Teaser turn-off and the definition of a cozy

I wonder if anyone else had the same experience with Scott Frost's Run the Risk that I did. I read the paperback edition, and in terms of the novel itself, I basically liked it. It's not the most plausible book out there, but it's fun.

HOWEVER, for me, the whole experience of reading Run the Risk was ruined by the teaser chapter for the next book in the series, the last six pages of the current Berkely paperback edition. The problem? After an emotionally exhausting case that involves the kidnapping of homicide detective Alex Delillo's own daughter, we find out in these six pages that the next book is going to be about the brother Delillo doesn't know she has. The bit we get is vague and there's probably a sensible explanation for her confusion. But for me, this is a real turn-off.

Delillo is a homicide detective -- a professional -- so Frost shouldn't need to resort to this kind of personal connection once, let alone twice. Delillo isn't Jessica Fletcher; she doesn't need an excuse to be involved in a mystery. On the basis of this teaser, I doubt I'll ever read Frost's second novel, unless someone I trust persuades me otherwise.

We talk (a lot) about the difference between a cozy and other kinds of mysteries. One of the defining features of a cozy series is that the detective has that personal stake in the murder -- otherwise he or she has no reason to investigate. With a professional, it's exactly the opposite: when there's a personal stake, sensible rules of professional conduct suggest that the officer step aside and let others conduct the investigation. Under this definition, then, it seems to me that Scott Frost's series featuring LAPD homicide detective Alex Delillo is best described as cozy.