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Bookstore Owner:Offers a perfect setting for mystery enthusiasts, providing a backdrop for discussions about mystery novels that mirror the protagonist’s own investigations. Probably the most overused of occupations, especially considering the struggles of the independent bookstore owner these days.

Librarian:Similar to bookstore owners, librarians are seen as knowledgeable and resourceful, often stumbling upon mysteries through historical documents or library patrons.

Baker or Chef:Food-themed cozy mysteries are incredibly popular, with protagonists using their culinary skills to solve crimes, sometimes with recipes included in the books.

Bed and Breakfast Owner:This setting brings a rotating cast of characters into the protagonist’s orbit, making it a fertile ground for mysteries.

Antique Dealer:Allows for mysteries involving historical objects, provenance, and the occasional treasure map.

Gardener or Florist:These protagonists often find themselves involved in mysteries that have a connection to plants, herbs, or poisons.

Craftsperson:Whether they’re knitters, quilters, or potters, craftspeople in cozy mysteries often use their specific skills and community connections to solve crimes.

Journalist or Writer:Their investigative skills and curiosity naturally position them as sleuths, using their research for a story or book to solve mysteries.

Teacher or Professor:Offers opportunities for campus-related mysteries or the use of academic knowledge to solve crimes.

Amateur Historian:Fascinated with the past, these protagonists often uncover long-buried secrets or historical crimes that have modern-day implications.

Witch, Vampire, or Other Supernatural Being:The witch or vampire is a relatively recent newcomer to the cozy mystery protagonist pantheon (although Dean James’ gay American vampire sleuth Simon Kirby-Jones first appeared in 2002) and the paranormal cozy is a relatively new sub-subgenre. Witches, in particular, are having a moment in cozies. Though they often have magical powers and special training, they too are amateurs when it comes to sleuthing. The witch’s effort to navigate between the magical and human realms is often a source of humor. The supernatural elements of these books add an extra layer of fantasy, making the mundane more exciting—and the books have a lot of cross-genre potential.

Sleuths with paranormal abilities used to fall into what we called a “high concept” book.

Essentially, “high concept” refers to a book proposal with a unique, intriguing premise that can be easily summed up in a sentence or two. It’s the kind of idea that grabs attention immediately, often because it offers a fresh twist on a familiar theme, promises an unusual setting, or introduces a compelling challenge that hooks the reader’s curiosity right off the bat. In short, it’s something that makes someone go, “Wow, I’ve got to read that!”

In the cozy mystery subgenre, a high concept involved an unconventional sleuth or setting, a clever twist on classic mystery elements, or an unexpected theme. For example, a cozy mystery was considered high concept if it featured: an unusual sleuth, a unique setting or profession, innovative twist on a classic element, and/or incorporation of unconventional themes or hobbies.

The point of high concept in cozy mysteries wasn’t—isn’t—just about being quirky or unique for the sake of it (although, too often, that’s what it boiled down to). It’s about finding an engaging, novel hook that can sustain interest over the course of a book or series, offering readers not just a puzzle to solve but a distinctive world or perspective to explore. The problem was everyone writing a cozy began, consciously or unconsciously, trying for high concept, which devolved into some truly preposterous premises.

That was an inevitable development in such a competitive market. After all, how many mysteries featuring bookstore sellers can readers consume before they begin to long for the occasional sleuthing step dancer or stevedore?

My point is, if your writing is better than most, you don’t need to twist yourself into a knot trying to come up with a gimmick. Your protag’s job is ideally one of the more realistic elements in a cozy mystery because their occupation not only defines their role in their community but also provides them with unique skills and knowledge bases that (can) help them solve mysteries. Ice fisherman is an unusual occupation, but is it really practical or useful in the larger context of your series?

There are no new ideas. There are only interesting variations and your unique voice and style.

But I digress.

Less common possible occupations (though most are still used a lot) for your protagonist include: vintage clothing shop owner, member of the clergy, true crime podcaster or blogger, influencer, professional magician, museum curator or docent, herbalist or apothecary, restoration expert, cartographer or map store owner, tour guide, pet groomer, pet walker or veterinarian, wedding planner, bartender, brewmaster or winemaker, archivist, astronomer or planetarium director, film editor, folk singer, puppeteer or clown (JUST CHECKING YOU’RE STILL AWAKE), theater set designer, sound engineer, street artist or street musician, rare book conservator, dance instructor, ethnomusicologist… I mean, if none of these give you any idea for what your protagonist could do for a living, I give up.

Does your protagonist’s job have to be something absolutely unique? NO.

Can your protagonist be a retired cop, retired FBI agent, retired PI? NO.

Is it possible I could be wrong? YES.

Writing Main Characters with Chronic Illness or Disability

If characters of color and the LGBTQ+ community are underrepresented in cozy mystery fiction, characters living with chronic illness or disability are evenmoreinvisible.

Can you create a cozy mystery series centered around a main character living with chronic illness or disability?

Yes. With a couple of caveats:

Just as the most important or interesting thing about your protagonist cannot be their religious affiliation or ethnic or sexual identity, the most important or interesting thing about your gay protagonist cannot be their illness or disability.

The main character’s illness or disability cannot keep them from taking the lead role in actively sleuthing and solving crimes.

What will not fly in a cozy mystery novel could very well be something that will work beautifully in a traditional crime or mystery novel. I’m not saying—I will never say—you can’t write what you want to write. Iamsaying choose your genre carefully and label your books accurately.