Michelle L. Cullen

Check out my Crime Reads article on how and why and amateur sleuths make the best detectives.

"Right away you can feel Cullen's confidence in her duo. Their banter is easy, their rhythms are familiar, and the book assumes you’re ready to jump back into their world of tea, reports, and unexpectedly dead bodies."

"A truly enjoyable mystery for listeners who love skilled and capable amateur sleuths."

"The plot and the crime have a lot of moving parts, and Cullen neatly weaves together all the loose threads to create an exciting, satisfying conclusion. Not only Harry and Emma, but any of their supporting cast, are subjects worth studying, in field guides yet to come."

"If you are searching for the best new cozy mysteries Fall 2026 has to offer, these are the books I would add to your TBR ... What I liked is that the mystery becomes less about one obvious killer and more about figuring out everyone’s actual role."

"Boasting a complex mystery, witty banter and a solid plot, this was a delight to read and I can’t wait to see where we go next with this duo."

"The performances enrich this cozy mystery, making it an enjoyable and satisfying listen ... Our verdict: Get it."

In this fun interview with Tara Laskowski, I talk about some of the scary places I've been to and lived to tell the tales. Read on to find out…

"Michelle Cullen is the author of the Harry and Emma Mysteries, a cozy mystery series featuring a millennial and a retired widower who work together to solve puzzling mysteries."

"If you like books by Fredrik Backman or Richard Osman, I think you will enjoy these cozy books. Cullen described her work as "books you want to hug at the end... but with murder!"

"An original, cross-generational, deftly crafted, murder mystery by an author with a genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that fully engages the reader from start to finish ... an extraordinary and inherently fascinating read ... certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections."

"This is a perfectly charming novel with enough quirky characters to make it a standout debut ... Cullen seems to have a winning, gently humorous manner of telling a compelling story. This is a very strong first outing and I look forward to a long lived series."

"Michelle is a super-talented writer ... who has steadfastly and determinedly gone after her dream of writing a successful published mystery, and wow she has succeeded spectacularly."

In episode 21 of My Bookcase Slays with host Melissa Westemeier, I talk about my research for the Harry and Emma Mystery series, what makes me curious, and what got cut from my debut novel. As a bonus, you'll hear Melissa inspire my next writing project live!

"You often spend years writing and editing and revising, preparing for pub day. But I’ve quickly realized, launching your book is not the finish line, it’s the starting gun."

"I’m excited about (Michelle's) debut mystery. A cross-generational sleuthing duo? Yes, please!"

"Seriously delightful in every way! ... This engrossing mystery is sure to keep you on your toes, give your heart a tug and have you smiling as Emma tries to keep up with Harry!"

"I hope to see many more cases for Harry and Emma. The difference in ages, the common goal of overcoming sad happenings in the past, and rampant curiosity make them a great team."

Check out my Crime Reads article on senior sleuth tropes, elderly invisibility, and what makes aged crime-solvers so arresting. 

"(A) lovely debut ... Cullen constructs a sophisticated puzzle ... This will leave readers eager for a sequel."

First Clue article by Charlotte Del Vecchio on recent senior sleuth titles and why they are so engaging.

"A Field Guide to Murder hits a sweet spot for me: it’s fun, highly engaging, and genuinely witty, with a mystery that feels satisfying and a central duo I’m already invested in following into future books."

"This cross-generational cozy-but-with-murder is sure to delight readers of Deanna Raybourn and Richard Osman."

"This will make my top books of 2026 list! This one is not to be missed, and hopefully, there will be more adventures with these two."

"The best advice I received was to go to writing conferences and join writers’ groups, like Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers."

Check out reviews of my books and feel free to leave one of your own. Every review and rating has an impact on my success. You can also see what I'm currently reading. 

"Emma and Harry are an unlikely amateur sleuth duo and I love the dynamics between the two, as they give each other a purpose that they need in their life ... This is a terrific book and a great start to what I hope will be a series."

"A Field Guide to Murder is a quick, fun read ... Giving off vibes of Rear Window and The Thursday Murder Club ... while the opening is reminiscent of the other stories, author Michelle L. Cullen gives them an original spin that’s well worth reading."

"One of my favourite things about running a cozy mystery site is discovering a new author who feels instantly at home on my shelves, and Michelle L. Cullen absolutely fits that bill."

"I love Harry and Emma together ... I look forward to whatever Cullen comes up with next."