Dorothy Cannell. How to Murder the Man of Your Dreams. 1995.

Ellie Haskell is addicted to romance novels, which she feels is a harmless pastime until the local librarian turns up dead, a romance novel nearby. To raise money for a memorial for the late librarian, the Library League has arranged for a visit by Karisma, swooned-over model for romance covers. What follows is a poisoning, another death, & a visit from a lunatic virgin bride jilted at the altar 60 years ago.

Robert Barnard. The Habit of Widowhood. 1996.

The author presents 17 witty mystery stories featuring everyday people who discover a penchant for murder. One story tells of a young woman with her eye on widowhood who weds a series of old men. Another relates how a soldier returning from war becomes a ladies' man - with other men's wives! A tone of ironic, amused malice prevails.

Jacqueline Girdner. A Cry For Self-Help. 1997.

One misty morning on a California oceanside cliff, amateur sleuth Kate Jasper & her fiancée are watching an aquatic wedding as part of a wedding ritual seminar. Just after everyone has been introduced, self-help guru Sam Skyler is pushed over the cliff. While trying to solve the crime, Kate is treated to a panoply of New Age phenomena, from yoga to tai chai to slogan-bearing finger puppets.

Anne George. Murder Carries a Torch. 2000.

Colorful Birmingham sisters Mary Alice and Patricia Anne are approached by their distraught cousin Luke (known lovingly as "Pukey Lukey" due to his propensity for carsickness), whose wife of 40 years has run off with a housepainter/snake handler preacher. What follows are several dead bodies, numerous snakes, and an abundance of sisterly sniping.

Ruth Dudley Edwards. Ten Lords A-Leaping . 1995.

Ida "Jack" Troutbeck, rambunctious mistress of St. Martha's College, Cambridge, summons friend Robert Amiss to attend her elevation to the peerage. Her maiden speech defending fox hunting sparks vandalism violence & murder. The witty narration & comic emphasis on food make this a delightful read.

  Jill Churchill. Fear of Frying. 1997.

Suburban Chicago single mom Jane Jeffry hates to cook but loves food. She can't think of a worse fate than a camping trip in rural Wisconsin where she discovers a corpse, apparently bludgeoned by a frying pan. When the body disappears, & then the "victim" reappears, Jane intends to find out what's going on in this lighthearted romp.

Alan Beechey. An Embarrassment of Corpses. 1997.

A zodiac killer is carrying out serial murders in London. The lead police detective & his nephew, a children's book author, team up to solve the crime. Witty dialogue, unusual vocabulary & a zany plot combine to make this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Donna Andrews. Murder With Peacocks. 1999.

Meg Lanslow, maid of honor for 3 impending weddings, returns to her home town to take care of the details. Amidst near disasters, fickle brides, and nutty relatives, an annoying woman is murdered. Andrews combines madcap hilarity & murder with a cast of eccentric oddballs into a rollicking read.

Dorothy Cannell. God Save the Queen. 1997.

Sir Henry Gossinger changes his will so his 12th Century home is left to faithful butler Hutchins but shortly after, the elderly butler is found dead in an ancient outdoor privy. The butler's sweet 18-year-old granddaughter Flora is soon on the trail of the killer, but too soon the killer is on Flora's trail. Fun and lunacy in this funny whodunit.

Compiled by Karen F. Barron 9/01