Cozy Mysteries discussion
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What Cozy Did You Just Finish Reading??? (Archive)
Lisa wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Hi Lisa,I'm happy to hear that you read A Ghost of a Chance, book 1 in my Shannon Delaney cozy paranormal mystery series.
Book 2 in this series: A Ghost From the Shadows is..."By the way I should've said this before but obviously, I really enjoyed Ghost of a Chance, thanks!
To Lisa:Wonderful!
I am soooo very close to finishing book 3 (working title is "A Ghost Meets and Angel")
...back to work!
Thanks for the feeback, I appreciate it ;-)
www.ElizabethEaganCox.net
Elizabeth wrote: "To Lisa:Wonderful!
I am soooo very close to finishing book 3 (working title is "A Ghost Meets and Angel")
...back to work!
Thanks for the feeback, I appreciate it ;-)Your welcome! Great news about the newest book, thanks for letting me know and I'll look forward to reading it as well. When do you think it would be available in stores?
www.ElizabethEagan..."
To Lisa,I would expect that book 3 (in paperback) will be ready about the same time next year. Once I turn the manuscript in to my editor...the publication schedule is in the publisher's court.
Deadline for book 3's manuscript is by Thanksgiving of this year. Right now, it looks as if I will beat the deadline ;-)
www.ElizabethEaganCox.net
Elizabeth wrote: "To Lisa,I would expect that book 3 (in paperback) will be ready about the same time next year. Once I turn the manuscript in to my editor...the publication schedule is in the publisher's court...."
Ok, Sounds good!
Just finished Death in Daytime by Eileen Davis. It was an interesting twist on a cozy mystery!
Just finished Death in Daytime by Eileen Davis.I enjoyed it!
Just finished Death in Daytime by Eileen Davidson.By the way I had a message from a gal named Beth ( it wasn't Beth Groundwater) to join her friends list and goofed on that somehow. I wanted to accept the invite. So I didn't know how else to contact you again hopefully you will read this and re send it.!
Well, I have been a reading fool this weekend and finished three cozies. The first was The Alpine Uproar by Mary Daheim. I really like the Emma Lord series. Since this is book 21 in the series and I am still reading I guess that is obvious. Although Emma is the "main" protagonist I feel that several of the characters really share the protagonist roll in this series. I would especially pick Vida as a co-protagonist. Vida knows everyone and everyone's secrets. I felt very sad for Vida at the end where she has to face some hard reality regarding her beloved grandson (and most obnoxious character) Roger.After reading The Alpine Uproar I moved on to Needled to Death by Maggie Sefton. It was a respectable second novel in a series and you get to know Kelly Flynn a little bit better. I really hope that Sefton gives us more personal information about not only Kelly but Kelly's circle of friends because I feel that a cozy series needs the reader to become familiar with the characters and feel like they are real something that is lacking at this point in the Kelly Flynn series.
Last but not least I started and finished Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich. After reading Fearless Fourteen and Plum Spooky I was hoping that Evanovich was taking Stephanie to a new level but I was sadly disappointed to see her back to blowing up, burning up and totally destroying cars. I find that whole thing rather tired and redundant in the Stephanie Plum series. One thing that I did like in Fifteen was that we saw much more of Ranger than Joe. I was hoping that Stephanie and Ranger would take their relationship a step further but was disappointed when at the end Stephanie was back with Joe.
Not sure what I am going to read next but I will decide before the night is over.
I just finished Wreath of Deception by Mary Ellen Hughes. It was most excellent. I was sooooo tempted to peek to see who the murderer was. (I used to do that all the time and finally broke myself of it but boy was I tempted with this one.) I really like Jo the protagonist and I like Jo's godson Charlie. SPOILER ALERT I cried at the end when Jo just couldn't make it any further and Mike dragged her across the kitchen floor. That really touched my heart. And yes, I knew it was Mike and not Charlie that did that even before Charlie said she was by the front door. I look forward to reading String of Lies and learning more about Jo and her friends minus Deirdre. It won't take me long to get through String of Lies and Paper-Thin Alibi so Mary Ellen when can we expect book #4????
