Which Cozy Mystery Book Would You Begin With?

In one of my online groups, a fellow cozy mystery author said she’d been asked by a friend to recommend a cozy mystery book to introduce her to the genre. 

“Which book or author?” asked my friend.

This is actually a really difficult question as the genre is so wide. Starting with what one of my readers describes as ‘fluffy’ craft or cooking-themed books, right across the mystery spectrum to those books pushing the boundary with some bad language. 

Add to this historical, paranormal and some of the British authors whose books are considered grittier mystery novels.

So where should a new reader start?

I asked this question to my readers in a recent newsletter as who better to answer than a group of experienced, well-rounded, cozy mystery readers?

As I write British-based cozy mysteries, I definitely found a biased towards other British authors and also books set in the UK even though my readers are international, and many live in the US.

I also appreciated those who suggested my books!

Coming out on top was Benedict Brown’ Lord Edgington series, and there is also his new Marcus Quin series, and his Izzy Palmer books. I’m delighted for Ben who is a down-to-earth, hardworking teacher who’s been trying to make his way as an author for over a decade. He now has a young family to support, so I’m delighted his books are popular. Although British, Ben now lives in Spain.

Another of my readers suggested any potential cozy readers should start with Agatha Christie, which is an interesting. Whilst many writers and readers of the genre did begin their mystery journey with the Golden Aged authors, including Dorothy L Sayers, Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh, are they representative of modern day cozies? 

I think I would mention them to a potential reader, with a caveat that they were written in the 1920s and 1930s. After all, the books continue to be popular and outsell most contemporary cozy mystery authors.

Leighann Dobbs, Lee Strauss, and Donna Andrews were also mentioned along with Joanne Fluke whose Hannah Swenson mystery series has been adapted into nine films so far.

I then asked my readers which British cozy mystery author they would recommend and once again, Benedict Brown topped the poll. But other suggestions included Steve Higgs, Fliss Chester and Frances Brody. Which is a quite a range.

Two of my other favourite Agatha’s were also recommended. MC Beaton’s Agatha Raisin mysteries and author, Agatha Frost’s Peridale Cafe Cozy mystery series.

In consideration, Agatha Frost’s books are an excellent introduction to the cozy genre as they are light-hearted, centred around food and a small cafe, set in a fictional English village, with an intelligent female Amateur sleuth.

The next questions was which historical cozy mystery would my readers recommend?

Benedict Brown’s Lord Edgington series is a given. Other recommended authors included Alice Duncan, Alan Bradley, and Andrea Penrose. One reader just replied, “Too many to mention,”!

A suggested series was Lynn Morrison’s Rex and Dora Mysteries. Again I’m delighted by this as Lynn is another author friend and working mum who works hard to support other authors.

Other author friends, Emily Organ and Sarah Rosett were recommended for their 1920s high society lady detective mystery series.

Returning to the original question from the author in our online group, she added to her original question that she needed an introductory cozy mystery for a millennial. That is a reader born between 1981 and 1996, so let’s say for ease, someone in their twenties or thirties.

Immediately my fellow authors commented that such a reader would be happier pushing the boundaries of cozy mysteries with some profanity and a grittier plot. But what did my readers suggest?

 Someone recommended my books (thank you) along side those of Emory Keller (Paranormal), Eryn Scott, Corrine Winters (also Paranormal), Sydney Tate, and Verity Bright (historical). 

One author I think is a good fit for millennials is Zara Keane and her Movie Club Mysteries which have really fun, catchy covers. As do Jesse Q. Sutano’s Aunties series which I know from my brief foray, are popular on TikTok and Dial A for Aunties is a popular book for younger mystery readers.

So returning to the question asked in my online group, what did other, mostly British, indie cozy mystery authors recommend for a millennial reader? There was quite a bit of self promotion, which is understandable, but two authors did feature. 

Kate P Adam’s Charlton House mysteries and Yvonne Vincent’s Losers Club series. I also know Yvonne and she openly admits her books are edgier and as some of her readers put it, ‘Raunchy banter’ ‘saucy fun’ and a lot of ‘laugh-out loud humour’.

Writing this, I’ve been interested that a diverse range of author names were suggested, and not necessarily those authors who are frequent flyers on Amazon’s Top 100 Cozy Mystery category list. 

If you’d like to start reading in the genre, or are just interested in trying one of the authors mentioned here, many offer free short stories, novellas or even books so check out their websites. You may need to sign up to join their mailing list to receive your freebie, but doing so will open up a whole world of different writers who are mentioned and recommended by that author. We cozy authors love to help and support each other!

Isn’t it fabulous that there is such a range of cozy mystery books? As long as new reader continues to try different books they will discover authors who align with them and their view and outlook on life.

Another great thing about cozy mystery authors it that they tend to write long series, so once a reader finds an author they love, they’ll have plenty of books to work their way through.

I’d love to hear which authors you’d recommend. Please leave a comment below.