Description
Create the community. Plant the clues. Keep it cozy.
A cozy mystery combines an intriguing puzzle with memorable characters, a welcoming community, and a world readers want to visit again and again.
This practical 6-page printable cheat sheet helps writers develop the elements that give a cozy mystery its distinctive feel—from the amateur sleuth and recurring cast to the crime, suspects, clues, red herrings, reveal, and restoration of the community.
What makes a mystery cozy?
A cozy mystery may involve murder and serious motives. “Cozy” describes how the story is presented, not whether the crime matters. The emphasis is on the puzzle, characters, and community rather than graphic violence, gore, explicit sexual content, or a relentlessly dark tone.
Inside you’ll find worksheets for:
- What Makes a Mystery Cozy? + Cozy Foundation
- The Amateur Sleuth
- The Cozy World & Recurring Cast
- The Cozy Crime, Suspects & Clues
- The Cozy Balance Check
- The Reveal, Restoration & Series Check
Use it to create a new cozy mystery, develop a continuing series, or check an existing manuscript for the elements readers expect from the genre.
Pairs perfectly with The Complete Character Development Cheat Sheet for Writers, The Complete Plot Development Cheat Sheet for Writers, and The Complete Mystery Writing Cheat Sheet for Writers.
Digital PDF • 6 printable 8.5″ × 11″ pages • Instant download
No physical product will be shipped.
Created by Outreach International Writers, Inc.
