The Southwest Armchair Traveler: Happy National Cozy Mystery Day! Check out some fun #mystery #books

National Cozy Mystery Day is September 15 each year. It’s mystery writer Agatha Christie’s birthday and a time to celebrate cozy mysteries!

A cozy mystery is one where the detective is an amateur sleuth rather than a police officer or an investigator. They often take place in small towns or at least have characters who form a small community. They have little or no violence, sex, and cursing on the page.

My mysteries might be called “cozy adjacent” – In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Technically a journalist could be considered a professional sleuth. Also, the series is set in the Phoenix, Arizona area and touches on some tougher topics. Still, this is a lighthearted series with a recurring cast of fun characters!

This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven, which made Barnes & Noble's list of “Handpicked Favorites You'll Love!” It's free at major retailers this month!

Readers say: “The characters in this book remind me of those in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. I love their quirks and I was fooled until the very end.”

“I love the amateur detective sisters solving the crimes along with their friends and family who help them. There is lots of witty banter and interesting situations that keep this story moving along at a fast pace.”

“A great start to a new series... Readers will enjoy this new cozy mystery and eagerly wait for more sleuthing with Kate and the Coffee Shop Irregulars!”

“Kris has done a wonderful job providing a suspenseful mystery for the reader to help solve, as well as shared some interesting and quirky characters.”

In the Reluctant Psychic Mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works. This is more typically cozy in the sense that it’s a small town setting and the main character is a geologist/museum employee. The mood may be more serious than some cozies though, as main character Petra struggles with a psychic power she doesn’t want.

Readers say:

“…what truly resonated with me was Petra’s emotional journey. Her anxiety about being discovered, her cautious approach to forming friendships, and her affection for her pets (the cats! the ferrets! my heart!) made her character incredibly relatable. I found myself laughing, gasping, and perhaps shedding a tear or two.”

“A Stone Cold Murder is exactly the kind of book I crave—tightly plotted, emotionally rich, and impossible to put down. Kris Bock blends murder, mystery, and psychic suspense seamlessly, and I’m obsessed.”

“Kris Bock has crafted a story that’s equal parts murder mystery, psychological deep-dive, and small-town gothic horror (in the best way).”

I’ve also written romantic suspense novels, including stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.”

So if you’re looking for cozy(ish) mysteries, check out my books. Something Shady at Sunshine Haven is free at major retailers September 2025!

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with smart, snarky heroines finding adventure (sometimes against their will) in the Southwest. She lives in New Mexico where she enjoys hiking with her husband and playing with their ferrets.

Mystery: In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven, which made Barnes & Noble's list of “Handpicked Favorites You'll Love!” In the Reluctant Psychic Mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works. Kris’s romantic suspense novels include stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.”

Romance: In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery. Who wouldn't want to be a billionaire? Turns out winning the lottery causes as many problems as it solves. The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series stars the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats.

Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective short story, a Reluctantly Psychic short story, and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more.

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