Books Like The Fatality at the Funeral

Funerals are an unavoidable part of life and serve as a way to honor the deceased while also providing some closure and comfort to grieving friends and family. Funerals can also reinforce social ties by strengthening the bonds of those who come together to remember the person who died. However, some authors have used funerals in unexpected ways by using the event as a catalyst for further mysteries or even murder and mayhem. For example, in The Fatality at the Funeral by Catherine Lee, elderly mystery writer Henry Farrelly attends the funeral of his sister-in-law, only for a murder to occur and Henry to become the only suspect. For more novels where a funeral or funerals are central to the plot, check out the following books like The Fatality at the Funeral. Murder at a FuneralBy Magda AlexanderMurder at a Funeral by Magda Alexander is a 1920s historical cozy mystery that is part of The Kitty Worthington Mysteries series. It is set in 1924 England, where the wedding of Kitty Worthington and CDI Robert Crawford Sinclaire is only a few weeks away. However, before this happy event, there is some sad business to take care of first. Robert’s birth mother is to be buried at Castle Rutledge, next to her husband, who was the former marquis. Unfortunately, the funeral day is a disaster with the vicar going missing, the organist showing up drunk, and a body turning up in the sanctuary.  Even worse, Robert’s brother becomes the main suspect, leaving Kitty’s fiance no choice but to investigate. Kitty advises against this as she fears the emotional toll it would take on her fiance, but it soon becomes apparent that someone will stop at nothing to cover their tracks. A Funeral to Die ForBy K.J. Emrick & Ellie EmceeA Funeral to Die for is part of the English Librarian Cozy Mystery series by K.J. Emrick and Ellie Emcee. The story follows Harriet Biddlecome, the town librarian of the quaint village of Mulberry Hill. Harriet attends the funeral of City Councilman Edgar Kennedy to pay her respects, but things take an unexpected turn when her overbearing boss is found dead at the event. Due to the mysterious circumstances, Harriet finds herself caught up in a web of accusations and suspicion, so she decides to investigate the murder.One Daisy and Two Crazy FuneralsBy Abby ReedeOne Daisy and Two Crazy Funerals is a Fern Grove Cozy Mystery novel by Abby Reede. The protagonist, Tracy Adams, is a floral store owner as well as an amateur sleuth. Tracy is humbled when her store is commissioned to supply the arrangements for two funerals and even puts up with the rude behavior of the old lady managing the affairs of one of the deceased. Unfortunately, this old lady dies unexpectedly at the funeral, shortly before the murder of another close member of the family. Tracy is shocked when the handsome detective investigating the case suggests that the only piece of evidence found at both murder locations is the daisy arrangement she made. This prompts her to investigate the case herself in the hopes of exposing the murder, but she also risks becoming the next victim.A Grave IssueBy Lillian BellA Grave Issue is the first novel in the Funeral Parlor Mysteries series by Lillian Bell. The story follows the adventures of Desiree Turner, a disgraced journalist who returns to Verbena, California after a viral on-air gaffe jeopardizes her career. Desiree begins working at her great-grandfather’s funeral parlor, where she presides over the funerals. However, what is normally one of the quietest jobs around becomes a lot more hectic when a fistfight breaks out between neighbors, Rosemarie Brewer and Lola Hansen, at one of the first funerals Desiree is in charge of running. To make matters worse Rosemarie’s husband, Alan, is found murdered shortly after, while Lola’s husband, Kyle, is arrested for the act. This is devastating for Desiree as she always viewed Kyle as a second father after the death of her own dad. She resolves to investigate the murder herself but discovers that Alan had plenty of skeletons in his closet.The Case of the Floating FuneralBy Cheri BakerThe Case of the Floating Funeral is the third book in the Ellie Tappet Cruise Ship Mysteries series by Cheri Baker. The funeral in this book is rather unusual as it is a memorial service at sea for the wealthy entrepreneur and cruise line owner Morgan Pickelwick. His family and friends all board the Adventurous Spirit as it sails towards sunny South America, where Morgan’s heroes will scatter his ashes in the Panama Canal.  Unfortunately, Morgan’s death appears to have been no accident, and the murderer could be on the cruise ship as everyone seems to be hiding a motive or two. Ellie is tasked with identifying who the killer is as his heirs are preparing to seize their father’s stake in the cruise line, which will have devastating consequences for her and the rest of the crew.Funerals and FavorsBy Winnie ReedFunerals and Favors is the tenth entry in the Cape Hope Mysteries series by Winnie Reed. Darcy Harmon is doing a favor for a friend by delivering flowers to a funeral but is shocked when one of the attendees dies right in front of her. Even worse, she experiences attempts on her own life afterward, which makes her think that no good deed goes unpunished. Despite having her hands full with helping her mother arrange a baby shower, Darcy decides to investigate the death at the funeral herself.