A Night at the Operation

Jeff Cohen has done it again with his likable movie house owner, Elliot Freed. The crime this time is personal, very, very personal. Elliott's ex-wife, for whom he still carries a flaming torch, has disappeared, and she's been implicated in the death of a patient in her care. For added fun, watch the Marx Brothers A Night at the Opera before - or while - reading the book. The classic stateroom scene in the movie is re-created in the book, and even though the situation in the book is sort of scary, I defy you not to crack up when you see where it's going.

Elliot is such a sweetie. I enjoy watching his mind work out problems that occur, how he manages to get rides to places that are too far for him to ride his bike to get to, taking care of his people and his people taking care of him: at the theater, at the bike shop, at his ex-wife's medical practice. Even how he gets involved in the murder solving that keep happening around him.
He has extra reason this time since it's Sharon, Elliot's ex, who is accused of causing the death of one of her patients. Sharon disappears, not answering her phone, and it makes her look all the more guilty. Elliot to the rescue.
Would that I had a movie theatre around here in our neck of Colorado so I could see these classic comedies. Heck I'd want to work show more there. I hope he's working on another Double Feature Mystery, but at least I have the Haunted Guesthouse series to keep me happy, since he writes that one as E J Copperman...YAY!
Five let's go to the movies beans.... show less

I love Jeff Cohen's books. They are fun and humorous and have a great mystery all at the same time. This effort has a little more serious overtone because Elliott's ex-wife is missing and there is a dead body the police want to ask her about. Elliott of course can't let the police handle things alone, so in his usual manner he goes looking for the killer himself. There is the usual involvement of the staff and patrons of Elliott's theatre, including a hilarious scene that has to be read to be appreciated! And, of course, this book allows Jeff to insert his love of the Marx Brothers.

Highly recommended, but if you want to truly appreciate it, read the first two before this - because all series should be read in order. The book will stand show more alone but the fun of knowing some of the inside jokes comes through having read the others. show less

Another third installment.
Although Elliott Freed and his ex-wife Sharon have been divorced for some time, they are still close friends and still celebrate their wedding anniversary together. However, this time, Sharon's soon-to-be new ex-husband Gregory tells Elliott that Sharon has disappeared. Elliott is certain that this is a mistake, and that Sharon will contact him to let him know where she is, but there is no word from her at his house or his theater, Comedy Tonight. Elliott's friend the police chief says it's too soon to search for her so Elliott decides to do it himself. He goes to her office and learns of the suicide of a patient whom she apparently misdiagnosed. The staff all believe she's gone away for a few days to get her show more head together, but Elliott doesn't think she would do that without telling a soul, and he's convinced that foul play has come to her.
Elliott is blessed with family and friends who are somewhat eccentric, and he seems to attract disastrous incidents, such as being hit by a brick while walking down the street. The accident-prone part of me really identifies with him. show less