C is for Agatha....... Christie, that is.  Probably most of us graduated from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys right into Agatha Christie's novels. It seems like most cozy mystery book readers have a favorite Christie series ... either Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, or even Tommy and Tuppence.  Agatha Christie is, in fact, the grande dame of "all things mystery."

We have been so lucky to have many TV and films dedicated to her works.  Peter Ustinov, Albert Finney, and David Suchet are probably the actors who come to mind when we think of Hercule.  Each of the actors brought a different perspective to the little gentleman who was so good at using his little, gray cells.

As for Miss Marple, there have been many fine portrayals by actresses who include Margaret Rutherford, Angela Lansbury, Helen Hayes, Joan Hickson, and currently, Geraldine McEwan.

Can you remember when you first read an Agatha Christie novel?  They are the types of novels that you can finish reading, and then feel perfectly comfortable passing on to a friend, without worrying about inappropriate language, graphic gore, or gratuitous adult situations.

Meg Cabot    Cabot's main character is a former teen singer ("teen idol") who becomes a private investigator. [Cabot's teen book series (The Princess Diaries Series) has been made into Disney movies.]

Leslie Caine   aka Leslie O'Kane...  Probably more recognizable as Leslie O'Kane, although her most recent books are Leslie Caine books.  She has written series that feature: a cartoonist, a dog therapist, and rival interior decorators.

Kristin Callender    Callender is a substitute teacher who has just put out her first mystery novel, which is about a woman, who when grown, discovers that her life's story my have been a lie...

Candy Calvert   Calvert is an RN who loves to travel... especially on cruise ships. So, what better setting than a cruise ship for her RN heroine/sleuth!

Dana Cameron    How did I miss Cameron? She writes the Emma Fielding Mystery (archeological) series... and if you are anything like me... you will want to start reading the series... soon. (Her web site's "Tour Gallery" is a whose who of Malice Domestic!)

Ann Campbell   Campbell writes a series that features an antique shop owner who reluctantly becomes the owner of a rather rambunctious canine.

Anne Canadeo     Canadeo writes the Black Sheep Knitting Mystery Series which features Maggie Messina, owner of the Black Sheep Knitting Shop. Canadeo co-authors the non-mystery Cape Light Series with Thomas Kinkade.

Dorothy Cannell    Her Ellie Haskell series includes two sisters who own a detection agency, and with names like Hyacinth and Primrose, what else could they call it but the Flowers Detection Agency? With names like those, how could this series take place outside of England?

Stephen J. Cannell   Not Cozy...  Undoubtedly, you have seen several television shows for which he wrote...... the A Team, Rockford Files, the Commish, the Greatest American Hero, Booker, etc..... the list is almost endless!

Taffy Cannon  More recently she has been writing as Emily Toll... the Booked for Travel mystery series.  She graduated from Duke University.

JoAnna Carl   aka Eve K. Sandstrom...  More recent books are as Joanna Carl: Chocoholic mystery series...

Kate Carlisle    Carlisle writes the Bibliophile Mystery Series which, as would be expected with "bibliophile" in the series name, is set in the midst of books, book shelves, and book shops. The sleuth in the series is a rare book expert...

Patricia Carlon    It is said that if you like Ruth Rendell, P. D. James, or Minette Walters, you will like Patricia Carlon......... an Australian version of the previously mentioned authors.

Caleb Carr    Known for his historical thrillers/mysteries, he also has added a little paranormal science fiction to his mysteries.

John Dickson Carr   One of his two series is about a judge magistrate in Paris and the other is about an English historian/sleuth. He also wrote a series about a character named Sir Henry Merrivale who sounds as if the term "did it all" was coined just to describe him!  Sir Henry was not only a "barrister," but also a doctor and the head of the military intelligence war office.  The Sir Henry Merrivale series was written by John Dickson Carr, as Carter Dickson.

Paula Carter  (aka Paula Paul)   Paul, a journalist by trade, is the author of the Alexandra Gladestone Mystery Series which is set in Victorian England. As Paula Carter, she writes the Murder by Design Mystery Series which is set in Alabama.

Sammi Carter    Carter writes a series about a candy shop owner who solves "sweet" mysteries. And, lucky for Carter's fans, she includes candy recipes!

Heron Carvic   …See Miss Seeton books.....3 different authors penned the Miss Seeton series, with Carvic being the first author.   The Miss Seeton books are very reminiscent of Miss Marple....

