The Cozy Mystery Toolkit is Here!

--By Kirsten Weiss, Cozy Mystery Writer

Hey friends,

I hope you're all staying warm and cozy this winter – maybe with a good book and a hot drink in hand.

I've been thinking a lot lately about what makes a cozy mystery really click for readers.

You know, that feeling where the setting wraps around you like a favorite blanket, the sleuth feels like someone you could grab coffee with, and the puzzle keeps you turning pages without any of the heavy stuff.

Over the years, writing dozens of these books has taught me a ton about getting that balance right.

And I kept wishing there was a straightforward guide to help other writers nail it faster, without all the trial and error (or those frustrating reviews that say "this didn't feel cozy").

So I finally put one together: the Cozy Mystery Toolkit.

It's basically a step-by-step walkthrough of the key pieces that go into a solid cozy – charming settings, relatable sleuths with some real heart, those quirky side characters we love, clever crimes that aren't gory, antagonists who make sense, stakes that hit close to home, and endings where justice feels satisfying and warm.

For each part, I break it down with explanations, examples from classic cozies, and worksheets you can actually use to build your story.

There's also a bonus beat sheet tailored for comedy cozies (because humor can be tricky to plot), plus a quick cheat sheet for prose styles that fit the genre.

My hope is it takes the guesswork out and helps you write mysteries that feel authentic and heartfelt – the kind that readers finish with a smile and reach for the next one right away.

It's $18.

If you're working on a cozy or just thinking about it, you can grab the Toolkit here: https://kirstenweiss.thrivecart.com/cozy-toolkit/.

I'd love to hear what you're writing these days or if this sounds useful to you. Drop a comment and let me know!

Happy writing, and Happy New Year!

Kirsten