by Jackie Houchin
(Consider this book as the perfect “affordable” gift for anyone on your Christmas list who loves to COOK and/or loves to READ mysteries.)
I loved “Cozy Food” edited by Nancy Lynn Jarvis! The cover says it is a compilation of 128 Cozy Mystery Writers’ Favorite Recipes, but it is so much more.
Along with the yummy recipes in categories from Appetizers and Beverages to Desserts (of all kinds) and Gluten-Free foods (Even Pet Treats), you will get a “taste” of each writer’s books & series, protagonists & villains. And a “sip” of their own lives in their biographies!
A totally wonderful book, suitable (in print version especially) for your kitchen or living room libraries. (I plan to purchase a print copy.)
In the “hearty” introduction, you will read a thorough DEFINITION of a cozy mystery. If you ever thought of writing one yourself, just use this guideline and all you’d need to do is fill in the details!
The author biographies reveal “meaty” links (live in the digital version) for the many ways readers can find them – websites, newsletters, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and books on Amazon. (I admit, I followed many of them, and even signed up for several newsletters and blog posts.)
- You can discover how Sparkle Abby and Monica Ferris got their pen names.
- Some writers write with their husbands, such as Amy Myers and Jim, who have a Jack Colby mystery series featuring a classic car restorer. Their website is split between book news, and fabulous classic cars and events.
- Tamar Myers was born and raised in the Congo by missionary parents. I ordered the first book from her Congo mysteries (she has other more recipe-related series as well).
- Maggie Pill‘s Sleuthing Sisters (3) is another series I will try.
- Karen Robbins writes a series and a blog based on her (and her husband’s) world-wide travels.
- Joyce Oroz is a muralist, so her protagonist is too. (Love those 3-D murals!)
- Lee Wait has a series of historical novels for 8+ year-olds among her cozies.
Be SURE to read the biographies, they are a “mulligan stew” of fascinating facts.
Before I go, here is a list I will POSITIVELY be making soon.
- Mignon F. Ballard‘s “Lemon Mystery,”
- Marja McGraw‘s “Self-Frosted Cake,”
- Radine Trees Nehring‘s “Carrie’s Chicken Pie,” and
- Josi S. Kilpact‘s “Devil’s Food Cake.”
Here are a few “catchy” unusual recipe titles:
- “Kitty Cat Tuna Crackers” by Sparkle Abby,
- “Neanderthal Mammoth Jerky” by Kaye George!
All the biographies and recipe categories are listed in a complete Table of Contents (linkable for digital copies).
Oh, and don’t miss the very end. Like some TV shows Nancy Lynn Jarvis quotes some hilarious “Out Takes” from her experience of contacting the authors for this book.
This is a great Holiday gift (print) for cooks and mystery readers alike! Find it on Amazon.
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The Writers in Residence 
What a fun concept to introduce a group, a large one at that, of cozy mystery writers through their recipes. And it’s always nice to know the background of the writer. It gives a good basis for the facts they slip into their work. Thanks, Jaxon.
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Your collection of Santas must have helped you in the several books and short stories that are about, or refer to the Jolly Old Saint Nick.
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Jackie, this sounds great—recipes, reading guide, and writing guide, all in one go! Another cozy author, Nancy J. Cohen, recently released a cookbook with some great-sounding from her Bad Hair Day series: A BAD HAIR DAY COOKBOOK: RECIPES FROM NANCY J. COHEN’S COZY MYSTERY SERIES.
I guess with cozy writers including recipes, a cookbook is the next logical step.
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I think you got it, Maggie. I confess I haven’t tried any in the individual books I’ve read, but with this cookbook handy I think I might just make some… and meet some new authors as well.
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After drooling a bit (smile) downloaded a copy. Looking forward to self frosting cake, Marja McGraw, and Mignon F. Ballard‘s “Lemon Mystery.” What interesting people mystery writers are. Thanks for sharing, Jackie.
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I loved reading about the authors and their characters as well, Madeline. And I’ve got a list of some possible new authors to read.
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Wow–sounds like an enjoyable book in many ways. Thanks for letting us know!
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Jackie – makes me hungry just reading this post. You find so many interesting new writers and their books. It must be your background as a newspaper reviewer. Thanks for all those new book suggestions, too.
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