Cozy Mysteries discussion

So this week, I read the last book in a series I've been enjoying - only to have the main character's husband completely gratuitously killed off in the last few pages, thus nullifying all the main character's romantic growth through the previous books in the series.

This really shocked me in a cozy series, but is that a reaction anyone else would have felt?

That sounds atypical of cozies. One of the working definitions insofar as I’m aware is that the reader typically doesn’t have an emotional commitment to the victims. That being said, I have run into cozies before where someone who was important to the main character was killed, but those people had not been well developed enough as characters for it to be wrenching for the reader. The piper and porter mystery series’ first book is an example. There’s also a similarly close death in the Hannah Swenson series.

I agree, that's not typical for cozies, and I think I know the series Trish is referring to, but I hate to say the name. It's one I've not even read all the books yet, but I'd heard about what happened in the last book quite some time ago, so at least when I do read it, I know it's coming. I wonder if that author was going to spin her MC off into something else. If it's the series I'm thinking about, she had the MC as a visitor to another of her series. ;)

That sounds like it leans more towards Hallmark Movie-of-the-Week than cozy mystery.

Sometimes when an author is tired of writing a series or wants to End It Forever they kill off a major character to 1) give the ending some significance and 2) to make sure they won't be tempted to write another book for some sort of cash grab.

I don't know the book you're referring to so it's pretty hard to say, but I'd definitely say it's unusual for a cozy series.

It’s the end of the series I don’t know why it would matter. Still a cozy series.

PugMom wrote: "It’s the end of the series I don’t know why it would matter. Still a cozy series."

It matters because at the time the book came out, readers didn’t know it was the end of the series. I personally felt betrayed by the author, and it was a few years before I decided to give her other series a try. I know the book Trish is talking about, and this is the only cozy mystery series I’ve read in which a main character was killed off. That’s usually more a mainstream/general mystery event.

I don't know what series this refers to, but it does sound out of character for a cozy. Even in other genres I feel shock when a main character is killed.

I know the series she's talking about. The series can be a cozy, but I won't trust that author in a long time. For me, it's the same than Nora Roberts killing Roarke in a In Death novel.

I know which series it is, and I haven't read the last three books nor am I going to, knowing what happens. The only 'normal' person in the book gets killed off! I don't want to read any more books by this author, because if they do this, who's to say they don't get tired of writing another series and they do it again?

There are plenty of other cozy authors out there who actually care about their readers and wouldn't even think of doing this. I am still angry considering the time I've already invested in this author's books.

Heather L wrote: "PugMom wrote: "It’s the end of the series I don’t know why it would matter. Still a cozy series."

It matters because at the time the book came out, readers didn’t know it was the end of the series..."

I got wind of it ahead of time so I guess it didn't bother me as much. I knew it was the last book. I still wouldn't define a whole series by one incident but that's just me. I just moved on afterwards. I haven't really read much by that author just because I have other books to read.

Jennifer wrote: "That sounds atypical of cozies. One of the working definitions insofar as I’m aware is that the reader typically doesn’t have an emotional commitment to the victims. That being said, I have run int..."

I thought the same thing about the Piper and Porter mysteries but since the main characters were actually private detectives, and not really amateurs, I think they get a pass. It isn't really a typical cozy to begin with by definition.

Marisa wrote: "I know the series she's talking about. The series can be a cozy, but I won't trust that author in a long time. For me, it's the same than Nora Roberts killing Roarke in a In Death novel."

Oh wash your mouth out Marisa!! lol

Brenda wrote: "Oh wash your mouth out Marisa!! lol"

🤣

Tari wrote: "I agree, that's not typical for cozies, and I think I know the series Trish is referring to, but I hate to say the name...If it's the series I'm thinking about, she had the MC as a visitor to another of her series. ;)

Yep, that's the one. I did know the book in question was the last in the series, but hadn't heard about this particular thing beforehand, so it was a kick in the gut. And it was so utterly gratuitous - it didn't even add anything to the plot.

Marisa wrote: "I know the series she's talking about. The series can be a cozy, but I won't trust that author in a long time. "

You've summed it up exactly. I like the author's books generally, but my trust is broken. I read cozies for the escapism (yes, I know that's weird given their murders), not realistic drama, which is why this was a shock.

