PBS Books Readers Club hosts a special event sharing Our Favorite Cozy Murder Mysteries from Masterpiece and the authors who wrote the amazing novels that inspired them. The episode premieres on June 25th at 8PM ET on Facebook, YouTube, and the PBS app.
For years, Masterpiece has been bringing renowned murder mystery novels to life through fantastic adaptations. In this special episode, we’ll feature interviews like Robert Thorogood (The Marlow Murder Club), Anthony Horowitz (Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders), and Daisy Coulam (executive producer and writer of Grantchester). Our hosts will explore the key elements of a great cozy mystery novel, with insights from past interviews on crafting intricate puzzles and developing memorable characters. The hosts also share their favorite cozy murder mystery book recommendations.
“I don’t expect the reader to fail to guess who the killer is. There’s normally only 4 or 5 suspects, but the game, and it is a parlor game, is can I smuggle the killer past you? Because when you’re reading a book and you see the reveal of who the killer is and you didn’t see it or you discounted that person long ago, the thrill you get is so intoxicating. And I’m sort of chasing that thrill when I try and write a book.” – Robert Thorogood, The Marlow Murder Club
Our PBS watch-alike this month is the Masterpiece Cozy Mystery PBS pledge program. For over 50 years, Masterpiece has been home to captivating crime dramas, with cozy mysteries emerging as fan favorites. These lighthearted stories feature amateur sleuths in tight-knit communities, focusing on puzzles and characters rather than violence. Shows like Grantchester, Miss Scarlet, Magpie Murders, and The Marlow Murder Club offer a feel-good take on crime, filled with twists, humor, and charm. We’re celebrating these uplifting, fast-paced mysteries for their unique, comforting appeal.
About the Hosts
Princess Weekes
Princess Weekes is an award winning writer and video essayist who works at breaking down the intersections between race, gender, and pop culture. Formally an Assistant Editor at The Mary Sue, co-host of Netflix’s The Geeked Podcast, and co-host and co-writer on the PBS Digital Series It’s Lit. On weekends she works as a bookseller at a local bookstore. When not reading or writing she can be found playing TTRPGs of cuddling with her cat, Lola.
Lauren Smith
Executive Producer and host of national PBS programming at Detroit PBS, Lauren develops content for PBS and other distributors of public media for broadcast, streaming, and other digital channels and has executive-produced and/or produced over 60 national broadcast and programs. Her passion is to develop inspiring, entertaining, and educational content alongside the best national and international talent, and to engage important content with communities across the country. Lauren loves to read and has worked to develop and produce PBS Books content for nearly ten years!
