"Cozy" usually means a light, PG-rated mystery where the violence happens off-screen. It has little language (maybe a hell or damn here and there) and no sex. They usually have quaint settings, quirky characters, and amateur detectives. Usually, the main character owns their own business and there are a variety—bookstores, hobby shops, restaurants, etc. The mysteries are usually pretty predictable and the amateur detective's actions are far-fetched. STILL, I appreciate that cozies are clean, easy reads that don't give me nightmares!

Great explanation, thank you!

"Realistic" is not a world usually associated with cozies! You have to suspend your belief pretty heavily in order to read them :)

I haven't heard of the Grantchester show. I'll have to check it out.

Thanks for bringing up Grantchester. I hadn't heard of it before you mentioned it, but I'm really enjoying it!

I just appreciate that the main characters are different from the norm. It's refreshing!

Really? How funny! I've read lots of books this year that are set in Ohio - not sure why as it's been mostly random picks.

Thanks for the link to your review - I'll check it out.

Agreed. It's very eye-catching and illustrates what the book is about very well.

My preference is "medium" as well. Cozies are what I read when I want something light and entertaining. Louise Penny-ish is more my speed. I'm trying to get away from the gorier mystery/thrillers because they seem to weigh heavily on my soul. Plus, I don't want the nightmares! I'm an old lady - I need my sleep!

Definitely something to celebrate! Cozies seem to be dragging behind the times a bit, although one of my favorite series is about a Chinese-American community in Ohio.

The diverse characters is really all that makes this one stand out. Otherwise, it's pretty humdrum, but I'm hoping the series gets better as it goes along. Let me know what you think of this one if you end up reading it.