The Cozy MysteryDarcy ArmstrongEmily Kormash

History

• Began in the 1920’s and 1930’s in England.

• Could be considered a reaction the dramatic hard-boiled genre.

Main Themes

• No over the top violence.• No overtly sexual scenes.• No course language.

The Setting

• Can be anywhere• Typically a village, small town, small

community in a large city.• Can be further

isolated by poor weather or another occurrence

The Detective

• Almost always a woman• Usually an amateur sleuth• Must be likable

The Murder• Not going to be

seen.• The victim is not

going to be well-liked.

The Criminal• Typically motivated

by jealousy, greed, or revenge

• Not a serial killer or thrill killer

• Generally not well liked in the community

Popular Cozies• Agatha Christie’s

Miss Marple • Lilian Jackson

Braun’s Cat Who series

• Murder, She Wrote television series

The American Cozy• Set in a small town• Can include extra

material such as recipes.

• Other settings: hotel, museum, theatre

http://cozymurdermysteries.blogspot.com/

http://www.mysterynet.com/genres/

http://www.writing-world.com/mystery/cozy.shtml

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/detective_fiction/97341

http://www.cozymysteryforum.com/what-characteristics-define-a-cozy-mystery-t-1.html

References