Denise wrote: "I just finished Wreath of Deception by Mary Ellen Hughes. It was most excellent. I was sooooo tempted to peek to see who the murderer was. (I used to do that all the t..."I have read all of the Mary Ellen Hughes books and have really enjoyed them as well! Glad to see someone else also has discovered them.
Wow, Denise and Lisa, you just made my day! Thank you!Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen wrote: "Wow, Denise and Lisa, you just made my day! Thank you!Mary Ellen"You're very welcome!
Mary Ellen wrote: "Wow, Denise and Lisa, you just made my day! Thank you! Mary Ellen, you are welcome. But you didn't answer my question--when can we expect the next book in the series? Also, do you have a set number of books in mind for this series--how does an author decide how many books should be in a given series? (Just curious.) And while I'm asking questions, why is it that so many series just stop but don't really have a planned ending wrapping everything up?
And one more thing that I forgot to say before about
Wreath of Deception: thank you so much for not having Jo and the detective become a couple (of course I haven't read the following two books so I may be disappointed but it seems like almost every cozy has the amateur sleuth become a couple with the law enforcement person--like Stephanie Plum and Joe or China Bayles and McQuaid or Goldy Bear Schulz and Tom or Hannah Swensen and Mike [and yes I know Norman isn't a cop--thank goodness:] or Bennie Harper and Gabe etc, etc, etc you get my drift.)
I just finished
by Chaz McGee who is actually Katy Munger. While not a cozy, it's not hardboiled either. Somewhat hard to classify. It was very good. Just started
by Diana Orgain. Good so far.
Well, Denise, I hate to give you the bad news, but the three existing books of the Craft Corner mysteries are going to be it. This is not my decision, but my publisher's, which answers another of your questions as to why some series just stop without wrapping everything up nicely. We are not self-published, so it's out of our control. Now, there's always a possibility another publisher might care to pick a series up, which has happened on occasion. But unless you're an Agatha Christie and know your publisher will publish as long as you send in manuscripts, you don't have the luxury of writing that "Final Curtain" to satisfy your readers. Sad, but true.On a happier note, though, I am working on a new book at the moment, though I can't say much about it, yet. It's a new setting with new characters, and maybe you'll someday be just as glad I've moved on to it. We'll see!
I just finished "The Cat, the Quilt, and the Corpse" by Leann Sweeney; the first book in this author's new "Cats in Trouble" series. A delightful read!
Mary Ellen wrote: "Well, Denise, I hate to give you the bad news, but the three existing books of the Craft Corner mysteries are going to be it. This is not my decision, but my publisher's, which answers another of y..."Hi Mary Ellen,Sorry to hear that about the Craft Corner mysteries...( as you already know I really enjoyed them) but look forward to reading whatever is next for you. Maybe you can give us a heads up here on Goodreads when that is ready to be published!
Lisa wrote: "Maybe you can give us a heads up here on Goodreads when that is ready to be published!"Absolutely, Lisa!
Mary Ellen
I just finished reading Rex Stout's SOME BURIED CAESAR, the sixth in the Nero Wolfe series, and the "all conference reads" book for the Bouchercon mystery conference. I gave it 3 stars as an average mystery. My overall impression is that all the characters were very rude to each other. Maybe it's just because most of them were posturing males in the 1930s.--
Beth Groundwater, http://bethgroundwater.com/
A REAL BASKET CASE, Five Star, 3/2007, Best First Novel Agatha Nominee
TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET, Five Star, May 2009
Just finished two books that aren't cozies but were very good. The first was The Lost Quilter An Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini. If you want to take a break from cozies then I would recommend the Elm Creek Quilts series. I love this series (and I'm not a quilter). It is just a good story. This is book 14 in the series and I would be happy to read 14 more. I would give this series more than 5 stars if I could.The book I finished today is The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen. This is the first book of Gerritsen's that I have read but won't be the last. Both of these books go back and forth in time and I know some don't like that type of book but both were full of history and although The Bone Garden gets pretty graphic at times it is an interesting read and kept me on the edge of my chair with the intense story line. I would highly recommend The Bone Garden. Next book up will be a cozy.
