Jeffrey Cohen Some Like It Hot-Buttered

Some Like It Hot-Buttered

Jeffrey Cohen

Berkley, Oct 2007, $6.99, 304 pp.

ISBN: 9780425217993

After writing a book, getting it published and having it made into a movie, Elliot Freed has a lot of money not counting the alimony check his ex-wife pays him. Not having to write another book he decides to buy an old run down movie theatre, fix it up and rename it Comedy Central where only comedies are shown. One night after the movie is over, the man in Row 5 seat 18 is still there. Elliot goes to wake him up and tell him to leave as he is closing only to discover the man is dead.

When the police are called, the EMT's think it is a heart attack, but it is later discovered somebody put poison in his popcorn, a beta blocker for high blood pressure. When the premises are searched, one of the officers finds pirated movies. Not knowing anything about it, Elliot and the police go to ask projectionist Anthony if he knows anything about it but he has disappeared and nobody knows where he is. Feeling responsible for Anthony's predicament and the victim who got killed in his theatre, Elliot investigates both crimes while someone scrutinizes his every move.

Jeffrey Cohen's mysteries are full of humor in a low key sort of way and SOME LIKE IT HOT-BUTTERED is no exception. The amateur sleuth whodunit is a fun read with a character whose personality rings true as if the author really knows them. The hero is an everyman which means the audience can relate to him. The author is a great writer who insures his hero is one of us.

Harriet Klausner