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I just finished Julie Moffet's No One to Trust -- it was hilarious and I loved it. Just what I needed--a geek trying to fit in, solve a mystery and maybe get a date or two.

I've read Janet Evanovich, Karen Cantwell, Tim Cockey (Hearse Mysteries) Lisa Lutz...

I want something funny and fun--zany, but not ridiculous (yeah, I know. It's a fine line. And sometimes it's hard to tell one person's line from another.) I don't tend to like the "crazy for shopping" -- matching purses and shoes is tough for me to laugh at because mine have probably never matched...so...

Any recs? Help!

Sarah Stromeyer's books come to mind, Bubbles Unbound. hilarious series. Also Selma Eichler has a good series, lots of tongue in cheek humor.

Have you read any of the B&B series by Mary Daheim? The cousins' antics often make me laugh, although I wouldn't call them hilarious.

I just read Mama Does Time, the first in a series by Deborah Sharp. I laughed more while reading that book than I have in a long time, and I can't wait to get the next one in the series.

Another series I really enjoyed were the Southern Sisters by Anne George. The titles alone made me chuckle, and the stories were even funnier :)

I liked the Bubbles books, too. You might try Laura Levine. Her books were pretty good for awhile, but I don't care for them anymore.

Some good suggestions! I've read (and loved) Anne George. Read at least one Laura Levine, was decent, but I didn't go back for more...

Haven't tried Bubbles. Will check it out!

enjoy.

Donna Andrews series about Meg Langslow and her family is pretty funny. The series starts with . I thought was one of the funniest books I've read.

I've read Donna Andrews too! Yes, they are funny.

Donna Andrews is hilarious and I love reading her books. Have you read the Miss Julia books? I laughed all the way through, especially the earlier books.

Emily wrote: "Donna Andrews is hilarious and I love reading her books. Have you read the Miss Julia books? I laughed all the way through, especially the earlier books."

Miss Julia--are they the British ones?

Miss Julia is Southern. The first one is Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind

I just read several of Deborah Sharp's books. The first was a free Kindle download and once I read it I had to find the others. They are hilarious. I'm also a Donna Andrews fan.

There's actually an award for funniest mystery - The Lefty award

Oh, thanks for that. I had the wrong series in mind. No, I haven't read Miss Julia!

You might try Paige Shelton. I just read If Fried Chicken Could Fly and it was terrific. I'm going to read more of her work.

Maria wrote: "I just finished Julie Moffet's No One to Trust -- it was hilarious and I loved it. Just what I needed--a geek trying to fit in, solve a mystery and maybe get a date or two.

I've read Janet Evanov..."

Have you tried "A Southern Sisters Mystery" series by:Anne George. There are only 8 in the series , I think, because sadly she passed away but I laughed through all eight. So did my sister.
Also,Buying Time was a laugh out loud for me and it was NOT over the edge goofey or ridiculous. Fun and a good mystery. I agree with the others that the Meg Langslow Series by Donna Andrews is also funny.] I call Donna Andrews the Queen of Chaos because she has many characters in her stories and all kinds of situations between them plus MURDER but she really has a talent for pulling everything together into one cohesive story.A little overly silly at times but I still like them and read them all.

Yes, I loved Anne George's books!

I was at the library today and FORGOT to pick up Bubbles Unbound. I'm such a dork. I was there for two books, but the other one was an interlibrary loan--so I went straight to the pick-up desk and completely forgot the bubbles!!!

Argh.

Maria wrote: "Yes, I loved Anne George's books!

I was at the library today and FORGOT to pick up Bubbles Unbound. I'm such a dork. I was there for two books, but the other one was an interlibrary loan--so I w..."

LOL.......maybe you should write us a cozy. I think you might have a knack for the funny.

I'll get right on that...

Another fun series is the Savannah Martin mystery series by Jenna Bennett. Featuring the recently divorced Savannah Martin who is determined change her life and make it big in the real estate business--if only she didn't keep running into dead bodies!

A Cutthroat Business

I also have another excuse for forgetting bubbles. When I returned my other books on the way in, I cut my finger on the book return. So there I was at the front desk, my thumb half-severed off (and trying not to look to obvious about it) bleeding like a stuck pig. I had a tissue wrapped around my thumb because if I bled on a book, it costs the price of the book plus an 8 dollar processing fee, no exceptions. So see, I was really distracted!!!

