What is a cozy mystery?
My favorite definition for cozy mysteries is cats or quilts and not a lot of blood. Since this was my first book, I wanted to be sure I got it right. So behind the scenes in A Vase of Mistaken Identity, Thea James is making a quilt for her cat! Stitching on the Kitty in the Cabin quilt helped calm her nerves when she felt frightened. And, Ive had a lot of fun getting to know Betty, Theas lazy calico cat with the golden eyes and wandering ways. Why is that free-spirited feline so drawn to the cats next door? Is it their cat-panionship? Cooler kitty kibble? I often call it a kinder, gentler mystery. Meaning, all the really harsh stuff, the give-you-nightmares stuff, the I-wish-I-hadnt-read-that stuff, happens off-stage. In addition, the hero/heroine is usually an amateur sleuth and the mystery happens in a small town or confined space like an apartment building or rest home. There are always quirky characters that populate a cozy world and keep one turning the pages. Cozy mysteries rock!
