Kobo Writing Life Podcast Kobo ReWriting Life – #12 – Plotting a Cozy Mystery with Alexis Hall
Jun 17, 2025
In this engaging conversation, best-selling author Alexis Hall, known for his genre-blending romance and mysteries, dives into his debut cozy mystery, *Murder Most Actual*. He shares insights on balancing cozy tropes with intricate puzzle crafting and the use of playful chapter titles for misdirection. Alexis emphasizes normalizing queer relationships in his stories and discusses his drafting process filled with red herrings. He also reflects on his publishing journey and offers practical advice on pitching for writers looking to navigate their own paths.
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Balancing Cozy Tropes And Tone
- Cozy mysteries blend comedy, romance, and puzzle elements that demand careful tonal balance.
- Alexis warns against tipping into parody while still honoring genre beats that let readers play along.
Add Red Herrings In A Focused Second Draft
- Plot the mystery so readers can play along, then add red herrings deliberately in a second draft.
- Alexis added about 30,000 words in draft two to place specific false leads and puzzle beats.
From Cozy Closure To True-Crime Ambiguity
- Alexis wanted the novel to move from cozy puzzle conventions toward true-crime uncertainty by the end.
- He deliberately subverts the tidy cosy wrap-up to show crime's messier realities.
