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However, try to avoid the temptations of “one from every column,” not least because it feels fake and can come off like a marketing ploy.

How big should your supporting cast be? Who should be in that supporting cast? There’s no hard and fast rule about the size of your supporting cast—other than there has to be one.

Unlike protagonists in other subgenres of crime and mystery fiction, the cozy mystery protagonist must be a socially well-adjusted human. They will have an assortment of close friends and friendly acquaintances.

There’s a very good practical reason for this.

Because your cozy protag is not a trained investigator or a law enforcement officer with plenty of tools and resources, their main source of information and clues must come through (often casual) conversations with a variety of people. Which means…they have to have plenty of people to talk to.

A number of these people will be series regulars. Those are your supporting cast members.

Your supporting cast has to be large enough to provide a variety of voices and experiences, but not be so large that readers—and you—can’t keep everyone straight…er, keep track of who everyone is.

One of your series regulars will be your protagonist’s romantic interest, though that particular character is a very different animal from the rest of the gang.

Speaking of which, one of your series regulars might very well be an animal. A pet. In particular, a dog or cat.

Finally, and perhaps controversially, one or two of your series “villains” shouldalsobe in the supporting or extended supporting cast lineup. I don’t mean every week, one of your protag’s besties turns out to be a murderer. But I also don’t mean long-running antagonist when I say “villain.” I mean, occasionally, someone your protagonist knows pretty well is going to be driven to commit the ultimate crime.

But the majority of these cast members exist to provide comic relief, to act as a sounding board for your sleuth, and to supply your sleuth with useful information and clues amidst all the chatter. When you do it right, these characters often develop their own fan base within your readership.

Now, is it possible that a family member fills in the role of confidant? Sure. Wacky siblings and overbearing but loving mothers are a staple in the genre. But your protag cannot be housebound or live in a vacuum. They have to be out in the world, working and interacting within a community—even if it is a small and temporary community.

To reiterate: In cozy mysteries, the supporting cast plays a crucial role in enriching the story, providing humor, depth, and sometimes even red herrings to keep readers engaged and guessing.

Inevitably, these characters follow certain tropes that have become beloved—YMMV—staples of the genre:

The Wise Elder:Often a grandparent, elderly neighbor, or local historian, this character provides wisdom, guidance, and sometimes crucial clues from the past. They’re a source of support and often have a keen understanding of human nature.

The Comic Relief:This character brings humor to the story, lightening the mood with their quips, eccentricities, or clumsy antics. They often find themselves in amusing predicaments but can also have moments of unexpected insight. (Personally, I think every member of the supporting cast should provide some level of comic relief.)

The Tech Whiz:The go-to person for anything tech-related, this character can hack into systems, recover deleted files, or provide the protagonist with the latest gadgets. They help navigate the modern challenges of sleuthing. Maybe yes, maybe no. This is the dawn of the internet sleuth, and very few of us do not know how to conduct a thorough search on the world wide web.

The Best Friend:Loyal and supportive, the best friend is always there to lend an ear, offer advice, or assist with the investigation. They’re often more than just a sidekick, providing emotional depth and sometimes serving as a sounding board for theories. In particular, this person is useful for providing counseling and insight when the protag’s relationship with their romantic interest hits the shoals, as it must periodically do.

The Four-Footed Sidekick:An adorable animal companion. Frequently a rescue or inherited along the way. The Four-Footed Sidekick can be a plot catalyst, inadvertently leading the protagonist to clues or crimes in progress.

The Love Interest:Whether a simmering slow burn or an established relationship, the love interest adds romantic tension and personal stakes for the protagonist. Their relationship can also offer insights into the protagonist’s character. In an LGBTQ+ cozy, this character is not optional. A little later, we’ll discuss why in depth.

The Just-the-Normal-Noises Antagonist:Often a business competitor or romantic rival. Not quite an enemy, the series antagonist provides competitive tension, challenging the protagonist either in their personal or professional life. This rivalry can add a dynamic layer to the story, especially if the antagonist and the protagonist must occasionally join forces. Also, the antagonist may change throughout the series.

The Local Law Enforcement:Often skeptical of the protagonist’s sleuthing, the local police or detective can be a foil or an unwilling ally. Their relationship with the protagonist can range from adversarial to cooperative, frequently evolving over the course of the series into romantic interest. Not least because it gives the protagonist information on the case they could not otherwise access.

The Gossip:With their ear always to the ground, this character knows everything about everyone in the town. They’re a valuable source of information, though sifting through what’s useful among the rumors can be a challenge. But let’s face it, in small communities, everybody has a little bit of a gossip.

The Mysterious Stranger:A new face in town or someone with an unclear past, this character adds intrigue and suspicion. Their unknown motives and background provide fertile ground for red herrings and plot twists. You do not need a Mysterious Stranger in every book, but every couple of installments, it’s useful to introduce new blood. Meaning, you don’t always have to kill off the Mysterious Stranger.

These tropes, while familiar, offer a comforting framework within which you can explore a wide range of characters and dynamics.

My advice is toblendthese tropes across your cast members. Don’t be afraid to defy expectation and create unique twists on these characters. Perhaps your elderly historian is a gossipanda computer whiz. Perhapsallthe supporting characters provide comic relief.

Remember, your cozy mystery protag is both guide andobserverin this world, so allow them to appreciate the humorous side of their quirky friends and neighbors.

Ideas for possible character types to flesh out your cozy mystery community? We haz ’em! These character descriptions can provide occupations/roles for series regularsorprovide ideas for (and serve as potential victims) in future story installments:

The Culinary Genius:Whether running a local café, bakery, or being a friend with incredible cooking skills, this character adds a warm, homey element, often providing a setting for gatherings or moments of reflection.

The Eccentric Inventor:A local genius whose inventions either cause chaos or provide unexpected solutions. Their gadgets could play a pivotal role in solving the mystery or add humorous complications to the investigation.