Decoding the Cozy
Whenever I tell people I write cozy mysteries, the response is often: what exactly is a cozy?
Which is totally a fair question! And one I typically answer with some version of the following: a cozy is a mystery with the puzzle of a whodunit, but without the gore. And there’s usually a cat.
Now, while the above is true, there’s more to cozies than that. Which is what I want to talk about today.
So, let’s take a deep dive into the elements that make up this endearing sub genre:
The hook–one of the main things that sets cozies apart is that there’s often a gimmick. Like, the main character also knits/cooks/owns a specialty spice shop (or, in my case, a winery). This gives the story a little something extra. Not only do I get to enjoy the puzzle of a whodunit, but I also get to learn a new recipe for lasagna! Huzzah!
A mystery–this is sort of a duh, but yes, there must be a mystery. Usually a murder mystery chock-full of suspects, clues, and red herrings, although it could be a heist or something, too. The differentiating factor for cozies is that the violence happens off-camera. We’re still dealing with the grotesque nature of crime, but without all the nitty-gritty details.
Small town vibe–even if they don’t actually take place in a small town, cozies generally capture that feeling. With local haunts and casts of characters who are all connected to each other, the settings are deeply integrated into the mystery.
Amateur sleuth–the protagonist–also the knitter/cook/specialty spice shop owner–is the one who solves the crime. There’s usually something at stake, like their business or a loved one is being blamed for the crime, that forces them into the role of sleuth.
Cats–Yep, I wasn’t joking. There’s usually a cat. Or perhaps some other kind of pet, although cats are the most prevalent. And why shouldn’t they be? Cats have so much personality (or should I say purrsonality), and are one of the only species to kill for sport. It’s oddly fitting.
Airplane reads–cozy mysteries tend to be ~75k words, which is on the shorter side for adult novels. It’s not that the plots are less complex, it’s more that every word has a purpose, packs a punch. I call these airplane reads because they can typically be read in a few hours.
Romance–if there is romance, it’s not the main focus of the story. And it tends not to be too steamy. The love interest could be a detective, or maybe another character with some mystique (like an initial suspect).
Series–A cozy is usually part of a series that follows the same main character as they solve multiple crimes (eg., Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone series, which impressively stretched from A is for Alibi to Y is for Yesterday).
Do you read or write cozies? Are there any other elements that traditionally define this genre? What are some of your fave cozies, either tv show or book?
I really enjoy the cozies because they are comfort reads for me. I liked Diane Mott Davidson’s Goldy books that took place in the Evergreen area. I also like the Longmire TV series (modern day western).
Cozies are comfort reads for me, too! I love that they’re usually more lighthearted, and that justice is always served!
Just out of curiosity, why do you classify Sue Grafton’s works as “cozy”, even though the main character is a detective, rather than an amateur? I agree with you, though, her novels take that same less-violent approach.
Excellent question! There’s definitely gray area here. I think her mysteries could also be classified as hard boiled, although I tend to think of them as more cozy because of the humorous voice and lighthearted tone.