads shows. I don't know how it calculates that, but I think that if I read much faster I would sacrifice enjoyment. I have downloaded a bunch of free books from promo days, and have been using a mix of KU and Libby. Ebooks have been a big help since they are so convenient. I have actually enjoyed a lot of the indie books as much or more than the traditionally published ones. I like that they tend to be shorter too. I feel about 200-250 pages is a good length for these kinds of stories. The one that are pushing 300+ often seem to drag in the middle for me.
Marysia wrote: "I finished on time!"
Congratulations on hitting the challenge goal!
~and~
Marysia wrote: "Rookie numbers compared to the super fans..."
I love cozies and I barely hit the goal(s) this year. I keep getting waylaid by easy romance reads. I used to read more cozies/mysteries than anything. Now romance has taken over. Maybe because I can go through them so fast?? I don't know.
This is the only challenge I commit to at the beginning of the year--well, this and the annual GoodReads challenge. I'm glad I do because it sort of forces me to read cozies.
Mostly, I don't care what sub-genre I read (culinary, paranormal, etc.) as long as I like the characters and the writing--good cozy story and interesting mystery with suspects, clues, and red herrings. I'm not big on historicals and most of what I read are set in the US (making those two "B" categories hard to hit!).
Can't wait to start the new year's challenge. I'm sure I'll be reading more romance, but I hope to read moe mysteries than I have the past few years. We'll see.
Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Flea the Scene (other topics)Flea the Scene (other topics)
Vampires and Villains (other topics)
Vampires and Villains (other topics)
Murder in a Teacup (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Eryn Scott (other topics)Elizabeth Pantley (other topics)
Vicki Delany (other topics)
Elizabeth Pantley (other topics)
Nicholas George (other topics)
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