I only recently discovered that I actually enjoyed cozies! I thought I was only “hard-core” until I read one earlier this year and was thoroughly hooked! Lately I’ve been exploring a few authors in this space because I really didn’t know this genre at all. But I totally agree that sometimes, a cozy is just what’s needed! P.S. I’m impressed though that you enjoyed The Historian! It took me forever to read that book because I’m such a scaredy-cat and had to put it down many times when things were getting too scary!
Heh, heh. Thanks. I read The Historian a looong time ago. In fact, it could be worth reading again as I recall it being so rich with details. Glad to have discovered another fan of the cozy mystery genre! 🩷
You totally nailed it (no pun intended) and I couldn’t say it, ‘horror’ as entertainment. I suppose it’s the thrill of being scared, but again, I don’t need to be scared—world events are already scary enough!
I'm also a fan of the cosy mystery. Although I call it "genteel murder". Husband and I have just rewatched the old Poirot tv series with David Suchet. I'm partway through book series Maisie Dobbs and Mary Russell, both set in the 1920s/1930s, cosy and entertaining. I have no interest in scandi noir or true crime. But give me a village green, a jealous lover, a bottle of poison... I'm in!
😀I love the way you put it, Michelle! 😀 I might have to start calling it genteel murders, too! And yes, I do mean to return to Suchet as Poirot — someone uploaded all of them (?) on YouTube. Ahhh, when murders were so much more straightforward, right?
"I read to not only learn, and be entertained, but to also escape." I think fiction is a great way to escape. I know my mother, who had a childhood disrupted by the second world war, found solace in reading and it stayed with her for the rest of her life. I htink she liked being able to disappear into the world of a book.
I read my first ever Agatha Christie novel, Towards, Zero recently and enjoyed it. Better late than never.
I recently gave 1 of Richard Osman's books as a gift to a U.S. friend I visited in Minnesota. She had already it. :( Anyway, I should have claimed gift for myself. :)
Great post Lani! As a recovering library employee I have lots of thoughts about this.
Firstly, you are 100% not alone, the allegiance to Agatha is real as is the demand for a cozy mystery. The snobbery around mystery reading is also rampant - I was also asked by a patron in a special patronizing voice "what DO you read then?" when I confessed I did not enjoy reading mysteries myself.
Um, there *are* other things to read ...
Many times I have also been asked to recommend a murder mystery series where no one dies, I kid you not! I completely agree with all you say about not needing to seek out a heart-pounding frightener just before sleep. I do not enjoy police procedural tv shows for the same reason and against my better judgement started watching "Unforgotten" - super graphic, but also gripping and starring the dishy Sanjeev Bhaskal - but unfortunately, still gripping at 3 am as I struggled to sleep! No more. As you say, real-life news is quite grisly enough for me. Oh and by the way - I haven't read them myself but we were sometimes asked for a particular mystery series in which the main detectives were ... SHEEP! Pretty hilarious. Here is the link and I think you will especially enjoy the clever titles: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768955/big-bad-wool-by-leonie-swann-translated-by-amy-bojang/
OMG. This looks hilarious and amazing--and completely supports my idea that this genre does NOT take itself too seriously. 😁This is my next read. Thank you, Sue.
Also, thanks for your librarian perspective. I suppose I never really thought about the hardcore fans who read nothing but. Of course, there are those of any genre. I can't imagine since I love reading from everywhere and everything! xo
I only recently discovered that I actually enjoyed cozies! I thought I was only “hard-core” until I read one earlier this year and was thoroughly hooked! Lately I’ve been exploring a few authors in this space because I really didn’t know this genre at all. But I totally agree that sometimes, a cozy is just what’s needed! P.S. I’m impressed though that you enjoyed The Historian! It took me forever to read that book because I’m such a scaredy-cat and had to put it down many times when things were getting too scary!
Heh, heh. Thanks. I read The Historian a looong time ago. In fact, it could be worth reading again as I recall it being so rich with details. Glad to have discovered another fan of the cozy mystery genre! 🩷
I confess... I have only ever read Murder on the Orient Express! Any recommendations on what I should go with next?
And I do love watching any Christie adaptation on the TV like Miss Marple!
I like Crooked House, and And Then There Were None…but you can do a search for her best, and see if any grab your fancy. xo
It feels like life has been going 100mph recently (it's nearly Nov!), but thanks for the recommendations. Hopefully off to the library next week!
I totally agree with you on this, Lani. Life is violent, depressing and horrific enough. Who needs horror stories as entertainment?
Cozy mysteries sounds like a perfectly sensible choice. There is a good reason why Agatha Christie became so successful!
You totally nailed it (no pun intended) and I couldn’t say it, ‘horror’ as entertainment. I suppose it’s the thrill of being scared, but again, I don’t need to be scared—world events are already scary enough!
I'm also a fan of the cosy mystery. Although I call it "genteel murder". Husband and I have just rewatched the old Poirot tv series with David Suchet. I'm partway through book series Maisie Dobbs and Mary Russell, both set in the 1920s/1930s, cosy and entertaining. I have no interest in scandi noir or true crime. But give me a village green, a jealous lover, a bottle of poison... I'm in!
😀I love the way you put it, Michelle! 😀 I might have to start calling it genteel murders, too! And yes, I do mean to return to Suchet as Poirot — someone uploaded all of them (?) on YouTube. Ahhh, when murders were so much more straightforward, right?
"I read to not only learn, and be entertained, but to also escape." I think fiction is a great way to escape. I know my mother, who had a childhood disrupted by the second world war, found solace in reading and it stayed with her for the rest of her life. I htink she liked being able to disappear into the world of a book.
I read my first ever Agatha Christie novel, Towards, Zero recently and enjoyed it. Better late than never.
It’s never too late, Jeffrey. 😉 And here’s to disappearing in the world of books!
I recently gave 1 of Richard Osman's books as a gift to a U.S. friend I visited in Minnesota. She had already it. :( Anyway, I should have claimed gift for myself. :)
You should! But this also means your gift-giving was spot on 😁
Great post Lani! As a recovering library employee I have lots of thoughts about this.
Firstly, you are 100% not alone, the allegiance to Agatha is real as is the demand for a cozy mystery. The snobbery around mystery reading is also rampant - I was also asked by a patron in a special patronizing voice "what DO you read then?" when I confessed I did not enjoy reading mysteries myself.
Um, there *are* other things to read ...
Many times I have also been asked to recommend a murder mystery series where no one dies, I kid you not! I completely agree with all you say about not needing to seek out a heart-pounding frightener just before sleep. I do not enjoy police procedural tv shows for the same reason and against my better judgement started watching "Unforgotten" - super graphic, but also gripping and starring the dishy Sanjeev Bhaskal - but unfortunately, still gripping at 3 am as I struggled to sleep! No more. As you say, real-life news is quite grisly enough for me. Oh and by the way - I haven't read them myself but we were sometimes asked for a particular mystery series in which the main detectives were ... SHEEP! Pretty hilarious. Here is the link and I think you will especially enjoy the clever titles: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768955/big-bad-wool-by-leonie-swann-translated-by-amy-bojang/
OMG. This looks hilarious and amazing--and completely supports my idea that this genre does NOT take itself too seriously. 😁This is my next read. Thank you, Sue.
Also, thanks for your librarian perspective. I suppose I never really thought about the hardcore fans who read nothing but. Of course, there are those of any genre. I can't imagine since I love reading from everywhere and everything! xo
Love the humour and relief valve metaphor, Lani!
Thanks, Sharmila. I’m glad you enjoyed it! xo
Thanks, Maureen. 😊