All Things Cozy

Barbara Ross (@BarbRoss) calls in to chat about the latest installment in her Maine Clambake mystery series, Steamed Open, the importance of blogs in the cozy mystery world, and her approach to writing short mysteries. Also, Gillian loves to sit and eat, Matt visits a cat cafe, and Barbara soaks up the sun in Key West. Visit https://maineclambakemysteries.com to learn more about Barbara's writing...

From apple pie to Zelda, All Things Cozy listeners write in with an alphabet of cozy topics for Matt and Gillian to discuss. Gillian gets invited to events for dentists, Matt's great grandma pulls a Brooklyn, and both are crazy about the new Dido album. Thanks to everyone who submitted a cozy topic and Jon Pernisek for the candle!

Rhys Bowen (@RhysBowen) calls in to discuss her Royal Spyness series, pen names, and respect for cozy mysteries. Despite the technical issues with this recording, Rhys' insights on researching and writing mysteries make it well worth the listen. Visit rhysbowen.com to learn about the many other wonderful series Rhys writes and to subscribe to her newsletter.

Greg Peterson (@gregorysven) of Browns Book Club (@brownsbookclub) gives Matt and Gillian tips for starting and maintaining a successful book club. Matt and Gillian love office parks, Greg and Gillian smash rocks, and everyone aspires to be the kind of person who remembers to pack a travel candle.

Ellen Byron (@EllenByronLA), author of the Cajun Country Mystery series, stops by to discuss the craft of mystery writing. Ellen explores how writing for television influences her mysteries, teaches Matt and Gillian the difference between pantsers and plotters, and reveals that Stormy Daniels is the perfect casting for one of her characters. Visit ellenbyron.com to learn more about her latest work...

Love and drones are in the air as Matt and Gillian celebrate Valentine's Day by watching the Hallmark Channel Original Movie "Valentine in the Vineyard." Matt watches whales, Gillian watches whale tails, and both pitch an LGBTQ romantic comedy to Hallmark.

Gillian and Matt shuffle into 2019 to discuss Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Gillian has a dalliance with the wind, Matt overcomes his fear of Woodwick candles, and they both debut their new segment, "Soothing Sounds," with picks from Sharon Van Etten's 'Remind Me Tomorrow.'

Matt and Gillian look back at 2018 to recognize the year's coziest books, movies, TV shows, songs, and All Things Cozy listeners. Happy New Year!

Film critic and author of Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas, Alonso Duralde (@ADuralde), returns for a deep dive into what makes Hallmark Channel Christmas movies tick. We list our favorite Hallmark Channel Christmas movie tropes, drink Countdown to Christmas Tea, and wonder what it is exactly Lacey Chabert's character does for a living in Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe.

To get into the holiday spirit, Gillian and Matt read Joanne Fluke's Christmas Caramel Murder, a Hannah Swensen Mystery. Gillian appreciates Midwesterners, Matt is crazy about ceramic trees, and both agree there's something off about Canada.

It's an All Things Cozy feast for the ears when Dave White (@dlelandwhite), film critic and host of the Linoleum Knife podcast (@linoleumcast), joins Matt and Gillian to share his cooking expertise and Thanksgiving traditions. Dave is thankful for his L.L.Bean flannel shirt, Gillian is thankful for her new cats, and Matt is thankful for a game everyone else stopped playing in 2016. Happy Thanksgiv...

Gillian and Matt determine if Death on the D-List by Nancy Grace, the second installment in the Hailey Dean Mystery series, qualifies as a cozy mystery. Matt tries to feed boiled egg to a stray cat, Gillian apologizes to Henry Winkler, and both are impressed by the quality of Trader Joe's candles.

Michael Varrati (@MichaelVarrati), host of the podcast Dead for Filth, emerges from the darkness to talk chillingly classic black and white horror films with Matt and Gillian. Matt is haunted by Hill House, Michael uses every part of the pumpkin, Gillian is now Gillain, and everyone disapproves of pumpkin launches. Happy Halloween!

On All Hallow's Eve when the moon is round, a virgin summons Matt and Gillian to discuss Hocus Pocus & The All New-Sequel. Matt goes nuts for Buffalo cuisine, Gillian misses the lesbian subplot, and both can't remember the names of things. Thanks to Jason, Jana, and Katy for the candle and check out our social media (@allthingscozypodcast) for more information about our Fall Givaway!

Sarah and Thia Schuessler (@thiaschuessler) join us to prepare Halloween costumes and discuss the Olsen Twins TV movie Double, Double, Toil and Trouble. Gillian becomes a cat mom, Sarah works out to Call Me By Your Name, Thia listens to French Harry Potter ASMR, and Zendaya is Meechee. Thia's IG: @thia_schuess Thia's Films: vimeo.com/shyruby Sarah's Pinterest: pinterest.com/sschuessler/

Matt and Gillian travel to Cabot Cove for the second time this month to discuss the Murder, She Wrote novels by Donald Bain. Gillian doesn't have two nickles to rub together, Matt gets admonished at a winery, and both think abs are violent.

Ben and Marissa from the Murder, We Spoke podcast (@MurderWeSpoke) guide Gillian and Matt through the legendary TV series Murder, She Wrote. Gillian chats with Silly Willie Geist on Twitter, Matt spoils the first episode of Making It, Ben bakes banana bread, and Marissa starts her day with Fireball in her Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Gillian and Matt chat about the first of Kate Carlisle's Fixer Upper Mysteries: A High-End Finish . Matt reads the Sunday Funnies, Gillian murders a lobster, and both attempt to play a game of Teri Polo.

Writer and Tinglehead Sean Brewster (@theseanbrewster) stimulates Matt and Gillian's scalps with information about Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR). Sean gets messages directly from Ariana Grande, Matt works up the courage to visit a comic book store, Gillian gets some help from her neighbors, and everyone enjoys harmless grumps.

Matt and Gillian take Judy Blume's Summer Sisters to the beach. Matt thinks Won't You Be My Neighbor? can usher in world peace, Gillian worries about Randy Fenoli, and both hate swimming. If you've read the book or don't mind spoilers, stay tuned through the end of the episode for a spoiler-ridden discussion of the book's ending.

Kayla Mattes (@kaylamattes) & Justin Seibert log on to discuss the early internet. Gillian and Kayla create false identifies, Justin misses the tag, Matt is Neopets poor, and everyone likes mist. Check out Kayla and Justin's art at besttest.studio !

Kevin T. Porter (@KevinTPorter) pops by to preach the gospel of Paddington. Gillian solves the mystery of a spooky estate sale, Matt still plays Pokemon Go, Kevin defines his relationships in fast food parking lots, and everyone wishes they liked marmalade as much as Paddington.

Matt and Gillian curl up with James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small . Matt congratulates the class of 2018, Gillian describes her Great Uncle's "Wall of Special Ladies," and both refuse to get their rocks off on a snowmobile.

Robert Balkovich (@robertbalkovich) returns to provide recommendations for making social media cozy, including, but not limited to, deleting your account. Gillian gets harrassed by a family of raccoons in Costa Rica, Matt manages to find a bookstore on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, and both Robert and Gillian like a steady operator.

Gillian and Matt gab about Rita Lakin's Gladdy Gold mystery series. Matt charges his crystals under the Scorpio Moon, Gillian gets cozy with a Sinister Minister, and both aren't sure if they're repeating themselves.