Hi denise,Thanks for those book suggestions!
Lisa wrote: "Hi denise,Thanks for those book suggestions!"
Lisa, you are so welcome. I don't think either one would disappoint you but I would suggest if you are going to read The Lost Quilter An Elm Creek Quilts Novel that you start at the beginning of the series with The Quilter's Apprentice. I suppose you could read this as a stand alone but it would mean so much more to you if you have read the 13 books before it.
As for The Bone Garden I believe it is meant to be a stand alone. I will tell you I got sucked right into this book in just a few pages. Some of the medical descriptions are pretty gaggy but if they get to you just close your eyes and skip ahead a couple of paragraphs :-).
Enjoy and let me know what you think.
Will do! Thanks again! By the way I just looked at this author's page on Amazon and there are some earlier books it looks like in the series...take a look and see what you think.
Just finished one of Donna Andrews wonderfully zany murder mystery series, Owls Well That Ends Well. A perfect break from the last book I read, a frightening book on terrorism!Review here: http://nightreader-bookblog.blogspot....
Hi Betty,I looooove Donna Andrews's zany mysteries, too!
- Beth
I finished two cozies over the weekend. One was Too Rich and Too Dead by Cynthia Baxter. It was the second book in the Murder Packs a Suitcase Mystery with protagonist Mallory Marlowe, a travel writer for the fictitious magazine The Good Life. Unfortunately this is to be the last of this series (per the author, Cynthia Baxter) who told me that her publisher isn't going to publish any more of this series. That is too bad as I feel it takes several books to start relating to the recurring characters. I was just getting to know Mallory and now there won't be any more. I specifically read series books because I like that continuity. However, it was a good read.The second book that I read was Hark! The Herald Angel Screamed by Mignon F. Ballard. I will admit that I goofed. This is the 7th book in the Augusta Goodnight series and I like to read my series in order. This is the first book I have read by Mignon. Oops! I did enjoy the book (aside from the hillbilly names that the characters had which kind of put me off) and for those of you who like Christmas cozies here is one for you. By the way, if you haven't read the series, Augusta Goodnight is the guardian angel of Lucy Nan Pilgrim (see what I mean about the names). Augusta is an intersting angel in that she eats and drinks. There are some good sounding recipes in the back of the book.
I just finished an ARC of
by Sara Paretsky. Not a cozy, but a great read. I've always loved the V.I. Warshawski books.
Just finished "pushing up Daisies" by Rosemary Harris and Miranda Bliss, Dying for dinner. The first was funny, sassy and had a very intelligent heroine and 3 mysteries to solve!The second is a cute one based on a restaurant and some great sounding recipes!
Also finished "Finger Lickin 15 by Janet Evanovich, and started "Mama Rides Shotgun" by Deborah Sharp.
Just finished Death in the Cards by Sharon Short. I like this series. Good likeable characters. Will read the others but will probably be a while before I can get back to this series.
Just finished Cozy in Kansas In the Dead of Winter/Bye, Bye Bertie/For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls an omnibus by Nancy Mehl. All three stories were really good and I would like to read more about Ivy and Winter Break Kansas.
Finished Purses and Poison the other day. It's the second in a series and the first one was much better. The main character came across as very unlikeable and a total airhead to me in this installment. Currently reading Hunting Ground, a UF, and The Graveyard Book which is pretty much an older kids book, but I know a whole lot of adults who have read it and say it is just a great book. It won the Newberry award.
