So I Want to Write a Cozy Mystery

Here’s something you may not know about me. I’m a big fan of cozy mysteries. I think it all started with reading every Agatha Christie book I could get my hands on as a kid. Granted, they aren’t all cozies, but I loved them nonetheless. I was also an avid reader of Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes. I watched Murder She Wrote, Poirot, Marple, and Father Brown, as well as Midsomer Murders. And I’m a huge fan of Alan Bradley’s series featuring Flavia de Luce.

Photo by Svitlana on Unsplash

For the past thirteen years, I’ve focussed my writing on creative non-fiction and historical fiction. You can learn more about those here. My third novel is set to release in 2026 and it’s a historical novel with a mystery embedded. So fun to write! I also have a fourth novel I’m querying (writers, you know the pain!) and a fifth historical novel I’m hoping to have completely drafted by the end of May.

While I love historical fiction, I also have a deep need to write something lighter. So why does murder come to mind, you ask. Haha! I’m attracted to a quaint small town, a tight-knit community, quirky characters, local coffee shop, and long-standing bookstore. I want to read, and write, mysteries that are fun to solve and easy to enjoy.

I can already picture my setting, and the house where she lives, as well as the store that she owns. I see her friends and family, and the community characters. As my friend Holly B. says, it’s downloading so fast, I can’t wait to start writing.

But first … I need to do my research. And this is where you come in. In addition to reading about cozy mysteries from a writerly standpoint, I’m aiming to make my summer reading list all about cozy mysteries.

Here’s my ask:

Send me the titles and authors of your favourite cozy mysteries with a line or two about why you like them. They can be standalone or a series. My preference is for books written in the last five years (I want to catch up with what’s happening out there), and with contemporary settings, but I’ll take the must-reads, too.

Here’s my promise:

I’m going to create a reading list and share something about the books with you as I read them throughout the summer. Not exactly book reviews, but my thoughts as the book pertain to me figuring out what the heck I’m doing. I’ll include novels as well as relevant craft books.

A quick thanks!

The first thing I decided to do when committing to this project was create a pen name. I’d secretly been harbouring a few ideas for years, and I approached the good folks on Substack, as well as some friends and family members. My choices were a combination of my full first name and my husband’s last name:

1. Anna-Liisa Jensen — this one felt too long

2. Anna Jensen — alas, there is already a prolific author with this name

3. A. L. Jensen — this felt like the Goldilocks choice: just right

Thank you to everyone for weighing in and helping me make a decision I’m happy with. It’s not everyday you get to create your name.

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JOIN MY COZY MYSTERY BOOK CLUB

I’m making a list (with your help) and I’ve started reading. If you’re interested in joining my Cozy Mystery Book Club we ride at dawn. Just kidding. We’ll start in June and read for three months (and maybe continue through the year if there is interest). Once we have a small group going, we’ll decide on a monthly date and time that works for the group. Spread the word!