As a mystery writer and reader, I try to understand why some books feel bland or dull even when the characters are investigating a murder with high stakes. Writing style is a part of that and encompasses techniques such as good pacing. Yet I think it really comes down to the characters. In all these series, I enjoy spending time with the characters, in their worlds. They are people I would like to know in real life, so they have become book friends. That makes it possible to enjoy the mysteries on a reread, even if I know what’s going to happen.
These are solid mysteries with plenty of twists and delightful primary characters.
Something about the voice of this series simply works for me. It's cozy without being too cutesy. The characters feel real. Even Sid, the living skeleton, feels like a real person, and the books might work almost as well if he was human, but he adds some fun and complications because he can’t let people see him.
Start at the beginning of the series and keep reading! It's worth it.
A woman discovers the literal skeleton in her family’s closet in the first Family Skeleton Mystery!
Moving back into her parents’ house with her teenage daughter had not been Georgia Thackery’s “Plan A.” But when she got a job at the local college, it seemed the sensible thing to do. So she settled in and began reconnecting with old friends.
Including Sid. Sid is the Thackery family’s skeleton. He’s lived in the house as long as Georgia can remember, although no one, including Sid, knows exactly where he came from and how he came to be a skeleton.
The narrator is likable and a bit goofy, somewhat like Bertie Wooster in the Jeeves stories by PG Wodehouse, but more intelligent, and his dogged spirit and attention to random details get him to the solution of the murders in the end.
The mysteries are complicated and puzzling. The 1920s setting adds some fun elements, like challenges with phone lines or driving in poor weather. Plus, it’s a long series, 17 books as of this writing, so it will keep you occupied for a while!
'Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie with a touch of Wodehouse and a dog of distinction.'
Couldn't put it down'. Humorous - did I say humorous?' 'And there's even a dog!' 'Cozy murder mystery at its best!' 'Love the setting, old country house, eccentric guests, snow and murder'. 'It's always the last one you thought - who dun it!
It's 1920 and Christmas is coming. Major Lennox finds a body on his doorstep - why on his doorstep? Was it to do with the Countess? Was it about the ruby necklace? Lennox goes to Melrose Court, home to his uncle, Lord…
Aury and Scott travel to the Finger Lakes in New York’s wine country to get to the bottom of the mysterious happenings at the Songscape Winery. Disturbed furniture and curious noises are one thing, but when a customer winds up dead, it’s time to dig into the details and see…
Readers can always rely on Copperman for an entertaining story, but this is my favorite of his series.
He does a great job of creating a believable and likable thirtysomething divorced woman for his main character. The quirky guesthouse characters and the ghosts add plenty of humor, but the stories still feel grounded in reality. They’re fun but not silly.
Home repair meets haunted happenings in the first charming, hilarious Haunted Guest House Mystery!
Newly divorced Alison Kerby wants a second chance for herself and her nine-year-old daughter, so she's returned to her home town on the Jersey Shore to transform a fixer-upper into a charming-and hopefully profitable-guest house. But when a bump on the head leaves her seeing not only stars but spirits, Alison realizes the real challenge she's facing is out of this world.
The two residing ghosts are Maxie Malone, the foul-tempered former owner of the house (who has definite opinions about Alison's design plans), and Paul…
The plots have twists and turns, and often interesting settings around the world, but it's really the characters that make this series. Some of the books may have a dated feel at times, but it’s still wonderful to revisit old friends and have adventures in interesting places.
Plus, Mrs. Pollifax is wonderfully open-minded and generous, finding beauty and friends everywhere.
Mrs Emily Pollifax is a 60-ish widow wanting more from life than teas and garden club meetings. In search of adventure, she decides to offer her services to the CIA - who, after all, would spot a suburban grandmother as a cold war secret agent? - and adventure she finds. Her first assignment, in Mexico City, doesn't sound dangerous until something goes wrong. She suddenly finds herself abducted across the world, embroiled in quite a hot Cold War... and her abductors find themselves entangled with one unbelievably feisty lady. Armed with only an open mind and a little karate, Mrs…
Palmer Lind, recovering from the sudden death of her husband, embarks on a bird-watching trek to the Gulf Coast of Florida. One hot day on Leffis Key, she comes upon—not the life bird she was hoping for—but a floating corpse. The handsome beach bum who appears on the scene at…
Elaine L. Orr has a number of series, and I’ve enjoyed all of her books. This is my favorite, perhaps because I read it first.
Jolie is a realistic and relatable character. Even when she’s doing foolish things and getting in trouble, it makes sense because of her deep-seated desire to understand why things are happening.
The setting of a small New Jersey beach town is realistically charming with the disadvantage of a small towns where everyone knows your business. The mysteries always keep me guessing.
Appraisal for Murder 6x9 inches, 12 point font Can a real estate appraiser in a New Jersey beach town get in this much trouble? If your name translates to "pretty nice" in French, you've probably gotten used to teasing. It doesn't prepare you to find out that your soon-to-be-ex-husband has a gambling problem, raided your assets, and embezzled from his bank. Jolie Gentil moves to Great Aunt Madge's bed and breakfast at the Jersey shore, taking her cat Jazz, and joining Madge's pair of prune-eating dogs. Starting over is not easy, but Jolie does not view this as a retreat,…
In this humorous series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty with an eclectic, all-ages group of family and friends.
Readers say: “The characters in this book remind me of those in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. I love their quirks, and I was fooled until the very end.” “I love the amateur detective sisters solving the crimes along with their friends and family, who help them. There is lots of witty banter and interesting situations that keep this story moving along at a fast pace.” “A great start to a new series... Readers will enjoy this new cozy mystery and eagerly wait for more sleuthing with Kate and the Coffee Shop Irregulars!”
A witchy paranormal cozy mystery told through the eyes of a fiercely clever (and undeniably fabulous) feline familiar.
I’m Juno. Snow-white fur, sharp-witted, and currently stuck working magical animal control in the enchanted town of Crimson Cove. My witch, Zandra Crypt, and I only came here to find her missing…
Farrah Wethers struggles with her new midlife career as a massage therapist. Her wealthy client is murdered on her table making her suspect number one. Can Farrah and her best friend, June Cho, sort through the suspects to find the real killer?
