Wondering if a book is a cozy? Take this quick quiz, and give yourself five points for every time you answer "yes."

1. Does the book’s cover depict the homey interior of a shop or library? Is there a dog and/or plump cat in the scene? Is the heroine—yes, it’s nearly always a woman—an entrepreneur who owns a small business such as a bookstore, coffee shop, florist, bakery, knitting shop, or pet grooming business?

2. Does the murder happen offstage, with little violence described? Is the murder shocking but not upsetting since no one actually liked the victim? Is the novel set in a small town or, if in a larger city, in a defined neighborhood? Does the heroine have a circle of friends who can aid in the investigation?

3. Is there a love interest? Give yourself an extra five points if they are a member of law enforcement. If there is sex, is it discreetly referenced and not described? Is the reader privy to the same information as the heroine and able to solve the crime alongside her?

4. Finally, is the lead character richly developed, and do you want to return to spend more time with her and her friends? If you scored 30 or more, congratulations! The book in question is a classic cozy, one of the most robust subgenres in crime fiction today.

If you scored 30 or more, congratulations! The book in question is a classic cozy, one of the most robust subgenres in crime fiction today.

Brian Kenney and Henrietta Verma are cofounders and coauthors of First Clue, a free weekly newsletter that reviews mysteries and thrillers as far in advance of publication as possible. Librarian and editor Kenney has worked with publications including LJ, SLJ, and Publishers Weekly and is the director of the White Plains Public Library (NY). Verma, formerly LJ’s Reviews Editor, is a librarian and the author of How To Get Your Book into Libraries and Reviews Are In. 

The Case Continues:

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