Let's Talk with Diane A.S. Stuckart
GHOSTIES AND GHOULIES AND COZY MYSTERIES….
October 24, 2024
With Halloween on the horizon, my thoughts turn to jack o’ lanterns and haunted houses…and scary books! Yep, ever since I first learned to read, I’ve always contended that nothing is better than a story with a few supernatural chills. But as the years piled on, I realized that I couldn’t do explicit blood-and-gore horror anymore. Too much of that existed in the real world…I didn’t need to bring it into my leisure time, as well. But I still liked the magical ooky-spooky stuff. What to read, then??
The answer, of course, was cozy mysteries.
You probably know that paranormal cozies have been a major sub-subgenre of the cozy mystery subgenre for some time now. Witches and ghosts seem to be the favorite “spooky” tropes, though magical pets—especially cats—are right up there in popularity. These books offer chills without the gore for a read that satisfies the desire for something out of the ordinary. My Tarot Cats mysteries are set in a Botanica—a shop dealing in herbs and charms and healing—with a talking animal cast in addition to the human characters. And, of course, Tarot readings feature prominently in these books. Mysterious events happen but, importantly, those happenings are bloodless and the story world is put to rights by the time the reader reaches “The End”.
I checked in with some of my readers who enjoy paranormal-themed cozies to find out what sorts of scares they like in their books. Ghosts were popular…especially the snarky, wise-cracking spirits that interact with the living. Cold spots, and strange sounds and signs that could portend the paranormal got thumbs up, particularly when their existence made sense by the end of the book. Jump scares also got approval, whether for comic relief or to add a sense of dread or outright fright. But, like me, these readers didn’t want to see blood and gore, just clever scares.
Do you enjoy paranormal cozies…and, if so, what are your favorite spooky tropes and scares? Comment below for a chance to win a paperback (US only) or PDF copy of FOOL’S MOON, first in the Tarot Cats mystery series.
Posted in Let's Talk, with Diane A.S. Stuckart • Tags: Diane AS Stuckart, Fool's Moon, GHOSTIES AND GHOULIES AND COZY MYSTERIES…., Halloween, Let's Talk | 29 Comments
I like a sleuth who can talk to ghosts, but I like my cozies light and not too scary. If it goes too much into the realm of the unknown, then those elements can outweigh the mystery.
Right, Nancy. It can be a fine balance.
I like light-hearted ghost involvement in cozies. I also like mysteries relating to items/heirlooms from the past and genealogy.
Me, too, Emily. Be sure to check out Terry Ambrose’s new series!
I’m totally with you – I love the thrill of having paranormal aspects in a story without any of the blood, violence, or horror. Paranormal cozy mysteries are some of my favorite reads! I always LOVE a good talking animal, especially!
Maria — the Tarot Cats, Brandon and Ophelia, say that you are a very clever reader!! 🙂
I like to enjoy cozies with haunted houses and haunted castles and more than just haunted by ghosts too
Crystal, yes, I like it when the place has a story behind it beyond the ghost hanging out there. 🙂
Love paranormal cozies – two favorites are Sofie Kelly’s Magical Cats series and and Traci Wilton’s Salem B&B series.
Mary, those are two good series. Carol J. Perry’s Witch City series is fun, too. Hoping for a trip to Salem next year!
Hi, I do love to read Paranormal Cozy’s , no blood or gore in them. I like reading about ghosts in them and haunted places. Like you said this world is too full of gory bloody things in real life unfortunately. I like scary and at the same time funny also. Have a great day and a great weekend.
Alicia, aren’t we lucky there are so many fun paranormal cozy series out there?? 🙂
I don’t read too much paranormal. But I will read cozies with talking animals or friendly/amusing ghosts!
Yep, Helen, those are my favs, too, followed by witches (and, of course, Tarot).
YEs–I like paranormal–especially ghosts! I LOVE Fool’sMoon and your clever Tarot Cats!
Thanks, Carol, and back at you! I’m really hoping to go to Salem next Spring/Summer. Already doing my research and have my witch hat ready! 😀
I have never been a fan of horror in books or movies. As Ms. Stuckart mentioned, there is enough of that in real life. The Cozy mysteries gives me a mystery, with ghosts or mysterious cats or both. (for example A Haunted Bookshop Mystery). No need for horror!
Kathleen — Exactly! The scariest “spooky” movie I watch these days is Hocus Pocus!
I like reading paranormal cozies featuring ghosts or spirits that only a couple of people and also the cat and/or dog can see.
Dianne, agree. No fun if everyone can see the ghosts (but love it when the critters do).
I like reading all kinds of cozies!!
Linda, you’re the kind of reader we love! 🙂
Paranormal cozies are fun! Witches whose spells backfire, smart-mouthed familiars, ghosts who just aren’t ready to move on, hot hunky demons, you name it. If it’s funny and entertaining, I’m your huckleberry!
Pat, ha ha, I do like snarky familiars. They keep the other characters on their toes!
I enjoy reading and writing paranormal mysteries. Like you I don’t want blood and gore; its just too much for me. Something light, whimsical, and kinda broken is what usually catches my interest. Great post, Diane!
Thank you, Maggie. Your paranormals are great!
I love quirky ghosts and witches. I want the story to be lighthearted and fun. Nothing to heavy or gory.
Cherie, we are on the same page! 🙂
Congrats to Carol P. who won the copy of FOOL’S MOON!