There are quite a few mystery authors who started out as journalists. Perhaps this is the reason that there are so many mystery authors who have reporters / journalists as their sleuths. What better profession for your main character to have than something with which you are very knowledgeable. Also, a journalist/reporter is someone who is paid to seek out a story, solve a mystery (of sorts), delve into areas into which others may not feel comfortable doing so. Here is a list of authors (with lasts names beginning with A – G) who are on the Cozy Mystery Site and who happen to write series which feature reporter / journalist sleuths :
Sheryl J. Anderson: Molly Forrester Mystery Series features a "Dear Abby" type of columnist in New York City…
Jo Bannister: Primrose Holland Mystery Series has, as it's main character, an English advice columnist AND Mickey Flynn Series features a North American photojournalist…
K.K. Beck: Iris Cooper & Jack Clancy Mystery Series takes place during the 1920s…
Laura Bradford: Jenkins & Burns Mystery Series features a reporter and a detective in New Jersey…
Lilian Jackson Braun: The Cat Who *** Mystery Series features Koko, Yum Yum, and Jim Qwilleran…
Edna Buchanan: Britt Montero Mystery Series features one tough Miami reporter…
Jan Burke: Irene Kelly Mystery Series is about a reporter in California…
Ellen Byerrum: Crime of Fashion Mystery Series features a fashion columnist…
Helen Chappell: Sam & Hollis Mystery Series features a very much "alive" reporter and her very dead ex-husband…
Edie Claire: Leigh Koslow Mystery Series features an advertising copywriter…
Margaret Coel: Catherine McLeod Mystery Series is set in Denver…
Jeffrey Cohen: Aaron Tucker Mystery Series revolves around a screenwriter…
Susan Conant: Dog Lover's Mystery Series features a writer for a dog magazine…
Barbara D’Amato: Cat Marsala Mystery Series is set in Chicago…
Mary Daheim: Emma Lord Alpine Mystery Series features the editor/owner of a Washington (state) newspaper…
Carola Dunn: Daisy Dalrymple Mystery Series is set in 1920s' England…
Janet Evanovich & Charlotte Hughes: Full Mystery Series has, as its protagonist, a newspaper editor….
Antonia Fraser: Jemima Shore Mystery Series features a British TV journalist…
Shelly Fredman: Brandy Alexander Mystery Series is set in Philadelphia…
If I have missed any other Cozy Mystery Site Authors whose last names begin with A – G, and who have reporter/journalist sleuths, please post a comment so that I can add the omission…
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Strangely, the quickest way to make sure I don’t read a book is to star reporters…you’re right there are a LOT of them out there. I read too many growing up and just got…tired of the “motivation” of the nosy reporter (especially since the reporters in the books seem to have no relation/similarity to real reporters today.)
I last tried to read a “reporter” mystery about a year ago. I made it to page 30.
Just one of those things.
Oh–I do read the Jan Burke books. I’m not current on the series, but that is the one exception to my rant above. :>) Burke can write. And she doesn’t let the day job (reporter) overtake the character. Her characterization, at least in the books I read, was so well-rounded, I didn’t even remember the character was a reporter!
Like you said it is common for mystery writers to write about things they know – this example involving journalists and others (lawyers, teachers, miniaturists(sp?), etc). There are so mant different areas it is hard to keep up. Luckily you appear to be grouping a lot of these. Thanks.
I concur with Dennis. I like how you group the occupations of the characters. Sometimes a reader can get overwhelmed with the variety out there.
Gerry Boyle writes mysteries where the central character, Jack McMorrow, is a reporter who works for a weekly paper in small-town Maine. His latest was released in February 2010. The series dates back to 1993.