July 1, 2007
…About the Cozy Mystery List Lady…Who, What, Where, When, How….and Why!
Perhaps, upon reading the title to this blog, you might think that I am going to introduce a new cozy mystery to you. Nope! Instead, I am going to introduce myself…
I have tried to add little things about myself throughout my site… If you have read the "B" page, then you know that my ALL TIME, VERY FAVORITE AUTHOR is not even a cozy mystery author… E. F. Benson's Mapp and Lucia series is the only series of books of which I have well-used copies… The series is the only set of books that I have read more than once, and plan on reading again…. and again. They are Cozies without the mysteries!
When I wrote my definition of What Makes a Cozy Just That?, I submitted a little information about myself… (Don't ask me why, but I made up a pseudonym for myself…. as if the people across the street might read the biography and know it was me!) Anyway, here is what I submitted as my biography:
"Erin Martin is a freelance author, an avid reader, and a fan of mysteries (of all types.) She has a master’s degree in education. Erin resides with her husband who also enjoys reading. Erin created and maintains The Cozy Mystery List, a Reader's Guide to Cozy Mystery Books (and Other Favorite Authors)."
(I used a pseudonym because at the time, I thought that I would possibly start writing articles for other sites to use… but, instead, this site has become my priority and takes up most of my computer time.) My name is Danna (as in banana… not Dana or Donna.)
So, why do I spend this amount of time putting a site on the web?
Well, after joining several mystery reading groups, and making some very good friends who shared my love for cozies, I started branching out… and slowly started accruing all of these authors… one author "leading me" to another author through their similarities, etc.
I have been reading cozies for years, and I got very discouraged when I attempted to find new authors to try. I remember that I would go to Amazon to buy a book, and there would be all of these "come-ons" from different readers… and (at first) I would get so excited thinking that I would find new authors to try, just by clicking on the "cozy list-mania" type of lists. After clicking on many lists, I felt very discouraged to find that the person would have one or two authors he/she liked… listing the authors' books out of sequence, and most of the time, not even listing all of the given authors' books.
Also, after buying several books twice… (And that is no joke!) I decided that I would have to start writing down all of the authors and books that I read. I actually found that when I went to place a newly acquired book in my TBR section of my bookshelves, the identical book would already be occupying its proper space! Thus, my initiation into the world of compulsive author/book lists.
One of my cozy mystery book reading friends asked if she could have a copy of my list, and the rest is history! That is when I started to index all of my authors on my computer, trying to update whenever I found a new author or a new book for one of my "old" authors. I sure hope that these author and book lists can be of help to you.
Comments on …About the Cozy Mystery List Lady…Who, What, Where, When, How….and Why! »
Mary Ann @ 11:23 am
I've read Lucia! I have never met another person who has read them! I read the entire original canon about six years ago. I just laughed out loud through most of it. Thanks for the heads up about the two sequels. I will have to look out for them. Ciao!
Danna - cozy mystery list @ 11:52 am
Ah! Another fan of Lulu's Lobster a la Riseholme! I hope that between the two of us, we are able to spread the word. So many people not knowing about E. F. Benson's Mapp series is simply too tarsome!
Donna @ 12:50 pm
Here is another fan of Mapp and Lucia!! I too have read the books more than once–and will again I promise you. I also own the DVDs. I wore out the vhs tapes! I wish more than anything I could live in delicious Tilling, and visit with Diva and Elizabeth over the morning shopping.
Danna - cozy mystery list @ 1:29 pm
Donna… I know I am quite "tarsome" bringing up these wonderful books as often as I do… I keep hoping that a few people will try them. I, too, wish "I could live in delicious Tilling" (to use your words.) I would even learn how to play bridge, in hopes of being invited to one of Lucia's bridge parties… even knowing that I would have to endure endless versions of Moonlight Sonata!
Au reservoir…
Carolyn @ 3:16 am
Hello there, I haven't noticed any mention of an excellent mystery author, CLARISSA WATSON. She wrote a series of books featuring painter and art expert Persis Willum. The books are intelligent and fun, so much so that I re-read them about every 5 years! Please give them a try if you like international intrigue and a heroine who loves art. I only wish she had written more of them.
Danna - cozy mystery list @ 8:56 am
Hi Carolyn
I am sorry to say that I have never read a Clarissa Watson novel… but they do sound good! As a matter of fact, I think that I will write a blog about her and see if anybody knows of an author who is similar to her.
Thanks for telling us about her!
LuvSpuds @ 10:52 pm
Hi, dog lovers will like the new cozy I discovered titled "Sunshine Estates: Rx for Rosedale" (was actually looking for something about Bernese Mountain Dogs, and found this cozy instead!) The protagonist is a pet sitter in a retirement development. I laughed out loud in quite a few spots, and was pleasantly surprised by some twists and turns the mystery took. A very entertaining read … and a bonus my favorite dog is a character in the novel.
Danna - cozy mystery list @ 4:43 pm
Thanks for the recommendation…
Lynn C. Shirey Sunshine Estates: Rx for Rosedale '08
Looks like it is a fun read!
Ericka @ 1:13 pm
Danna,
I can't thank you enough for the wonderful website! After graduate school and two small children, I am finally venturing back into "reading for pleasure." Your recommendations and information are wonderful!
Best to you,
Ericka
Danna - cozy mystery list @ 10:50 am
Hi Ericka,
I'm glad you finally have time to read for pleasure! I remember those days…
I hope that you find a few authors who you want to try. When I started the site I only had the authors I had personally read, but since the site's inception, I have added a lot of authors who site readers have recommended. (I, too, have found some new authors who I want to spend time reading!)
Pat @ 2:12 am
Ha,ha,ha. I too have had to keep a list of books I have read after duplicating some time after time. My list is 9 pages long! Only listing author and titles. Wanted to do a critique of the author, but the list would be unmanageable when I go shopping! Thanks for this great site! Now I have new authors to find! My favorites: Miss Seeton series and M. C. Beaton - both series. Many others as well but these are 'gold' to me!
Danna - cozy mystery list @ 12:25 am
Hi Pat,
M. C. Beaton is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors. Unfortunately, I have "caught up" reading all of her books, and am waiting patiently for her next to be published… which should be very soon!