Comedy Tonight, a comedy-only theater, shows two films each night. But when the man seated in row S, seat 18, ends up dead, Elliott Freed’s movie theatre becomes a crime scene. It isn’t long before the police determine that poisoned popcorn was the cause of Vincent Ansella’s demise and the writer-turned-theatre-owner sets out to prove that no one at Comedy Tonight is responsible for this reprehensible crime.

Delightful characters populate this tale: theatre owner Elliot Freed wrote a book that became a bad movie and now eschews writing in favor of showing comedy films in his theatre; projectionist/usher/film geek Anthony dreams of directing his own film; Goth-wannabe Sophie sells tickets and snacks. It’s a bare-bones operation with few regular customers, but Comedy Tonight is Elliot’s pride and joy. With a strong sense of place, larger-than-life, lovable characters, an original premise, and many delightful references, chuckling readers will find much to enjoy as they unravel clues that lead to the culprit.

Highly recommended. ( )

Leaving behind the Aaron Tucker series, Mr. Cohen heads onto a new series dealing with an old movie theater that shows only comedies, one new film and one classic. Peppering the story with lots of references to classic comedies and comedians this story revolves around a dead body who didn't laugh during a very funny scene in Young Frankenstein. Anything by Cohen is a favorite of mine but this new series is close to my heart, as I also love classic films and comedies are some of the best.

Great stories, wonderful characters and references to classic comedy, what could be better? ( )

A laugh out loud and quick moving mystery perfect for the beach or relaxed evening in. ( )

Ahhhhhh....this was such a good book to read as a bedside book! I always went to sleep smiling. I have to find more of Jeffrey Cohen's books, really anything he writes.
Elliot is my kind of guy, the people I like to surround myself with. People who want to make others happy through laughter and what a way to do so with a movie theater that only plays comedies. One classic comedy and one newer (less funny comparatively) to bring in the crowds. But the crowds don't show up until the dead guy is found in Row S seat 18. So now the cops are thinking that Elliot makes a good suspect, especially once the boxes of pirated DVDs of movies being shown at Elliot's theater are found in the basement of said theater.
Elliot gets on his bike and rides to each investigative clue or hitches a ride with his dad (who gladly drives to escape the house for a bit). Or he gets a ride with his ex-wife who he's still friends with even after she left him for her anesthesiologist.....
See why I went to sleep smiling each night?
So do yourself a favor and get this book! It's a wonderfully funny amateur sleuth mystery, excellent characters and fab story.
Five die laughing beans.... ( )

The first few pages of the book I was a little hesitant. There were quite a few references to movies I have never heard of or seen before - then again I'm not a movie buff at all. I barely watch them (as I prefer reading) and only will do so once in a while to take a break from reading. However I decided to stick with the book. I have to make my 100 page limit to see if I'm still interested. I was interested sooner than that. It actually got me hooked. Elliot is quirky, sarcastic and witty without being overly silly. The comedy in this mystery is well written and well done. The mystery and intrigue is also well done so there's a good striking balance between the two. I have to say there were at least two or three parts of the book where I found myself bursting out in giggles because of Elliot's wit and actions. I'd have to say I greatly enjoyed reading this book. I thought I had the mystery solved in my head - yet I was surprised. It was nothing like I had pictured and it's good! I didn't want a predictable outcome of the mystery. I believe I was close to the answer, but not quite as I had thought.

The characters in the book are all right, although the ones that have something to do with Elliot's personal life weren't really that outstanding - although I have to say, I liked Elliot's father (he reminded me a bit of a mix between Seinfeld's dad and George's dad from the Seinfeld show) and added more to the comedy, I'd like to see more of him in the next future books. When it comes to Elliot's love life, it's funny too as he doesn't seem to be headed in the right direction with any of the ones he meets except his ex-wife (which for some reason, I didn't really like her in the book she just didn't seem to be a great character in my opinion). They both seem to have a very different sort of relationship you wouldn't find in most divorced couples but perhaps that adds more to the quirkiness of this book.

The criticism I find in this book is the references to movies which I have never seen before and therefore can't really understand. Yet I'm sure if there's movie buffs out there that love reading about movies and who know their movie trivia would probably enjoy this book ten times more than I did (not to say I didn't enjoy reading this! I truly did!). If I knew the movies and understood the references, I would probably be chuckling a lot more than I did while reading. Other than that, there really is nothing else I dislike about this book.

Overall, a wonderful light story with an equal amount of mystery and comedy that makes it a delightful read. This is definitely a series to look into if you're a cozy mystery fan. If you're a movie buff, give this book a try as well. Perhaps you'll be able to identify some of the movies mentioned in this book. ( )