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I'm working my way through Miranda James' Murder Past Due -- "A Cat in the Stacks" mystery. I confess I find the story a bit heavy going because the style is so light-weight. Is it possible to be a little too cozy? Everyone is so sticky-sweet gosh-darn nice here in the small town of Athena, Mississippi where part-time librarian Charlie Harris lives with a Maine coon cat named Diesel. It might make a pleasant TV movie for the Hallmark Channel ....
For me, "cozy" means an amateur sleuth, a small town setting, an absence of terror or gore but still an engaging puzzle, believable characters and a writing style that's comfy but not simple-minded. Even comfort food is improved with a little hot sauce!
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