Elizabeth Lynn Casey   (aka Laura Bradford) Casey writes the Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series with features a librarian who moves to the south and becomes a member of a sewing cirle, along with a sleuth. As Bradford, she writes the Jenkins & Burns Mystery Series...

Dixie Cash    Cash is a sister writing duo (Pamela Cumbie and Jeffery McClanahan) who are native Texans. They write a series that takes place in "Salt Lick," Texas... and features two best friends (one of whom owns a beauty shop)...both sleuths...

Sarah Caudwell    There are only four books in the Hilary Tamar series. I read the first of the series years ago, and unless I am mistaken, I seem to remember that the reader never does find out if Hilary is a man or woman.... the issue is unimportant, and cleverly skirted around...

Chris Cavender    (aka Tim Myers, Elizabeth Bright, & Melissa Glazer)  Cavender writes the Pizza Mystery Series, and as Myers there are three series: Soapmaking, Candlemaking, and Lighthouse Inns. As Elizabeth Bright, he writes a card-making mystery series. As Glazer, he writes the Clay & Crime Cozy Mystery Series...

Henry Cecil     aka Henry Cecil Leon.....  I have not read any of Cecil’s novels, but they were recommended to me by a Cozy Mystery reader, who assured me that they are well-worth reading. After hearing how much she liked his British mysteries, and after researching him for this site, I have decided that I will be reading his books very soon. He was a British judge who honed his story-telling while in the military.

C. S. Challinor   The first novel in the Rex Graves Mystery Series sounds like it is a cozy mystery lover's delight... Christmas in an English hotel would be a delight... but imagine being snow-bound in that English hotel! What's not to like!?! (And, better yet... 15% of the royalties from Christmas is Murder will be donated to "Soldier's Angels.")

Elizabeth Chamberlin    Chamberlin, both a teacher and an accountant by trade, has started the new Jane Mayhew Mystery Series which features an accountant (retired)...

Torrey Chanslor    Chanslor writes the Beagle Sisters Mystery Series which features two spinsters in Manhattan who inherit a detective agency. Chanslor is a pseudonym for Marjorie Torrey, the illustrator who won two Caldecott awards in 1946 and 1947.

Sally Chapman (aka Annie Griffin)   As Chapman, she writes the Silicon Valley Mystery Series which features an investigator of computer fraud, also based in California. As Griffin, she writes the Hannah & Kiki Mystery Series which features two sixty-something year old sisters who live in California.

Helen Chappell    Is anyone in the mood for some ghostly fun? Chappell's series involves a reporter and her husband's ghost.

Hampton Charles...  See Miss Seeton  books, alphabetized under “Miss Emily Seeton”.....This is the second "part" of the three-author series involving Miss Seeton.

Kate Charles   Charles has worked in church administration and has knowledge of the Church of England, which explains why her series is set in the religious environment of England. Although she was born in the USA, her American publishers consider her books to be more British.

Nora Charles   aka Noreen Wald...  It's nice to have a senior sleuth... from Florida, no less!  Thank you, Ms. Charles, for remembering that all heroines of cozies don't have to be in their late twenties/early thirties! (Now, to find Asta and Nick!)  As Wald, she pens a series about a ghostwriter.

Leslie Charteris   A site reader recommended that I add Charteris to the site. Charteris is the author of The Saint series. I have not read any of the books in the series yet, but do remember watching some of The Saint television shows many years ago...

Marion Chesney   aka M. C. Beaton.... Chesney's Edwardian mystery series liberally sprinkles humor in with the murders!

G. K. Chesterton   Chesterton wrote many works, including the Father Brown Mystery Series of stories...

Jennifer Chiaverini    Chiaverini writes the Elm Creek Quilts Series. Although they are not mysteries, they have been highly recommended to me, to include on the site. One of the recommending people likened the series to Jan Karon's Mitford series, which I enjoyed a lot. Chiaverini also has several accompanying quilting books...

Laura Childs   One of her mystery series takes place in a Charleston Tea Room, another series has a scrapbooking theme, and her third series is set in a Cozy Cafe with Knitting and Book Shopping!

P. F. Chisholm   Historical Mystery series... Patricia Finney Chisholm is Oxford-educated, and not only does she write for adults, but she has two children's books out that look really good. Both are told by "Jack Perry" a yellow Labrador, as told to Patricia Finney. I am sure that both of my children would have enjoyed these books if they had been available several years ago.

Margaret Chittenden   Country Western tavern owner-sleuth...

Agatha Christie   Nothing more needs saying...

Joyce Christmas   Christmas has two cozy mystery series: the Lady Margaret Priam series and the Betty Trenka mystery series.

