Comments on: Why Are the Majority of the Cozy Mystery Site's Authors Women?

By: Sara

Sara — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:50:20 +0000

The same could be said for romance writers. The majority are women. Romances are about developing relationships. Women understand relationships.

In cozies, women (generally) solve mysteries through the observation of characters actions. Again, something women understand. A strength. Fascinating and something I'd never thought through before.

By: Danna - cozy mystery list

Danna - cozy mystery list — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:20:03 +0000

Sue,

You stated that perfectly!

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:07:25 +0000

I find men are a bit too graphic when they write about sex and violence. I don't care to read every detail of some guys sexual encounter (especially when it starts out "she said "no" but his sexual prowess left her "panting for more"). I feel the same way about violence. I love Nevada Barr's story lines, but I hate that her main character,Anna Pigeon, is nearly beaten to death in every book. I can't recall Brother Cadfael ever being seriously injured. I haven't read an "Aunt Dimity" recently, but I don't recall Lori Shepherd even tripping over a corpse. You don't need murder and "hot" sex to have a good mystery.

By: Danna - cozy mystery list

Danna - cozy mystery list — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:20:59 +0000

Chris,

Thanks for telling us that story about Alexander McCall Smith... You are so right about his writing as a woman>>> Sometimes when I am reading one of his books, I actually stop and ponder about how sensitive he is to a woman's perspective. (Usually this happens when I am reading a Number One Ladies' Detective Agency novel.)

By: Chris Forman

Chris Forman — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:18:11 +0000

Of course the real exception is Alexander McCall Smith. His writing sounds like a woman wrote it. I heard him speak once and he was asked how he did it. His response, "I am wearing a skirt". He had on a kilt at the time.

The reverse can work too. Take the great Agatha Christie in the Hercule Poirot series where a woman is writing a male lead. She does it well and leaves out the typical male stereotypes.

Chris Forman

By: Danna - cozy mystery list

Danna - cozy mystery list — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:36:16 +0000

I don't have a category of cozies written by men, Dennis… but it does sound like a great theme!

By: Dennis

Dennis — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:29:12 +0000

I like to read cozy mysteries as well as others mysteries. And I guess I like to read some things I may call mysteries that are not really mysteries after all. So … I will have to check your categories to see if you have one for cozies written by men.