New subgenres of mystery emerge all the time as we tailor our reading lists on sites like Goodreads. Which subgenres will you add to your list? Take the quiz below to find your new favorite subgenre.
What are cozy mysteries?
We all read for the mystery, even if it's not a mystery novel. We want to know what's going to happen, so we keep turning pages. But we also have specific interests.
Want a fast paced page-turner? Try a thriller. Want a nail-biting, intense mystery? Try suspense. How about a clean-cut mystery with a comfy setting, friendly characters, and no graphic gore.
Cozy Mysteries are perfect for those who want to read a crime mystery without gruesome scenes, sex, or profanity. Usually set in small towns or cozy neighborhoods in big cities, where neighbors know each other, cozy mysteries leave the murder off the page and focus on the mystery. Generally, the sleuth is an amateur detective, who solves crimes not because he/she is a detective, but because of a keen mind and and knowledge of the community. The sleuths make it possible for us to solve crimes right along with them - because through them we get to know their communities as if they were our own friends and neighbors.
What's your subgenre?
Cozies might be a subgenre of mysteries, but there are genres within genres here. Like fantasy? You might try paranormal cozies. Love bakeries? Try a baking cozy! You could try a free cozy from any of the following subgenre on our books page.
Sub-Genres of Cozy Mysteries:
Animal Cozies
Baking Cozies
Classic Cozies
Hobby Cozies
Holiday Cozies
Profession-based Cozies
Religious Cozies
Romance Cozies
Setting-Based Cozies
Supernatural/Paranormal Cozies
And there are many more categories on Cozy Mysteries Unlimited.
Take a Quiz
So, what's your subgenre? Discovering a new genre opens up a world of new experiences, depending on what you look for in a story. Try this quiz to find your new favorite genre:
1. There's been a murder! After your shock and dismay, you decide to help the police by doing a little investigating of your own:
a. go to the police station and talk to a detective - I'm not really sure how to do this.
b. wonder what Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot would do - they're the original sleuths, after all.
c. go straight to my friends and people I know for information.
d. go out on my own - I'll figure things out.
Answers:
a. Hmm. You need a little help. Try a classic cozy mystery.
b. You're thinking like the greats! Have you read all the classic cozies?
If not try some more.
c. You're thinking like a modern sleuth. Move onto the next question.
d. You've got confidence! Move onto the next question.
2. Good morning! Who do you wish would go sleuthing with you today? (Assuming you're not in any real danger.)
a. My pet(s)! Or a really cool pet I come across in my sleuthing.
b. My significant other or a dreamy person I meet in my sleuthing.
c. The authorities - I'm not sleuthing on my own!
d. No one! I take all the risks and get all the glory!
Answers:
a. You need a furry friend to help you. Try an animal cozy.
b. Love is in the air. Try a romantic cozy.
c. Smart thinking. Move onto the next question.
d. Be careful! Move onto the next question.
3. Time for Church! You:
a. show up early for the good seats. I need God on my side if I'm going to catch a killer.
b. go, listen, and enjoy a brunch with friends after. Who knows? I might find out something from my friends.
c. go sleuthing. I can practice my own spirituality at home anytime.
d. skip it and go to brunch where I can sleuth for answers.
Answers:
a. Divine intervention might help solve your case. Try a religious cozy.
b. When you're catching a killer, you know you've got right on your
side. Move onto the next question.
c. You might be open to the divine. Try a religious cozy or move onto
the next question.
d. Sleuthing is your #1 priority. Move onto the next question.
4. What's for brunch?
a. Gourmet - I'm a chef!
b. A superb meal out - I'm a foodie!
c. Whatever my lead is eating - Who cares about the food when you're sleuthing?
d. Anything as long as someone else is cooking
Answers:
a. Sleuthing is sweet! Try a baking cozy.
b. You've got taste. Try a baking cozy.
c. You've got a taste for justice. Move on to the next question.
d. Justice is a dish best served cold. Move on to the next question.
5. You promised to work on a DIY project with a friend. You:
a. go do the DIY project. You promised and you never have enough time for your hobbies.
b. really want to work on it, but your case won't let you work on your hobby.
c. cancel. Your hobby won't help you solve the case.
d. cancel. You really didn't want to go anyway.
Answers:
a. Why not work on a hobby and solve a case? Try a hobby-based
cozy, especially if you sew, knit, crochet, puzzle, or a cozy hobby.
b. Try a hobby-based cozy. You know you want to.
c. You're focused on your case. Move on to the next question.
d. Hobbies aren't your thing. Move on to the next question.
6. You have a dream about your case. You:
a. Take it seriously. The victim's spirit might be trying to communicate with me.
b. Reflect on it for clues. My brain might be trying to tell me something.
c. Think about it a little. I wish it meant something, but I'm not sure it does.
d. Ignore it. I'm just stressed.
Answers:
a. You're open to the spirit world. Try a paranormal/supernatural cozy.
b. You're very logical. Move onto the next question.
c. You want to be open, but aren't quite ready yet. Try a supernatural
cozy or move onto the next question.
d. The paranormal holds no interest to you, so you won't find answers
there. Move on to the next question.
7. You wish you could sleuth some more, but you've got to go to work today. You're:
a. happy for a little reprieve. I love my work!
b. not too happy about it. If it was my dream job, that would be a different story.
c. going to get through it, but as soon as the day is over, I'm sleuthing!
d. going to call in sick. Who can think about work with a case to investigate?
Answers:
a. You're passionate about work. Try a profession-based cozy.
b. There's time enough to explore your dream job and work on a case.
Try a profession-based cozy.
c. You'd rather be sleuthing. Move on to the next question.
d. Work isn't working for you. Move on to the next question.
8. The holidays are coming. Your first thought is:
a. Yay! I love the holidays!
b. The holidays are nice, but I don't have time for festivities with a killer on the loose.
c. Great. All these visitors in town will make the sleuthing that much harder.
d. When will summer be here?
Answers:
a. There's no reason you can't sleuth and enjoy the festivities Try
holiday cozy.
b. You're focused on the mystery. Move onto the next question.
c. You've got sluething on your mind. Move onto the next question.
d. You might prefer a holiday cozy in spring or summer weather, or
move onto the next question.
9. Your case is over and you've solve the mystery! You deserve a vacation (assuming quarantine is over). Where do you go?
a. Why leave home? Everything I want is here.
b. On a cruise, a resort, or somewhere luxurious!
c. To a retreat or a place where I can be at one with nature!
d. The place I want to go exists only in my mind.
Answers:
a. Home sweet home. Try a setting-based cozy in a small town.
b. You need adventure. Try a setting-based (vacation) cozy.
c. Peace of mind is all you need. Move to the next question.
d. Let your imagination roam wild. Move to the next question.
10. Now that life has returned to normal, you can't help your mind wandering once in a while. You mostly daydream about:
a. Finding/being with my soulmate. Love is everything.
b. Magical things I wish I could do!
c. My dream job.
d. Vacations, leaving it all behind.
Answers:
a. Romance is calling to you. Try a romantic cozy
b. You've got a magical side. Try a paranormal/supernatural cozy.
c. Find your passion. Try a profession cozy.
d. Try a setting-based (vacation) cozy
Which type of cozy will you try next? Comment here or join the conversation on social media.
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