What’s a cozy mystery?

Cozy is one of the best words out there. The Dutch have “gezellig” and the Finns have “hyyge” to express something close, but in the English language, we say cozy (or cosy if you’re British) and it brings to mind an overstuffed chair, an afghan, a cup of tea or cocoa, maybe a cat, but definitely a good book.

For me, the ultimate cozy mystery is any of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple stories. We are first introduced to her in the short story "The Tuesday Night Club" and Agatha Christie described her this way:

Miss Marple wore a black brocade dress, very much pinched in round the waist. Mechlin lace was arranged in a cascade down the front of the bodice. She had on black lace mittens, and a black lace cap surmounted the piled-up masses of her snowy hair. She was knitting—something white and soft and fleecy.

The first Miss Marple book (The Murder at the Vicarage) is much briefer (and yet more accurate):

"Miss Marple is a white-haired old lady with a gentle, appealing manner--Miss Wetherby is a mixture of vinegar and gush. Of the two Miss Marple is much the more dangerous."

Miss Marple gardens, watches birds, and knits constantly. But you should remember that she’s always there: seeing and listening to everything going on around her.

Like Miss Marple, cozy mysteries seem to be soft or gentle. But when you look closer, you discover a strength and sharpness that isn’t obvious at first.

Most definitions of cozy mysteries points out that they usually do not include graphic descriptions of violence or sex unlike non-cozy mysteries or thrillers. Swearing is kept to a minimum too.

For me one of the things that makes cozy mysteries appealing is how often humor and general “fun” are included in the writing. Yes, themes are also often a part of cozies (pets, recipes, party planning, you name it), but it’s often the quirky supporting characters that surround the lead character who make the story truly special.