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What IS a Cozy Mystery? by J.Q. Rose
When my romantic suspense novel, Dangerous Sanctuary, was first released, I received this review from Susan B. "It was a delightful cozy, with some romance, some religion, and lots of mystery. This novel has an interesting cast of characters, humorous situations, and was filled with surprises."
As I read the review, I wondered how many readers had heard of a cozy mystery. How many writers? For sure, when I began writing Dangerous Sanctuary, formerly published as Coda to Murder, I wasn't thinking "cozy mystery." I just wanted to write what I like to read.
I like stories with
▶ a mystery and some humor,
▶ a strong female protagonist,
▶ not a lot of blood and gore,
▶ and some sweet romance.
I didn't choose a main character who was in law enforcement mainly because I have no experience with police methods. Because there was a crime committed in my story, I had to research a few procedures. Thank goodness my neighbor was a policeman and a valuable resource.
Until I received Susan's review I never even considered I had written a cozy mystery! I definitely began looking into the elements needed to fit the qualifications for a cozy mystery. Author Kassandra Lamb has lots of mysteries to choose from at amazon. She listed the following points on her Cozy Thrills Facebook page.
Criteria for a Cozy Mystery by Kassandra Lamb
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| Dangerous Sanctuary by J.Q. Rose |
When my romantic suspense novel, Dangerous Sanctuary, was first released, I received this review from Susan B. "It was a delightful cozy, with some romance, some religion, and lots of mystery. This novel has an interesting cast of characters, humorous situations, and was filled with surprises."
As I read the review, I wondered how many readers had heard of a cozy mystery. How many writers? For sure, when I began writing Dangerous Sanctuary, formerly published as Coda to Murder, I wasn't thinking "cozy mystery." I just wanted to write what I like to read.
I like stories with
▶ a mystery and some humor,
▶ a strong female protagonist,
▶ not a lot of blood and gore,
▶ and some sweet romance.
 |
| I had to research police procedures for my novel, Dangerous Sanctuary. |
Until I received Susan's review I never even considered I had written a cozy mystery! I definitely began looking into the elements needed to fit the qualifications for a cozy mystery. Author Kassandra Lamb has lots of mysteries to choose from at amazon. She listed the following points on her Cozy Thrills Facebook page.
Criteria for a Cozy Mystery by Kassandra Lamb
1. Amateur sleuth (although may have significant other who is a P.I. or police officer)
2. Something (setting, main character's vocation, etc.) is different and interesting (think Cabot Cove/Murder She Wrote).
3. Crimes happen, usually murder, but minimal on-screen violence and no gory descriptions
4. Sex is off-screen
5. The community where the story is set is often an integral part of the story.
Click here to read the article, What Makes a Cozy Just That at The Cozy Mystery List website.
You're welcome to add another cozy element to the list by leaving a comment below.
2. Something (setting, main character's vocation, etc.) is different and interesting (think Cabot Cove/Murder She Wrote).
3. Crimes happen, usually murder, but minimal on-screen violence and no gory descriptions
4. Sex is off-screen
5. The community where the story is set is often an integral part of the story.
Click here to read the article, What Makes a Cozy Just That at The Cozy Mystery List website.
You're welcome to add another cozy element to the list by leaving a comment below.
If you enjoy reading cozies, please check out books from my author friends, Susan Bernhardt and Marsha R. West.
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| Romance and Mystery Authors On Writing Compiled by J.Q. Rose |
If you are a romance or mystery writer, find helpful tips on writing, publishing and marketing from fifteen experienced talented authors, Romance and Mystery Authors on Writing.
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