Mystery Authors JoAnna Carl, Joanne Fluke, & Leslie Meier …

March 2, 2010

I just got a note from Jane asking for help identifying possible authors who she could try reading, based on the mystery authors who she lists as her favorites:

"… I really enjoy Hannah Swenson (Joanne Fluke), Lucy Stone (Leslie Meier) and Chocoholic mysteries (JoAnna Carl).  Can you recommend a similar author as I have just about finished those series??" 

I think that I would absolutely have to mention the following authors:

Jill Churchill

Mary Daheim

Diane Mott Davidson

Tamar Myers

Thanks to all of you who are helping come up with other mystery book author possibilities for Jane. Here are some more authors who you all have added in your comments:

Lorna Barrett (Booktown mysteries)

Miranda Bliss (Cooking Class mysteries)

Kate Carlisle (Bibliophile mysteries)

Sammi Carter (Candy Shop mysteries)

Laura Childs (Tea Shop mysteries)

Sheila Connolly (Orchard mysteries)

Susan Rogers Cooper (E.J. Pugh mysteries)

Cleo Coyle (Coffeehouse mysteries)

Carolyn Hart (Death on Demand mysteries)

Linda O. Johnston (Pet-Sitter mysteries)

John J. Lamb (Bear Collector's mysteries)

Lucy Lawrence (Decoupage mysteries)

Jenn McKinlay (Cupcake Bakery mysteries)

Jessica Conant-Park (with Susan Conant – Gourmet Girl mysteries)

Louise Penny (Three Pines mysteries)

Maggie Sefton (Knitting mysteries)

Patricia Sprinkle (Thoroughly Southern mysteries)

J.B. Stanley (Supper Club mysteries)

Ayelet Waldman (Mommy Track mysteries)

Livia J. Washburn (Fresh Baked mysteries)

Heather Webber (Lucy Valentine series)

Do any of you have any other suggestions for Jane?

14 comments - click here to see the comments or to add yours

{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }

Kay March 2, 2010 at 7:43 am

There are lots of food related mysteries out there. Some of my favorite authors in that vein are Cleo Coyle (coffeehouse), Laura Childs (teahouse), Sammi Carter (candy shop) and a new one out just today, Sprinkle With Murder (cupcakes) by Jennifer McKinlay.

I love Leslie Meier’s books. Another mom-sleuth and an older series is one by Susan Rogers Cooper (E.J. Pugh). Also Ayelet Walman writes the Mommy-Track mysteries.

Hope these help.

Petie March 2, 2010 at 8:01 am

How about Livia J. Washburn & her Fresh Baked Mystery series? I love them! Of course Jane named my favorites, too.

Missy March 2, 2010 at 8:35 am

Laura Childs-teashop mysteries, she also writes the Cackleberry Club mysteries, and a scrapbooking series. I adore her teashop mysteries!

Cleo Coyle-coffeehouse mysteries

Sheila Connolly-apple orchard mysteries (newer series)

J.B. Stanley-supper club mysteries (she also has 2 other series)

Carolyn Hart-death on demand series (she has 2 other series as well) Death on Demand got me started on cozy mysteries

Lorna Barrett-booktown mysteries (newer series)

Kate Carlisle-bibliophile mysteries (newer series)

Can you tell I LOVE cozy mysteries?! Hope this helps!

Oh, Louise Penny is a FANATASTIC newer author (she has 5 books in her Three Pines series. They are a bit more “traditional” than cozy, but nothing graphic at all…just very intelligent, beautiful and thoughtful writing. She is my new favorite!

Happy Reading,
Missy

Dru March 2, 2010 at 9:30 am

Jessica Park’s Gourmet Girl

Laura Jean March 2, 2010 at 10:06 am

I have read those series and I loved them. Seeing that I’m currently on a knitting kick, I started the knitting series by Maggie Sefton and I’m completely loving it! You may want to try it just for fun. It reads very similar to the Joanne Fluke series.

Anne March 2, 2010 at 10:28 am

I will suggest Patricia Sprinkle. LOVE her series…

Amber March 2, 2010 at 5:28 pm

Miranda Bliss’s Cooking Class Mysteries are great to me. They are easily read and fun.

Laura March 3, 2010 at 11:29 am

Wow! I love so many of the authors on this list. I first heard about them on this website. Thanks, Danna. You have provided a valuable service to us “cozy” readers.

Connie March 3, 2010 at 1:59 pm

Wow, great suggestions from others! I am going to suggest two new cozy series that I absolutely love. One is the Decoupage Mysteries by Lucy Lawrence (aka Jenn McKinlay (cupcake series). The other one is the Lucy Valentine Mysteries by Heather Webber. I just finished Truly, Madly and found it to be a real page turner. I loved it! I can’t wait until her next book comes out in August. I highly recommend reading both of these series. They won’t disappoint.

Danna - cozy mystery list March 5, 2010 at 6:54 pm

Thanks to all of you for suggesting such good authors! I knew I could count on you!

shirley March 6, 2010 at 11:51 am

John J. Lamb…he is a retired cop………his series has teddy bear titles.
The storyline has to do with them making their own design
teddybears………then taking to bazaars where others also bring
special design teddy bears. THEN a murder always HAPPENS
and of cause HE must SNOOP! I LOVE THE BOOKS.cozy

shirley March 6, 2010 at 12:09 pm

Linda O. Johnston……she is a pet sitter because before she was a young lawyer, and got blamed for something that happened at the law firm & lost her job. So, since she loves pets…. watches any kind…dogs, cats, fish (yes, fish) grin. She also has a boyfriend who is a P.I. Any new job she starts somehow usually is a mystery or a dead body…and of course loves to snoop…….You should read the first story SIT, STAY, SLAY.
KENDRA BALLANTYNE is funny & exciting…some romance and a very good whodunnit!

shirley March 6, 2010 at 12:21 pm

I just found this cozy-mystery web site…………I LOVE IT!

I have this in my address book now……………I have read quite a few mysteries………….but I see not all of them. grin.

Danna - cozy mystery list March 7, 2010 at 11:35 am

Thanks for the kind words, Shirley, AND for mentioning John J. Lamb Linda O. Johnston!

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