With their intimate settings, subdued action and likeable characters, cozy mysteries are rarely seen as anything more than light entertainment. The cozy, a subgenre of crime fiction, has been historically misunderstood and often overlooked as the subject of serious study. This anthology brings together a groundbreaking collection of essays that examine the cozy mystery from a range of critical viewpoints. The authors engage with the standard classification of a cozy, the characters who appear in its pages, the environment where the crime occurs and how these elements reveal the cozy story's complexity in surprising ways. Essays analyze cozy mysteries to argue that Agatha Christie is actually not a cozy writer; that Columbo fits the mold of the cozy detective; and that the stories' portrayals of settings like the quaint English village reveal a more complicated society than meets the eye.
Crafting Cozies is a complete guide to writing cozy mysteries created by an award-winning, bestselling author. Have you always wanted to write a heart-pounding cozy mystery that will leave your readers eager to turn the page? Do you feel stuck on where to start? Let this book be your go-to guide as you gear up to write and publish your book. In order to provide the type of resource you'll reach for repeatedly, I have eliminated all the fluff and stuck only to those areas of writing cozies that I use myself. With practical tips, genre information, and worksheets you can use in your own writing, this book has it all! Within these pages, you will discover an entire arsenal developed to help you succeed in the genre. Starting from character development, to setting creation, going into a full plot breakdown of every beat you will use to outline your novel, and a detailed approach to constructing a page-turning whodunit, this book will make sure you have every base covered. We will even discuss such details as pacing, writing style, series development, and editing for cozies. By the time you're done, you will be an expert in the cozy mystery and will be well on your way to writing your very own novel. Are you ready to start? Let's write a cozy mystery together!
In this new romantic comedy series by #1 Bestseller Fiona Grace, life gets turned upside down for April Faith when her daughter leaves for college, her corporate job jades her, and her husband abruptly walks out. April realizes she has lived life too long for others, and she needs a major change. She remembers Dune Island, her childhood summer home off the coast of Georgia, a place where nothing could go wrong in the world—and she needs to revisit what remains of her family’s historic beach house and see if she can restore it, turn it into an inn, open the door for a new life—and maybe, even, a new love… “Wow, this book takes off & never stops! I couldn't put it down! Highly recommended for those who love a great mystery with twists, turns, romance, and a long lost family member! I am reading the next book right now!” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Wish all books were this good a mystery romance and love. Did not want to stop reading this book—loved it.” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A CHANCE FALL is book #2 in a new romance series by #1 bestselling author Fiona Grace, whose books have received over 10,000 five-star reviews and ratings. A sweet romance series filled with twists at every turn, THE INN AT DUNE ISLAND will make you laugh and cry as it transports you to a magical place. A page-turner packed with jaw-dropping twists, impossible to put down, it will make you fall in love with romance all over again. Future books in the series are also available! “The story line wasn't just a who done it, but had a story about her life and romance, including village life. Very entertaining.” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “It has endearing and sometimes quirky characters, a plot that keeps you reading and the right amount of romance. I can’t wait to start book two!” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “What a great story of murder, romance, new beginnings, love, friend ships and a wonderful cascade of mystery.” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This is a clean contemporary romance that you will find hard to put down!” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Always, Forever) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ RINK RENDEZVOUS is the fourth book in a spellbinding new sports romance series by Fiona Grace, #1 bestselling author of Murder in the Manor, which has over 10,000 five star reviews! In picturesque Ashville, Minnesota, the ice may be cold but hockey gets heated at Ashville College. Bree Mitchell, a whip-smart business major, is tasked with creating a marketing strategy that helps the Ashville Aces hockey team shine on social media. However, one left winger’s antics disrupts Bree’s plan—though maybe he intentionally hoped to snag her attention. But she's skating on thin ice when the team's assistant coach, a mastermind of strategy and kindness, draws her into a play for her heart. Caught in a high-stakes love triangle that could make or break her career, Bree must choose which man truly aligns with her winning strategy—for love and for hockey. Prepare to be captivated by the ASHVILLE ACES, where a fusion of sporty action and romantic adventures beckons, leading you to a charming setting replete with witty banter, heartfelt moments, and unexpected twists. Alluring new protagonists in each book will steal your heart and have you reading late into the night. Future books in the series are now available! "Very entertaining. I highly recommend this book to the permanent library of any reader that appreciates a very well written mystery, with some twists and an intelligent plot. You will not be disappointed. Excellent way to spend a cold weekend!" --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The story line wasn't just a who done it, but had a story about her life and romance, including village life. Very entertaining.” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “It has endearing and sometimes quirky characters, a plot that keeps you reading and the right amount of romance. I can’t wait to start book two!” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “What a great story of murder, romance, new beginnings, love, friend ships and a wonderful cascade of mystery.” