Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge discussion

We were discussing this in another section, but I thought I'd bring it up here. What do you feel makes a cozy mystery? One great definition is at the cozy mystery website at http://www.cozy-mystery.com/Definitio...

For me...the story should be a light, easy read with the main character (male or female) being an amateur sleuth which means not being a cop or P.I. They should also be set in a small town with no gory stuff.

I have long wanted to have this discussion and have attempted it here and there. I'm glad a chat with Yvonne and Lynn today has gotten a beach ball rolling! I will happily refer everyone to an article I wrote about gothic mysteries, which I describe as the predecessor to today's mainstream 'cozy' mystery. I don't feel location or job (city or professional) make a difference. I read a great deal in San Franciso (Juliet Blackwell). My goal would be accomplished if several folks weighed in and we boil it down to the most basic impressions upon which we agree. That then, would define once and for all, the broad category.

I say: uncomplicated plot, motive, writing doesn't blow the mind (thus I call Agatha Christie 'pure mystery'). That doesn't bar surprise - see Charlotte MacLeod's surreal vocabualary! Minimum gore, subject matter isn't contraversial, no sex. I want adult relationships in adult fiction. However cozies don't have them, save Barbara Bretton and Jasmine Galenorn. A 'cozy' is career-themed. Never scary or suspenseful (which I'd love different). They tend towards humour. Here's my article. Carolyn. http://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2012/04...

I think it is the eccentric characters, humor, fast-pace, charming settings, interesting stories, lack of violence and gore, and happy ending.

Would Kate White's Bailey Weggins Series be considered cozies?

Michelle wrote: "Would Kate White's Bailey Weggins Series be considered cozies? "

I haven't read this series yet and I wasn't sure if it would or not, but Goodreads has cozy mystery listed as a genre for this one. So, I guess it would be okay.