Mid-September is the perfect time of year. Taking this time to talk about mysteries is a blast, and if they happen to include food, all the better!
We’re so excited to further explore cozy mysteries this month at Fully Booked, specifically those in the popular culinary subgenre. Even though it’s still hot and humid here when we’re recording-blech-we’re envisioning curling up with a blanket, a cup of tea, and a book during the upcoming fall weather, which is perfect for reading mystery novels. It’s the perfect atmosphere for cozy mysteries.
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Shirin gives us an update on her upcoming read, Saint Ambrose School for Girls. She hasn’t heard much about it, but was intrigued by the description of Mean Girls vibes combined with some witchy elements, so it sounds like it will have an enjoyable spooky twist. Meaghan just breezed through a couple of fun and light romantic comedy books by Tessa Bailey-It Happpened One Summer and Hook, Line & Sinker, that were perfect quick romance reads to officially end the summer season.
Now, let’s really dive into our main topic for the week: cozy mysteries revolving around food and drink. This is such a beloved subgenre, which makes complete sense within this genre. Cozy mysteries are all about quaint small towns, amateur sleuths, and a general warmth and nostalgia. Food naturally plays into that. Just think of classic characters like Miss Marple – she frequently pauses for a spot of tea or some scones during her investigations. The mouthwatering food descriptions immerse you in the setting of the book you’re reading. Bakers and cafe owners make appealing leads because they have connections around town and a reason to be privy to gossip and the like, as well as having established trust with other characters as small business owners.
There are so many wonderful examples of culinary cozy mysteries, like the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen books by Mia P. Manansala centered around a struggling Filipino restaurant. The cultural elements woven throughout the traditional family recipes enrich the story. Or the Magical Bakery Mystery series by Bailey Cates, which ingeniously blends cozy mystery, scrumptious food, and a dash of magic as the baker and lead is a practicing witch, so she whips up enchanted baked goods along with solving mysteries in Savannah.
Other beloved series include the Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Childs, the Agatha Raisin books (Agatha enters a baking competition in the first book), and the popular Hannah Swenson books that became the Murder, She Baked movies on Hallmark. Oftentimes the victim is a patron of the small town’s bakery or diner where our amateur sleuth works. The protagonist’s lack of police training allows for plenty of false accusations and red herrings to unwind, making each story an interesting whodunnit for the reader as well as the characters.
A fun bonus in many culinary cozy mysteries is recipes included at the end of the novel so readers can bake or cook the delicious dishes described throughout the course of the story! Vivid food details transport readers to the setting, much like the iconic coffee shops and diners in sitcoms or other television shows that unite the characters in a familiar setting. The comfort of food helps set a warm, welcoming tone. Adding appetizing food elements enhances the overall coziness by making the story homier and less unsettling.
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In summary, culinary cozy mysteries combine many comforting elements – mouthwatering food, friendship, community, homeyness, and just the right amount of intrigue without becoming too dark. We’d love to hear some of your favorite cozy mystery reads involving food or drink! Let us know on Instagram or Facebook. For now, happy reading and stay cozy!
Enjoying this episode? Be sure to check out all of our coverage of the genre over at https://fully-booked.ca/. We’re a listener-supported podcast! Please consider pledging and helping Fully Booked to grow our library over at https://ko-fi.com/fullybooked, or by leaving us a 5 star rating and review wherever you’re listening. Thanks bookworms, and don’t forget to keep on reading.
