The Sword and Laser discussion

Hi everyone

I was wondering... Is there anywhere a cozy fantasy mystery set in a Shire-like setting with Hobbits or more realistically Halflings that are inspired by Hobbits?

It seems to be a perfect match - the Shire and Hobbits are so inherently cozy And cozy mysteries are such a well loved genre - but I cannot really find anything online.

But think about it: imagine a young Halfling under suspicion of murder has to solve the mysterious disappearance of their rich eccentric uncle and a missing piece of jewelry. All with colorful characters from a kind gardener over snobby relatives to some mysterious tall folk from the outside in a cozy rural setting with lots of food and drinking and stunning landscape...

And if there isn't one - what do you think is the reason? Just a fear of a conflict with the Tolkien estate? Or reluctance because people may feel they can't add a steamy romance subplot (hobbits aren't sexy enough?!?)

What do you think?

"Midshire Murders." I like it! Would beat Rings of Power by a country mile.

Hmm these footprints are suspiciously small and hairless...

Jan wrote: "I was wondering... Is there anywhere a cozy fantasy mystery set in a Shire-like setting with Hobbits or more realistically Halflings that are inspired by Hobbits?

It seems to be a perfect match - the Shire and Hobbits are so inherently cozy And cozy mysteries are such a well loved genre - but I cannot really find anything online..."

That is an excellent idea! You should write that.

There are several series by S. Usher Evans that are set in the same magical world, one such being cozy mysteries that have the vibe of the Great British Baking Show: A Drizzle of Magic.

Not exactly what you’re looking for but definitely tangentially related.

Jan wrote: "Hi everyone

I was wondering... Is there anywhere a cozy fantasy mystery set in a Shire-like setting with Hobbits or more realistically Halflings that are inspired by Hobbits?

It seems to be a per..."

The Goblin Emperor? MC is a half elf-half goblin and there's some mystery plot too. The set might not be The Shire-comfy though, but okay enough. The book was said to be the grimdark antidote when it came out a few years back.

Set in the same world The Witness for the Dead starts a really cozy trilogy, with entertaining murder mystery cases. The MC is very engaging and the characters are lovely. Even reading the daily lives are kinda soothing for me.

There might be some featuring Kender, the Dragonlance version of Halflings. Tasslehoff Burrfoot was the main Kender character in the original books.

It's not what you want, but there is apparently a cozy Hobbit life-sim called Tales of the Shire. Kinda mixed reviews, but it might scratch the itch.

Ha! Maybe I *should* write that story myself! You should write what you want to read yourself, right?

But also thank you all for the suggestions, it seems that Halfling stories are quite rare in general. Probably too close for Tolkien...

ChatGPT:
Mist still clung to the gentle green hills when she pushed open the round front door. A hush lay over the cozy burrow her uncle called home, as if the rooms themselves were holding their breath. The scent of spiced seedcakes from last night’s party lingered faintly in the air, mingling with the cool damp of the early morning.

Liora brushed a curl from her cheek and stepped inside, her bare feet silent on the polished wood. She had seen him vanish. Everyone had. A shimmering flicker near the lanterns, a gasp from the crowd, then nothing but drifting motes of golden confetti. It had been part of his grand surprise, of course, announced in that twinkling way of his. Except he’d never come back for the second half...

@Tamahome:

"Ale-Mentary, dear Gamgee!" 😅