Stephanie C. (crawford) reviewed Some Like It Hot-Buttered (Double Feature, Bk 1) on + 59 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
I was very excited to read this book, as I love "cozy" mysteries and I'm a HUGE movie nerd- especially classics (and classic comedies!) This book is an endless reference to old classic comedies, especially the Marx Brothers. He also had my dream job, which is owning a small theater and showing films you want to show. While I enjoyed that, I wish he would have included more than just quick name checks. Honestly, the lead character didn't even seem to LIKE movies- he constantly complained about the theater and how nobody under 40 appareciates old comedies, and those that do are lonely and out of touch (as a 24 year old female this pissed me off.) There's also endless drama with the lead's ex-wife and the other women in his life... he doesn't seem to appreciate women beyond being beautiful, then he wonders why he has problems relating to them. This is tedious and doesn't involve any romance or comedy or even character insight, so I didn't much see the point.
The mystery in and of itself, which deals with a mysterious death and DVD pirating, was enough to keep the plot moving but not very engaging. At the end when one mystery is solved the lead character just forgets about the rest of them and I think the author expected us to stop asking questions at that point as well, which was a cheap, lazy and ineffective way to do a "surprise" ending. All in all, this was a decent book and a quick read, but both as a classic film fan and a mystery addict I was left dissapointed. If anymore books are released in this series I'll get them at the library or used.
The mystery in and of itself, which deals with a mysterious death and DVD pirating, was enough to keep the plot moving but not very engaging. At the end when one mystery is solved the lead character just forgets about the rest of them and I think the author expected us to stop asking questions at that point as well, which was a cheap, lazy and ineffective way to do a "surprise" ending. All in all, this was a decent book and a quick read, but both as a classic film fan and a mystery addict I was left dissapointed. If anymore books are released in this series I'll get them at the library or used.
Christina W. (cottre26) -
Helpful Score: 4
This was my first book by Cohen and I wasn't impressed. At times the book was funny. The plot was pretty original. But overall the book really dragged for me. I almost didn't even finish it but I did want to know the "whodunit" so I stuck it out.
goddesslovingbookworm -
Helpful Score: 2
This is a really cute debut novel about a wonderful Jewish movie theater owner who gets in over his head very easily in any situation but has a tenacious attitude to see all things thru until the end because of the depth of his convictions. Although these may not end up on my keeper shelf, I hope it is the beginning of a series--I want to read more about Elliot Freed and his quest to save the planet one classic comedy at a time.
Lynne J. (Doughgirl) reviewed Some Like It Hot-Buttered (Double Feature, Bk 1) on + 138 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Elliot Freed loves classic movies - especially classic comedies. So he bought an old single screen theater and opened Comedy Tonight. His dream is to fix it up like the old time fancy movie theaters, but he only had enough money to fix enough to open the doors and hire two part-time teenage employees to help him run the place. And he has to show current comedies along with the classic comedies to make enough to keep those doors open. Still, things were going OK .... until the guy in Row S, Seat 18 was found dead after a showing of Young Frankenstein. And one of Elliot's employees has disappeared and is now a suspect. So you just know that Elliot has to "help" the police find out who is behind the crime and clear his employee's name.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's very well written and literate with witty and self-effacing humor throughout. Elliot Freed is a character to whom many people could relate. And there were multiple twists at the end of the book. I love a mystery with twists.
If you are a fan of classic movies, this is definitely the series for you (this book is the first in a series)!
Of course, there is one side effect of reading this book. It will make you want to go rent several classic movies and watch them right away. Myself, I'm feeling the urge to rent both Young Frankenstein and Topper :-)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's very well written and literate with witty and self-effacing humor throughout. Elliot Freed is a character to whom many people could relate. And there were multiple twists at the end of the book. I love a mystery with twists.
If you are a fan of classic movies, this is definitely the series for you (this book is the first in a series)!
Of course, there is one side effect of reading this book. It will make you want to go rent several classic movies and watch them right away. Myself, I'm feeling the urge to rent both Young Frankenstein and Topper :-)
Amanda (RockStarGirl) reviewed Some Like It Hot-Buttered (Double Feature, Bk 1) on + 329 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
1st in the series, and a very funny cozy mystery! After his divorce, author Elliot Freed uses the money from the book he sold to a movie studio to open up his very own theater. A huge fan of classic comedies, Elliot shows a double feature every night. One night, there's one guy in the audience not laughing....because he has been poisoned to death by his popcorn. This doesn't sit well with Elliot...after all, his theater should kill them with laughter, not poison, so he can't help but launch his own investigation. When Elliot gets too close to the truth, however, he finds himself in danger. The only problem is, he's not sure which "truth" he's stumbled onto! Lots of fun and suspense.