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A bit of romance and a very determined woman! I have read many of Fiona Grace's novels and loved every one of them—this was no exception. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this new series!” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Always, With You) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In this new romantic comedy series by #1 Bestseller Fiona Grace, life gets turned upside down for April Faith when her daughter leaves for college, her corporate job jades her, and her husband abruptly walks out. April realizes she has lived life too long for others, and she needs a major change. She remembers Dune Island, her childhood summer home off the coast of Georgia, a place where nothing could go wrong in the world—and she needs to revisit what remains of her family’s historic beach house and see if she can restore it, turn it into an inn, open the door for a new life—and maybe, even, a new love… “Wow, this book takes off & never stops! I couldn't put it down! Highly recommended for those who love a great mystery with twists, turns, romance, and a long lost family member! I am reading the next book right now!” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Wish all books were this good a mystery romance and love. Did not want to stop reading this book—loved it.” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A CHANCE LOVE is book #1 in a new romance series by #1 bestselling author Fiona Grace, whose books have received over 10,000 five-star reviews and ratings. A sweet romance series filled with twists at every turn, THE INN AT DUNE ISLAND will make you laugh and cry as it transports you to a magical place. A page-turner packed with jaw-dropping twists, impossible to put down, it will make you fall in love with romance all over again. Future books in the series are also available! “The story line wasn't just a who done it, but had a story about her life and romance, including village life. Very entertaining.” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “It has endearing and sometimes quirky characters, a plot that keeps you reading and the right amount of romance. I can’t wait to start book two!” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “What a great story of murder, romance, new beginnings, love, friend ships and a wonderful cascade of mystery.” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wedding bells are ringing for Meg and Seth in the latest Orchard Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Picked to Die… The fall harvest may be just about over, but orchard owner Meg Corey is busier than ever planning her wedding to Seth Chapin. Who knew picking apples would be less work than picking out rings and a dress? And even though the happy couple has invited most of Granford, Massachusetts, to the ceremony, they might have to make room for one more guest… Ex-con Aaron Eastman has unexpectedly reappeared in his hometown, searching for answers to the tragic fire in his family’s past that put him behind bars twenty-five years ago. Moved by his sincerity, Meg vows to do everything she can to help him solve the cold case. As she cobbles together the clues, it becomes increasingly clear that Aaron may have been considered the bad seed of the family, but someone else was one bad apple… Includes Delicious Recipes!
BEETLE MANIA While orchard owner Meg Corey dreads the labor of manual irrigation to stave off a drought, her boyfriend, Seth, couldn’t be more excited about doing historic renovation on one of Granford’s oldest houses. Tagging along as he picks up supplies is supposed to give Meg a much-needed break, but the trip turns rotten when she almost trips over a dead body at an old saw mill’s forest reserve. But the body isn’t the only frightening discovery she makes. A mysterious insect infestation seems to have migrated to the area—one that could bring serious harm to local woodlands. And it's up to Meg to find out what’s behind this sudden swarm of trouble. Includes Delicious Recipes
With its focus on recent detective series featuring female investigators, this collection analyzes the authors’ treatment of current social, political and economic problems in Spain and beyond, in addition to exploring interrelations between gender, globalization, the environment and technology. The contributions here reveal the varied ways in which the use of a series allows for a deeper consideration of such issues, in addition to permitting the more extensive development of the protagonist investigator and her reactions to, and methods of, dealing with personal and professional challenges of the twenty-first century. In these stories, the authors employ strategies that break with long-standing conventions, developing crime fiction in unexpected ways, incorporating elements of science fiction, the supernatural, and the historical novel, as well as varied geographical settings (small towns, provincial cities, and rural communities) beyond the urban environment, all of which contributes to the reinvigoration of the genre.
Amateur sleuth and manager of a teddy bear shop, Sasha Silverman, investigates after a disgruntled business competitor is found murdered before an upcoming Scottish festival and her father is arrested as the prime suspect.
Many aspects of British detective fiction are intriguingly different from the American detective fiction. And, confusingly, many of the British women detectives who have made it to American television are far from typical of the latest women detectives. This work is a study of British detective fiction with female protagonists written by women. Authors included are P.D. James, Jennie Melville, Liza Cody, Val McDermid, Joan Smith and Susan Moody. Special attention is paid to the evolution of the British female sleuth from the 1960s to the year 2000, particularly the 1980s, and how this shaped and altered detective fiction. Also discussed is the effect of the British judicial system and gun laws on detective fiction and real life, the types of crimes women detectives usually investigate, why certain directions have been taken and which ones may be taken in the future, issues being raised by the authors, and new women authors of detective fiction with female protagonists.
