A cozy is a light mystery which includes a bloodless crime and contains very little violence, sex, or coarse language. Most cozy murder mysteries are tamer than their hard-broiled counterparts. These are generally quick reads that are light and fun. By the end of the story, the criminal is punished and order is restored to the community. Cozies are, for the most part, feel-good stories. The character solving the crime is often an amateur sleuth with some fun profession like catering or wedding planning who becomes involved because of personal reasons, but sometimes the characters are professional: police officer, medical examiner, or private detective, with a supporting role, such as a boyfriend or best friend. The main character is always the good guy, and the victim usually is someone who is not terribly missed. Many cozies invite the reader to solve the crime first. In those instances, clues are sprinkled throughout. Red herrings (apparent clues which distract the reader) may be included and all the suspects might appear guilty along the way, but these falsehoods should be explained by the end.
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