The Joy of the Amateur Sleuth by Valerie (V.M.) Burns

Cozy mysteries almost always feature an amateur sleuth. These individuals aren’t trained members of law enforcement and aren’t getting paid to solve mysteries and bring down evil doers. Critics of the genre often disparage the use of amateurs to solve crime as “unrealistic.” But is it? 

I would argue that the most important skill needed to solve mysteries isn’t a knowledge of the law, weapons training, or physical fitness provided and enhanced at the police academy. Those skills are important, but aren’t critical. The biggest factor that will dictate success in solving mysteries is a heightened level of observation and critical thinking. Police officers are trained to observe details. A trained observer will notice even the most minute objects present as well as what’s missing from a crime scene. In addition, police are trained to observe behavior. Observation and critical thinking can be trained, but it can also be an innate skill that can be honed over time.

One of my favorite cozy mystery sleuths is Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. Miss Marple is an elderly spinster who lives in the village of St. Mary Mead in England. Miss Marple is a nosy, busybody who sees everything that goes on in her village. Her ability to solve mysteries centers around the fact that she has lived her entire life in a small village where she has observed human nature up close and personal. When introduced to someone new, Miss Marple observes and then associates that person with someone in her village with a similar nature. This isn’t unusual. We’ve all met someone who reminded us of someone else, either by the way they look or the way they behave.

From an author’s perspective, the amateur sleuth provides a vast opportunity for intrigue and mischief. Amateur sleuths are not professionals and rarely get from beginning to end without mistakes. In fact, it would be unrealistic if an amateur behaved perfectly with no missteps. Unlike the police, an amateur sleuth isn’t bound by rules of law. They boldly go down paths where a trained professional would never tread. Ignorance often places the amateur in some very sticky situations. However, it’s those situations which can be the most entertaining.

Amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries represent average people who are capable of extraordinary feats. Even without extensive training or specialized skills, the average person can use their wits to solve mysteries. Maddy Montgomery is a social media influencer and fashionista who inherits a bakery. Even though she can’t bake, Maddy uses her skill set so that Baby Cakes bakery not only survives, but thrives. In the fourth Baker Street Mystery, Maddy and her friends use their unique skills to solve the murder of a wedding planner at a bridal expo releases July 29, 2025. Preorder your copy today.

Valerie (V. M.) Burns is an Agatha, Anthony, Edgar, and Next Generation Award-finalist. Writing as V. M. Burns, she is the author of the Mystery Bookshop, Dog Club, and RJ Franklin Mystery series. As Valerie Burns, she writes the Baker Street Mystery series. She also writes the Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery series as Kallie E. Benjamin. In addition to writing, Valerie is an adjunct professor in the Writing Popular Fiction MFA Program at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Born and raised in northwestern Indiana, Valerie now lives in Northern Georgia with her two poodles. Connect with Valerie at vmburns.com.