This should (finally!) finish my verbal "meandering" regarding the:
Do you think that you can judge a (Cozy Mystery) book by its cover?
Bright, Bold Covers: These, as well as the idyllic setting covers, are the types of mystery book covers that most capture my attention. I simply like them, and prefer it when they give us a hint about the type of Cozy Mystery the book is going to be. The artists' delightful, bright renditions of the mysteries reach out and definitely grab my attention.
Covers with Photographs: There are also mysteries that show still pictures of a scene. Most of the Cozy Mystery books I am familiar with don't tend to have photographs on their covers, they usually grace the covers of true crime and harder mysteries. Mysteries with photographed covers don't capture my attention while browsing, but I'm sure that I have read many of them.
There are probably many other types of book covers out there that are gracing our Cozy Mystery novels. And, as with all things, different people have different tastes. Perhaps the next time you are deciding on a new author to start reading, you will notice yourself seeing what role the author’s book covers play in your decision to either read or pass on that author’s novels.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Here's another discussion on covers that you might find interesting. Lots of people wrote in to give their opinions!
http://mindyklasky.livejournal.com/189872.html
I am like a bird, Ooooo! Shiny! Or a bright color will draw my attention. The Denise Swanson I am reading now, MURDER OF A CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRY, has a turquoise blue cover and I love it.
I'm like you… Bring on the bright colors!
Yes, I am attracted to the bright and often creative covers of cozy mysteries. How disappointing when the inside isn't as colorful as the outside.
I do think the cover makes a difference in drawing someone to an author they have not yet read. Probably research has found this to be true and that is why publishers are putting as much time and energy into the covers.
What an interesting blog series and certainly a topic to ponder the next time I'm at the bookstore. I really enjoy your posts when you are "meandering" – you come up with very creative topics.
Hi Edie…
I agree about publishers wanting to put as great of a cover as they can on a book, so it's always interesting to me when a publisher changes the style of an established author's book covers. In one such case, I absolutely could not believe the publishers choice! When I first saw the new style of covers, I wondered "Why mess with a good thing?"