And now I am a book short. (DO NOT TELL ME WHAT ELSE I MIGHT BE SHORT...) :>)

I found this listopia list on GR--I added a couple of books that I loved that were funny, but I didn't see most of the rec's on here (I admit, I haven't finished browsing.)

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/12...

I voted for some I've forgotten about too! I was going to start a new listopia, but this one seems to have the general idea of what I was looking for (Although I never found Carl Hiaasen funny at all). I need to add Put a Lid on it by Donald Westlake. It's not a Dortmunder one (which I didn't think all that funny). It was a stand alone and I thought it was funny and cozy and sweet and a lot of fun!!

Please add your funnies to the list and feel free to vote up any good ones!

Hello,
It seems to me alot of what people find funny depends on where they are at personally.So with that in mind these reccomendations asre given to you.One cozy mystery series I loved was by Tamara Meyers and concerned an antique store owner in Richmond.It was a sarcastic look at Southern culture. Meyers also wrote another series about a PA Dutch B/B owner. Being a disgruntled Yankee, I found the books about the Richmond antique store funniest.
One novelette I read that I found extremely funny,although it was not a mystery was called "I Went to Vassar for this?" was a reincarnation romance that took you back to the 50's and early 60's. If that was your time period or your Moms,I promise you , you'll laugh till the tears roll down your face.

Betsy wrote: "Hello,
It seems to me alot of what people find funny depends on where they are at personally.So with that in mind these reccomendations asre given to you.One cozy mystery series I loved was by Tam..."

AND BEING A PROUD SOUTHERNER .....I found the Den Of Antiquity Mystery series a bit condensending. BUT.....that said, I found my sense of humor and took the books as I am sure, (I hope) that Tamar Myers intended. After all, among other reasons that I love to read is that I can see other views to life/people and experiance different types of people/ways of life that are so different than my little world here, but that is so normal everyday to them.And if we can't laugh at ourselves,. (example, one I read from Peg Cochran, the lead character had a Jersey edge to her, language and all and I had to adjust my attitude to read it. I am glad I did, because I liked/enjoyed the book. P.S. :) I have almost all of Tamar series on my shelf and have read almost all of them. And, Betsy, I am sorry that you are disgruntled, Yankee or not. lol. That is meant in a true careing way. Hard to convey true sentiment on these machines. I lived in Ohio for 10 years growing up and my sister was born there, making her a born Yankee.And my very best friend in the world is a born Yankee. Those titles should only refer to distinguishing where we come from, NOT a type of character.

LOL....and I DID find the "DEN OF ANTIQUITY MYSTERY" series the funniest too.

Betsy wrote: "Hello,
It seems to me alot of what people find funny depends on where they are at personally.So with that in mind these reccomendations asre given to you.One cozy mystery series I loved was by Tam..."

I wish you had told us that two days ago. I just picked that book up off the shelf at the library, looked at the cover , and put it back without even reading to see what it was about.
Our MOMS . . ? lol. That was pretty much MY time period. Born in 50's . I will , for sure , get that book when I return these others. Thanks for the great tip.

I am reading "HUSH MY MOUTH" by Cathy Pickens. LOL....a southern set myster Betsy. ! I have just started it and have never read these before, but so far it is quite humorous. Anyone else out there ever read any of the "Southern Fried Mystery" series? ?
Please tell me I won't be dissapointed in the funny factor.

PS-that was my time period too... (I Went to Vassar for this) :D

Betsy wrote: "PS-that was my time period too... (I Went to Vassar for this) :D"

ya know, I was thinking...some people kind of look at cozies as less than "substantial" reading, but I think we can all learn something from just about anything we read and reading of all kinds brings us all together as one , if we let it. I am going to admit, with a red face, that when I read the title in the library, I thought...isn't that a hoitty toitty college? BORING. lol. shows what we miss in life if we don't keep open minds. Thanks hon.

Hello,
When I hit the Winchester Books a million, I'll pick up "Hush my Mouth" and I probably won't be disappointed in the humor factor...:D
Have you ever read Sharyn McCrumb? Her Elizabeth Mcphearson mysteries are a hoot.

Betsy wrote: "Hello,
When I hit the Winchester Books a million, I'll pick up "Hush my Mouth" and I probably won't be disappointed in the humor factor...:D
Have you ever read Sharyn McCrumb? Her Elizabeth Mc..."

I thought Sharyn wrote regular mysteries (kind of dark). Does she write cozies too or am I thinking of the wrong author?

