In this blog post, I’m answering the simple question, what is a cozy mystery novel? It’s a subgenre of the crime fiction/ mystery novels.
There are three elements that make separate a cozy mystery from a typical crime fiction novel.
- No graphic violence
- No explicit sexual content
- No profanity
I have been reading cozy mysteries for a few years now. The first cozy mystery novel I ever read was The Plot Is Murder by V.M. Burns.
My experience with the subgenre was love at first read.
I was hooked on the cozy mystery world. That love sparked my interest in starting a blog to review cozy mysteries.
What makes a mystery novel or crime fiction novel a COZY?
A cozy mystery novel is a subgenre of crime fiction or mysteries. It has a lighthearted, often humorous tone.
Novels in this genre center around an amateur detective protagonist. The sleuth is usually a relatable and likable character. Their goal is to solve a murder or another serious crime in a small, close-knit community.
Elements of Cozy Mysteries:
Cozy Setting: Cozy novels often take place in quaint, picturesque small towns or villages.
Protagonist: The main character is usually an amateur detective. They often have backgrounds unrelated to law enforcement. For example, they might be a librarian, baker, or bookstore owner.
Tone: The tone is light and sometimes humorous. Cozy mysteries avoid graphic violence, explicit sexual content, or profanity.
Supporting Characters: A quirky cast of recurring characters, including friends, family, and local residents who add to the charm and depth of the story.
Puzzles: These novels challenge readers to solve the mystery along with the protagonist sleuth. It will have clues and red herrings for them to ponder.
Title Puns: I hope you find puns punny. Get it? Because so many cozy mysteries have puns and clever titles such as: Night of the Living Knit, Another One Bites the Crust, Paw and Order, and Gone for Gouda.
Cozies often feature elements of romance or other subplots. The resolution of the mystery typically restores a sense of order and tranquility to the community. An example of popular cozy mystery series includes Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple series.
Who Should Read Cozy Mysteries?
A recent article said that elderly women are the main readers of cozy mysteries. USA Today did an article titled, Murders solved by senior citizens? How ‘cozy mystery’ books combine crime with comfort.
The second part of that headline is accurate. Cozy mysteries are puzzle-solving, comforting novels. But they are not only for seniors.
These days lot of millennials are turning to cozy mysteries. They especially became popular in 2021 during the lockdown period. The USA article states, “These plots are examples of “cozy mysteries,” a genre that’s seen a boom in recent years. Nicole Lintemuth, the owner of bookstore Bettie’s Pages in Lowell, Michigan, first noticed an uptick during the pandemic when readers gravitated toward more lighthearted books.”
When one asks why cozy mysteries are for seniors, they usually point to the popular TV show, Murder, She Wrote. A cozy mystery show about an elderly sleuth. She’s a fictional mystery writer who solves murders in a quaint town, Cabot Cove. I’ll admit that even as a millennial myself, I do enjoy the show, but I am not an outlier.
New articles from various sites show a growing trend among much younger audiences.
Quotes from recent articles:
“The leads are younger, 20-30 year olds, and the book settings don’t have to only be in a small town.” – Book Riot, Make Room For The New Cozy Mysteries–We Want More, “Recently the term “Millennial Cozy Mysteries” started to pop up
“The books tend to feature younger protagonists—women in their 20s or early 30s—and take place in more urban settings than traditional cozies (but not always), and have a fun voice.” – Murder and Mayhem, The Rise of the Millennial Cozy Mystery, A classic genre shifting to appeal to a fresh audience
Where Should You Start with Cozy Mysteries?
Well, that’s easy to answer! Start here on my blog. I have lots of cozy mystery recommendations, book lists, and book reviews.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and learned a little bit about cozy mysteries.