I'm just finishing up Slaying Is Such Sweet Sorrow by Patricia Harwin. It's the 2nd book in the Far Wychwood series, and I really like this series! I love the "heroine": she's a grandmother like me, and like me her kids disapprove of her, think she's not staid enough. The venue is a small village in England -- my favorite venue of all!Unfortunately, there isn't another book ... yet. And since this one was published in 2005, it doesn't bode well for a sequel. There's no web page for the author, no personal information about her on the Internet. Doesn't bode well, does it?
Hi Kate> As an author of a cozy mystery series... might I suggest you look on the title page for the publisher's name and there might be a URL for the publisher, thru which you could try to contact the author? If the publisher does not have an URL in the book (also try the cover) then Google the publisher.Although I have a web site, I know readers have located me thru my publisher. KUDOS to you for Googling the author's name ;-)
Elizabeth Eagan-Cox
www.ElizabethEaganCox.net
Kate wrote: "I'm just finishing up Slaying Is Such Sweet Sorrow by Patricia Harwin. It's the 2nd book in the Far Wychwood series, and I really like this series! I love the "heroine": she's a grandmother like m..."Kate: I found a message board for Patricia Harwin at:
www.allreaders.com/Board.asp?listpage...
Many people have posted there about her books and I glanced over some of the posts and found a couple by Patricia herself. The most recent one says this:
"patharwin posts on 11/22/2008 6:13:52 PM
Sorry guys, I've tried my very best but can't find a new publisher. They don't want a series that another pub has started (financial or legal probs) Would love to give you book 3 (all done) but can't due to pub indusry/"
I read further back and here is an older post by Patricia:
"patricia harwin posts on 11/12/2007 9:55:19 AM
I'm really touched by your messages, and your concern for my welfare! I'm glad to report that I'm alive and well,the explanation for my disappearance being I was dumped by Simon & Schuster (I know, nobody can figure out why, incl my agent and editor), and other publishers won't even consider taking on a series that's already started. But we've found a small British firm that may take me on, so keep your fingers crossed. Pat Harwin"
So it looks like there won't be any more of her books for a while.
Kate wrote: "I'm just finishing up Slaying Is Such Sweet Sorrow by Patricia Harwin. It's the 2nd book in the Far Wychwood series, and I really like this series! I love the "heroine": she's a grandmother like m..."Kate: I also went to Anywho and looked up Patricia Harwin in Rockville MD where according to Simon & Schuster's website page for Patricia says she lives with her husband. I found this address and phone number that I assume is Patricia and there is also a separate listing for a Robert F Harwin same address and same phone number. Anyway, should you want to write to her directly here is the info I found:
P R Harwin
4510 Woodlark Pl
Rockville, MD 20853
(301) 871-6328
Denise wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Hi denise,Thanks for those book suggestions!"
Lisa, you are so welcome. I don't think either one would disappoint you but I would suggest if you are going to read The Lost Q..."</i>
Im reading [book:The Quilter's Apprentice and Im throughly enjoying it! Im not a quilter, but I have 2 that my Grandmother made. If you love quilts, I think that you would love this series!
Melissa wrote: "Denise wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Hi denise,Thanks for those book suggestions!"
Lisa, you are so welcome. I don't think either one would disappoint you but I would suggest if you are going to read [boo..."I have already looked at my library and found they have that whole series! I'm really looking forward to trying them. I am still trying to get through all the great suggestions I've recieved so far, but I will get to those soon!
I just finished MURDER OF A SMALL-TOWN HONEY by Denise Swanson. I love this series as it is well written and has very likable characters.
