tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post1682816333045157572..comments2023-11-03T06:20:06.604-05:00Comments on Lesa's Book Critiques: When Good Cozies Go BadLesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-8220482073686817282015-12-07T10:23:37.104-06:002015-12-07T10:23:37.104-06:00I agree, Patty. Too bad the publishers and authors...I agree, Patty. Too bad the publishers and authors can't figure it out. One storyline repeated over and over usually doesn't work. Some of the biggest names can get away with it - Janet Evanovich was mentioned earlier. But, I've even stopped reading her books because I tire of reading the same story when there's so much else out there.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-46386917798586243552015-12-07T10:22:01.807-06:002015-12-07T10:22:01.807-06:00BPL Reference, I totally agree with you. Why is th...BPL Reference, I totally agree with you. Why is the heroine so insecure? And, those nerves I touched? It sounds as if we all have the same problems with these series characters.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-70757904718407026122015-12-06T21:20:45.638-06:002015-12-06T21:20:45.638-06:00Great post, Lesa. I agree about the indecision of...Great post, Lesa. I agree about the indecision of "which man". I too stopped a series because of this -- it is still going strong but I haven't read one in years. Too bad because otherwise it was an interesting premise. Pattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07677772238389810821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-25169227056582578902015-12-06T18:16:55.886-06:002015-12-06T18:16:55.886-06:00Great post, Lesa, and obviously you hit a nerve. ...Great post, Lesa, and obviously you hit a nerve. I totally agree. My other pet peeve is the single suitor but the heroine is so insecure that every book she spends part of the time worried whether he still loves her, if he's interested in someone else, is he going to leave her, etc. etc. He buys flowers, doesn't give them to her, she's sure he's seeing someone, and it turns out they were for his grandmother's birthday or something. I like a bit of romance in my stories as well, but manufactured drama/angst that does nothing to advance plot or character is annoying.<br />BPL Refhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07206148409183653691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-1928785354289927842015-12-06T16:48:16.512-06:002015-12-06T16:48:16.512-06:00Sharon, Sometimes it does feel as if taste changes...Sharon, Sometimes it does feel as if taste changes. Over the years, I've dropped series I once loved, and moved on to others. Sometimes the cozy mysteries are palate cleansers. Sometimes, it's the other way around, that I can read multiple ones of those, but need a break at times. I like Oust's and Freydont's as well. Thanks for participating in the discussion!Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-26021630135861747932015-12-06T16:46:06.147-06:002015-12-06T16:46:06.147-06:00Barb, You're right about the difference in rea...Barb, You're right about the difference in real time and book time. But, no matter how long it goes on, if those triangles are bothering readers, forcing us to quit reading them, they've gone on too long. Good for you, having a happily married couple!Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-42928223178796885202015-12-06T16:44:31.878-06:002015-12-06T16:44:31.878-06:00Yes, Birdhouse Books. What's the matter with a...Yes, Birdhouse Books. What's the matter with a happy couple or single who represents part of the population?Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-18613083914815227762015-12-06T16:43:12.670-06:002015-12-06T16:43:12.670-06:00You're certainly not alone, Bonnie, in finding...You're certainly not alone, Bonnie, in finding that indecisiveness annoying, as you can tell by the discussion.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-31464053008034142342015-12-06T15:14:36.107-06:002015-12-06T15:14:36.107-06:00What a great post Lesa! I also gave up on the ser...What a great post Lesa! I also gave up on the series you mentioned. The love triangle was the first reason but the second was the writing. I felt she was writing for an elementary reader and I was insulted. I've given up on many of the cozy mysteries I used to enjoy like the Tea Shop mysteries by Laura Childs and the China Bayles mysteries by Susan Wittig Albert because of plots. Right now my favorite ones are the Amory and Milo Ames series by Ashley Weaver, the Spice Shop Mysteries by Gail Oust, and the Celebration Mysteries by Shelley Freydont. I cannot decide whether it is my taste in reading is changing or the genre is becoming overloaded catering to specific interests of their readers. I sort of look at cozies as palette cleansers that are easy and fun. I'll stick with the series if I like the characters enough but once the love triangle goes on for too long to my liking or the plots to ridiculous, I move on to another series. It is odd though when you think about it that there are so many dating services around and yet these heroines seem to have more than their share of suitors? Thanks for the discussion. I enjoyed reading and participating in it.Sharonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-60925705345643901602015-12-06T11:11:38.002-06:002015-12-06T11:11:38.002-06:00I sometimes think the problem with some of these t...I sometimes think the problem with some of these triangles is the difference between "book time" and "real time." It may feel to the reader like a triangle goes on for decades, but it may only be a couple of years in "book time."