Cozy Mysteries discussion

I like Dana Stabenow mysteries with Kate Shugak as the main character, lots of action and based in the wilds of Alaska. I think there are 21 in the series so plenty to read there if you like them. Occasional thrillers, Clive Cussler,James Patterson or other style mysteries, James Doss, William Kent Krueger, and an archeological series, of mysteries by Anne Marie Evans.

I read LOTS of UF, which I mentioned here in another thread. Also really enjoy Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, Robert B. Parker's Spenser series and am a sucker for pop culture bios, The Dirt Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band, Watch You Bleed The Saga of Guns N' Roses, Heaven And Hell My Life In The Eagles, 1974-2001, No One Here Gets Out Alive, being some favorites in that genre.

Melodie wrote: "I read LOTS of UF, which I mentioned here in another thread. Also really enjoy Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, Robert B. Parker's Spenser series and am a sucker for pop culture bios, [book:The Dirt C..."I agree with you on Robert Crais....I never thoought of reading some of those bios, maybe I will!

Melodie wrote: "I am a sucker for pop culture bios"

Melodie: Did you read Sharon Osbourne Extreme My Autobiography? I don't read much of the pop culture stuff but did read that. Can't even imagine that kind of lifestyle. I used to read bio's all the time but I read them rather rarely anymore. A few that I would recommend are:
Obsessive Genius The Inner World of Marie Curie
The Last Lecture (broke my heart as I have also lost someone to pancreatic cancer, this was hard for me to get through.)
Life Is So Good, this is inspiring. This man did not learn to read until he was 98. Can you imagine! I was very moved by his story.

I have the Nancy Mehl book that you mentioned on my to be read list as well as LIfe Is SO Good, I read a bio on Madame Curie while in HS. Found it fascinating, Probobly isn't the same one you mentioned but I enjoyed it.

Denise wrote: "Melodie wrote: "I am a sucker for pop culture bios"

Melodie: Did you read Sharon Osbourne Extreme My Autobiography? I don't read much of the pop culture stuff but did read that. Ca..."

That's one I haven't read, but have it The Pile somewhere. I'm not sure just how I got started with this type of book, but I love them. Some are really good like
, and the aforementioned . Some not so much like and , but I'll usually read them regardless.

Regarding pop culture bios Melodie wrote That's one I haven't read, but have it The Pile somewhere. I'm not sure just how I got started with this type of book, but I love them. Some are really good..."

I love Janis Joplin but I have tried to read a bio about her and just can't get through it. I don't remember what the title was but man was it god awful boring. If you have read a good one about Janis let me know the title as I would like to read it.

I just finished a totally non-cozy called A Time For Us by Christine Holden. It was a time travel romance about Ailith who is from Middlesbrough England in 1413 and travels forward in time to 1998 New Orleans. It was a good story but the best part was the authors descriptions of the 20th century things that Ailith encounters (toilet, shower, telephone, television, movie theater, junk food, and the car). I see that Holden has some other titles that sound like time travel books that I am going to check out. This might be a new book genre that I would like. I have always liked Robert Heinlein's time travel science fiction (ie Time Enough for Love for one). The thing that always disappointed me about Heinlein is that he didn't believe in time travel (see Grumbles from the Grave.)

Am currently reading a mystery but not a cozy called Calumet City by Charlie Newton. I'm only 46 pages into it so I'm going to reserve judgement for now.

I read many authors. I usually will read a cozy then one of my favorite general fiction authors or a bio. I like to switch it up a bit. I just read That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo and thought it was LOL funny. I like to read thrillers too at times.

For cozy's I am about to start reading the Peggy Lee Garden mysteries (have read book one) and try out a new one Sew Deadly and then book two Inked Up

I finished the non-cozy Calumet City by Charlie Newton. Can't really say I would recommend it. Didn't like the ending at all. The fact that it took me 5 days to get through this book says a lot. I usually can finish a book of this length in 2 days tops. I was finding myself work Sudoku puzzles rather than reading, the book just did not hold my interest for long periods of time.

Am just starting Sarah's Patchwork by Stephanie Grace Whitson. This is not a mystery at all. Just starting, have only read a few pages so will write more as story progresses.

I read other mysteries, fantasy, paranormal romance, horror and sci-fi as well as cozies.

I finished Sarah's Patchwork by Stephanie Grace Whitson. This was a very good book. I gave it a 4 stars and would have given it a 5 stars except that the last 2 pages of the book basically cover the rest of the characters lives. There could have been a whole book written in what they crammed into 2 pages. I don't like when books end this way. You get really vested in the characters and then it is like the author is tired of writing and wraps everyone's life up in a paragraph each.

