A short guide to writing cosy crime novels Write your own feel-good crime novel

You’ve no doubt come across this term before: cosy crime. This isn’t a traditional crime novel, but rather a kind of feel-good crime novel. This genre has gained a lot of popularity in recent years.

Have you ever thought about writing a cosy crime novel? If so, we’d like to show you what to look out for and how you can take your first confident steps into this genre.

What is a cosy crime novel?

First, let’s take a closer look at the defining features of this sub-genre. As mentioned above, this type of crime novel is characterised by its cosy – and usually humorous – tone. The focus isn’t on police work, but rather on an ordinary member of the public who, through a silly twist of fate, finds themselves in the role of the investigator.

Completely unprepared, the protagonist becomes entangled in a murder or criminal case that is often personally connected to them and attempts to solve it on their own.

From the basic idea to planning the plot

Admittedly, conjuring up an idea like that out of thin air isn’t all that easy. But perhaps you could try a little experiment. Go outside, go about your normal daily life and imagine what it would be like if you suddenly found yourself caught up in a murder case. Perhaps you’d find a body in your garden and come under suspicion. But you’ve got absolutely nothing to do with it – though your neighbour might!

How would you go about it now if this scenario (which let’s hope doesn’t happen ;)) were real?

Perhaps you’d have a friend by your side who could help you with the investigation? Maybe you knew the murdered person, but aren’t allowed to tell anyone? Perhaps your elderly neighbour has noticed more than you realise?
Give it some thought, write down all the questions that come to mind, and develop your first basic idea step by step. Draw on everyday situations, such as going shopping, weeding the garden or walking the dog.

A cosy crime thrives on lightheartedness and a touch of humour

Once you’ve developed your initial idea, you can start building the narrative arc. Weave in mysteries and red herrings that keep your readers on the edge of their seats alongside your protagonists, whilst also making them smile from time to time.

Your main character must also warm your readers’ hearts. Feel free to make them a bit clumsy or let their curiosity land them in awkward situations now and then. But the supporting characters play a big role too. Perhaps there really is an elderly neighbour who likes to stick her nose into tricky cases and also stands by your protagonist. Feel free to make these characters quirky or even a bit eccentric. Fancy including a pet? By all means!

And of course, one thing that mustn’t be missing at the end: a dash of romance. Perhaps your protagonist will fall in love with the policeman she keeps bumping into during her investigations? ;)

The right setting

The setting is key to a successful cosy crime novel. Perhaps your novel is set in the countryside, which always goes down well with readers. But cosy crime stories set by the sea are also very popular. Small villages with quirky locals are also a favourite. The important thing is to make it a cosy setting so that your readers can really picture the surroundings and the place.

Ultimately, it’s important that your cosy crime remain a feel-good novel despite the crime, one that invites readers to solve the case alongside the protagonist and share in the excitement, without being too action-packed or too brutal. An escape from reality with little, charming touches of suspense – that’s what makes a fun cosy crime.

Do you happen to have a feel-good crime novel tucked away in your drawer? Then feel free to submit it and we’ll have a look at it for you!