Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Personally, I'm not a fan of this particular holiday...although I do appreciate the sale on Valentine's candy that will start on the 15th! That being said, I do like some romance in my mysteries. I guess that's not too surprizing in that I like romance novels as well.
When it comes to mysteries, cozies in particular, romance comes in several forms. One form has our protagonist meet her romantic partner at the start of the series, but circumstances (or their own opinions) keep them apart. This "will they or won't they" is probably my favorite form of mystery romance. Sometimes, this form changes. As the series progresses the couples sometime finally get together, sometimes they even get married. The romance between upper class hotel owner Cecily Sinclair and her butler, Baxter in Edwardian England is my favorite example of this sort of romance and can be found in the Penneyfoot Hotel Mystery series by Kate Kingsbury. Kate Carlisle also gives us a memorable couple with Brooklyn Wainwright and Derek Stone in her Bibliophile series. And I certainly cannot leave out Amelia Peabody and Radcliffe Emerson from Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody Mystery series.
As in life, not all romantic couples in books last. Some series start with one romantic liaison which ends and our heroine finds a new love...or she keeps looking. Carole Nelson Douglas deftly handles this switch in the Midnight Louie Mystery series. Krista Davis explores this form in her Domestic Diva series.
Sometimes our authors give us a variety of possible romantic partners. Juliet Blackwell gives my favorite version of this romantic form in her Witchcraft series...although now I think Lily has found "the one". (He certainly is my pick!) Sometimes, the author has her heroine keep more than one romantic interest at the same time, specifically Joanne Fluke and the Hannah Swensen Mystery series.
While several of these romantic styles eventually lead to marriage, much more rare is the mystery series that starts with our romantic couple already wed. Cate Price has tackled this form in the Deadly Notions Mystery series. Peg Marberg also started her Interior Design Mystery series with a married couple.
What about you? Do you like some romance with your mystery? Do you have a preference as to romantic form? Who are some of your favorite couples?
Showing posts with label Douglas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Douglas. Show all posts
Friday, February 13, 2015
Sunday, April 7, 2013
The Animal Cozy
I'm a huge animal lover. Wildlife, domesticated animals, pets...I enjoy all kinds of animals. I especially love it when they make it in to mystery novels.
There are a few different ways in which animals appear in cozy mysteries. In some instances they exist in the novels as pets, but don't play a major role. In some cases they're little more than background enhancer; the family pets in the Jane Jeffires Mysteries by Jill Churchill, for example. In other series their role is a little more important, but only as a background character; Earl Grey, the mixed breed "Dalbrador", in Laura Child's Tea Shop Mysteries or Miss Marple, Tricia's cat, in the Booktown Mysteries by Lorna Barrett
In other books the animal plays a more active role, oftentimes helping the protagonist solve the mystery. Koko and Yum Yum are prime examples in The Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun. I just love Owen and Hercules from The Magical Cats Mysteries by Sofie Kelly.
A third type of animal mystery actually gives voice to the animal. The story may be told from his or her point of view, or they may tell part of the story. All of the animals talk in the Mrs. Murphy Series by Rita Mae Brown, although the humans can't understand them. While Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tee Tucker are the major animal stars here, the other animals have their say too, including horses and my favorite opossum, Simon. Midnight Louis has even more to say in his series by Carole Nelson Douglas. In these books the chapters alternate between the point of view of the humans and those of Midnight Louis.
Some mysteries have an animal theme. The protagonist works with animals in some way. Claudia Bishop writes about a veterinarian in The Casebook of Dr. McKenzie Series while Linda O. Johnston's Pet Rescue Series features a no-kill animal shelter.
Then there's the cover cat. You may pick up a cozy and see a cat on the cover. However, as you read the book you find no mention of a cat. Who is that cat is on the cover? What's his role? This mysterious cat is a marketing tool. Publishers believe that cats on covers increase sales, so they'll add a cat to a petless mystery in the hopes of getting that animal lover to pick up the book, take a closer look, and perhaps buy it.
