Book Reviews: Paperback Thrillers

Oline H. Cogdill - Mclatchy -Tribune News Service

Sep 03, 2008

It Happened One Knife, by Jeffrey Cohen. (Berkley Prime Crime. $7.99)

Elliot Freed loves the movies, especially comedies. As the affable hero of Jeffrey Cohen's likable new series, Elliot operates the movie theater Comedy Tonight that promises patrons an "all-comedies-and-nothing-but-comedies policy."

So he couldn't be happier when he gets to host the legendary comedy duo of Lillis & Townes at a special screening of one of their classic films. The comedians are old men now, but their life-long grudge hasn't been retired. When he learns that one of the aged comedians may have been involved in a murder more than 50 years ago, Elliot's dreams are crushed.

Solving an old Hollywood murder will have to take a backseat to the other drama in Elliot's life, including a missing film, a bomb threat and a teenage girl who runs the concession stand with a lot of attitude.

Cohen's affinity for characters, his affection for films and his innovative plotting elevate "It Happened One Knife." Cohen's wry sense of humor soars and puts him in the same league as other mystery authors who use comedy such as Elaine Viets, Jerilyn Farmer and Sarah Strohmeyer.

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State of the Onion, by Julie Hyzy. (Berkley Prime Crime. $7.99)

As the never-ending presidential campaign really heats up, Julie Hyzy pulls off a near impossible feat in her highly entertaining "State of the Onion."

Hyzy gives us a behind-the-scenes view of the White House without ever bringing politics into the mix. Here the emphasis is food, not policy, as White House Assistant Chef Olivia Paras faces her own campaign as she vies for the top chef's job.

Hyzy delivers a vivid view of life in the White House as well as the drama that has nothing to do with running the country. Olivia's dealings with a celebrity chef, her run-ins with the newly appointed sensitivity director and a growing relationship with a hunky Secret Service agent give "State of the Onion" a realistic tone. The more than 20 pages of interesting recipes are of presidential quality.

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Shake Down, by Joel Goldman. (Pinnacle Fiction. $6.99)

FBI agent Jack Davis' search for the killer of a Kansas City drug dealer leads him to a maze of deception, the intricacies of behavior science and the drawbacks of self knowledge.

Jack's investigation leads him to the drug dealer's seemingly quiet neighbor whose quiet life is built on secrets. That's something that Jack can relate to - until now he's been able to hide the seizures that could derail his career. Jack finds it even harder to focus when his missing daughter seems to be linked to his case.

Goldman expertly draws in the use of behavioral cues and how reading faces using the Facial Action Coding System can solve crimes. Goldman's high standards for expert plotting have made each of his five paperback originals a standout. "Shake Down" again proves Goldman's formidable talents.

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