Cozy Mysteries discussion

Booklistreader.com had an article about the trend on unreliable narrators and unlikable people: Unreliable Narrators and Unlikeable People: 8 Killer Examples of Psychological Suspense

http://www.booklistreader.com/2015/09...



What do you think? Can you think of examples of this? I remember a traumatic experience reading that classic unreliable narrator in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. I couldn't read a book in the first person for years afterwards! Also, when you go to unlikable characters, may I suggest The Lying Tongue by Andrew Wilson?

I enjoyed unreliable narrators featured in The Other Typist and also in a book called The Confabulist by Steven Galloway. Had no sympathy for the alcoholic Girl on the Train

Wow, what an interesting subject! I really haven't labeled my dislikes for books this way! Thanks for starting this thread!

I didn't find any character in Morrison's Song of Solomon likeable or interesting.

I find Agatha Raisin in the series by M.C. Beaton pretty unlikable. I always wonder why she's so popular. She's really unpleasant.

Grey853 wrote: "I find Agatha Raisin in the series by M.C. Beaton pretty unlikable. I always wonder why she's so popular. She's really unpleasant."

Agree with you there.

Grey853 wrote: "I find Agatha Raisin in the series by M.C. Beaton pretty unlikable. I always wonder why she's so popular. She's really unpleasant."

I do like those mysteries - but not as much as her other series with Hamish Macbeth. I do agree that Agatha Raisin is very cranky. I used to work with people like her.

Grey853 wrote: "I find Agatha Raisin in the series by M.C. Beaton pretty unlikable. I always wonder why she's so popular. She's really unpleasant." I find Agatha Raisin more ANNOYING than unlikable. It seems to me that she is constantly bemoaning all of the things that come naturally with age....her wrinkles, her inability to compete with the sweet young things, the shortcomings of the men in her life (no pun intended), etc., etc. She is a champion WHINER!

Sandie wrote: "Grey853 wrote: "I find Agatha Raisin in the series by M.C. Beaton pretty unlikable. I always wonder why she's so popular. She's really unpleasant." I find Agatha Raisin more ANNOYING than unlikable..."

She is a whiner and a manipulator. She's man crazy and not a good friend. She'd sell out anyone to get an advantage. So, annoying or unlikable, she's not a character that I enjoy reading about.

The characters in Gone Girl were so repulsive that I've forgotten their names.

Sherry wrote: "The characters in Gone Girl were so repulsive that I've forgotten their names."

Oh, I totally agree with that one. I know it was a bestseller, but it really wasn't for me.

Grey853 wrote: "Sherry wrote: "The characters in Gone Girl were so repulsive that I've forgotten their names."

Oh, I totally agree with that one. I know it was a bestseller, but it really wasn't for me."

Me too! I hated that book!

I liked The Girl on the Train, but hated every single character in it! I could never get past 50 pages of GONE GIRL and had no desire to see the movie.

I really liked Girl on the Train despite not sympathizing with the characters. But, Gone Girl was just dreadful.

Unlikable characters is one of the reasons I've had such a hard time finishing Emma. I got about halfway through last year, and just couldn't go on.

Grey853 wrote: "I find Agatha Raisin in the series by M.C. Beaton pretty unlikable. I always wonder why she's so popular. She's really unpleasant."

Finally! Someone who doesn't like Agatha Raisin either! I don't get her popularity at all. ;)

Julie wrote: "Grey853 wrote: "I find Agatha Raisin in the series by M.C. Beaton pretty unlikable. I always wonder why she's so popular. She's really unpleasant."

Finally! Someone who doesn't like Agatha Raisin ..."

She's one of the the most self-serving, arrogant characters I've ever read.

I read one and didn't like it so I never read another.

I really enjoyed Wuthering Heights but didn't like any of the characters.

Betty wrote: "I read one and didn't like it so I never read another."

Much as Agatha can be pretty annoying, I read them because they're in that particular genre of books I like. The cozy mystery set in the quirky small town/village.

Betty wrote: "I read one and didn't like it so I never read another."

I actually liked the first one not realizing that Agatha begins to wear on the reader very quickly. She never grows up or matures in any way. Just like one stops answering the phone from a grouchy friend, one soon stops reading Agatha Raisin books.

