I went into Barnes and  Noble yesterday after work. First visit in a couple months probably.

I hit the new mystery section first and couldn't believe all the new "first in a series" cozies out by authors I've never heard of. I'm going to say there were about 15 of them, at least.

Is this sub-genre the new "it" genre? I admit it's usually my favorite, but confronted with all those new ones, I was a bit taken aback. They all seemed to have the same premise - protaganist returns to her roots to take over this or that business endeavor. Murder ensues. It's like the sub-genre is being "milked" for all it's worth resulting in subpar, duplicate stories. Where's the creativity?

The only new one I really want to read is "Mayhem on the Orient Express." That looked fun. I regret not getting it now. It had a different premise - no one returned, took over a business, etc, etc ...

Of course, I regret not getting "Tulle Death Do Us Part" and "Cloche and Dagger" too. lol Old standby authors.

Are any of the other new ones good -- some of those "first in a series" by authors I've never heard of? Or are they authoris re-inventing themselves like Josie Bell/Jenn McKinlay

I agree.  A lot of new cozies and on just about every topic too. It seems food related is a favorite subject to write on.

Not sure how many are pen names for authors but I do know that Isabella Alan is Amanda Flower.  She has a new series out this month Murder, Plain and Simple: An Amish Quilt Shop.

I did read Murder on the Orient Express and thought it was very good.  I got a kick out of the characters and one scene had me cackling on the couch while DH looked at me funny.

Isabella Alan is Amanda Flower

Well, that just moved that book up on my list "to buy." I like Amanda Flower .... and I did see the Amish Quilt Shop mystery when I was there. I wonder how many others are pen names?

Thanks!

Daryl Wood Gerber is an Agatha Award-winning author who writes the Cheese Shop Mystery series under the pseudonym Avery Aames

She has this one that was just released

Final Sentence

Check out this site, they list all Authors with their series and pen names

http://www.cozy-mystery.com/

Yes I agree there a ton of cozies. Unfortunately there is not a great ones out there.  A lot of 3 stars. The other thing cozy authors are doing are strting several series. I am reading Cloche and Dagger by Jenn McKinlay and this is the 3rd series she has going (Cupcakes and Library Lover's). At least it gives us a lot to pick from

alice