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
Heather-Marie Montilla
Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.
Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.
Lauren Smith
Executive Producer and host of national PBS programming at Detroit Public TV, 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!
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 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.
Fred Nahhat
Fred Nahhat is an Emmy Award-winning producer, host, and presenter for Detroit’s PBS station, where he serves as Sr. VP of Production.
A 30-year broadcast veteran, Fred has hosted and produced numerous programs for Public TV – including music specials from Il Volo, Celtic Gold and the New Divas – as well as other series and specials “New Year’s Eve with the DSO”, “The Detroit Dream Cruise,” “The PBS Books Readers Club” and “Get Up, Get Out,” among others.
He is a graduate of Wayne State University and a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan Chapter, USA Hockey, and Leadership Detroit.
