People of all ages love to read crime novels. The plot twists of these tales fascinate many. Almost daily, new murder mystery writers surface. There are stories for all ages, from early reader chapter books to adult novels. Most genres at some point in time have some sort of criminal activity depicted.

Though veteran authors are the standby for major publishers, they are always looking for new talent. The tried and true dependability of veteran authors is important, but so too is the new views by newer authors. Sometimes this new talent is featured with veterans so as to give them exposure. Being included in a themed book with older writers means getting the benefit of the loyalty of their long-term readers.

The cozy crime novel is relatively new in this category. It is not entirely new, as it is really a take-off of old British detective stories. They are just a twist of the old style plot. They feature, for the most part, a female protagonist. They are preferred by women, and are often written by women. The female protagonist is the sleuth who easily figures out the puzzle.

These Cozy novels have certain typical characteristics. Violence is only suggested, not written about directly. Though there is a killing, details are not given in detail. The suggestion is there and the reader fills in the details based on their experiences with crime stories. This makes them easy reading, thus the name cozy crime novels.

Among other traits of these type tales is the fact that the sleuth is generally a woman, is an amateur, and is not associated with any organization such as a police force. They may, however, cooperate with local law enforcement officials. Romantic relationships may develop, but the intricate details of any sexual exploits are not directly revealed.

A cozy novel is character-driven as opposed to being plot-driven. The characters are strong figures. The female sleuth is especially strongly developed. Settings may be exotic, or in interesting local setting. Cruise ships are popular for settings. The crime may have occurred in the sleuth's own neighborhood. However, especially if a series is planned, the local murders will of course have to be limited.

Just because characterization is paramount doesn't mean the plot is not important. On the contrary. Many authors weave strong plot lines along with the character focus. The character is the most important aspect, though the plot is also important. The protagonist is the primary focus in the whole novel, with her (or his) every action being important to advance the story. The reader follows closely as the protagonist unravels the mystery others have not been able to do. Romantic suspense novels and Gothic novels are variations of this genre.

Crime novels have become quite popular with readers, leading to the increase in writing and publication of them. Publishers are constantly searching for talented authors who can write a strong character-driven story while also focusing on plot. Newer authors are being sought by them to supplement their long-time standby crew. Some of these new murder mystery writers include such names as Gillian B. Farrell and W. Edward Blain, among others. Getting published in connection with veteran authors helps the newer author get better acceptance.