A Night At The Operation: A Double Feature Mystery
By Jeffrey Cohen
Berkley, $6.99
ISBN: 978-0-42-522815-9
Click here to read an interview with the author.

Despite being divorced, Elliot Freed and his ex-wife Sharon continue to celebrate their wedding anniversary together with dinner and gifts. Just over a week before this year's anniversary, though, Sharon's current — but estranged — husband drops an annoying bomb on Elliot with the news that she's disappeared. Despite knowing that Sharon's been worried and on edge lately, Elliot hopes that Sharon has only finally left Gregory for good until a visit from the police chief shatters that illusion by also wanting to know Sharon's whereabouts. However, he's not so much concerned about her safety as he is over her involvement in the suicide of her wealthy patient Russell Chapman, whose daughter claims that Sharon misdiagnosed her father with fatal brain cancer. To add to Elliot's stress level is the arrival of his parents who come to "support" him, especially considering his mother's black belt — level skills in passive-aggressive behavior. The hunt for Sharon has Elliot sidelining his concern over his all comedy theatre Comedy Tonight, leaving a plumbing disaster in the hands of his father while one of his star employee's high SAT scores have her parents threatening to whisk her away from what they consider to be an unworthy job at the snack bar. As evidence of shady deals and infidelity to both her husband and ex mount up, his home is broken into, and Chapman's body disappears, Elliot must wade through the lies to uncover both Sharon's and Russell Chapman's secrets.

The previous entry in this series, It Happened One Knife, was a nominee for the Lefty (Best Humorous Mystery) Award, and Cohen follows his success by adding complications that reveal Elliot’s very loyal, likable, and relatable character. With his dry wit and unending knowledge of classical comedy movies, Cohen assures that he will keep up the high standard of mysteries that began with his Aaron Tucker mysteries and continues with the Double Feature Mysteries. Cohen avoids the pitfall of making Elliot's mother a two-dimensional stereotype of a manipulative mother, the relationship between Elliot and his young employees is realistic and hilarious, and the love between Sharon and Elliot is touching, at times frustrating, and yet always respectful. Cohen provides readers with a twisty plot that will completely surprise even the most jaded mystery fan and the ending is satisfying to both Elliot and the reader. Here's to hoping that the series continues to entertain readers with humor, movie lore and just plain good writing.

Review by CINDY CHOW

©2009 Lorie Ham. All rights reserved.