For anyone who's interested, I asked the author why she did it, and I'll admit her answer didn't really do anything to regain my trust:

"People get hurt in murder mysteries, and I don't take that lightly. Was it sad? Of course. Did you feel something? I believe you did. That's how I stay true to the story inside me. I write what will make people feel something. If you're looking to experience a range of emotions when you read, then my books will deliver. If you're looking for the same story told over and over with a tidy, happy ending, then my work may not be for you. Luckily, there are plenty of safe, predictable novels out there. I read them at times as well, but I prefer not to write them."

I'd like to know what author and series this is so I can avoid it. I know we shouldn't post it here. I am not that familiar with Goodreads but is there a PM feature someone could use to tell me who it is?

Teresa wrote: "I'd like to know what author and series this is so I can avoid it. I know we shouldn't post it here. I am not that familiar with Goodreads but is there a PM feature someone could use to tell me who..."

(view spoiler)[It’s the “Books by the Bay” series by Ellery Adams. (hide spoiler)]

Trish wrote: "For anyone who's interested, I asked the author why she did it, and I'll admit her answer didn't really do anything to regain my trust:

"People get hurt in murder mysteries, and I don't take that..."

That really sounds like a cop out to me!!

Thanks for the heads up on this series. I guess this author is going to the bottom of the TBR list. Not only do I not want to get invested and be heartbroken but to me, the author's response feels condescending.

I've definitely read cozies where characters close to the MC or who are important to the community in general are killed. I know of at least one where the MC is investigating potential foul play in the death of one of their parents. It's a cozy, but a much more emotional and dramatic read than you'll typically find.

What you're describing not typical for what's in the genre and what people expect, but I don't think the definition of a cozy mystery would necessarily prevent a book like that from being a cozy either. My definition of a cozy is pretty basic, just little to no foul language and no gratuitous or explicit violence or romance.

Based on the plot alone, I'd actually be interested in reading that series. I'd be interested in seeing how the author handles such a big moment like that, plus I'm always looking for cozies that offer something different to the reader and which stand out from the genre in some way.

Though, the author's response didn't really impress me. I understand where they are coming from but they could have definitely phrased it a lot better, or just not said it at all.

Nobody should be killed in a cozy--except the murder victims of course. JoeCosentino.weebly.com

If that is how the author wanted to end it, I guess it is still a cozy. I doubt I would be happy with that ending.

My understanding of a cozy is little to no foul language or graphic sex, and all deaths happen off page. Even if it's a main character, as long as the death itself isn't on page, it is still a cozy, right?

Although Regan's husband Tom in my Regan McHenry Real Estate Mysteries series blue eyes were my husbands, the character was not, but when my husband died, I debated killing Tom because it was so painful to write seeing my husband's eyes. I didn't, though (although I created some serious tension around his potential murder) but a cozy isn't the right place for that kind of killing.

I agree that it's not typical of cozies, but I've seen secondary main characters become murderers as well as victims. Not often, but it does happen.

In fact, Joanne Fluke did it in the fiasco she wrote into her series. Where it could have been to end one thing and breathe new life into the series, she didn't. Acutally, like the author noted here, there didn't really seem to be any reason behind what she did. It's like the series took a left turn for a few books and ended up right back where it had been before the "kerfuffle" -- almost like you could not read those entries and never realize you'd missed anything in the protagonist's life. No change. No growth. Etc.

I've read and enjoyed other series by the main subject of this thread, but the one referenced is one I tried but could not get into, For some reason I didn't care for the main character. Thinking it could have been my frame of mind when I read the first book and because I've enjoyed other of her work I still have it TBRed -- but very low on the list.

If this wasn't the end of the series, I would have said that the author was using it as a means of taking the character and/or the story in a new direction, as I mentioned above. And, having it come from out of the blue does happen in real life all too many times. How would the protagonist deal with the death? How would she interact with friends, etc. Would she still involve herself in murders and how would that look, etc. That I could have dealt with.

I read the note from the author regarding the reason behind the decision and understand it. But where I disagree is that to not know where the protagonist goes from here (even with the cameo in another series), is like killing both off. [It sort of makes me wonder what the author was dealing with in her life at the time and what impact, if any, it had on her decision,] To not get to see the "full circle" or growth in action leaves characters and readers hanging,

Honestly I've read that book and it felt pretty cozy to me just because I felt like the character was finally freed from the shackles of husband. I think her choice of not having it "complete" was just because the reader and the author have different definitions of what completeness is.