Pitch Perfect Send Up of Cozies
Obviously, I love cozy mysteries. At the same time, I’m very aware of the absurdity of them and the abundance of tropes. So when Marla Cooper released Welcome to Cozy Town, a short story that is a loving spoof of the genre, I knew I had to read it. And it’s exactly what I hoped it would be.
Marla Cooper has been out of the mystery scene for a few years, but she is the author of two cozy mysteries that I read and loved when they came out. She’s working on rereleasing those two books this year and giving us a third in that series. All this to say that this short story is coming from someone familiar with the genre and someone who loves it.
The story introduces us to Violet, who has just inherited a bed and breakfast from a great-aunt she didn’t know she had in a town she’d never heard of before. But, considering she’s in need of a fresh start, the timing is perfect. However, when her first guest is found murdered in his bed, Violet can’t help but wonder what is going on. Especially since everyone in town seems to be taking it in stride. What kind of town has Violet moved to?
Honestly, my teaser doesn’t do this story justice. The mystery serves as a great host for the humor. There are laughs on every page, as Violet encounters the tropes that the residents of the new town take for granted. Her reactions are priceless. And we get some explanations that made me laugh as hard as Violet’s reactions.
All of this is done with love. This isn’t a mean-spirited jab but a playful wink and nod to the ridiculousness of a genre we all love. That makes it all the more fun as far as I’m concerned.
The mystery doesn’t suffer from all the humor. Oh, it is a bit ridiculous, but it perfectly fits the story and I’m not sure I would have had it any other way.
If there is any criticism it’s the characters. We have so much going on here we don’t get a real feel for them. But it’s a short story, so I’m being nitpicky.
This is a longish short story - it took me about an hour to read.
And, of course, there’s a recipe at the end.
Cozy fans will laugh their way through this story. Put on your bullet proof vest and relax with Welcome to Cozy Town.
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