McCrumb has two series(?)of books -the Elizabeth Mc Phearson series, her earlier books that probably are cozies and then she wrote the Appalachian Ballad mysteries which probably are kind of Dark.Alot of the Ballad books switch back and forth between an historical event or possible historical event, and current time. I love these books too. I've read most of McCrumbs' books,and there's probably only 3/4 that weren't my cup of tea.

Betsy wrote: "McCrumb has two series(?)of books -the Elizabeth Mc Phearson series, her earlier books that probably are cozies and then she wrote the Appalachian Ballad mysteries which probably are kind of Dark.A..."

Didn't McCrumb come out with one recently on Tom Dooley (Duley). The old southern ballad that became famous when the Kingston Trio wrote a famous song about it. ? I wanted to read the book, but most of the reviews said that she was so so repetitive that it was difficult to stick with it, so, that being a pet-peeve of mine, I decided not to read it.
I will look up her other series and give them a try. I heard that all the other Ballad books were very good.

Betsy wrote: "Hello,
When I hit the Winchester Books a million, I'll pick up "Hush my Mouth" and I probably won't be disappointed in the humor factor...:D
Have you ever read Sharyn McCrumb? Her Elizabeth Mc..."

I loved Books a Million but sadly the nearest one to me closed down when B & N built a New store across from it.

DonnaCarol wrote: "Didn't McCrumb come out with one recently on Tom Dooley (Duley). The old southern ballad that became famous when the Kingston Trio wrote a famous song about it. ? I wanted to read the book, but most of the reviews said that she was so so repetitive that it was difficult to stick with it, so, that being a pet-peeve of mine, I decided not to read it. "

I read the Tom Dooley book shortly after it was released and really enjoyed it. Then again, I don't pay a lot of attention to the writing style, etc. when I read. If I like the story, that's good enough for me :)

Barb wrote: "DonnaCarol wrote: "Didn't McCrumb come out with one recently on Tom Dooley (Duley). The old southern ballad that became famous when the Kingston Trio wrote a famous song about it. ? I wanted to rea..."

Well, now you have changed my mind again. lol. I am just going to read it and see what I think. I grew up with the story, being from NC myself, all of us had heard the story and knew the song. So, I wanted to read it the first time I heard about it. And, Smith,Foster,Melton are my family names. GEEESH....I don't think we are blood related to them. Hope not. lol.

DonnaCarol wrote: "Smith,Foster,Melton are my family names. GEEESH....I don't think we are blood related to them. Hope not. lol. "

LOL Are you going to research it to find out?

Now I feel the pressure of hoping that you like it after all LOL I have the other Ballad books on my list -- like way too many other books! -- but I haven't gotten to any of them yet.

Barb wrote: "DonnaCarol wrote: "Smith,Foster,Melton are my family names. GEEESH....I don't think we are blood related to them. Hope not. lol. "

LOL Are you going to research it to find out?

Now I feel the pr..."

I am afraid too. LOL.....The Melton that I am related to is quite closely related and her family is from Madison County. I know from other versions of the story and from the reviews that all of them were really messed up people with major issues. And my mother was a Foster. How much closer can you get. And HER mother was a SMITH. I'm afraid I'm doomed.
Oh, don't fret about that. I wanted to read it to start with and I don't usually let Pet peeves stop me but there were SO SO many that mentioned it, I was convinced it must be bad. I have only not finished two books in my life. They don't have to be perfect for me to enjoy them in some way. I heard she did one on the Silvers Hanging too. Did you read that one? How was it ? That happened in the county next to ME. My husbands family married into the Silvers. Maybe I am scaring people away from me. LOL....

DonnaCarol wrote: "I heard she did one on the Silvers Hanging too. Did you read that one? How was it ? That happened in the county next to ME. My husbands family married into the Silvers. Maybe I am scaring people away from me. LOL.... "

LOL No, I've not read any of her other books -- yet. I plan to, eventually :)

DonnaCarol wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Hello,
It seems to me alot of what people find funny depends on where they are at personally.So with that in mind these reccomendations asre given to you.One cozy mystery series I lo..."

I was born & raised in Ohio, but never considered myself a Yankee, tho I guess I was one. Maybe because my parents were from Kentucky. A lot of my friends' parents were from Kentucky & Tennessee, too.

Barb wrote: "DonnaCarol wrote: "I heard she did one on the Silvers Hanging too. Did you read that one? How was it ? That happened in the county next to ME. My husbands family married into the Silvers. Maybe I a..."

I don't have any of them, but will be on the lookout at my fav.used book stand in the flea-market this weekend if the temps. drop. 103 here tomorrow. If you read it before I do, let me know what you think.She (Silvers lady) was said to have been the first female hung in the US but someone disputed the claim. She killed her husband.

