Best Mystery Comedy Series: 5 Compared

A murder that makes you laugh is a rare trick, which is why the best mystery comedy series are the ones where the jokes land as often as the clues. This list compares five book ones on author, series and publisher, and ranks them by the Shelf Score.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Accidental Magic by Beaglehole	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Savannah Blues by Andrews	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	One Tequila by O'Malley	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Look Before You Jump	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	The Kidnapped Bride	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Accidental Magic by Beaglehole

Iris Beaglehole·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 324-page witchy midlife mystery, book 1 of 10; non-witchy readers should skip it.

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Pros

• A whimsical witchy midlife mystery.
• 324 pages, Myrtlewood Mysteries book 1 of 10.
• By Iris Beaglehole, published by Te Rā.

Cons

• No reading age is stated.
• No grade level is stated.
• The witchy theme suits some readers only.

2

Savannah Blues by Andrews

Mary Kay Andrews·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A steamy southern romance with mystery, book 1 of 4; non-romance readers should skip it.

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Pros

• A steamy southern romance with sass and mystery.
• Weezie and Bebe Mysteries book 1 of 4.
• By Mary Kay Andrews, published by Harper.

Cons

• No reading age is stated.
• No grade level is stated.
• The steamy label suits adult readers.

3

One Tequila by O'Malley

Tricia O'Malley·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The Althea Rose series opener; series-completion seekers should check the length.

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Pros

• The Althea Rose series book 1 of 9.
• By Tricia O'Malley.
• Published by Lovewrite.

Cons

• No reading age is stated.
• No grade level is stated.
• No page count is stated.

4

Look Before You Jump

D. A. Bale·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A hilarious southern mystery romance, book 1 of 6; non-comedy readers should skip it.

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Pros

• Billed as a hilarious southern mystery romance.
• The Bartender Babe Chronicles book 1 of 6.
• By D. A. Bale.

Cons

• No reading age is stated.
• No grade level is stated.
• No page count is stated.

5

The Kidnapped Bride

steve higgs·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 2 of a cruise ship mystery series; series starters should skip it.

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Pros

• A Patricia Fisher cruise ship mystery.
• Book 2 of 10 in the series.
• By steve higgs.

Cons

• This is book 2, not book 1.
• No reading age is stated.
• No page count is stated.

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More picks to compare

• Ms. Mia and MurderSuits cozy mystery fans; Ms. Mia Murder Mysteries book 1.Check on Amazon
• No One Lives TwiceSuits cozy mystery fans; Lexi Carmichael mystery book 1.Check on Amazon
• Twin Dicks Private EyesSuits dark comedy fans; book 1 of 5.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 20 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the five states a reading age, so the scores rest on fit, contents and value. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best mystery comedy series

Start with book one

Four of the five are book ones: Accidental Magic (Myrtlewood Mysteries book 1 of 10), One Tequila (The Althea Rose series book 1 of 9), Savannah Blues (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries book 1 of 4) and Look Before You Jump (The Bartender Babe Chronicles book 1 of 6). The Kidnapped Bride is book 2 of the Patricia Fisher Cruise Ship Mysteries, so start it after book one. Our best mystery series Hallmark list offers more series with a cozy tone.

Pick the flavor of funny

The five span the comedy range: Accidental Magic is a whimsical witchy midlife mystery, Savannah Blues is a steamy southern romance with sass and mystery, Look Before You Jump is billed as a hilarious southern mystery romance, One Tequila opens a series with a cocktail name, and The Kidnapped Bride is a cruise ship mystery. The more-picks shelf adds a dark comedy option in Twin Dicks Private Eyes and two cozy options in Ms. Mia and No One Lives Twice. Browse the thriller and mystery shelf for more lists in this lane.

Series length matters

The series run from 4 to 16 books: Weezie and Bebe at 4, Bartender Babe at 6, Althea Rose at 9, Myrtlewood and Patricia Fisher at 10, Lexi Carmichael at 16. A long series is a commitment and a comfort; the 16-book Lexi Carmichael run on the more-picks shelf is the longest here. None of the five states a reading age, so these are adult-leaning picks.

Before you buy

• Check the book number: four of the five are book ones; one is book 2.
• Check the series length: from 4 to 16 books across the listed series.
• Check the tone: witchy, southern, steamy, hilarious or dark comedy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which series should I start?

Accidental Magic: Myrtlewood Mysteries book 1 of 10, 324 pages by Iris Beaglehole. It is the top-ranked pick here.

Which is the funniest?

Look Before You Jump is billed as a hilarious southern mystery romance, book 1 of The Bartender Babe Chronicles by D. A. Bale.

Can I start with book 2?

The Kidnapped Bride is book 2 of the Patricia Fisher Cruise Ship Mysteries. Start with book one for the full setup.

Which has the longest series?

The Lexi Carmichael series at 16 books, with No One Lives Twice on the more-picks shelf. Of the ranked five, Myrtlewood and Patricia Fisher run to 10.

Still deciding? Our top pickAccidental Magic by Beaglehole

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Related lists

See every thriller and mystery list and all fiction lists.

More lists: mystery series on HBO, mystery series in Prime and mystery documentary series.