In mid-October, Kensington Books, publisher of some of the finest cozy mysteries, hosted its first Cozy Min Con in two years along with the Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop in Pennsylvania. I was fortunate to attend with authors such as Julia Henry, Sherry Harris, and Darci Hannah. Over one hundred attendees drove hours to meet fellow readers and their favorite authors for a few hours. Prizes were given, books were purchased. Everyone shared a passion for the whodunnits of an amateur sleuth with a set of skills to help restore justice to their town, their community, their friends, and family; often with a pet by their side and sometimes a love interest in the works. We all shared a desire to figure out the puzzle of a mystery along with our sleuths who jump into danger to bravely take on murderers. For all of us gathered, it was a perfect, cozy, fall celebration.
The gorgeous autumn day, with billowing clouds against a sunny sky, and a crispness in the air, contributed to the day’s magic. Although every season is prime for a cozy mystery – from summer’s seashores to winter’s snow days – fall, in particular, screams cozy. The sun is sinking earlier and there’s a chill in the air, but it’s too soon to break out the Hallmark Holiday Movie t-shirts (this year I have my eye on one “I just want to drink hot cocoa and watch Christmas movies” edition). In this season of pumpkins and cider, a cozy mystery is a must.
Full disclosure, I am biased. I’ve set two of my cozy mysteries during the fall. FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FLAME (A Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery) features skeletons, pumpkins, cold cases from long ago, dark secrets on Nantucket Island, candles, and a haunted house. And my upcoming PHOTO FINISHED, set in New York City, captures the uptown/downtown, upstairs/downstairs of the town’s high society during the fall season’s elite black-tie balls. I particularly loved spending time in Nantucket during the fall under the guise of research. And if you’ve ever been to NYC during October or November, before the holiday surge of tourists begins, you’ll know it’s a spectacular time to visit Central Park, wander through Soho, and see the famous sights.
If you are new to cozy mysteries, fall is also a perfect time to jump into the genre. Why? There’s the ritual of the read itself which borders on a lifestyle. Cozy mysteries are the comfort food of reading. The goal? Coziness, of course. The visitors to Kensington’s Cozy Mini-Con know this already, but in case you do not, you will want to cover a few basics. Here, for readers’ next level enjoyment, is the ultimate guide to enjoying your fall read.
Dress Right
Sweaters: From store-bought to hand-knit, sweaters must be roomy enough for comfort, but cozy enough to give you that snug vibe.
Fuzzy socks: Ideally with positive messaging like “If You Can Read This, Please Bring Me Wine” because sometimes reading can be a team effort.
Don’t Forget Sustenance
After some trial and error, I’ve found that hot cider with an aromatic cinnamon stick is wonderful. Hot cocoa can be a mistake if you’re the kind of person who might drop your mug in surprise when you realize who the killer is.
Set the Mood
Candles, scented or not, are a must. The flicker of the flame carries its own mystery. A candle with several wicks is killer.
Find the Right Setting
You will want the comfiest space available to curl up. If your family or pet have taken over this spot, a pile of pillows or any quiet place to escape will do the trick.
Extra points
– A window seat
– A pet that curls up peacefully at your feet
– A candle with a themed scent, like Sherlock’s Study (check out Frostbeard on Etsy) or Snickerdoodle Strangler (see Bookmarksicle.net)
– A fireplace with flames that cast eerie shadows after the sun sinks, but you still can’t put your book down
– A loving BAE who will massage the kinks out of neck so you can keep reading
And, of course, you will need some great fall-themed cozy mysteries. Below are some suggestions to start your reading journey.
Perfect Cozies for The Fall
A KILLER SUNDAE by Abby Collette
Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is gorgeous in the fall, and Bronwyn Crewse, owner of Crewse Creamery, knows just how to welcome the new season. At the annual Harvest Time Festival, residents will get a chance to enjoy hot-air balloons and hayrides, crown a new Harvest Time Festival Queen, and eat delicious frozen treats sold at Win’s freshly purchased ice cream truck. But she gets into a sprinkle of trouble when a festivalgoer is poisoned and Win is implicated.
WREATHING HAVOC by Julia Henry
There’s nothing like autumn in picturesque Goosebush, Massachusetts, but beneath the season’s sun-dappled foliage, Lilly Jayne and her Garden Squad must investigate a shadowy murder mystery after a theater owner’s sudden death sows as much drama behind the scenes as on any stage…
THE CIDER SHOP RULES by Julie Anne Lindsey
Autumn in Blossom Valley means pumpkin patches are ripe and Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe’s cider shop is flourishing. The Fall Festival is in full swing. Civil War reenactors from three counties are partaking in Blossom Valley’s tribute to John Brown. Blue Ridge Mountain foliage is in full bloom. And best of all is Jacob Potter’s pumpkin farm where his hay rides, piglet races, pumpkin picking and corn maze are time-honored draws for locals and tourists alike. That’s why it’s such a shock when Mr. Potter is found dead, hidden under a tarp in the back of Winnie’s pickup truck.
ROYAL BLOOD by Rhys Bowen
Penniless and thirty-fourth in line to the throne, Lady Georgiana Rannoch finds herself in a truly draining state of affairs. To escape her hateful brother, Georgie accepts an invitation from the Queen to represent the royals at a wedding in Transylvania. But at the macabre- looking castle, Georgie finds the bride with blood running down her chin, and a wedding guest is poisoned. Now it’s up to Georgie to save the nuptial festivities before the couple’s vows become: to love and to cherish, till undeath do them part…
THROUGH THE LIQUOR GLASS by Sarah Fox
This one is coming out on November 29th, 2022
Autumn brings a wonderland of color and atmosphere to Vermont. As the last leaves fall from the trees, the town is gearing up for a new festival: A Taste of Shady Creek. Pub proprietor Sadie Coleman is looking forward to visitors coming to sample her literary-themed cocktails. She’s a little more wary about her mother’s impending first visit, but those concerns are overshadowed when a food critic is found dead at Grayson’s craft brewery, pinned under a barrel.
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