I just finished reading "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie" by Alan Bradley. He is a Canadian author but his book in set in post-WWII England, in 1950. His detective is an 11-year-old girl named Flavia who is much like Sherlock Holmes would have been if Sherlock Holmes were an 11-year-old girl. In short, she is a prodigy who can be very annoying to those around her. She is a budding scientist, a chemist, and uses her scientific skills when a corpse turns up in her family's garden and her widower father is accused of murder. She really is a most delightful character and this book is about as charming as a murder mystery can be! I understand Bradley is working on another book featuring Flavia and I will certainly be in line to get it.
Denise wrote: "I also went to Anywho and looked up Patricia Harwin in Rockville MD where according to Simon & Schuster's website page for Patricia says she lives with her husband. I found this address and phone number that I assume is Patricia and there is also a separate listing for a Robert F Harwin same address and same phone number...."Thanks Denise! I think I will write -- I would dearly love to have more books in this series!
Thanks Denise! What a shame! And fie upon Simon & Schuster! I feel like starting a write-in campaign to boycott them! And fingers crossed for the small Brit publisher!
Kate: You know, a write-in campaign might be a good idea, but not to boycott but instead to tell them how good the author's series is and that you would like to see them publish more of her books. Or maybe instead of a write-in campaign, a petition through Goodreads where others could lend their support.I have recently heard the same story from other authors, let me give you some exerpts from a couple:
from Mary Ellen Huges regarding her Craft Corner Mystery series:
"I hate to give you the bad news, but the three existing books of the Craft Corner mysteries are going to be it. This is not my decision, but my publisher's... Now, there's always a possibility another publisher might care to pick a series up, which has happened on occasion."
from Lee Harris about her two series:
"I'm glad you have enjoyed the Christine series. The Jane series is quite different and I hope you enjoy them too.
Unfortunately, my publisher has decided not to publish any more paperback original mystery series and that pretty much spells the end of both series.
If I ever manage to get another book published, I will start a web site to announce the (good) news. Till then, thank you for reading my books."
And here's what Cynthia Baxter had to say about her new series Murder Packs a Suitcase
"I'm really pleased that you've enjoyed the first two books in the series. Unfortunately, at this point my publisher is holding off on publishing any more. I think this bad economy is making it hard for anyone to move forward with anything. Too bad, since I had lots of good ideas for future books! And I enjoyed writing about Mallory, who's really different from my vet character."
As you can see it is happening with several of our cozy mystery authors. I'm sure this is just scratching the surface of our authors that have been dropped by their publishers.
Thanks Denise. Doesn't that just break your heart? Is there a way to organize a petition of Goodreads?
I just finished Espresso Shot by Cleo Coyle. I know I'm probably behind the masses that stay up-to-the-minute reading cozies as they are released, so my comments may not interest some. For me, Espresso Shot had all the roller coaster qualities of the other books in the series and left me looking forward to the upcoming holiday themed story. Though some of the initial intrigue about the characters is gone, I now feel like I'm reading about friends. Though somewhat new to cozies, this series has me hooked. I'll be checking the posts here for cozy comments to decide what other series to pick up next.
I'm not familiar with that series, Cynthia. I'll have to look it up. I love reading series and there are so many good ones out there. So many series, so little time...
Cynthia wrote: "I just finished Espresso Shot by Cleo Coyle. I know I'm probably behind the masses that stay up-to-the-minute reading cozies as they are released, so my comments may not interest some. For me, Es..."I read the first 2 in this series, before deciding I really didn't like them very much. The coffee talk was boring for me since I don't like coffee, but it's a very popular series.
Finished Spin a Wicked Webby Cricket McRae and really enjoyed it. Have liked all 3 books in the series. Currently reading The Treacherous Teddy by John J. Lamb. Another series I really like.
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Cozy Mysteries
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I'm happy to hear that you read A Ghost of a Chance, book 1 in my Shannon Delaney cozy paranormal mystery series.
Book 2 in this series: A Ghost From the Shadows is now out in paperb..."Hello! And thanks for letting me know about the giveaway! I have the second book on my to be ordered list, but maybe I can win it instead!
I"m curious to see what happens next to Shannon.