Crime fiction and humor

[yendi]

Colin Bateman asks (and answers) what happened to crime fiction with a sense of humor? Of course, the obvious answer is that it's still there -- Kinsey Millhone is all about being snarky and sarcastic, and she's about as best-selling a series detective as you'll find. Focusing on the Rankins of the world means that all you'll see is, well, Ian Rankin*.

And, of course, citing Thomas Harris leads to the obvious question: How could anyone not find Hannibal and Hannibal Rising laughable?

*Well, you might also see Robert Rankin, in which case you'll get humor but no mystery. Although you might see Lazlo Woodbine.