by Mary Saums at the Femmes Fatales.
I just pried a few books out of a stuffed-tight bookshelf, mysteries by two authors, both British, both clever writers and funny, for a little weekend re-reading.
Oh, how I loved this series! Grace Smith is an excellent private investigator but she doesn't get paid very much. In CUE THE EASTER BUNNY, she's so low on funds that she accepts a job from the tourist board - wearing a bunny outfit and handing out leaflets during the high point of vacation season. Grace is not a fluffy kind of girl. She's tough. And very funny.
In SICK AS A PARROT, Grace is hired to find an adopted woman's real mother. Unfortunately, the real mother was convicted of murder, and now someone is trying to kill Grace.
I remember these as great books and look forward to re-visiting them.
DON'T POINT THAT THING AT ME by Kyril Bonfiglioli is one-of-a-kind funny. Actually, there are three novels in the omnibus I have. But all funny, irreverent, clever. The main character, Charlie Mortdecai, is an art dealer with malleable scruples.
Bonfiglioli is often compared to PG Wodehouse. Both do have great comedic timing in common. The big difference is that Wodehouse is rated G, but Bonfiglioli stretches it somewhere between PG and not-quite R. If I'm remembering correctly.
A few quotes on the cover give you a better idea of what these are like ....
"You couldn't snuggle under the duvet with anything more disreputable and delightful" - Stephen Fry
"A rare mixture of wit and imaginative unpleasantness" - Julian Barnes
"A comic masterpiece ... " - The Spectator
If you remember reading any funny British novels, not necessarily mysteries, do let me know so I can give them a try.
Do you have a particular book you're looking forward to reading this weekend?
Black Rubber Dress by Lauren Henderson.
Posted by: Jean Utley | July 15, 2016 at 09:29 PM
YES!! Thank you, Jean. It's on a shelf somewhere around here. :)
Posted by: Mary S. | July 16, 2016 at 05:40 PM
Clear to Lift by Anne A. Wilson. It's set at NAS Fallon and the Bishop/Mono Lakes area---all part of my stomping grounds! I read it once and I'm rereading it before I return it to the library.
She did a guest blog last year when her first novel, Hover, was released. I enjoyed both of them immensely.
Posted by: Ellie Enos | July 16, 2016 at 06:51 PM
Fantastic - thank you so much Ellie. A new-to-me author, too. Off to find it .... :)
Posted by: Mary S. | July 17, 2016 at 04:04 PM
Oh, Ellie, I will tell Anne! She's so terrific, and she'll be thrilled!
I'm reading Michael Harvey's BRIGHTON, which is terrific. And have you seen Pam Wechsler's MISSION HILL? ALso wonderful. Both, as you can tell, set in Boston.
Posted by: Hank Phillippi Ryan | July 18, 2016 at 06:33 AM