Has anyone else read "Three Bags Full" by Leonie Swann? I thought it was a great cozy.
It's also a great example of high concept - "A flock of sheep investigate the murder of their shepherd." I read that sentence and I didn't have to know anything about plot or characters, I wanted to read that book. (Of course, execution is critical -- "snakes on a plane" is another high concept grabber that apparently didn't deliver on the original premise.)
Anyway, much of the charm of this story derives from its sheeps-eye view of life and death, but I thought it also demonstrates what keeps the cozy reader turning pages -- memorable characters, beautifully drawn; social commentary; humor; a series of small interlinked puzzles that eventually answer the big question of "whodunnit?" And even suspense, in spite of the slower pace and small scale -- because you care about what happens to these characters, you're in the story with them, and if it makes them nervous, it makes you nervous. (A lot of things make sheep nervous.)
And this book is a lovely reminder that there are other options than "sassy heroine with personal problems, quirky occupation and colorful friends stumbles across body and is forced to investigate."
Kathy W.