I feel the same way about the Agatha Raisin series. I can't believe there are so many of them. I love the Hamish Macbeth series by the same author. I read the first five in Agatha's series thinking her personality might change, but alas it never happened.

☯Emily wrote: "Betty wrote: "I read one and didn't like it so I never read another."

I actually liked the first one not realizing that Agatha begins to wear on the reader very quickly. She never grows up or matu..."

I wouldn't expect her to change. She's older and I think the author wants her to be that way. It shows how much of a "fish out of water" she is.

I had no idea Agatha bothered as many people as she had. Are there any other cozy mysteries that have characters people can't stand? (I'll have to think that over.)

Grey853 wrote: "I find Agatha Raisin in the series by M.C. Beaton pretty unlikable. I always wonder why she's so popular. She's really unpleasant."

I love Agagtha. But I understand what you mean

Renee wrote: "Grey853 wrote: "I find Agatha Raisin in the series by M.C. Beaton pretty unlikable. I always wonder why she's so popular. She's really unpleasant."

I love Agagtha. But I understand what you mean"

Could you explain to me why? What is it about her that makes her someone who's so popular for some readers? I just don't get the appeal of a woman like that as a main character.

I think I like her because I know someone like her. Agatha is my cousin. We come from a very loud talking Chicago Sicilian family. Agatha is such a parody that I just laugh.

I think that their are certain types of chars that you love or hate. I hate all of the chars written by Anne Rivers Siddons. My Bff loves her. Its just taste

Renee wrote: "I think I like her because I know someone like her. Agatha is my cousin. We come from a very loud talking Chicago Sicilian family. Agatha is such a parody that I just laugh.

Okay, that makes total sense. Thanks!

Because she's so popular, I wonder if that means there are a lot of Cousin Agathas out there. LOL.

☯Emily wrote: "Grey853 wrote: "I find Agatha Raisin in the series by M.C. Beaton pretty unlikable. I always wonder why she's so popular. She's really unpleasant."

Agree with you there."

ME TOO!

I love unreliable narrators- it helps with surprise, mystery, and sometimes a surreal feel. I also love unconventional characters.

I liked Agatha for a long time because she wasn't perfect. Not everyone is and there are a lot of Agathas in the world. Unfortunately, as in real life, there was a limit to what I could put up with from someone who won't change yet continues to whine.

I hated Gone Girl.

I enjoyed Girl on the Train, even though I didn't particularly care for the characters, I wanted to know the secrets.

Unreliable narrators are nice. Erin's got a point- it helps with surprise and mystery.

Renee wrote: "Grey853 wrote: "I find Agatha Raisin in the series by M.C. Beaton pretty unlikable. I always wonder why she's so popular. She's really unpleasant."

I love Agagtha. But I understand what you mean"

Agatha never learns from her mistakes and is completely oblivious and tone-deaf when dealing with individuals and her community, even after all of these years. She is her own worst enemy and, gawd-love-her, may she never change!
I think this series is best taken in small doses over a long period of time. A little bit of Aggie goes a long way!

I may be burned at the stake for this, but Nero Wolfe drives me up the wall! I enjoy the books - they are so well-written, the snappy patter is unparalleled, and I LOVE Archie, but the Big Man himself is like an overgrown baby. There, I said it, and I feel much better now.

Chris wrote: "I may be burned at the stake for this, but Nero Wolfe drives me up the wall! I enjoy the books - they are so well-written, the snappy patter is unparalleled, and I LOVE Archie, but the Big Man hims..."

Oh, don't feel bad. I don't like Nero, either. I just never thought of that series as a cozy, though.

Chris wrote: "I may be burned at the stake for this, but Nero Wolfe drives me up the wall! I enjoy the books - they are so well-written, the snappy patter is unparalleled, and I LOVE Archie, but the Big Man hims..."

Ohh, I totally agree! I can't stand Wolfe. But I love Archie and the other characters.

Though, I will say I like Wolfe in The Black Mountain. He's far less annoying in that one.

I love Agatha Raisin including her many faults. If I encountered her in real life, I dont think I could stomach her rudeness, but I read this series when I'm ready for a good LOL. The trouble she gets herself into is almost slapstick funny...and her humanity is endearing. Most of all, she is bigger than life in everything she does and that keeps me reading, curious about where she'll end up next.