Having Wonderful Crime by Craig Rice

John J. Malone has joined Jake and Helene Justus on a trip to New York. They are having a night of drinking and pick up a fourth man. They found him blind drunk in the lobby of their hotel. When they wake up in the morning, they discover the man is on his honeymoon. Shortly after that they find out the man's wife has been murdered in their bedroom. Helene immediately decides the man must be innocent and tries to get Malone interested. He is not. He wants to go back to Chicago. Too bad he's not going to get his wish.

Jake is also wanting to solve the mystery but for his own sake. He's trying to sell a mystery novel but the publisher in New York, unaware of his entanglements with such things back in the Midwest, aren't impressed. His strange behavior is making Helene wonder exactly what is going on.

With the usual banter and pratfalls, this book is a delight. The vague homophobia and other stereotypes are not as egregious as some books of the time but nonetheless are jarring in the present day.

Four stars

This book came out in 1943

Follows Big Midget Murders

Followed by Lucky Stiff

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

My Kingdom for a Hearse by Craig Rice

 John J. Malone has been called in to a beauty company, Delora Deanne. He's not sure why, but when he finds out, he's not excited. First, he finds out that the Delora Deanne on the commercials is not exactly who she appears to be. The beautiful, dulcet-toned Delora who Malone adores is a mirage. While he's still wrestling with the disappointment, he finds out why he's been called in. Someone has sent an embalmed pair of hands to the owner of the company. And, with one of the employees missing, it seems that they might be hers. This sets up Malone on a case that will strain his mental processes to the breaking point. Especially since he's also trying to help his friend Jake Justus figure out a way to make his fledgling production company up and running. 
Malone is trying to solve the murder and he's getting help from both Helene and Jake but neither thinks the other is involved so he's having to keep that a secret as well while more and more body parts are showing up. 
A fun story. The end seemed to come a bit out of nowhere and was pretty convoluted but that is not unusual for a Malone story. 
Heard about this one on the Classic Mysteries podcast.

Three stars

Follows Knocked for a Loop

Followed by The Name is Malone

This book came out in 1957

Ebook borrowed from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Lucky Stiff by Craig Rice

She was a side piece but Anna Marie St. Clair claimed to love Big Joe. Yes, she was found standing over him holding a gun,  but she is going to the electric chair claiming her innocence. There's a last minute phone call and Anna Marie is saved. But she doesn't want anyone to know. Instead, she decides that Anna Marie St. Clair will die. Her "ghost" will rise to haunt the living.  Her first stop? The bar John J. Malone is known to haunt. Her own lawyer had recommended him as a crooked lawyer but one who is only crooked in certain ways.
When John J. Malone sees Anna Marie in a dingy bar, he falls in instant love. And he makes it his mission to ensure that her life is going to be the best it can possibly be. Including getting her exonerated from murder. John's friends Helene and Jake Justus are worked but they are going to help their friend as much a possible. Even while Jake is dealing with problems relating to his casino.
If you like the Malone series, you will like this book.

I picked it up because of the Classic Mysteries podcast

Three stars
This book was published in 1945

Follows Having Wonderful Crime

Followed by The Fourth Postman
Ebook borrowed from Hoopla
Opinions are my own