Cozy mysteries were a popular sub-genre of detective fiction during the Golden Age of detective fiction, which is generally considered to have spanned the 1920s and 1930s. Cozy mysteries were characterized by their lighthearted tone, small-town or village settings, and amateur sleuths who used their everyday skills and knowledge to solve crimes.

Cozy mysteries were often seen as a response to the darker and more violent detective fiction that was popular at the time. They offered a gentler, more wholesome alternative, with crimes that were usually less gruesome and detectives who were often more likable and relatable.

One of the most famous cozy mystery authors of the Golden Age was Agatha Christie, whose Miss Marple series featured a spinster detective who solved crimes in her small village. Another well-known cozy mystery author of the time was Dorothy L. Sayers, whose Lord Peter Wimsey series often featured a combination of amateur and professional detectives working together to solve crimes.

Cozy mysteries during the Golden Age often featured other elements, such as intricate puzzles and clever wordplay. They also typically followed a set formula, with the detective gathering clues and interviewing suspects before finally revealing the solution in a dramatic denouement.

Cozy mysteries provided a welcome escape from the harsh realities of the world during the Golden Age of detective fiction, and their popularity endures today.

Cozy mysteries were already popular in the 1920s, which is considered the start of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. The 1920s saw the rise of several famous cozy mystery authors, including Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers.

Agatha Christie’s first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was published in 1920 and introduced her famous detective Hercule Poirot. The book is a classic example of a cozy mystery, set in a small village and featuring a cast of eccentric characters with various motives for murder.

Dorothy L. Sayers’ first novel, Whose Body? was published in 1923 and featured her aristocratic detective Lord Peter Wimsey. Like Christie’s books, Sayers’ novels often had a cozy feel, with charming settings and a focus on puzzles and wordplay.

Other cozy mystery authors who were popular in the 1920s include Mignon G. Eberhart, who wrote a series of mystery novels featuring nurse Sarah Keate, and Ethel Lina White, whose novels often featured female amateur detectives.

The 1920s were an important period for cozy mysteries, with many of the genre’s most famous authors getting their start during this time. Cozy mysteries were seen as a refreshing and lighthearted alternative to the darker and more violent detective fiction that was also popular at the time.

Cozy mysteries continued to be a popular sub-genre of detective fiction during the 1930s, which is considered the height of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. The 1930s saw the continued rise of several famous cozy mystery authors and the establishment of many of the conventions and tropes that are still associated with the genre today.

One of the most famous cozy mystery authors of the 1930s was Agatha Christie, who published several of her most famous works during this time, including Murder on the Orient Express (1934) and Death on the Nile (1937). These novels, like many of Christie’s other works, featured small casts of suspects and intricate puzzles for the detective to solve.

Dorothy L. Sayers also continued to publish her Lord Peter Wimsey novels during the 1930s, including Strong Poison (1930) and Murder Must Advertise (1933). These novels often featured witty dialogue, clever plotting, and a strong sense of time and place.

Other cozy mystery authors who were popular in the 1930s include Ngaio Marsh, whose novels often featured her detective Roderick Alleyn and had a strong sense of theatricality and drama, and Josephine Tey, whose novels often featured female amateur detectives and a strong sense of character and psychology.

Overall, the 1930s were an important period for cozy mysteries, with many of the genre’s most famous authors continuing to publish and refine their craft during this time. Cozy mysteries remained popular throughout the decade and continue to be a beloved sub-genre of detective fiction today.