About Steph Gennaro

Author, Japan enthusiast, and lover of all things cozy

Steph Gennaro, author of the Miso Cozy Mysteries

Konnichiwa! I'm Steph.

I write the Miso Cozy Mysteries series, a collection of cozy mystery novels and novellas set in a small, fictional town called Chikata, Japan. My books are filled with Japanese culture, delicious food, charming characters, and of course, a mystery or two to solve.

My love affair with Japan began in 1998, and it hasn't slowed down since. My husband and I first visited Japan in 2005, and it was the single best vacation of my life. I didn't want to leave. Since then, I've been back multiple times and I have steeped myself in Japanese language, history, food, and culture.

I'm based in the Northeast United States, but Japan lives in my heart always. When I'm not writing, I'm reading, cooking Japanese food, studying Japanese, or plotting my next trip to Japan.

My heroine, Mei Shirogane, is a young woman who returns to her rural hometown after losing her city job. She's modern, outspoken, and a little too curious for her own good — which makes her the perfect reluctant detective.

Frequently Asked Questions

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No, I live in the northeastern United States. Japan lives in my heart and in my books, though! I have visited Japan multiple times and still study Japanese. Every book in the Miso Cozy Mysteries series is based on careful research and personal experience.

Yes! The Miso Cozy Mysteries are cozy mysteries in the truest sense. There is no graphic violence, no explicit content, and no foul language. They are appropriate for teens and adults alike. A dead body may be mentioned but never depicted in graphic detail.

The books are best read in publication order, as each one builds on the relationships and events of the previous entry. Start with The Daydreamer Detective (Book 1). The novellas (Ozoni and Onsens and Matsuri and Murder) fit between the main novels and are best read in their publication order as well.

The books are set in Chikata, a fictional small town in a rural area of Japan. The town feels very much like the Japanese countryside — rice fields, mountain views, a local izakaya, and all the neighbors knowing each other's business. While Chikata is fictional, the Japanese culture, food, and customs depicted are all drawn from real research and personal experience.

I certainly hope so! Writing is a labor of love and I write as quickly and as well as I can. The best way to stay up to date on new releases is to subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on BookBub.

Some titles in the Miso Cozy Mysteries series are available via the ElevenLabs Reader app. Check each individual book page for availability and links.

Yes! I love connecting with readers and fellow bloggers. Please use the contact form to reach out and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Absolutely! Head over to my contact page and fill in the form. I read every message and do my best to respond to everyone.

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