DonnaCarol wrote: "LOL....and I DID find the "DEN OF ANTIQUITY MYSTERY" series the funniest too. "

I've never read any of the books in this series. I think I never picked them up because the Magdalena Yoder Pennsylvania-Dutch books got so tiresome for me. I got tired of Magdalena's constant "wailing", even though I did actually read quite a few books in the series.

DonnaCarol wrote: "I am reading "HUSH MY MOUTH" by Cathy Pickens. LOL....a southern set myster Betsy. ! I have just started it and have never read these before, but so far it is quite humorous. Anyone else out there ..."

I read the first in this series several years ago and thought it was an okay read. Never read another. Maybe I'll give them another look.

Melodie wrote: "DonnaCarol wrote: "LOL....and I DID find the "DEN OF ANTIQUITY MYSTERY" series the funniest too."

I've never read any of the books in this series. I think I never picked them up because the Magdalena Yoder Pennsylvania-Dutch books got so tiresome for me. I got tired of Magdalena's constant "wailing", even though I did actually read quite a few books in the series. "

I agree about the PA Dutch series, but I've heard a lot of people say the Antiquity series is a lot better. I haven't had time to start it yet, so I'm reserving judgement until I read the first one for myself.

Betsy wrote: "McCrumb has two series(?)of books -the Elizabeth Mc Phearson series, her earlier books that probably are cozies and then she wrote the Appalachian Ballad mysteries which probably are kind of Dark.A..."

The only Elizabeth McPhearson book I've read is which was pretty funny. I remember some unusual characters in that one! I've read almost all the Ballad books and loved most of them. She also wrote 2 other books that went together, and , that were a pretty funny.

DonnaCarol wrote: "Betsy wrote: "McCrumb has two series(?)of books -the Elizabeth Mc Phearson series, her earlier books that probably are cozies and then she wrote the Appalachian Ballad mysteries which probably are ..."

The Tom Dooley book is one of the books in the Ballad series I haven't read. I read some really awful reviews of it.

Melodie wrote: "DonnaCarol wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Hello,
It seems to me alot of what people find funny depends on where they are at personally.So with that in mind these reccomendations asre given to you.One cozy ..."

I think it's more WHO we are and where our heart is. My younger sister has never thought of herself as a Yankee, only because she was 2 years old when we moved back here from OHIO. I lived in Ohio for almost 10 years. My best friend is still there. We are all pretty much the same. Good people, just trying to make it through life. WHERE we are born does not dictate WHO we are or even what we are like.

DonnaCarol wrote: "Barb wrote: "DonnaCarol wrote: "Smith,Foster,Melton are my family names. GEEESH....I don't think we are blood related to them. Hope not. lol. "

LOL Are you going to research it to find out?

Now ..."

was one of the Ballad books that I wasn't too crazy about.

Melodie wrote: "DonnaCarol wrote: "Barb wrote: "DonnaCarol wrote: "Smith,Foster,Melton are my family names. GEEESH....I don't think we are blood related to them. Hope not. lol. "

LOL Are you going to research it ..."

OK....THAT is the one I was referring too above. Frankie was her name.What was it that you didn't care for about it?

Melodie wrote: "Betsy wrote: "McCrumb has two series(?)of books -the Elizabeth Mc Phearson series, her earlier books that probably are cozies and then she wrote the Appalachian Ballad mysteries which probably are ..."

Melodie...is that book about zombies or is it just a title representing something else in the story?

DonnaCarol wrote: "Melodie wrote: "Betsy wrote: "McCrumb has two series(?)of books -the Elizabeth Mc Phearson series, her earlier books that probably are cozies and then she wrote the Appalachian Ballad mysteries whi..."

No, it's not about zombies, which misleads a lot of people. The books are hard to find anymore as both are over 20 years old.

Melodie wrote: "DonnaCarol wrote: "Melodie wrote: "Betsy wrote: "McCrumb has two series(?)of books -the Elizabeth Mc Phearson series, her earlier books that probably are cozies and then she wrote the Appalachian B..."

13 year old girl+slumber party+ZOMBIE MOVIE+friends brother==POST TRAMATIC SYNDROME ....lol. when it comes to zombies, I'm OUT.

I have been dipping into those oldies lately, maybe because I found several at the library book sale. I will check the library first, then my used book stand at the flea market. She has thousands of books.
Thanks for the information Melodie.