What do you think about animal mysteries? Do you have a favorite?
There are a few different ways in which animals appear in cozy mysteries. In some instances they exist in the novels as pets, but don't play a major role. In some cases they're little more than background enhancer; the family pets in the Jane Jeffires Mysteries by Jill Churchill, for example. In other series their role is a little more important, but only as a background character; Earl Grey, the mixed breed "Dalbrador", in Laura Child's Tea Shop Mysteries or Miss Marple, Tricia's cat, in the Booktown Mysteries by Lorna Barrett
In other books the animal plays a more active role, oftentimes helping the protagonist solve the mystery. Koko and Yum Yum are prime examples in The Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun. I just love Owen and Hercules from The Magical Cats Mysteries by Sofie Kelly.
A third type of animal mystery actually gives voice to the animal. The story may be told from his or her point of view, or they may tell part of the story. All of the animals talk in the Mrs. Murphy Series by Rita Mae Brown, although the humans can't understand them. While Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tee Tucker are the major animal stars here, the other animals have their say too, including horses and my favorite opossum, Simon. Midnight Louis has even more to say in his series by Carole Nelson Douglas. In these books the chapters alternate between the point of view of the humans and those of Midnight Louis.
Some mysteries have an animal theme. The protagonist works with animals in some way. Claudia Bishop writes about a veterinarian in The Casebook of Dr. McKenzie Series while Linda O. Johnston's Pet Rescue Series features a no-kill animal shelter.
Then there's the cover cat. You may pick up a cozy and see a cat on the cover. However, as you read the book you find no mention of a cat. Who is that cat is on the cover? What's his role? This mysterious cat is a marketing tool. Publishers believe that cats on covers increase sales, so they'll add a cat to a petless mystery in the hopes of getting that animal lover to pick up the book, take a closer look, and perhaps buy it.
What do you think about animal mysteries? Do you have a favorite?
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Chapters
Action can be broken down into sections. Real life can be divided into days, television has commercials, and books have chapters.
Do you pay attention to chapters? How they break up the action of the story plays a big part in how the book is experienced. Are chapters long or short? Do the chapters have divisions as well? I believe that chapters and their placement as well as length, play an integral part in the pacing of a novel.
In general, I am only able to read in short bursts. I try to read for 10 minutes or so during my lunch break at work. My main reading time is in the bathroom. Yes, I admit it. I am a bathroom reader. I love to read in the bathtub and that's where most of my reading is accomplished. Sometimes I read in bed, before going to sleep and sometimes, when I'm on vacation, before getting up. With that in mind, I prefer short chapters. I also tend to read more with short chapters. I finish one so quickly, that I read another...and another, especially when the chapters end with a cliffhanger. It's interesting to note that some chapters end at a stopping point, while others are cliffhangers. Those cliffhangers beg you to keep reading.
Some chapters have divisions within themselves. I'm never sure about those. Why not start a new chapter? In some cases I see the chapters might be considered too short if the author were to do that. Still, some chapters are quite long and have those breaks as well. Personally, I like to stop reading at the end of a chapter. Sometimes super long chapters prohibit that. In some cases I even stop reading to see how much longer I have to go before the chapter ends.
Some authors have a table of contents at the start of their books, listing all of the chapters. Sometimes these chapters also have titles. Carole Nelson Douglas does this with her Midnight Louis Series. If you read these you may have a glimmer of what's to come. Some authors start each chapter with a saying or quote, Darynda Jones uses this approach in her Charley Davidson Series. Krista Davis starts each chapter of the Domestic Diva Mysteries with a question and reply from either Sophie or Natasha's columns. Some authors give tips between chapters (gardening tips, recipes, and so on) while others put their tips at the end.
What do you think about chapters? Do you have a preference between long or short chapters? Or have you not even considered it?
Do you pay attention to chapters? How they break up the action of the story plays a big part in how the book is experienced. Are chapters long or short? Do the chapters have divisions as well? I believe that chapters and their placement as well as length, play an integral part in the pacing of a novel.
