Updated 2025
What’s a Cozy Mystery and Why Mine Are a Little Different
Cozy mysteries are beloved for their charm: a small town you wish you could visit, a clever amateur sleuth you’d want as a friend, a puzzle to solve, and always a satisfying, happy ending. They’re the kind of stories you curl up with when you want comfort, fun, and just the right touch of suspense.
That’s the heart of a cozy, and it’s what I love, too. But my mysteries have a little twist.
Cozy Mysteries with Humor, Heart, and Clever Surprises
My Taryn O’Kelly series has all the cozy ingredients you expect: quirky small-town characters, juicy red herrings, and a sleuth who keeps you turning pages. But it also mixes in:
- A fun, unique heroine — Taryn is a party planner, not your typical cozy mystery sleuth, which means her cases come with a side of chaos, charm, and clever problem-solving.
- Laugh-out-loud moments — mishaps, banter, and “oh no she didn’t” shenanigans that keep you smiling.
- Warm romance — heartfelt connections with just enough swoon to make you root for the characters.
- Clever surprises — twists and turns that make solving the mystery satisfying, without straying from cozy comfort.
If you enjoy mysteries with Stephanie Plum-style energy, Hallmark-movie warmth, and characters you’d want to grab coffee with, you’ll feel right at home here.
Why I Write This Way
I adore traditional cozies, but I also love giving my characters little extra layers — moments that make you laugh, relationships that tug at your heart, and mysteries that keep you guessing. Taryn is fun, relatable, and full of energy. With humor, heart, and clever surprises around every corner, my cozies are both comforting and delightfully engaging.
A Taste from My Readers
Well-written, Clifton weaves in the romance of Taryn and Alex with humor, including a few laugh-out-loud moments. This is the second in the series, but is easily read out-of-order.
~Christa Reads and Writes
4 stars! Action-packed follow-up to the series debut!
~Boys’ Mom Reads!
Ready to Meet Taryn?
Step into Silver Springs, Colorado, where small-town secrets, laugh-out-loud moments, and a sleuth-next-door await. Start with Party Planning for Murder, the first book in the series, and then enjoy Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses for even more twists, laughs, and romance.
👉 Grab your copy today and join Taryn on her latest case → Series Books
Not sure you’re ready to commit? No problem! In October, I’m releasing a free exclusive novella for my newsletter subscribers — a bite-sized Taryn O’Kelly mystery packed with all the humor, heart, and small-town chaos readers love.
💌 Sign up here to get your free story the moment it’s released → Newsletter
Whether you dive straight into the books or start with the free novella, I can’t wait to welcome you into Silver Springs. Come for the mystery, stay for the laughs, and make Taryn your new favorite sleuthing companion.
What to know more about me and my writing process? Read my Q&A
“A guy I sort of hit and ran today.” I squished up my face and winced. – Taryn in Party Planning for Murder
As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations!
