Need a recommendation for a lighthearted mystery read

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I'm currently working on choosing the last book for my book group and I thought a lighthearted mystery novel would be a great way to end the year. I put these poor women through a lot of tough reads so it would be nice to go out with something funny. Any help would be appreciated!

[Jannene]

I like the Jack Daniels series. They are light and I always laugh reading them. There isn't this romantic triangle like in a lot of cozy reads where the woman has two men.
Whiskey Sour is the first one in the series.

[Skye]

I must sound like a broken record, but Sue Grafton's novels fit the image ( some are better than others).

[Michele]

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters starts off a wonderful series.

Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block is another fun series.

[Richard]

Murder on Page One is a good read with wry humour

[Bill]

Any of the MC Beaton Agatha Raisin books would be good, Nancy.

[Jim]

Okay! Here ya go. I just finished this one and lsughed myself silly. Check out The National Truth. It just came out.

[Jan C]

Another light one, relatively, is Stuart Kaminski's Toby Peters series. Nicola Upson's series featuring Josephine Tey. Peter S. Fischer's Hollywood Murder Mysteries series - I read the second book first - We Don't Need No Stinking Badges where a mystery takes place on the set of the filming of The Treasure of Sierra Madre.

[Feliks]

A Dime to Dance By
The Two Dude Defense
Deadfall (made into movie, 'Peeper' starring Michael Caine and Natalie Wood)
Compromising Positions (made into movie starring Susan Sarandon, Raoul Julia)
Someone is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe (movie starring George Segal, Jacqueline Bissett)

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann

Humorous and creative. The sheep are the detectives.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann

Humorous and creative. The sheep are the detectives."

I've not heard of that one, Donna -- just ordered it from paperback swap.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Feliks wrote: "A Dime to Dance By
The Two Dude Defense
Deadfall (made into movie, 'Peeper' starring Michael Caine and Natalie Wood)

I saw the movie
Compromising Positions but have never read the book. Ordered!

[Feliks]

Bravo. I sure miss Raoul Julia. Snif.

[Feliks]

I'll add another rec while I'm at it:
Metzger's Dog
one of the very few examples of espionage + crime-noir, *plus comedy*. You wouldn't think someone could pull it off, but he does. Also great if you like cats.

Oh and then there's the whole line of books from Dick Francis, charming mysteries set in the world of horse racing. Great way to learn about horses.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Jim wrote: "Okay! Here ya go. I just finished this one and lsughed myself silly. Check out The National Truth. It just came out. "

Maybe not for the group, but I'd definitely read it.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Michele wrote: "Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters starts off a wonderful series.

Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block is another fun s..."

I loved the Amelia Peabody books until Ramses grew older, then I lost interest. But thanks!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Excellent recommendations, everyone! Feel free to keep them coming. And thank you all.

[Skye]

Nancy wrote: "Michele wrote: "Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters starts off a wonderful series.

Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block ..."

I adore Elizabeth Peters! I read that book and all of her books.

[Skye]

Janet Evanovitch is popular, but I am not a big fan. I guess it has to do with my feeling that she began after Grafton and Scottoline. Too similar and somewhat far fetched ( bounty hunter in Trenton and a heavy Polish hand); Scottoline writes about Philadelphia Italians, and yes, she is very accurate. I live close to both Philadelphia and Trenton.

[Gisela]

Any of the Donna Leon books, featuring the charming Italian detective Brunetti with his delightful wife and of course Venice. The crime is on the side, but keeps you guessing.

[Feliks]

There's also the Moses Wine series. 'The Big Fix' features this California detective who was a former 1960s activist. Its a gentle and sardonic style of mystery. 4-5 books; one of which became a nicely done movie with Richard Dreyfus and John Lithgow.

[Amber]

Very funny British mystery, debut of series. I gave it five stars.

[Amber]

Nancy wrote: "Michele wrote: "Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters starts off a wonderful series.

Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block ..."

Elizabeth Peters' Die for Love is quite amusing. Murder at a romance authors' conference.

[Skye]

Elizabeth Peters is great, and I should go back and revisit her again.

[Skye]

I am trying so hard to recall the name of a writer who wrote light, gothic-type mysteries. The setting was always Cornwall. Relatively modern day, too, and the writer's first name was Jennie. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

[Marian]

Jennifer Blake maybe?

[Skye]

No, her first name was Jennie.

[Marian]

Would it be Jennie Nimmo?

[IShita]

Jennie Bently?

[IShita]

Jennie Bently?

[Skye]

No: I was thinking it might be Cromwell or Cornwall.

[Britney]

Try Jenn McKinley.

[Skye]

Thanks, Britney: that doesn't sound familiar, and it isn't the names above, either.

[Nikki]

Jana Deleon
Miss Fortune Mysteries!
Love those! !!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

You people are awesome. I never knew there was so much fun in the crime world!

[Skye]

I agree, Nancy; great group.

[Jamie]

Skye wrote: "I am trying so hard to recall the name of a writer who wrote light, gothic-type mysteries. The setting was always Cornwall. Relatively modern day, too, and the writer's first name was Jennie. Do..."

Jennie Melville?

[Feliks]

The most fun I had with a mystery was one which was part of a series where the killer was not named. It was a book tied into a contest for a $5,000 cash prize. If you (the reader) could provide the solution--you mailed the publisher and had a chance at big money.

I've tried to locate the book on Goodreads, but have never been quite sure I finally tagged it correctly and added it to my shelf. Always looking for more details on this great concept.

[Jamie]

The Spellman Files is a hoot. Very quirky family of PIs.

[Skye]

Jamie wrote: "Skye wrote: "I am trying so hard to recall the name of a writer who wrote light, gothic-type mysteries. The setting was always Cornwall. Relatively modern day, too, and the writer's first name wa..."
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you

[Skye]

Jamie wrote: "The Spellman Files is a hoot. Very quirky family of PIs."

This sounds good.

[Wendy]

I love The Spellmans! I think I have read all the books in the series so far except the last one. Do you know the name of the last book published in the series so far? Is the title "The Last Word"?

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

thanks everyone! I am trying out a few on the list before I decide, but at least you've all given me some great ideas.

[B'burg Linda]

@Wendy - The Spellmans are great, aren't they. 'The Last Word' is the latest book, and was very good. I also wonder if it might be the final in the series as it has a 'wrapped-up' kind of feel to it. It would be interesting to hear other's takes on it.