One of the reasons I fell head over heels for cozy mysteries—both as a reader and a writer—is the familiar charm of the tropes we all know and love. You know the ones: the plucky amateur sleuth who always seems to stumble on trouble, the quaint small town where everyone has a secret, the love interest who also happens to wear a badge… They’re like the comforting ingredients in a favorite recipe. No matter how many times they show up, they never lose their appeal.

Since I write the Food Blogger Mystery series, it’s probably no surprise that I have a soft spot for stories with recipes baked right into the plot (sometimes literally!). And I always enjoy when a determined amateur sleuth crosses paths with a skeptical detective—those moments of friction and teamwork make for such fun storytelling.

With a new installment in the series coming later this year—and book #9 already in the early writing stages—I’ve been thinking a lot about the tropes that make cozies so much fun to write and read. So I thought it would be fun to get your take!

📊 Poll Time: What’s your favorite cozy mystery trope?
Click your top pick below—and don’t forget to drop a comment or reply with why you chose it (or to share a favorite trope I didn’t list!).

Which Cozy Mystery Trope is Your Favorite?
🔍 The amateur sleuth with a knack for trouble
🧁 Recipes and clues baked right in
🏘️ Small towns with big secrets
💘 The love interest who works in law enforcement
💼 A sleuth balancing crime-solving and her side hustle

Let the cozy confessions begin! Leave your favorite trope in the comments section.