<br /><br />That being said, I agree with your observation. If the protagonist was a friend, eventually you'd say, "Make up your mind or shut up about it, already," so why put up with this behavior from a fictional person you a volunteering to spend time with.<br /><br />My first book, The Death of an Ambitious Woman, did feature a happily married sleuth. It did remove some sources of tension and plot possibilities, but it was by no means impossible.Barb Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16470220932617188498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-74617154462677941772015-12-06T10:16:46.317-06:002015-12-06T10:16:46.317-06:00Great post! I agree completely. I would much rat...Great post! I agree completely. I would much rather read a book with a happy couple or a happy single than all the silly romantic triangle back-and-forth.Birdhouse Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075857846666114496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-53126508149579118102015-12-06T09:29:48.857-06:002015-12-06T09:29:48.857-06:00Excellent! I'm glad you wrote this. So, I'...Excellent! I'm glad you wrote this. So, I'm not alone in finding a woman's constant indecisiveness annoying. LOLBonnie K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02780504029596670240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-89418916743071851352015-12-06T09:10:19.516-06:002015-12-06T09:10:19.516-06:00Carol, My Mom was supermom and could have done all...Carol, My Mom was supermom and could have done all of that. <br /><br />Totally agree with you about the breaking laws. I don't agree with that. And, I like those cozies as well, the same ones you do. And, not every woman has to have a love interest.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-24254094575202887942015-12-06T09:08:50.027-06:002015-12-06T09:08:50.027-06:00Everyone who wondered, you're right. According...Everyone who wondered, you're right. According to Mark Baker, there is a third man. Write to Mark for the answer. I did because I was curious but didn't want to bother with the books any more.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-76356666968016970642015-12-06T08:33:18.101-06:002015-12-06T08:33:18.101-06:00What a great beef! I hate that too about some cozi...What a great beef! I hate that too about some cozies and have two more qualms. One is the human dymano. I have a bunch of chronic illnesses and it irritates me that a woman in one series can be a supermom, spend a lot of time of making decorations and different foods for the holidaya and solve a complicated murder mystery. She is up at dawn and working into the wee hours of the night.<br /><br />My other one is when the heroine breaks laws, breaks and enters and violates other laws. Why can she use her brain and figure things out.<br /><br />My favorite cozies have women who either don't have a love interest or they have just one. I loved a dog themed one that had a sleuth who was already married and there were no romantic triangles.Carol N Wonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06873206816286352639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-57980450019082870842015-12-06T08:18:01.651-06:002015-12-06T08:18:01.651-06:00I knew exactly which series you were talking about...I knew exactly which series you were talking about. I have quit reading it entirely because of this.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15065590141044069147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-77883123408561376232015-12-06T07:40:09.746-06:002015-12-06T07:40:09.746-06:00Lesa, someone told me she added a third man to the...Lesa, someone told me she added a third man to the mix. I haven't checked though.SandyG265https://www.blogger.com/profile/09063871775065822845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-34593061387741867102015-12-06T07:17:00.628-06:002015-12-06T07:17:00.628-06:00I so agree with you! It's good to see that so...I so agree with you! It's good to see that so many others feel the same way!Carol Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07018603523305326782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-50577857896597367972015-12-05T22:42:23.286-06:002015-12-05T22:42:23.286-06:00Love your rant, Mark, and this was the perfect pla...Love your rant, Mark, and this was the perfect place for it. You are SO right about all of it. Poor Castle. I gave up on it after a couple episodes. And, actually, I almost quit last year when he didn't make it to his wedding. I think they went wrong already last year.