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FAREWELL TO LEGS, A
by Jeffrey Cohen
Bancroft Press, November 2003
288 pages
$19.95
ISBN: 1890862290


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

A FAREWELL TO LEGS is Jeffrey Cohen's second book. Aaron Tucker is a freelance writer, part time screenplay writer and stay at home dad. His wife is a successful lawyer who has him wrapped around her little finger. Aaron convinces his high school friends that they should all go to their 25-year reunion. His true motivation is suspect, but most likely stems from the desire to see how the heartbreakers from high school turned out. Stephanie Jacobs, one such heartbreaker, is just as amazing as he remembers. In the middle of this reunion, she gets a phone call that her husband, Louis "Crazy Legs" Gibson was murdered. Aaron has had some success as a detective and Stephanie turns to him to solve this murder. Aaron cannot help but agree to her demands. While investigating this crime, he also must find the person behind disturbing phone calls and who has been throwing stink bombs at the local school. All in all, Aaron has his hands full as he attempts to make everyone around him happy.

A FAREWELL TO LEGS is a decent second novel. There are some flaws to the book, some easier that others to overlook; however, the majority of them stem from Cohen's insecurity as a published author rather than through faulty writing. Cohen does tend to overemphasis certain points, which does distract from the plot. For example, Aaron seems to harp on how beautiful his wife is and how much better she deserves. This got old very quickly and merely showed Aaron's self-centeredness. Yet, he does have characteristics reminiscent of Stephanie Plum and other similar quirky, popular mystery characters.

The use of a male hero in a cozy is unique; especially when the male has no connection to a police department or other law enforcement agency. The use of a stay-at-home dad is also unique. Cohen has also managed to capture the quaintness of the true cozy, which is not always easy to do.

Even with its flaws, FAREWELL TO LEGS is humorous and amusing. If Cohen can overcome his own writing insecurities, he has the ability to become a great cozy writer.

Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, July 2003

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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