Church Choir Mysteries   Rather than have a different page for each of these (Christian) mystery book authors, I decided to lump them all together, since they all write the Guidepost Church Choir Mysteries. Guidepost  is a faith-based organization.

Jill Churchill   I really like her Jane Jeffry series... She has also written books under her "real name".... Janice Young Brooks.

Edie Claire    Claire writes the Leigh Koslow "Never" Mystery Series, set in Pennsylvania. If the books are anything like the authors website, expect to find yourself smiling!

Alys Clare    Clare writes the Hawkenlye Mystery Series which features the pairing of a head nun of an abbey with a French knight who has transplanted himself to England so that he can take up the cause of Richard the Lionheart...

Joanne Clarey   Clarey, an ex-teacher, went on to earn her Master's in Counseling and her Doctorate in Education before becoming an author. She writes the Hummingbird Falls Mystery Series.

Carol Higgins Clark  Daughter of Mary Higgins Clark, and author of a cozy mystery series of her own!

Mary Higgins Clark   As the mother of Carol Higgins Clark, she has collaborated with Carol on some books. Mary Higgins Clark writes books that are stand-alones.

Mindy Starns Clark   Clark writes both the Smart Chick Mystery Series and the Million Dollar Mystery Series. They are Christian Mystery Fiction.

Anna Clarke   Very British... Her Paula Glennings series features two professors in London.

Ann Cleeves  Several series from England featuring police inspectors and.... bird-watchers!

Jane K. Cleland    Cleland was a hands-on owner of an antique store (that also included rare books) with an MBA, so it is no wonder that her protagonist is an antiques dealer (and sleuth!)

Judy Clemens Clemens writes a series that features a most unusual sleuth... a Biker/Dairy Farmer....The first book of her series (Till the Cows Come Home) was nominated for both the prestigious Anthony and Agatha awards!

Blaize Clement  Before writing her cozy mystery series (which  features a pet sitter) Clement was a psychologist. After reading her biography, I can see why she picked the pet sitting theme....... she loves animals!

Barbara Cleverly    Cleverly, a teacher as well as an accomplished author, writes two mystery series, both taking place post World War I. The Laetitia Talbot Mystery Series is set in France and the Joe Sandilands Mystery Series is set in India.

Harlan Coben    I really like his Myron Bolitar series.....even though it's not cozy. I also have enjoyed many hours reading his stand alone novels.

Margaret Coel     Coel (a bestselling author) writes a mystery series set in the world of an Arapaho reservation in Wyoming.

Joan Coggin   Coggin only wrote four Lady Lupin Mystery novels, as well as non-mystery novels under another name. The Lady Lupin novels are said to be along the lines of Jeeves and Wooster... only mysteries...

Jeffrey Cohen   Cohen, a journalist and screenplay author, has two mystery series: the Aaron Tucker Mystery Series is about a journalist and screenwriter and the Double Feature Mystery Series features the owner of a movie theater... both take place in New Jersey...

Nancy J. Cohen  Ever have a Bad Hair Day?  Marla Shore (the amateur sleuth who stars in this series) knows all about those types of days!

Barbara Colley   Colley pens a series about a maid in New Orleans.

Christine E. Collier   Collier contacted me via my blog's comments, and told me about a cozy mystery series she is writing. Since I just found out about her series (The Writer's Club Mystery Series), I haven't had time to read one.... yet!

Kate Collins   Before Collins started writing her Flower Shop Mystery series, she taught school, and has her master's degree in education.

B. Comfort    A series featuring a widow (in her 70s) living and sleuthing in Vermont...

Susan Conant    Conant is best known for her series about a dog trainer (Dog Lover's Mystery Series) and in 2005 she started  the Cat Lover's Mystery Series. She is currently (2006 to present) working with her daughter (Jessica Conant-Park) on the Gourmet Girl Mystery Series...

Michael Connelly      It's no wonder that Connelly writes such good police procedurals.... He majored in journalism with a minor in creative writing, and after graduating he worked as a  crime beat journalist.  I really enjoy his Harry Bosch series, even though it isn't cozy.

Sheila Connolly  (aka Sarah Atwell)  Degrees in Art History and Fine Arts paved the way for Atwell to eventually write the Glassblowing Mystery Series. She not only enjoys the beauty of blown glass but apparently also has "mastered" the art. As Sheila Connolly, she writes the Orchard Mystery Series which takes place in beautiful Massachusetts... on an apple orchard.

