IT HAPPENED ONE KNIFE is the second outing in Jeffrey Cohen’s double-feature mysteries staring theater owner Elliot Freed. This sequel opens (I’m guessing) months after the events of the first book, SOME LIKE IT HOT-BUTTERED, since Freed talks about how the time it has taken to refurbish his one-screen revival house that not only specializes in old comedies, but pairs them with a new current feature; Cohen uses this opportunity to poke fun at the current comedies that could be made with some of the titles featured at the chapter breaks (for example: the fictional GUACAMOLE on the bill with Woody Allen’s BANANAS).
This novel is more in line with people who want a slight change in their reading habits, thinking they might like a mystery, but not some dour, bleak tale. IT HAPPENED ONE KNIFE is totally aimed at that type of reader who wants something to keep them intrigued, while throwing in a few laughs along the way.
There are actually two mysteries going on within the book, the first being that of one of Freed’s employees’ directorial debut being stolen the same night he showed it to friends and family. All the fingers point at Freed, since he feels that the movie was a gory mess that should be hidden from the public. There are plenty of suspects who Freed deems could have done it, all the while dealing with the accusations toward him.
The second (and major) mystery is more of an unsolved mystery that Freed learns about from one of his comedic heroes. Freed gets a chance to show a film of his favorite comedy team, Lillis & Townes, with none other than Harry Lillis to be in attendance to answer questions afterward. But to Freed’s surprise, once the Q&A begins, Lillis’ old partner makes it known he is there also. It seems like the old magic is back between the two. So once Freed wishes Lillis a final thank-you for showing up, that is when the bombshell is dropped: that back in the 50s, Townes killed his wife and burned the house down to cover it all up.
Freed can’t believe this at all and is amazed how nonchalantly Lillis tells him this information, so against all his friends’ wishes, Freed investigates this 50-year-old mystery. Cohen moves the story along swimmingly, with Freed trying his best to be Columbo, only to get buckshot in his ass and threatened by a man who could crush his head like a peanut.
Longtime mystery readers will have the case solved long before the ending. I figured it out halfway through — well, I was 95 percent correct — but those who want a light, breezy mystery will rejoice in the fun of this series. I’m looking forward to the next one, A NIGHT AT THE OPERATION, myself, due in April. Even as someone who figured it out it, it was Cohen’s characters that kept me involved, since they seem like such a nice bunch. —Bruce Grossman