In general, I am only able to read in short bursts. I try to read for 10 minutes or so during my lunch break at work. My main reading time is in the bathroom. Yes, I admit it. I am a bathroom reader. I love to read in the bathtub and that's where most of my reading is accomplished. Sometimes I read in bed, before going to sleep and sometimes, when I'm on vacation, before getting up. With that in mind, I prefer short chapters. I also tend to read more with short chapters. I finish one so quickly, that I read another...and another, especially when the chapters end with a cliffhanger. It's interesting to note that some chapters end at a stopping point, while others are cliffhangers. Those cliffhangers beg you to keep reading.
Some chapters have divisions within themselves. I'm never sure about those. Why not start a new chapter? In some cases I see the chapters might be considered too short if the author were to do that. Still, some chapters are quite long and have those breaks as well. Personally, I like to stop reading at the end of a chapter. Sometimes super long chapters prohibit that. In some cases I even stop reading to see how much longer I have to go before the chapter ends.
Some authors have a table of contents at the start of their books, listing all of the chapters. Sometimes these chapters also have titles. Carole Nelson Douglas does this with her Midnight Louis Series. If you read these you may have a glimmer of what's to come. Some authors start each chapter with a saying or quote, Darynda Jones uses this approach in her Charley Davidson Series. Krista Davis starts each chapter of the Domestic Diva Mysteries with a question and reply from either Sophie or Natasha's columns. Some authors give tips between chapters (gardening tips, recipes, and so on) while others put their tips at the end.
What do you think about chapters? Do you have a preference between long or short chapters? Or have you not even considered it?
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Long Running Series
I'm always a little sad whenever I finish a book I really like. Sad that the adventure is over and I have to say goodbye to new friends. The wonderful thing about cozy mysteries is that they're usually series-so when you finish one, you know you'll meet up with everyone again for the next adventure.
Unfortunately, some series are short lived. In some cases, this result is not desired by the author either. The book doesn't sell well and the publisher won't publish further stories in the series. Happily, the advent of e-books and self publishing has allowed some authors to continue their series even when the publisher says no. Sometimes the series ends because, tragically, the author died. Barbara Burnett Smith wrote the Purple Sage Mysteries and had just started a new beading series, Bead on Trouble when she died. A second book in that series, Beads of Doubt, was published, finished by another author.
Some series have a set ending by the author. Carole Nelson Douglas intends to go through the entire alphabet with her Midnight Louis series. After the first two books, Catnap and Pussyfoot, the titles follow the alphabet-Cat on a Blue Monday. She's currently on W with the 2012 release of Cat in a White Tie and Tales. Kate Kingsbury also had an ending with her Pennyfoot Hotel series; although that's not quite true in that four years after the series ended she began bringing those characters back in Christmas mysteries.
Long running series are great in that you truly get to know the characters. Seeing how the characters change and grow can be amazing and wonderful. At the start of the series by Elizabeth Peters we meet Amelia Peabody, a single lady in Victorian England who is finally free to travel. By the most recent book in the series Amelia is married with grandchildren! We've also seen the political and archeological changes in Egypt. Crocodile on the Sandbank was published in 1975 with A River in the Sky released in 2010. There are currently 19 books in this series.
So what makes a series long running? Although time does count for something (the Amelia Peabody series continued for 35 years and although the author is 85 years old, she's still with us-so there may yet be another book in the series!) to me it's the number of books in the series that makes it long running. For me, a series must have at least 10 published books in order to be considered a long running series.
There are problems with long running series. Unfortunately, I've found a few clunkers in some of my favorite series. I suppose when you write that many books, some are bound to be not as great. When it first started, I adored the Mrs. Murphy series by Rita Mae Brown; every book was great. Then there was a horrible clunker. I didn't give up on it, and Rita Mae Brown got back on track with some wonderful books which I recommend. There are currently 20 books in the series which began with Wish You Were Here in 1990 with the 21st scheduled to be published in June 2013. What's interesting is that the clunker sits half way through the series.
