Most of you already know what a cozy mystery or "cozy" is, but for those who require a bit of help, it's a mystery that's not too gory or violent. According to author
Linda Weaver Clarke, a cozy mystery "focuses on the plot and characters, and the main character is usually an intelligent woman". Published in 2014,
The Bali Mystery by Linda Weaver Clarke is the first book in the Amelia Moore Detective series, a new cozy mystery series by this author.
The author's explanation reinforces the idea that the protagonist in a cozy is usually an intelligent woman. Additionally, while investigating cozy mysteries as a genre online, I read that many cozy mystery
readers are intelligent women, who enjoy trying to solve the crimes in these books (a detective or any person who tries to solve a mystery does need to be sharp). Cozies appeal to readers (female or male) who like to be actively entertained and engaged, who like to figure things out, and who, perhaps, like me, think that cozy is a rather cute term. ;)
In
The Bali Mystery, Amelia Moore is a private investigator with her own detective agency, which specializes in missing persons. In the book, a distraught Mrs. Brody asks Amelia to find her younger brother, William Flint, who's been missing for two months. Amelia is eager to take the case, but uneasy about it as well, because William's cousin has told her to drop the case, and also because of two "men in black", who seem to be lurking about. Amelia asks her handsome and flirtatious friend, Rick Bonito, for help with the case. Before she meets with Rick, Amelia gathers as much information as she can. She interviews William's co-worker, Bud, and learns that William had traveled to Pakistan about four months earlier, and that he's quit his job. From a friend, she finds out that he flew to Bali, Indonesia more recently. Amelia and Rick are perplexed. Why would William quit his job, put his home up for sale, and fly to Bali without
telling anyone? They decide to take a trip together, to "the most romantic and exotic island in the world", Bali.
Over the past few years, I've enjoyed many books by Linda Weaver Clarke, and this one was no exception. The beautiful, tropical setting of Bali in the book feels
authentic, and the turquoise Bali Sea, old temples, jungle, and much more, are described with finesse. At their hotel in Kuta, there's a desk clerk named Budi, and I had to smile, because many years ago, I met a young man named Budi from Indonesia who became a friend. The setting was portrayed so vividly that I asked Linda if she'd actually traveled to Bali (she hadn't, but she did her research).
Linda Weaver Clarke is a talented storyteller, and her writing brings her characters to life. Amelia is a terrific main character. Single and in her thirties, she's a confident, strong, and likable character. I'm not sure if Amelia is "smart enough to work at Google", but she's certainly one smart cookie. Rick thinks she's "beautiful and stubborn", flirts with her throughout the story, and teases her about a polka-dot bikini. As the story progresses, there's a bit of "old-fashioned" romance in the mystery which is lovely, and which sets the stage for future books in the series.
The Bali Mystery is a quick read that's suitable for young adults and adults. This book drew me in right away, and my attention never wavered while I was reading it. I look forward to reading the next book in this mystery series,
The Shamrock Case.
The author is generously offering an international giveaway for an ebook edition of
The Bali Mystery. If this cozy sounds like your cup of tea, please take a few moments to enter the giveaway.
- To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment.
- For another chance at winning, become a follower of this blog, or let me know that you're already a follower.
- For an additional chance, post about this contest on your blog, Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter.
- For one more chance, leave a comment about why you enjoy reading cozy mysteries.
Enter by 5 PM PDT on Monday, May 12. One winner will be selected
randomly and announced on Tuesday, May 13. Best of luck, and thanks for reading!
Special thanks to Linda Weaver Clarke for sending me her new book, and for graciously offering this giveaway to my readers.