<br /><br />I loved the Teddy Bear series! I was so sorry that there were so few books in it. You're right. They were so much in love. I also enjoy the marriage in Bill Crider's Sheriff Dan Rhodes books. The conversations between Sheriff Rhodes and his wife may be a minor part of the book, but they certainly show how much the couple loves each other. They're funny conversations, and loving at the same time.<br /><br />Totally agree. And, I was so pleased to see Jane K. Cleland's Josie Prescott have a conversation about trusting the man she loves, and that she's trustworthy. Timely conversation because I read it today after my rant.<br /><br />Loved your rant! And, now I'm curious. If she didn't pick Norman, she's an utter fool.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-19465840029559176632015-12-05T22:04:33.358-06:002015-12-05T22:04:33.358-06:00I knew right off the bat which series you were tal...I knew right off the bat which series you were talking about. I've kept reading it, although the quality of the last few books has gone down hill. (Can we say after thought mystery anyone?) I'm happy to report that she picked someone at the end of the last book. If anyone wants to know spoilers, e-mail me and I'll tell you. carstairs38 at gmail<br /><br />But I completely agree with you. Frankly, I love it when the main character is in a happy relationship. Meg Langslow in Donna Andrews series comes to mind. Another is Odelia Grey and her husband Greg in Sue Ann Jaffarian's series. Both are in strong marriages, and I love the series for it.<br /><br />Frankly, that was one of several reasons I loved the Teddy Bear series written by John J. Lamb. The main character was married from the very beginning and they were so very much in love. It was a refreshing change from the "does he like me," which is almost as annoying to me as the love triangle.<br /><br />I do try to keep in mind how long it has been for the characters vs. us. If, say, three books take place in three months, I try to remember that it isn't as long for the characters even if it has been three years for us. But it still wears on me.<br /><br />As to the Moonlighting curse, I am going to swat the next person who brings it up as an issue. I get so sick of hearing about it with shows I like. It all comes down to the writers. If they are good, they can keep the stories fresh. But when they make bad choices... (this year's writers on Castle, I'm glaring directly as you.)<br /><br />Okay, I'll stop ranting now.Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-34849674696140404092015-12-05T21:32:56.692-06:002015-12-05T21:32:56.692-06:00I would think, Leann, that most authors would feel...I would think, Leann, that most authors would feel that if their detective wasn't intelligent, she couldn't solve mysteries. Maybe I'm wrong. Readers respect intelligence, too!Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-23381977606205718492015-12-05T18:25:06.099-06:002015-12-05T18:25:06.099-06:00Thanks Lesa. I have no patience for it, so when I ...Thanks Lesa. I have no patience for it, so when I began writing, I knew what I wanted to do and what I would not do in my series. Intelligence is more attractive than any trait and if my detective isn't intelligent, she cannot solve a mystery. The police in my stories respect intelligence. Leann Sweeneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04711922018390977295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-23792077081918171182015-12-05T17:46:04.923-06:002015-12-05T17:46:04.923-06:00Yes, I've quit several, Nancy.Yes, I've quit several, Nancy.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-72577937770149991712015-12-05T17:37:17.679-06:002015-12-05T17:37:17.679-06:00Right on! I've quit two series for the forever...Right on! I've quit two series for the forever triangle reason.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13253087981864526963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-52474100471144709312015-12-05T17:34:14.095-06:002015-12-05T17:34:14.095-06:00Holdenj, You're right. How many of the amateur...Holdenj, You're right. How many of the amateur sleuths are dating a cop, reporter, etc., someone who does enhance her investigative skills? Usually after they, or someone they love is a suspect in the first or second book, they become involved. It's just part of the pattern. But, the authors don't have to throw in another man to make the reader come back. The reader is coming back for the sleuth and the mystery. And, this reader tends to drop a series if the relationship decision is wishy-washy.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.com