'Best' Humourous Crime Novel

[Jeff Ross]

I've begun reading Carl Hiassen and wonder what other people believe are the 'funniest' or 'most humorous' crime novels out there. Steve Hamilton's stuff is great as well, but I feel like I'm missing out on a bunch.
Any ideas?

[D. L. R.]

Westlake is of course the best, though I like the Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben.

[Cammy May Hunnicutt]

Bolitar is funny?  Huh, guess I never noticed that aspect of those.  

But you remind me of a hilarious writer, some of whose books are about crime.  Bill Fitzhugh

"Pest Control"  for one.  

[D. L. R.]

I also like the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

And the Firesign Theater's ‘The Giant Rat of Sumatra’ and ‘ Nick Danger: the Case of the Missing Shoe are absolute classics. 

 

[Cammy May Hunnicutt]

Those are books?  I never knew.  My Uncle had some of their albums. I remember he used to say, "I spell my name Danger."  Now I see where it came from.

[D. L. R.]

There were written weren't they? 

And I forgot to mention 'The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul' by Douglas Adams.

(His best work). 

[Cammy May Hunnicutt]

Ah, good point, DL.  Not novels, but definitely written, not improvised or anything.  

I often wondered why Monte Python spun off individual writers, but the Firesigns never did.  Maybe you have to do movies and TV

[D. L. R.]

Three of the Firesign Theater's members have been writing TV and radio commercials for 30 years--with occasional sit-com/movie script work--one does radio work. And one has written a number of detective novels under a pin-name. And every now and then (if you are lucky and can afford it) one or two of them do week-end work-shops on comedy writing.   

[Cammy May Hunnicutt]

That's interesting, DL.  Thanks for the info.  I'll have to goog, goog, google around on that.  The idea of a comedy workshop with those guys is amazing.

[D. L. R.]

The last one I was aware of was about 4 years ago: it wasn't announced. That one and the ones I attended with Janet Evanovich, and Christopher Moore were great experiences. 

[Cammy May Hunnicutt]

Christopher (genuflect)  Moore????????????   I guess they were great experiences.  My envy floweth over.

[Paul Menard]

Maximum Bob by Elmore Leonard

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen

Sideswipe by Charles Willeford

all Florida-based too...maybe there is something intrinsically funny about the sunshine state

god knows CSI Miami is (unintentionally) hilarious

[Susan]

Nah, I think it's the alligators ... :)  Wasn't there one in Maximum Bob that gobbled a little girl?

Didn't read Skinny Dip by Carl H, but I did read Lucky You. Priceless.