I haven't read any of the ballad novels yet but a former girlfriend turned me on to two of her murder mysteries, Bimbos Of The Death Sun and Zombies Of The Gene Pool. Neither are quite what the titles would lead you to believe. They are entertaining light reading. Bimbos would be of particular interest to those with an interest in science fiction. The murder takes place at a science fiction convention.

Based on what I've read I would have no hesitation in picking up the ballad novels.