Now I'm back to a cozy.

I have just started Eats, Shoots & Leaves The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss. I am only 40 pages into it but have already recommended it to two people. Anyone that gets totally annoyed with poor punctuation or typos in books and newspapers should read this. I have laughed out loud several times already.

I loved Eats, Shoots & Leaves, Lynne! I'm glad you're enjoying it as much as I did!

When I'm not reading a cozy, I'm reading travel books, nature writing, selected science fiction, fiction set in England or Scotland, science writing (Jay Gould, Jared Diamond), books about getting older, the Mitford series, the Outlander series, anything smacking of archaeology, anything by P.G. Wodehouse, anything by James Thurber ... there's never any lack of anything to read! There's just not enough time!

Kate

Kate: I noticed that you mentioned books about archeology, I have read a couple of mystery series with felmale heroines that are archeologists and found them fascintaing: Anne Marie Evans and Susan Miller Cummings, I found them in my local library,if you try them let me know!

If you like archaeological detectives, try the Amelia Peabody stories of Elizabeth Peters.

Oh thanks Lisa! I love archaeological mysteries -- read all the Tony Hillermans, and the Amelia Peabodys too. I'll certainly check out Anne Marie Evans & Susan Miller Cummings. Oh boy, I can't wait!

Finished Eats, Shoots & Leaves The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation. It was good but after a while I got a little bogged down with all the punctuation rules. Also adjusting to the British names for everything was interesting too.

I am currently reading the non-cozy Morning Comes Softly by Debbie Macomber. I absolutely love her books. I am (impatiently) waiting for 92 Pacific Boulevard, the 9th book of the Cedar Cove series, which comes out this month. I probably won't be able to read it until after I get back from my trip to Phoenix (going to be there about a month to house hunt, will be back in Columbus Oct 13).

However, back to Morning Comes Softly. Tragedy made Travis Thompson the guardian of his brother's three orphaned children. Travis, unmarried, is distinctly unable to take care of the kids and his 15,000 acre ranch. He can't afford a live in housekeeper even if he could find one. He doesn't know any single women that would take him on much less him and three kids so he runs an add for a wife.

Here is the ad: Need wife to help rear three orphaned children ages 12, 8, and 5. Must know how to cook, sew, and sing. Appreciation of ranch life would be helpful. Write for information: Travis Thompson, Grandview, Montana 59306. Although he doesn't say so, all he wants in a wife for himself is long legs.

Mary, a 32 year old librarian from Petite Louisiana (and a virgin too) answers the ad. Not only is Mary from Petite but she is very petite.

Travis and the kids pick Mary out of the all the responses and Travis gives her a week to arrive because Social Services is breathing down his neck.

I'm not going to say any more...you'll just have to read the book yourself to see what happens.

I am just starting For Us, the Living A Comedy of Customs. I just found this book. The introduction says it all: "From Grandmaster Robert A. Heinlein comes a long-lost first novel, written in 1939 and never before published, introducing ideas and themes that would shape his career and define the genre that is synonymous with his name." I absolutely love all of Heinlein's books. I was first introduced to science fiction and specifically Robert Heinlein by a man I was dating in my late twenties/early thirties. I used to make these very broad all encompassing statements, in this case I hate science fiction. My then male friend said will you read a couple of books and I said sure but I'll hate them. He brought me Stranger in a Strange Land and Time Enough for Love...need I say more? I was hooked, although at the time I said okay, I like Heinlein but no other scifi writer...wrong again...I went on to read Asimov, Bradbury and more. But my first love is Robert Heinlein, I have read every book of his that I can find (I have found all but one and I don't remember now what that was). Thus when I saw "For Us, the Living" I had to read it. I hope the charm is there!

I tend to stick with the mystery/thriller/susupense genres, with or without romance or paranormal elements, but pick up the occasional general or literary fiction as well. All depends on my mood and what interests me.

Kate wrote: "Oh thanks Lisa! I love archaeological mysteries -- read all the Tony Hillermans, and the Amelia Peabodys too. I'll certainly check out Anne Marie Evans & Susan Miller Cummings. Oh boy, I can't w..."Well I hope you like them! I'd love to know what you think when you get to them!

When not reading a cozy, I'm reading a memoir or historical fiction. I also read suspense/thrillers.

Right now I am reading The Hope of Refuge A Novel by Cindy Woodsmall. I won this through the Goodreads Giveaway program. So far it is really good. It is set in the Amish country of Pennsylvania.

