Hi all!
First things first: Time to pick the winner of the October LOVE TO READERS contest. (Sorry I’m a little late with this this month!) So–chosen totally at random by my fiance–the winner is:
RobynL
YAY, Robyn! Email me with your address and let me know what gift you’d like from my LOVE TO READERS page!
Thanks to everyone for your great comments about bookstores last week. You guys delight, surprise, and inspire me. My little LOVE TO READERS prize is small compensation given the intelligence and warmth of your comments and how much good cheer surrounds this blog. Thank you!!!
Inspiration struck mysteriously this week when I got to thinking about how much I love the covers of mystery novels. I admit–I’m not a big mystery reader. I tend to want the dark, dramatic, messy, and romantic over the light camp of cozy mysteries. But I LOVE the cheesy titles of mystery novels. So punny! It really appeals to the cornball side of me.
Also, a quick FYI here, if you like mysteries, check out the Garden Variety blog on BN: Becke Davis blogs about mysteries and gardening. It’s a great site!
So here’s a list of funny mystery titles that are packed with puns. Hope you get a kick out of them! LOVE TO READERS: Let me know which one tickles your funny bone!
Best,
Lisa Dale
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Desperately seeking sushi!!!!! ahhahahah. i looooove it.
I hope you go to the library. It’s a great day for a walk and some new books.
Congrats, Robyn! It’s your lucky day!!! Enjoy!
Hi Lisa!
First of all, a big congrats to Robyn!
It never occured to me that some mystery novels have cheesy titles until now! I guess I don’t read a lot of them to know. I have to agree with David, Desperately Seeking Sushi made me laugh. Now I’m always going to look at the book titles to find cheesy ones!
Oh well, Christmas break is coming really fast!
I started reading your book today (too bad the cleaning lol) and couldn’t put it down. I hate it that university is taking all of my time because I’ll have less time this week to read!
Lisa, thanks so much for your kindness and generosity and thanks so much to your fiance for picking my name. An e-mail is on it’s way.
Mew is for Murder!!! Which is weird because not two minute ago my cat scratched me (not weird) on my index finger. Apparently, I was bleeding. When I looked down to touch my mouse pad there was blood all over it from my finger! =/ Foreshadowing?
Congrats Robyn !!*\o/*
Lisa, I love all those covers. My favorite, Slay in with Flowers. I’ve never read that kind of funny girly mysteries. I’m usually more into Harry Bosch and the gloomy LA nights… Anyway I’m really considering trying one. Any suggestions anyone ???
Also, I read a very nice review of IHON on the Smexy Books blog. Congrats ! it must feel good to read them
They are all funny but I think my favorite is Hostile Makeover. I think if they did a makeover on me and did some of the things I’ve seen done to others, I would be pretty hostile! ;o)
You’re right about mystery titles being fun
In my Barnes and Noble they are next to the romance, so I always take a look at the titles 
Ha, I like Jamaica Me Dead, lol
I’m working on a book right now called ‘Let Sleeping Rogues Lie’ by Sabrina Jeffries. Not a Mystery, but still a kinda funny title.
I like “Slay it With Flowers” (How does that work, anyway?) and, in honor of my golfing husband, “Fairway to Heaven.” Thanks for a good laugh!
Congrats to robyn!
I think the funniest one there is, “Jamaica me dead”. I can’t remember ever reading any books with funny titles like that but I’m sure I have.
I love cheesy titles! I actually know a couple of these authors and the books are really good, too. Of course, I AM a mystery buff, and punny titles are popular right now. Heather Webber’s A Hoe Lot of Trouble, Leslie Kane’s Just the Fax, Ma’am, Donna Andrews’ No Nest for the Wicket — love those titles!
I love titles that play on words. Alpine For You and Jamaica Me Dead are truly ingenious. lol
Deidre
@David – knew you’d like that one! And I know there’s a reader or ten who knows Sabrina Jeffries on this blog. You’re right that romances get corny titles too!
@Laney4, you’re sweet.
@Melanie, Thanks so much! I hope you like the new book more than you like cleaning!
@RobynL, I’ll pass along your thanks to Matt.
@Erica, another one I could have predicted. I think that’s hilarious too!
@Emmanuelle , I just saw Mandi’s review of IHON too! It’s at http://www.smexybooks.blogspot.com if anyone wants to read it!
@Brenda, I think there’s should be a “hostile makeover” show. Or perhaps, they are ALL hostile makeover shows….
@GSM, LOL! Slay it with Flowers. Good question? How WOULD one do that. I guess roses can be pretty nasty–death by thorn?
@Mary, Yeah–that one is soooo silly.
@Becke, thanks for dropping by! Love the additional titles you added to the list!
@Deidre, I want “Alpine for You” to be a song. I think it could so work as some 1940s Sinatra style ballad.
@Ali, Oops! I missed you there. Your comment got caught in my spam folder somehow. I think mystery and romance might be distant cousins, as far as book titles are concerned. IMHO.
Lisa…where do you find these books…I love ‘em all
What fun. There are so many series out there that keep coming up with these catching word play titles. You never know what will come out next.
Oh, what great titles – how to pick my fave? I have it narrowed down to two . . . “Heir of the Dog” and “Hostile Makeover”. Then again, I really like “Jamaica Me Dead” and “Slay It With Flowers” . . . Okay, final answer, “Heir of the Dog.” Or “Slay It With Flowers.” No, no, “Heir of the Dog.”
I happen to find book covers as entertaining as the catchy titles. When you put the two together, you really catch my interest. In this case is was “Heir of the Dog”.
I love the Jamaica me Dead. Too funny. Almost like reading bumper stickers.
My faves are Heir of the Dog and Slay it with Flowers!! Love ‘em! On What Grounds is pretty good, too! LOL
I’m bad about judging books by their covers, so the more interesting the better, imo. *wink*
Thank you!
~ Lori
I like Heir of the Dog and Slay it. I love strange titles! Gograt Robin on your win!
The Covers and Titles I have loved were the “Nerd” series by Vicki Lewis Thompson. They are a great pick me up after a downer of a day.
Susan Lathen
I’ve never read any cheesy mystery books like these….but the titles are hilarious!!! The Brush Off…..now what could that be about??? Hehehe. And Jamaica Me Dead….I’ve felt that way a time or two. Hahaha. Very funny!!
I like Slay it with Flowers. Gets me wondering how the slaying is actually done
So maybe more the title than the cover?? Brush off works too. Would have been so much cooler if someone was in there chair. Or more like, trying to flee the gizmo chair. In my head, that takes the cheesy prize 