What’s Behind the Facade?

Many of you will remember seeing old western movies with store buildings that had false fronts, making them appear much larger than they were. Let me tell you that people have false fronts too, sometimes without even being aware that they have them. For example, how many of you may be a secret cozy mystery […]

The Cozy Shivers

When my grandchildren were small, we sometimes entertained each other by making up stories. Such was the case one cold, winter day several years back. “Let’s tell scary stories,” I said. “OK,” they agreed. I went first. I thought I was doing pretty well, building up to an exciting and shivery climax. “Mem, that’s not […]

The Warm Feeling of Home

I think within us there’s a love for the sincerity of a smile, the familiarity of people and a certain place, the knowledge that we are welcome. Do you ever return to a well-loved book because it offers that comfort? I do and I find that feeling in mysteries by Mary Roberts Rinehart. How many […]

Coffee, Morning, and Goofiness

A redbird is on my lawn. Not finding what he is looking for there, he flies across the street to another yard. He’s so beautiful–bright and flamboyant. I ask the Lord to protect him from cats. It’s okay to pray for redbirds, isn’t it? Did his wife send him out for coffee and he’s frantically […]

Hello, Old Man Winter

Today is the first day of winter, officially. It’s the shortest day of the year and henceforth, each day will get a tiny bit longer until finally, on the first day of spring, day and night will be equal. It’s pretty special, when you stop and think about it. Meteorology, in fact, all of nature, […]

That First Hello

We’ve all heard, “First impressions are lasting impressions.” A writer works hard to create a good first impression when you, the reader, crack open her book. Below are beginning sentences from each of my cozies, which, hopefully, create a good first impression. Moonlight Can Be Murder: My car’s headlights cut a yellow swath through the […]