Cozies are what I read in between my other reading which tends to be denser fiction. Some of my favourites of non-cozies are Suite Française an intense book set in France during WW2. amazing book and not my usual genre. The Echo Maker A Novel an incredible read that is an allegory for 9-11. Books by José Saramago and for light reading I recently really enjoyed books by Lisa See

Shannon wrote: "Cozies are what I read in between my other reading which tends to be denser fiction. Some of my favourites of non-cozies are Suite Française an intense book set in France during WW2. ..."

I had never read Lisa See before until this summer when I read [image error] . Must admit I bought it because I just couldn't resist the picture on the cover. It was a very good book!

I read cozies as a break, too. Or if I just want to slip a book in my purse, so often I have one on the go while reading other more serious books. Two of my more recent books were The Sky Rained Heroes by Frederick E. LaCroix and Yakuza Moon: Memoirs of a Gangster’s Daughter by Shoko Tendo. In between was a cozy, Index to Murder by Jo Dereske, about to start The Invisible Mountain by Carolina De Robertis, described by one person as "...fierce, wise and tender tale...".

Melodie wrote: I had never read Lisa See before until this summer when I read . Must admit I bought it because I just couldn't resist the picture on the cover. It was a very good book!

Melodie, you must read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. It was better than Shanghai Girls. And Lisa writes mysteries too: Flower Net and The Interior

Denise wrote: "Finished Eats, Shoots & Leaves The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation. It was good but after a while I got a little bogged down with all the punctuation rules. Also adjusting to ..."

I love Debbie Macomber's books! I have
Morning Comes Softly on my "to be read" shelf, and have heard so many good reviews about this book! Its going to be my "next" Debbie Macomber book that I read! Im also waiting to read 92 Pacific Boulevard ~ Ive read the other books in this series, and really enjoyed them.

Melissa wrote: "I love Debbie Macomber's books! I have
Morning Comes Softly on my "to be read" shelf, and have heard so many good reviews about this book! Its going to be my "next" Debbie Macomber book that I read! ..."

I've only read a couple of Macomber's books, the ones about the 3 angels, but I bought her Cedar Cove cookbook and am going to try some of the yummy sounding recipes!

Melissa wrote: "I love Debbie Macomber's books! I have Morning Comes Softly on my "to be read" shelf, and have heard so many good reviews about this book! Its going to be my "next" Debbie Macomber book that I read!..."

There is a group just to discuss Debbie Macomber books if anyone is interested.

Since being on a househunting trip (and visiting my kids, grandkids, and great grandson) in Phoenix I have read 4 non-cozy books. I started with The Hope of Refuge A Novel by Cindy Woodsmall. I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and wanted to read it and write a review which I did. Then I also brought with me Talk Before Sleep A Novel by Elizabeth Berg. This is a very good book and will especially touch the hearts of those that have dealt with cancer in their lives (loved one--family or friend, or self). When running out of reading material I then picked up The Haunted School by R.L. Stine. This is a Goosebumps book (belonging to my grandson). When I got to my younger daughter's apartment I picked The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I stayed up till 6 a.m. reading this book this morning took a short nap and finished the book. Yes, I liked it. Alot. I am actually glad I ran out of things to read because I'm not sure when or if I would have read "Bees". Now I have to go raid my daughter's bookshelf again and see what treasure awaits.

Raided my daughter's bookcase and picked 3 books to read:

The Last Noel,
The Scarlet Letter,
and
Christmas In Hawthorn Bay.

This should keep me busy for a couple of days.

My daughter isn't a cozy reader so will have to wait until I get home to get back into a cozy.

I liked a recent book by William Kent Krueger called "Heaven's Keep" lot of action, pretty serious but kept me turning those pages till late!

Does everyone know that in order for the search function to work (as in when you want to search to see if a book or author is mentioned in a discussion post) you must use the add book/author function right above the comment box to insert the book or author's name. If you just type the name of the book or the author's name the search box is not programmed to read book titles or author names. I found that out when I was searching for something that I had commented on and I couldn't find the author that I was sure that I had used in a comment. So I was scanning the comments and found the author that I was looking for and the discussion we had been having. So I wrote to customer service and told them the search function wasn't working and I was told that the programming only picked up the name/title if the add book/author was used. I had not used it in that particular discussion so the search function didn't find it. I just wanted to pass this along to everyone. (If you see this same comment in other groups it is because I want to make everyone aware.)

