by Cindy Goyette
Christmastime is the perfect time for all things cozy. Fireplaces crackling, scrumptious sweets baking, jingle bells, twinkly lights, and family, friends and neighbors coming together.
Even a dead body can’t break the feeling of nostalgia and wonder that the season brings.
In a cozy mystery, the murder is a catalyst to bring people together, not some grisly whodunit to solve that makes readers cringe and turn away.
The spotlight isn’t on the victim so much as it’s on the community, the setting, the relationships.
Of course, someone tests the sleuth, and at times, friends and family bonds are strained. But even when something dreadful happens, the reader knows they can count on the protagonist and the people and pets who surround them. And in the end, something good will happen.
And what provides more comfort than a Christmas setting? The wonder, the traditions, the taste of chocolate from a warm mug cradled in your palms.
Watching characters choose perfect presents for those they love is an excellent way to dive into the personalities of both the giver and the receiver. A handmade scarf for an aunt might show not only how much time and energy such a gift takes but also how much you care that your aunt is warm and comfortable even on the most blistery days. A special cookbook on baking cookies for the sleuth’s best friend might support her dream of opening a bakery someday.
Most people can relate to the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holidays, even if celebrating Christmas isn’t their thing. They can remember the excitement that builds as the holiday gets closer. And that, coupled with solving the crime, will keep readers turning the pages.
In a cozy mystery, readers expect everything to return to normal before the festivities begin. They know the ending will be satisfying and warm. The point of the story isn’t murder; it’s restoring harmony to the cozy place readers love.
ABOUT CINDY GOYETTE
Cindy Goyette is a former probation officer who had a front-row seat to the criminal justice system. With the help of her dogs, she has kept her sense of humor. A mix of these things helped her create the Wiggle Butt Manor Mysteries. Book One: DIAMOND IN THE RUFF, is available now. Book Two: PAWS, LIES & ALIBIS, is a Christmas Cozy, expected to release in June 2026. She is also the author of The Probation Case Files Mystery series. Cindy lives in Washington State with her husband and two cocker spaniels.
