Marilyn Levinson writing as Allison Brook returns to Help From My Friends Friday. While she lists several reasons why she loves Cozy Mysteries, she may have missed one. Authors spend many hours at the keyboard. It’s important to be passionate about the work they do. I can vouch that Marilyn is passionate as well as talented at her craft. Please welcome Marilyn Levinson to HFMFF. ~ Donnell
Why I Love Writing Cozy Mystery Series
Author Marilyn Levinson writing as Allison Brook
by Marilyn Levinson
The eighth and final book in my Haunted Library series will come out next fall. While I love reading psychological thrillers, I have no desire to write one. The next mystery novel I write will be the first in a new cozy series. I love writing cozy mysteries and here’s why:
1. It’s always a joy to create a picturesque town where everyone knows everyone else. Despite the occasional murder, the mood is cheerful and upbeat. Sure there are a few bad guys who commit crimes, but my sleuth will track them down and off they go to jail, leaving me with a sense of satisfaction and my readers with a happy ending. In my cozy realm justice is served, and for a while all is right in the world.
2. I love that cozies are written in series. My sleuth and those closest to her move on from book to book. The more I write about my characters, the better I get to know them. They are very real to me and to my readers. As they handle issues and deal with the occasional murder they change and grow. In DEATH OVERDUE, my sleuth Carrie Singleton starts out rootless and looking like Goth Girl. Seven books later in OVERDUE OR DIE she’s a responsible community-minded adult, engaged to be married as soon as she and her fiancé find the perfect wedding venue.
3. My characters are the most important element of my cozy series. I love to write about their interactions with one another; how relationships change over the course of the series. Carrie’s relationships with both parents change considerably over the course of the Haunted Library series. In OVERDUE OR DIE, Carrie finds herself growing fond of a woman she never much liked after seeing her in new situations.
4. Each book takes place in a different month of the year, giving me the chance to write about the ongoing season and its holidays, celebrations and dinners with family and friends.5. Writing a series gives me the opportunity to write about issues as varied as the homeless and art theft and forgery.
5. Since murders in cozies take place off scene I don’t have to describe bullet wounds or visit the morgue and describe the body on the slab.
6. Dogs and cats feature front and center in a cozy mysteries. I love including a pet in my cozy mysteries. Once in a while I even have them help solve the crime.
About the Book: Overdue or Die, The Haunted Library Mysteries #7
Marilyn, I’ve enjoyed your Haunted Library series. What can we expect in your new series? Thanks for being my guest today!
It’s going to very different from the Haunted Library series—set on an island on the Long Island Sound. (Don’t go looking for it on a map. <G>)
oooh, sounds intriguing. Will this be published by Crooked Lane Books?
Marilyn, Catherine Dilts tried to comment to say she and your readers love cozies for all the reasons you listed. Clearly, you nailed it 🙂
Well said, Marilyn!
Thank you, Lois!!
Donnell, Thanks for having me on your blog and talking about one of my favorite subjects.
Great post. I love a good cozy!
Thanks, Jillian. I do, too.
Thanks, Jillian!
I admire your prolific writing career, Marilyn. Congratulations on completing your series, and best of luck on the new one.
Thanks so much, Gay!