Introducing the….
Cozometer
The Cozometer
There were so many types of mysteries that there needed to be some subgenres so that a potential reader could tell if they were going to pick up a serial killer thriller or a sweet holiday caper. We’re grateful that “cozy mystery” became a genre because it allowed us to easily find some of our favorite books, but we’re also found that “cozy mystery” is now such a huge subgenre that it also includes many different stories.
Since this subgenre is growing, we thought it would be useful to include a cozometer so that you can better find the cozy that appeals the most to you.
Like all labels, it is imperfect since there are still some stories that straddle a few lines while working to tell the best mystery. Also, with TV shows, there are some episodes that are darker or sillier than others in the series. (Murdoch Mysteries “The Incurables” versus “The Night Before Christmas.”)
Our signature Cozometer Rating!
We hope that as the community grows, you will help us with our labels so that it helps the most people possible find cozies that they love!
These mysteries have less focus on crime but still have a puzzle that needs to be solved. These are mysteries that could be enjoyed by a reader of any age.
Examples:
Signed, Sealed, Delivered TV series and movies
Nancy Drew book series by Caroline Keene
These stories lean into the cuteness or silliness of the world more so than the classic cozy. They might use humor to engage the reader or have a subplot that has just as much focus as the crime that is being investigated. There is no cursing.
Examples:
Matchmaker Mysteries TV movies
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries TV movies
Haunted Housekeeping books by R. A. Muth
This is what most people would consider a cozy mystery. (See our definition!) There is no gratuitous sex or violence. The crime is treated seriously, but there sweet elements of the story and the focus is on solving the puzzles. This includes both stories that were written after “cozy mystery” became an official genre that make sure to “follow the rules”, and classic mystery stories that fit the cozy mold because of their approach to a mystery.
Examples:
Murder, She Wrote TV show
Hannah Swensen Mysteries book series by Joanne Fluke
Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple books
These mysteries veer off a little bit from the “classic” by including a little more sexiness, violence or harsh language. It might include a lot more humor or sassiness. They also might be more experimental in how they present the mystery.
Examples:
Jaine Austen Mysteries books by Laura Levine
Queens of Mystery TV Show
These mysteries walk the line of being considered “cozy.” They still have elements of the the classic cozy, but might veer off dramatically in one element that some readers might find unsettling. There could be a high body count.
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries books by Charlaine Harris
Midsomer Murders TV Show