Cozy Mystery Corner discussion

I first became interested in cozies because they offered an alternative to fiction with violence, sex and profanity. I especially liked the wholesome, traditional and charming qualities to the stories. But more often than not, I'm finding cozies with profanity. Not a ton but the sh*t word sprinkled throughout the story - usually from an edgy detective - appropriate yes, but unexpected.

I really don't want these stories to change. If I want those other elements, I know I can find them in many genres, including romance and YA. I'm just wondering if I'm being a "prude" or just a cozy purist?

I’m surprised that you’re seeing it often. I very rarely do, and I read about 200 cozies a year. We must be reading different series! Either that or I don’t notice it especially!

I don't mind. I have a very "colorful" vocabulary myself, so it doesn't bother me. They're just words. Now, do I expect "F-bombs"? No, that would surprise me and I'd be taken aback for a minute, but it wouldn't bother me. However, I can't remember seeing any in a cozy. As for sex, I can't remember ever seeing graphic sex in a cozy. If I want that, I'll grab some good erotica. Sex in cozies is behind closed doors, but some people get their undies in a bunch over that. Those people I would consider prudes!

I read almost as many cozies as Jennifer and I don't think I've ever seen even something as tame as sh*t in one of them. And I know I've never read any graphic sex scenes -- or violence -- in a cozy.

Are you sure the book/s in question are marketed as cozies by the author or publisher? You can't rely on the GR tags/shelves for accurate classifications, as those are created by 'ordinary' GR members, and a lot of readers have rather strange definitions as to what constitutes a cozy :)

AWomanReading wrote: "I first became interested in cozies because they offered an alternative to fiction with violence, sex and profanity. I especially liked the wholesome, traditional and charming qualities to the stor..."

I've read cozies since before they were called cozies, 1950's with books that were decades older. I don't expect extreme violence, sentence after sentence of curse words, or step by step graphic sex scenes in cozies but it seems to me the more recent ones are less violent, have fewer expletives and when it comes to sex... I can't remember a recent one where even a married couple exchanged so much as a passionate kiss.
You might want to take a look at the What is a Cozy Mystery? discussion.

Barb wrote: "I read almost as many cozies as Jennifer and I don't think I've ever seen even something as tame as sh*t in one of them. And I know I've never read any graphic sex scenes -- or violence -- in a coz..."

L J wrote: "AWomanReading wrote: "I first became interested in cozies because they offered an alternative to fiction with violence, sex and profanity. I especially liked the wholesome, traditional and charming..."

L J wrote: "AWomanReading wrote: "I first became interested in cozies because they offered an alternative to fiction with violence, sex and profanity. I especially liked the wholesome, traditional and charming..."

Jennifer wrote: "I’m surprised that you’re seeing it often. I very rarely do, and I read about 200 cozies a year. We must be reading different series! Either that or I don’t notice it especially!"

Jennifer wrote: "I’m surprised that you’re seeing it often. I very rarely do, and I read about 200 cozies a year. We must be reading different series! Either that or I don’t notice it especially!"



Hi Jennifer, thanks for replying. When I say "more often than not", I guess I mean occasionally. But even once is enough for me to notice. I listen to audiobooks for cozies so it may be more noticeable. I just finished Denise Swanson's Leave No Scone Unturned (a series I really like) and this is the one using sh*t two or three times, so it's my most recent example.

Melodie wrote: "I don't mind. I have a very "colorful" vocabulary myself, so it doesn't bother me. They're just words. Now, do I expect "F-bombs"? No, that would surprise me and I'd be taken aback for a minute, bu..."


Hi Melodie, I definitely haven't read any sex scenes in cozies, referring more to language. Which I don't mind and expect in a lot of books. I think it's more my expectation that cozies as a genre have no profanity but some writers and editors are okay with pushing the boundaries. I don't suspect that many people mind.

Barb wrote: "I read almost as many cozies as Jennifer and I don't think I've ever seen even something as tame as sh*t in one of them. And I know I've never read any graphic sex scenes -- or violence -- in a coz..."


Hey Barb, yep, their cozies. If I can think the others (and it's only like 2 or 3 that I've read) I"ll post them later. I don't think its endemic to the genre, just the small beginnings of a trend that I hope doesn't grow further.

Ah! Well, believe it or not Denise Swanson is someone I haven’t actually read yet—hard to believe because she’s been around a long time!