Fetish Detectives

[John Self]

I'm always amazed at the range of detective novel series which exist, with a very narrow focus of subject matter - almost fetishistic, in fact. I first came upon this phenomenon when browsing the bookshelves of a friend who I already knew went for Elizabeth Peters's ancient Egyptian mysteries in a big way (or The Amelia Peabody Mysteries, to call them by their name) - not to be confused, of course, with Ellis Peters, whose Cadfael medieval mysteries are the biggest fetish-detective series of the lot.

Anyway, I was looking at the bookshelves when I saw a series of books ideal for Wavid - cat mysteries! Lilian Jackson Braun has sewn up the market in moggy-in-a-mac entertainment, with such eccentric titles as The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern, The Cat Who Played Brahms, The Cat Who Sniffed Glue, and, er, The Cat Who Turned On and Off. Today, my friend tells me that she has recently discovered (but without succumbing, I believe) another two series by Tamar Myers, based on antiques and cookery respectively. Larceny and Old Lace, or Thou Shalt Not Grill, anyone? (I am not making these up.) (Click on her name in those Amazon links for many more laughs: those two are the least of it.)

And it doesn't end there. Hazel might find some diversion in the Knitting Mystery Series (including the now legendary Knit One, Kill Two) by Maggie Sefton ("you'll love unravelling this mystery! ... Delicious Recipe and Knitting Pattern Included!"), or Monica Ferris's Needlecraft Mysteries, such as A Murderous Yarn.

So: go forth and seek the oddest fetish detective series you can, and report to base. Bonus points for punning titles, of course.

[Wavid]

How about The Cure of Souls by Phil Rickman?

The third chilling mystery for Rev. Merrily Watkins in her role as diocesan exorcist.

[John Self]

Is there a pun in that? Or am I being thick?

[Wavid]

I don't think so. I just picked it because it sounds so crap!

[amner]

Didn't we meet Monica Ferris, Wavey? At the Bodies in the Bookshop thing?

[Wavid]

It is perfectly possible, yes. I was probably drunk at the time.

[amner]

How about : Desperately Seeking Sushi: A Madeline Bean Culinary Mystery by Jerrilyn Farmer

[John Self]

Very tasty, amner. Two points!

[Paul]

My company carries both the Monica Ferris titles (Crewel World, Stitch In Time, Cutwork, Crewel Yule, Hanging By A Thread) and Maggie Sefton (Knit One, Kill Two and Needled To Death). Or how about Died In The Wool by Mary Krueger?

[Wavid]

How about this one? It is actually co-written by a cat!



Check out the tag line at the bottom for top class punning!