K. C. Constantine   The Mario Balzic series...

Bruce Cook     aka Bruce Alexander…..Cook’s series is about Chico Cervantes, a Los Angeles private detective.

Natasha Cooper   aka Clare Layton... As Cooper, she writes two series that are mysteries, with one centering around a romance novelist and the other a barrister.  As Layton she writes about the effects that crimes have on their victims, and how they continue throughout their lives.

Susan Rogers Cooper   (Not Cozy)  I like all three of her series. One of her series features a sheriff, another series involves a romance novelist, and the third series has a stand-up comedian sleuth.

Lori Copeland   Copeland writes the Morning Shade Mystery Series which has three generations of Arkansas women sleuthing. This is a Christian mystery series...

Elizabeth Corley   Corley writes the very British Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Fenwick Mystery Series, which is set in Sussex...

Patricia Cornwell    Not cozy, by any means. Kay Scarpetta is definitely her more famous series, and she even writes non-fiction.

Caroline Cousins    Cousins goes by three different aliases... not because "she" writes using three different pseudonyms, but because "she" is indeed three different women... who happen to be cousins! Between the three of them they have been a school teacher, editor, reporter, critic, designer and even a platation tour guide!

Carol Cox     Cox is one of the authors who pens a Mystery and the Minister's Wife book. This series is unique in that each book is written by different authors (some of the authors pen more than one book in the series.) Other authors of the series include Diane Noble, Traci DePree, Beth Pattillo, & Eve Fisher. It is an inspirational mystery series...

Cleo Coyle     aka Alice Kimberly.....  Both Kimberly and Coyle are pseudonyms for a husband and wife team (Marc Cerasini and Alice Alfonsi) who write cozy mysteries together.  They write the Coffeehouse Mystery series as Coyle,  and the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series as Kimberly.

Alisa Craig   aka Charlotte MacLeod... I am more familiar with her Charlotte MacLeod books, although I really enjoy these, too. They are definitely cozies!

Philip R. Craig   An ex-Boston cop moves to Martha's Vineyard in this series....

Hamilton Crane… See Miss Seeton books, alphabetized under “Miss Emily Seeton”  Written by Sarah J. Mason as Hamilton Crane... She is the third of the Miss Seeton authors.

Isis Crawford     aka Barbara Block.... As Crawford, she writes a series about a couple who own and operate a catering and bakeshop establishment. As Block, she writes the Robin Light series..... which takes place in and out of the pet store her main character owns.

John Creasy   Creasy is an English author with various pseudonyms... (Actually, he has so many that I am not going to list them all on the site!) He was recommended for me to add to the Cozy Mystery Site by a reader who believes he belongs on the site. I have not tried any of his books yet...

Bill Crider    As a native Texan, Crider has set some of his best-selling novels in that great state. His PhD dissertation was about the hardboiled detective novel. He recently retired from being a professor of English so that he could devote more time to writing his novels. (And, for those of you who remember Willard Scott, the weatherman from the Today Show, Crider wrote the Stanley Waters Mystery Series with him!)

Edmund Crispin     Crispin not only wrote mysteries, but also was a science fiction author. He composed several pieces of music, which were published under his given name…. Robert Montgomery. His series features an Oxford professor...

Deborah Crombie   Although born in Texas, and currently living in Texas, the time Crombie spent living in both England and Scotland made it possible for her to write a very convincingly British series......

Ellen Crosby   Crosby has her Master's in International Relations and her B.A. in Political Science. She worked as a journalist and is now writing the Wine Country Mystery Series...

Amanda Cross    The New York's Professor Kate Fansler series......

Kieran Crowley   True Crime..... New York Post reporter and New York Times Bestselling author.....

Laura Crum   Crum was recommended to me by a reader of the site... Crum shows and trains western cowhorses and also finds time to pen the Gail McCarthy Mystery Series which features an equine veterinarian out in California.

Lonnie Cruse    Cruse writes the Metropolis mystery series, and is set to launch her new series '57 Chevy mystery series this year. What could be more fun than a rebuilt '57 Chevy? Perhaps a mystery series that features a '57 Chevy!

E. V. Cunningham   aka Howard Fast.... the Masao Masuto series, which I have enjoyed very much.......

Clare Curzon   aka Eileen-Marie Duell Buchanan, Marie Buchanan, Rhona Petrie... That's a lot of pseudonyms/names for a Ved-dy British author of Ved-dy many series...

Clive Cussler  Not Cozy..... Thrillers.....

Back to "B" Authors *****          ***** "D" Authors