Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband Norman and her very active puggle, Watson. She’s authored fourteen books and is currently at work on a new series for Bethany House Publishing. The first book in her Road to Kingdom series, “Inescapable,” came out in July of 2012. The second book, “Unbreakable” releases in February of 2013.
All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”
Readers can learn more about Nancy through her Web site: www.nancymehl.com or her blog www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com. She is also active on Facebook.
Ask almost any reader to explain what defines a mystery
novel and most will respond with definite characteristics they feel should be
present in this popular genre. However, ask the same reader to explain the
elements of a “cozy” mystery and you may see a look of confusion creep across their
face. So just what makes a mystery “cozy?”
The most fundamental elements in cozy mystery are fairly easy to define. First of all, there will be a basically bloodless crime that may happen “offstage.” In other words, by the time our amateur detective arrives on the scene, the dirty deed has already been done. Now, our sleuth, who is usually female, must solve the mystery because of circumstances she cannot avoid. In other words, the crime involves her directly in some way. This is true with any mystery, but in a cozy, many times the reasons behind her involvement are much more personal. Other signs that you’ve cracked open a cozy involve a small, confined setting; the lack of profanity and sexual content; a protagonist with an interesting hobby or job; and memorable, quirky characters. Also, many cozies are drawn with a touch of humor. Some go further, actually adding some giggles to the usual nasty business of murder and mayhem. Now let’s look a little more closely at each of these elements.


Now, on to s-e-x. Cozies should contain little or no sexual
content. In inspirational cozy, there can be romance, but sex only occurs
between married couples – and it definitely happens offstage! Remember the old
black and white movies where the couple kissed, the camera swung away from them,
and in the night sky behind them fireworks exploded? You got the idea without
the embarrassing details!

Another “cozy” element involves likeable, “quirky”
characters drawn with humor, who appear to have something “mysterious” in their
backgrounds. These characters can all be possible suspects. Be careful though,
not to paint a picture of someone who seems completely innocent and then
surprise your reader at the last minute by making him the murderer. Mystery
fans, including cozy mystery fans, ask you to play fair. Hints must be dropped
and clues must be scattered! And whatever you do, pick up all your clues by the
end of your story and explain. Mystery buffs don’t like to be left hanging.
Never forget a cozy mystery is still a mystery and as an author, you must play
by the rules.

I love love love Nancy's books!! would love to win this!!!! thanks! Rhonda
ReplyDeleterhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net
Loved reading this article.Your books are so entertaining as well as suspenseful, romantic, and most of all bring honor to God..donitacorman@ yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Nancy, and a much more detailed definition/explanation of a cozy mystery than I gave earlier this week.
ReplyDeleteBeth
Yes! I'd love to win. I have become very interested in this genre.
ReplyDeleteAnn McCauley
Mcwrites2u@sbcglobal.net
I love this explanation and I love Nancy's cozies. Andrea Burgess: rajuburgess@sbcglobal.net.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would like to enter...I enjoy reading mysteries...Thanks,Pat...johnson_dalel@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the explanation about a cozy mystery. annettastolpmann@bellsouth.net
ReplyDeleteI would love to win!! Thanks for the offer!!
ReplyDeletePam Hartley
pamiam30428@yahoo.com
I really liked the explanation about Cozy Mysteries and definitely would love to win a book by Nancy Mehl. Thank you for having a contest.
ReplyDeleteNancy - love your books and hope to see you write more in the cozy genre soom
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terri. That just might happen. I'll keep everyone posted!
DeleteI liked this! I always say that I love cozies, but then, someone wants to know what makes it a cozy and I fumble for an explanation. I will refer them to this from now on. :)
ReplyDeletePen
pmettert@yahoo.com
Thanks, Pen. (S)
DeleteI love reading cozy mysteries! It's so nice to be able to indulge my liking for mysteries without all the gory, explicit stuff. I really enjoyed your Ivy Tower series. I'd love to win a copy of your new book.
ReplyDeletepmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Cozy mysteries are my favorite :) I just read Missing Mable while on vacation... would love to get another :) drgnfly1010(@)yahoo(.)com
ReplyDeleteWould love to win.I love your books.Thanks...jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you Jackie! LOL!
DeleteNever new what a cozy mystery was...now I do. :)
ReplyDeleteThank You.
superstarsarah94@gmail.com
Cozy mysteries are my fav. I would love to win.
ReplyDeletemichyellowrose@gmail.com
Hmm... for a Historical Fiction reader, would like to win to try another genre bravely, lol. Kathleen
ReplyDeletelanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
You ARE brave, Kathleen! LOL!
DeleteI love that I am going to be able to restock my bookshelves with Christian fiction books of all types. I am loving how I am finding new authors that are able to speak to me through their books. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteDebora @ deb37beny@comcast.net
Would love to win! Love a good mystery!
ReplyDeletetruckredford at gmail dot com
Im so hook up on your books..I never really read any fiction christian book before.. Because of your books changed my life around and understand it more how a Godly person i suppose to be..Thank you for writing all these wonderful books.. Can't wait for the new book that coming out in beginning of february.. Love you books and I can't wait to read your other books...
ReplyDeleteCarmanlita
carmbroderick@hotmail.com
Thank you so much, Carmanlita. Your comments really touched my heart. God bless you.
DeleteThank you Nancy.. God has gave you a wonderful gift to write.. God bless you and your family..
DeleteYour big fan
Carmanlita
I picked up "Missing Mabel" at the ACFW Conference this past September, but would love to read any/all of the others too. There...that's my humble commment. :)
ReplyDeleteLove her books. I would love to read her cozy mysteries. Thank you! Melissa L. racky@carolina.rr.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information. I'm ashamed to say I didn't know what a 'cozy' mystery was. I like the idea, especially since that's what I write.
ReplyDeletemistyred1968@yahoo.com
What a wonderful post. I adore your bookcovers and titles--what fun!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roxanne. My son, a very talented graphic designer, actually designed my covers.
DeleteBefore I forgot, I zipped over to Amazon and bought the Cozy in Kansas book, and the Missing Mabel in the Kindle version. I know they'll be such fun reading on these chilly winter evenings. My dh likes to watch the various crime TV shows at night, but I would much rather curl up by the fire with a good book!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I've wondered about just what a cozy mystery was for a long time. I don't think I've ever read one. My forte is suspense, and not necessarily too cozy :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks again for an interesting and informative post.
Great post, Nancy. Loved how thorough it was. It spelled out what was more instinctive for me. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about the content of a cozy. They're always fun to read. But I wish there were a little more leeway for travel and action. Kind of a cozy thriller.
ReplyDeleteThere's got to be a market for the cozy thriller, but I haven't found one. Yet.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone who entered. Carmanlita is the winner!
ReplyDeleteI'll give everyone another chance sometime soon.
Would love to win a book! Thanks for the chance
ReplyDeletejoeym11@frontier.com
Just found your blog and as I'm reading everything I can on cozy mysteries it has been a delight! Thank you for the opportunity to win anything, but just knowing your blog is out there I'm already a winner !!!
ReplyDelete