Let's Talk with Terry Ambrose
January 30, 2025
Cozy Mysteries and Cocoa — the Perfect Pairing
Picture this: Snow blankets the streets, muffling footsteps while turning the world into a giant, frosty crime scene waiting to happen. That peaceful hush? It’s just nature’s way of saying, “Brace yourself, someone’s about to get murdered—or at least lose a glove.” Throw in a snowstorm that traps everyone inside, and suddenly every guest looks like a suspect with a sketchy alibi and suspiciously good snowman-building skills.
I remember getting sucked into Jess Lourey’s Murder by Month Mysteries and loving the snowy chaos—frostbite-level temps, suspicious tracks in the snow, and more layers than a wedding cake. Meanwhile, here in Southern California, the closest we get to a winter wonderland is a frosty windshield at 6 a.m. or maybe a dramatic scarf moment during the two days it drops below 60°F.
Most of the country thinks SoCal is all sunshine and Rose Parades on New Year’s Day. Surprise! It’s actually that… and a lot of traffic. Sure, we don’t have snow, but we still find ways to complain about the weather. (It’s a California pastime.) That said, after spending a decade in northern Idaho and Washington, the first year we moved back to California, I didn’t even need a coat. I felt like I was cheating the system. But I digress.
As a writer, I admit I’m a little salty I can’t make my sleuths follow footprints in the snow or heroically snowshoe their way out of danger. Instead, they’re stuck finding clues in sandy footprints or seeking suspects in small-town gossip. As a reader, though, there’s nothing like curling up with a steaming mug of hot cocoa (or wine, let’s be honest) and a cozy mystery on a chilly day. So here’s to all the fearless sleuths—amateur and professional—who brave blizzards, frostbite, and suspicious snowmen to solve crimes.
Got a favorite cozy mystery where the weather steals the show? Share it in the comments, and you’ll be entered to win a Kindle version of one of my books! Bonus points if it involves frostbite and murder.
Want to know more about author Terry Ambrose? Visit his WEBSITE.
Reminder: Return to our site Feb 1 to enter our 12th Anniversary Contest, where we celebrate by giving you MORE! The contest runs from February 1-22. The page won’t be active until Feb 1, but here’s the LINK now for your convenience.
Posted in Let's Talk, with Terry Ambrose • Tags: cozy mysteries, Jess Lourey, Let's Talk, Southern California, Terry Ambrose, winter | 33 Comments
I will say Christmas Cocoa Murder by Carlene O’Connor, Maddie Day, and Alex Erickson and Mrs Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland stick out the most for me.
What part of North Idaho did you live in? I’m from Sandpoint 😊
We lived in Coeur d’Alene for five years back in the early 80s. We hiked and canoed in a number of places in the area. Such beautiful country!
Couer d’ Alene is beautiful! I always remember it as being the cool place to go back to school shopping. I lived in Sandpoint for my school years. It was the big city to me 😊
Sandpoint seemed like a pretty cool town when we lived in Coeur d’Alene. That entire area has (I hope) such beautiful scenery.
I still shiver when I think about the Nevada Barr, A SUPERIOR DEATH, Anna Pigeon mystery about Lake Superior and its frigid waters.
Brrrr…
Ghost Conquers the Castle by Carmen Radtke. Very fun with a snowstorm that prevents the guests from leaving the castle.
I’m not big on Christmas-themed stories…however, your description of sleuths following frosty footprints brought back a memory. I went to a local kids’ park in Lubbock Texas (my home town) at Christmas once when I was 5 or 6. The park grounds keepers had gone for a holiday theme with giant candy canes and ornaments spread across the sandy ground. But what I’d found even more fascinating was that they’d stretched white sheets over wire frames to create snow drifts Someone had stepped on one of the drifts, creating a permanent “snow print” to add to the wintery ambiance.
What a great memory, Diane!
In Manor of Dying by Kathleen Bridge, the main character and her friend go to a huge mansion on an island for their work that turns out to be a former mental asylum and there had been a murder there. Then they got stuck there because of a blizzard and the ferry couldn’t come get them and the power went out and they found a body. A new murder!
A nice take on a ‘locked room’ mystery—a locked island!
I love seasonal mysteries. Especially winter ones. When we first moved from SoCal to northern Ca I was so excited that we sometimes had snow in the winter! Winter mysteries are great with a cup of cocoa and a cat on my lap.
Usually, I prefer tropical settings. When I read a mystery set up north, the climate doesn’t impact the story very much for me. However, Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” remains one of my favorite mystery plays. I saw this in London more than once.
I didn’t realize you’d lived in London, Nancy. What a great experience.
I’ve read all of Jim Jackson’s (James M. Jackson’s The Seamus McCree Series) set in the UP (Upper Peninsula) of Michigan. I experienced plenty of snow and ice when I lived in Maryland for many years. These days, I’d rather experience very cold weather in a book.
I’m with you, Maggie!
no fav
Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay, it has a bad nor’easter hit the town.
I don’t really have a favorite, but I love to read seasonal cozies with snow. I live in Southeast Texas where snow is pretty uncommon, so it’s fun to read about it.
Living on the Gulf Coast, I’ll read any cozies with snow…as long as I don’t have to shovel it!
I agree! My snow shoveling days are behind me!
DS Lang and her Doro Banyon Series is an awesome set of books to read. DS Lang is one of my very favorite authors with a lot of winter weather.
Abigail Keam is another good one and one of my favorite authors’ who series is set in winter weather.
I’m not familiar with her, Belinda. I’ll have to look her up.
Thank you for your generosity. Love all these authors and their books.
I used to dread winter until I moved into a home with a view. I can see so much going on when there are no leaves on the trees! I simply love to settle into my rocker in front of the window with a hot beverage and a good book!
The perfect setting, Lisa!
I love beach settings and Kathi Daley has a good series with her character TJ Jensen.
Paradise Lake Mystery series with TJ Jensen.
I don’t really have a favorite seasonal series or book. Growing up in Michigan I have lots of snowy and cold memories, from fun times playing in the snow to also shoveling the stuff. It’s not so pretty and fun when you have to shovel it.
You’re right, Dianne. Shoveling snow when we lived in Idaho and Washington was never a lot of fun!
I love a mystery set in a familiar location. I love Lois Winston’s Anastasia books because she has them set near my home. I can picture the places and routes that are mentioned!
I know that I’ve read several cozies in which the snow outside comes into play. I believe the last one was in Tonya Kappes’ Holiday Junction series.