This is post 6 of 7 in the series “Cozy Mystery Essentials” 10 Essential Elements of a Cozy Mystery The Amateur Sleuth: Why They Shine in Cozies Small Town Settings: Crafting the Perfect Backdrop for Cozy Mysteries No Gore, All Charm: Keeping It Cozy in Mystery Fiction The Sidekick: Pets, Pals, and Their Roles in Cozy Mysteries Red Herrings: How to Plant Them Right in a Cozy Mystery The Cozy Hook: Quirky Jobs & Hobbies in Mystery Fiction No cozy mystery is complete without a trail of breadcrumbs—and not all of them should lead to the killer. Enter the red herring: that deliciously misleading clue that keeps readers second-guessing, flipping…

This is post 5 of 7 in the series “Cozy Mystery Essentials” 10 Essential Elements of a Cozy Mystery The Amateur Sleuth: Why They Shine in Cozies Small Town Settings: Crafting the Perfect Backdrop for Cozy Mysteries No Gore, All Charm: Keeping It Cozy in Mystery Fiction The Sidekick: Pets, Pals, and Their Roles in Cozy Mysteries Red Herrings: How to Plant Them Right in a Cozy Mystery The Cozy Hook: Quirky Jobs & Hobbies in Mystery Fiction No amateur sleuth solves mysteries in a vacuum—thank goodness! Whether it’s a nosy best friend, a cranky but brilliant cat, or a reluctant police detective who secretly respects the main character’s instincts,…