I'm reading another "non-cozy". (Remember I am staying with my daughter in Phoenix and she doesn't read cozies.) Anyway, I found Swan's Way by Becky Lee Weyrich on her shelf. It is a time travel romance. It is really good. I am 100 pages into it and must say I am really enjoying it.

Denise wrote: "I'm reading another "non-cozy". (Remember I am staying with my daughter in Phoenix and she doesn't read cozies.) Anyway, I found Swan's Way by Becky Lee Weyrich on her ..."Hi Denise, Glad you mentioned that one cause I have it on my to read stack.
I don't know if you like thrillers but I'm reading a kindof light one so far anyway, called, "The President's Henchman", The wife is elected president and her husband has to find something to do so he sets himself up as a PI, or THE President's Henchman! Has some godd humor too.

I plan to read The Book Thief, The Lovely Bones,and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Anyone read any of these?

Heidi wrote: "I plan to read The Book Thief, The Lovely Bones,and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Anyone read any of these?"I read the Girl With The Dragon Tatoo, didn't really care for it. But I would like to look at those others that you mentioned.
Lisa

Lisa wrote: "Heidi wrote: "I plan to read The Book Thief, The Lovely Bones,and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Anyone read any of these?"I read the Girl With The Dragon ..."

Thanks for the heads up Lisa - I was a little worried about the Dragon Tattoo book - we'll see :)

Heidi wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Heidi wrote: "I plan to read The Book Thief, The Lovely Bones,and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Anyone read any of these?"I read the Girl Wit..."No problem, maybe you would like it I don't know a lot of people raved about it so I tried it but I just couldn't get into it.
I looked at the Book Theif which sounded interesting and I'll check the other one too.

Heidi wrote: "I plan to read The Book Thief, The Lovely Bones,and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Anyone read any of these?"

I read The Book Thief a couple of years ago and thought it was a great book. I loaned it to a couple of friends and they thought the same. It is about WWII, though, so be prepared for some sad story plots.

Another non-cozy that I recently finished is Christmas In Hawthorn Bay by Kathleen O'Brien. This was very good. I also re-read Like Water for Chocolate A Novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies. I couldn't remember what it was about the book that I didn't like the first time I read it. I now know. It has a stupid ending. I'm now back to reading a cozy.

Jan wrote: "Heidi wrote: "I plan to read The Book Thief, The Lovely Bones,and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Anyone read any of these?"

I read The Book Thief a couple..."
Thanks for the update Jan - I have it as an audiobook, and should be starting it soon. Looking forward to it.

I won In CHEAP We Trust The Story of a Misunderstood American Virtue in a Goodreads giveaway. I started it this morning (I sure hope it gets better because at the moment I'm not "feelin' it"). I also started Final Journeys A Practical Guide for Bringing Care and Comfort at the End of Life. I have had this here for months (it is a library book that I just keep renewing) and I decided I need to either read it or take it back. I read Maggie Callanan's Final Gifts Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying and it was really good and I checked Final Journeys A Practical Guide for Bringing Care and Comfort at the End of Life out but I just keep putting it back to read later. Later has now come!

Currently reading "The Invisible Mountain" by Carolina De Robertis, which takes place through 3 generations in South America. A lovely, lyrical style and the political events through that time (coups, rebellions, dictatorship) make this a wonderful book. I should be finished it tomorrow morning. This will be followed by "Hound" by Vincent McCaffrey, before I slip in another cozy.

As a genre, I probably read more cozy mysteries than anything else, but I am actually a very eclectic reader who reads a wide variety of things. Looking back at my list for the last 30 days, I see that I have read: 1 historical fiction, 2 historical mysteries, 2 police procedurals, 1 cozy, 1 cultural history, and 1 American literary classic. Currently, I'm reading "Winter in Madrid" by C.J. Sansom, a spy novel set during WWII. There is pleasure in reading all kinds of literature with the possible exception of the "Twilight" series.

I read Winter in Madrid a few months ago. I thought it was an interesting book, but I started reading it as a mystery and discovered that if I changed my outlook to historical fiction, it was a much smoother read. I did enjoy it though.

Dorothy wrote: "There is pleasure in reading all kinds of literature with the possible exception of the "Twilight" series. ..."

I wouldn't say that. I QUITE enjoyed reading the Twilight series. There is pleasure in reading ALL kinds of literature, just maybe not to you.

I read mainstream, literary, and women's fiction books for my monthly in-person book club. This month's book is The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff.

Beth wrote: "I read mainstream, literary, and women's fiction books for my monthly in-person book club. This month's book is The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff."

I have had this book in The Pile for quite some time now. Should dig it out!