Monday Morning Ramblings
(I chose the image above because my orange tabby, Pumpkin, has this same ‘tude! )
Writing a cozy mystery is a balancing act. Your story revolves around crime—usually murder—but without graphic violence, foul language, or gritty realism. The challenge? Creating true suspense while maintaining a warm tone, a charming setting, and keeping your readers feeling safe. The good news: it’s not only possible, it’s what makes the genre shine. The word “cozy” does not mean boring!
Cozy mysteries thrive on subtle tension. You don’t need blood on the carpet to raise the stakes; a suspicious glance, an out-of-place object, or a lie told too smoothly can do the trick. Let your reader wonder, then invite them to dig deeper alongside your sleuth.
Speaking of sleuths, your protagonist is the heart of the story. Whether she’s a tea shop owner, a librarian, or a dog walker, make her relatable and observant. Cozy readers want to solve the puzzle with someone who feels real—someone who asks the questions they would and who sees things the police might miss. A touch of wit, a loyal pet, or a quirky sidekick can add warmth without diluting the suspense.
Setting is a key ingredient. Small towns, hobby-based communities, and seasonal festivals all offer built-in opportunities for conflict and misdirection. Your setting should be a place readers want to return to—cozy, familiar, and just a little mysterious.
To build suspense, focus on pacing, clues, and misdirection. Start with a strong hook—a body, a disappearance, or a shocking revelation—and follow with a trail of suspects, motives, and red herrings. Cozy readers love trying to solve the case before your sleuth does. Give them just enough to keep turning pages, but hold back the whole picture until the end.
Lastly, maintain a tone of comfort and resolution. Yes, there’s a crime—but justice is served, and order is restored. Your readers come for the mystery, but they stay for the sense of community, humor, and the satisfying click of a solved puzzle.
Remember, the cozy mystery isn’t about scaring readers—it’s about intriguing them. When done well, a gentle crime can be just as compelling as the darkest thriller—and far more comforting.
Leave a comment or ask a question or two! Please suggest any subjects you would like to see covered.
Anne Devereux is an antiques dealer in Fairfax, Virginia. Her life is turned upside down when she purchases a book at an estate sale that contains codes from the WWII era outlining the purpose and intent of a secret society poised to launch significant changes into the world as we know it. With the help and support of her beau, Tom, and her ninja cat, Midnight, she works her way through a break-in at her antique shop, the death of a homeless man, a break-in at her own home (where her ninja cat, Midnight, turns out to be a hero!), and a crew of WWII-era decoders that work tirelessly to crack the code and prevent the man in upper New York State from wreaking global havoc.
Grace Delaney is the owner of a thriving antique shop in the quaint Pacific Northwest town of Silverdale. She cherishes the past and is an integral part of her close-knit community.
Enter Ethan Cole, a charming, semi-retired businessman who is considering relocating to Silverdale. He shares Grace's interest in antiques, in their history, and in how they reflect the community around them.
As they get to know each other, they both struggle to move forward. Each has cherished memories that haunt them—Grace of her late husband, Robert, and Ethan of his late wife, Sarah.
But there is worse to come - Grace has just become aware that a Seattle company is behind-the-scenes planning to purchase the building where Timeless Treasures is located and turn it into a modern-day shopping center. Would they honor her lease? If not, where would she move to? And how difficult would it be to move all of the fragile, priceless objects in her shop?