From the Amazon listing description: “If you love the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel or you know someone who can’t get enough of the series Garage Sale Mysteries with Jennifer Shannon, Murder, She Baked with Hannah Swensen, or Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, you’ll love Peppermint Mocha Murder with Molly Brewster. To save the season, she’ll have to catch a culinary killer…”
About the Cozies
Cozy murder mysteries (or cozies) are a popular subgenre that generally includes the details below:
- “Whodunnits”
- A small cast of characters
- Amateur sleuthing
- Usually, some interwoven law enforcement
- Romance sparks in the story arc
- Squeaky clean (some canoodling, but that’s about it)
- Minimal gore
- Small town with a charming setting
- Sometimes, recipes are included
- False leads
- The antagonist (villain) reveal is a surprise
- A happy ending
Adventures of a Cozy Murder Mystery Editor
I personally love cozy murder mysteries for several delightful reasons. These books are lighthearted, funny, intriguing, romantic, nail-biting, somewhat mysterious, and… surprising! The “whodunnit” element keeps you guessing until the very end.
Best of all, I get to go along for the ride! I enjoy the highs, lows, rollercoaster moments, local scenery, and a small-town “Americana feel” by working with authors in this subgenre. The sweet build-up and bubbling-over of romantic elements cannot be overemphasized.
AARP and the Cozie Craze
www.aarp.org
Interestingly, AARP published “Kittens, Tea Cups and Murder: The Warm Appeal of Cozy Mysteries — Snuggle up and escape into one of these witty, gore-free detective books” in September of 2022.
“The key markers of a cozy include a small-town setting, an amateur sleuth, likable characters, murder in the background (no gory descriptions), a possible love interest (but no sex scenes), loads of red herrings and a sense of humor — often reflected in the books’ pun-happy titles (think Game of Scones and Up to No Gouda).” ~ Christina Ianzito, & Nicholas DeRenzo, AARP
From St. Martin’s Press on the AARP website.
Need a Cozy Murder Mystery Editor? Contact me about Cozies and Other Writing Projects Today!
I look forward to collaborating with you on your next thriller, mystery, or whodunnit. Send an email to melaniesaxton@icloud.com, and let’s get started!