So what are some other long running series? Cleo Coyle currently has 12 books in her Coffeehouse Mysteries. Laura Childs has two long running series. The Tea Shop Mysteries started with Death by Darjeeling in 2001 and the 14th in the series will be released in March 2013. Her Scrapbooking Series just makes the cut with her 10th book in the series, Postcards from the Dead published in 2012. There are 17 books in Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson series with the 18th to be published in February 2013. Two of these are actually novellas, found in holiday collections with stories with other authors, but still, more than enough to make a long running series. There are 16 books in Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Bear series. Kate Collins started her Flower Shop Mysteries with a 2004 publication. There are now 13 books. There are 17 books in the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton starting with Aunt Dimity's Death back in 1992 with the 18th due in April 2013.
As you can see, there are plenty of long running series out there-and many series which I hope will become long running. Do you have a favorite long running series? Which current series do you hope become long running ones?
Unfortunately, some series are short lived. In some cases, this result is not desired by the author either. The book doesn't sell well and the publisher won't publish further stories in the series. Happily, the advent of e-books and self publishing has allowed some authors to continue their series even when the publisher says no. Sometimes the series ends because, tragically, the author died. Barbara Burnett Smith wrote the Purple Sage Mysteries and had just started a new beading series, Bead on Trouble when she died. A second book in that series, Beads of Doubt, was published, finished by another author.
Some series have a set ending by the author. Carole Nelson Douglas intends to go through the entire alphabet with her Midnight Louis series. After the first two books, Catnap and Pussyfoot, the titles follow the alphabet-Cat on a Blue Monday. She's currently on W with the 2012 release of Cat in a White Tie and Tales. Kate Kingsbury also had an ending with her Pennyfoot Hotel series; although that's not quite true in that four years after the series ended she began bringing those characters back in Christmas mysteries.
Long running series are great in that you truly get to know the characters. Seeing how the characters change and grow can be amazing and wonderful. At the start of the series by Elizabeth Peters we meet Amelia Peabody, a single lady in Victorian England who is finally free to travel. By the most recent book in the series Amelia is married with grandchildren! We've also seen the political and archeological changes in Egypt. Crocodile on the Sandbank was published in 1975 with A River in the Sky released in 2010. There are currently 19 books in this series.
So what makes a series long running? Although time does count for something (the Amelia Peabody series continued for 35 years and although the author is 85 years old, she's still with us-so there may yet be another book in the series!) to me it's the number of books in the series that makes it long running. For me, a series must have at least 10 published books in order to be considered a long running series.
There are problems with long running series. Unfortunately, I've found a few clunkers in some of my favorite series. I suppose when you write that many books, some are bound to be not as great. When it first started, I adored the Mrs. Murphy series by Rita Mae Brown; every book was great. Then there was a horrible clunker. I didn't give up on it, and Rita Mae Brown got back on track with some wonderful books which I recommend. There are currently 20 books in the series which began with Wish You Were Here in 1990 with the 21st scheduled to be published in June 2013. What's interesting is that the clunker sits half way through the series.
So what are some other long running series? Cleo Coyle currently has 12 books in her Coffeehouse Mysteries. Laura Childs has two long running series. The Tea Shop Mysteries started with Death by Darjeeling in 2001 and the 14th in the series will be released in March 2013. Her Scrapbooking Series just makes the cut with her 10th book in the series, Postcards from the Dead published in 2012. There are 17 books in Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson series with the 18th to be published in February 2013. Two of these are actually novellas, found in holiday collections with stories with other authors, but still, more than enough to make a long running series. There are 16 books in Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Bear series. Kate Collins started her Flower Shop Mysteries with a 2004 publication. There are now 13 books. There are 17 books in the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton starting with Aunt Dimity's Death back in 1992 with the 18th due in April 2013.
As you can see, there are plenty of long running series out there-and many series which I hope will become long running. Do you have a favorite long running series? Which current series do you hope become long running ones?
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