The
Double Feature Mysteries- the series rooted in comedies of the past and
the present. Series brought to you by Jeffrey Cohen.
Some Like it Hot-Buttered
Popping with action this newest contribution to the cozy mystery genre
will please current fans and create new ones for Jeffrey Cohen. It is a
nice addition to his collection of work that includes the Aaron Tucker
mystery series. Some Like It Hot-Buttered is the first in the new
Double Feature Mystery series
Elliot Freed is the proud owner of the Comedy Tonight movie theater. He
has sunk all his savings into the idea that others may share his
addiction to funny movies, both classics and current. So far he is not
overwhelmed with customers. Unfortunately it takes a dead body to give
a boost to the business. When the lights go on one night after the
usual double feature one man is not getting ready to leave as his dead
body is found still sitting in the seat. Elliot embarks on an
investigation to clear both his name and that of his ticket seller, who
vanishes after the police question him. A collection of pirated movies
found in the basement of the theater does not look good for him either.
The plot is nicely twisting, with enough action to keep the reader
entertained. The conclusion is unexpected but not absurd. Cohen is
known for his humor and it is fully evident in this one also. His movie
references and information are a great contribution to both the plot
and the enjoyment of the readers. Elliot is a sweet main character who
will have the reader rooting for his professional and personal lives to
succeed. It will be interesting to see how he is developed in future
books from the series.
This is the book for anyone who wants to relax, chuckle a bit and get
involved in a good mystery.
It Happened One Knife
Elliot Freed is back as the star in the second reel of the Double
Feature Mystery series. He is the owner of the movie theater that runs
only comedies, albeit a wide variety to meet the taste of any
aficionado of the field. This venue allows Cohen to display his
prodigious knowledge of comedy movie trivia. It seems Cohen is
blending a hobby into his professional writing life- a potentially
powerful combination.
In It Happened One Knife
Cohen
has created two plot lines. In the one his assistant has produced a
violent, blood filled movie that Elliot has agreed to show in his
theater. Who is at fault when it disappears soon after? Anthony
thinks
it may be Elliot which puts the two of them at odds. This becomes only
a small problem compared to the main storyline. Elliot is thrilled to
have Harry Lillis agree to attend one of his movie showings. Harry and
his partner were comedy legends, together starring in comedic classic
movies such as the one Elliot is showing, Cracked Ice.. When Harry's
partner, Wilson Townes, also shows up Elliot thinks things can
not get
better. But when some information about the duos past comes to Elliot's
attention he decided he needs to know the truth about their past. The
road to the past is paved with danger, death and disappointment.
Elliot's heroes may not be the men he thought they would be, a high
pedestal off which to fall. The crash could have tragic consequences
for Elliot, his business and his friends.
The foundation of the mystery is shaky for me but I have never been a
huge fan of any public or famous person. Maybe true fans would get
instantly drawn into the mystery of an idol like Elliot did with Lillis
and Townes. Fans seem to go to absurd lengths at times. He delved into
their past based on a sentence thrown at him by the old man as if it
was a very normal thing to do. Maybe googling information makes sense
but not the rest of the story. Oh well, it makes for a fun read. The
crooked plot line that leads to the conclusion is nicely full of bumps,
twists and detours. It will lead the reader on to the next one to see
what Elliot will get himself into in the future. Seems like a sure bet
that Elliot will find trouble again in the future. If it does not come
to him he goes looking for it.
A Night at the Operation
A Night in the Operation is the third mystery in Jeffrey Cohen's
Double
Feature series. Elliot Freed is the owner of a movie theater that only
runs comedies- two each time, one from the past and one more current
feature. Unfortunately there does not seem to be many people who want
to go see comedies all that often so business is usually slow. But for
Elliot running the theater is an act of sheer love of the genre. His
heart is in it, a heart he also shares with his ex-wife Sharon. When
Sharon, a doctor, is declared missing he will do anything to find her.
Elliot and Sharon may be divorced but they still have a very strong
affection for each other. In fact Elliot has hopes she will see her
mistake and leave the bumbling George and come back to him. But
both
the husbands, past and present, work together to locate the woman they
love. There are enough suspects around since some think Sharon may be
responsible for a patient's death. Even when she returns safely both
men want to be sure she will stay that way. Things still do not add up
to anything but trouble.
I enjoyed the ending. Cohen seemed to be channeling the spirit of
the
Marx Brothers and other masters of the physical comedy. The words
create a visual movie and Cohen is able to bring the musical score of
words to support his scene. A bit silly, sure, but that is why
this
series is fun to read.
Will this series become a movie itself? Time will tell. Meanwhile we
all get the fun of deciding who would play Elliot? The
nominations are
now opened but I think my vote is Jeffrey Cohen himself. Hard to
believe there is not a lot of himself in the main character.
This book returns to the writing strength Cohen displayed in his Aaron
Tucker series. He is hitting the right notes between one liners, inside
jokes and trivia and a real mystery plot. Subtleness has begun to
return. His characters are growing in depth that draws the reader into
the next one in the series. Even Elliot himself is getting flesh added
to his funny bones. It feels like Cohen is now finding the right
rhythm for his series, a beat that is now driving us to the next one.