What is a “Quozie” (Queer Cozy Mystery)?
Like cozy mysteries and inclusive stories? Want to read about lesbian sleuths and trans people solving crimes? Enter the Quozie (Queer Cozy Mystery).
Cozy Mysteries have been around (as a Mystery subgenre) for a while. These are your typical small town mysteries where the nosy little old lady next door figures out who killed who in the library, or the young baker discovers who poisoned her icing. There’s usually a crime (most often a murder), with very little gore, and an emphasis on solving the mystery rather than being spooked or thrilled. Crimes are often solved between cups of tea, and despite the life-threatening dangers our protagonist may face, they always seem to make it out in the end.
A queer cozy mystery takes all that charm and air of mystery and puts LGBTQ+ characters front and center. This is where the gays, theys, and everyone in between takes center stage, solving mysteries, falling in love, and bantering like pros. As a trans man, I’m thrilled this subgenre has been picking up steam. It’s great to see characters like me living out their ordinary (or extraordinary) lives in all types of stories.
And if you want yet another subgenre—check out paranormal quozies. This is where your main characters aren’t just queer, they’re witches, ghosts, or paranormal investigators as well. Think Dead Boy Detectives, Practical Potions and Premeditated Murder, or even my own series—the Abby Spector Ghost Mystery series.
Looking for a Quozie to read? I’ve put a few lists together:
Cozy Mysteries with Sapphic Protagonists
Cozy Mystery’s with a fresh take
Do you have a favorite Quozie to recommend? Let me know on social media. I always love hearing from fellow readers.
