A Farewell to Legs:
An Aaron Tucker Mystery

Legs follows Minivan into reviewers' hearts! Reviewers around the country were enthusiastic about their praise for For Whom the Minivan Rolls, but they have been even more complimentary about A Farewell to Legs, the second Aaron Tucker mystery. Here's what some had to say:

"The life of Aaron Tucker—freelance writer and stay-at-home dad—is anything but boring. Quirky, adorable, and downright funny, Aaron is a totally endearing antisleuth. Let's hope he keeps his screenwriting career on hold through a few more adventures."
—Mary Frances Wilkens, Booklist

"This is one sharp-witted, on-the-ball character whose pen and sword just might be equally mighty. Tucker is busy investigating a political murder scandal and hot on the trail of the culprit of a schoolyard stink bomb incident, all the while trying to write an article, keep his family out of harm's way and steer clear of a too-hot-to-handle high school flame. Cohen's writing style lends authenticity to his true-to-life characters, and you're sure to find yourself perched on the edge of your seat cheering along the befuddled yet somehow competent gumshoe."
—Buy Magazine

"Upbeat family misadventures, unrequited writing aspirations, and unlimited suspects make this a treat to read. For fans of humorous mysteries."
—Library Journal

"Cohen effortlessly twists the plot into a pretzel without even seeming to breathe hard, all while the reader giggles and smirks and laughs out loud, page after page, chapter after chapter to its satisfying conclusion... Jeffrey Cohen has perfect-pitch when it comes to the highs, lows and comic absurdities of everyday life... A Farewell to Legs is a book you read with a grin on your face and a twinkle in your eyes."
—Mark Terry, The Oakland (MI) Press

"This second novel in Cohen's comically inspired series expands on the zaniness of the first. In Legs, the oddities of life among the not-so-rich and not-so-famous are again wittily exposed, and the lucky reader is led on another merry chase.

"Using humor as his weapon, Jeffrey Cohen slices and dices through the pomposities of modern 'burb' life. He's quick to point out lunacy, often in laugh-out-loud dialogue, where he finds it. And boy, does he find it!

"Cohen has done what more seasoned writers have always attempted to do. He has created not only a terrific set of characters, but a specific world for them to live in; a world fully formed, fully fashioned and very appealing. Here, the strength of Tucker's enviable home life, the hub of all his activities, shines brightly through the murder and mayhem. (His continuing romance with wife Abby is particularly delightful.) Reading this second book in what I hope will be a long-lived series was like revisiting a good friend.

"There is strength, comfort and hilarity (not a bad combination!) in Jeffrey Cohen's creation. And therein lies the main attraction of the series.

"Do yourselves a huge favor and get your hands on the Aaron Tucker books. And buy extras for your friends! Trust me, you will endear yourselves to them."
—Yvette Banek, Mystery Ink

"Prepare to chuckle! Jeffrey Cohen's second Aaron Tucker mystery is packed with humor, realism, and exciting twists.

"A Farewell to Legs may be my introduction to Aaron Tucker, but I feel as if I have known him for half of my life. I felt right at home with this book and now I am anxious to catch up with his adventures in For Whom the Minivan Rolls.

"Using wit, Jeffrey manages to portray Aaron and his wife, Abby, as any couple should be. Sarcasm may fill their dialogue at times, but their love for one another is undeniable. I only wish Jeffrey Cohen could write faster, as I don't think I could ever tire of his characters."
—Tracy Farnsworth, Editor, Roundtable Reviews

"Looking for a detective who has to prepare his children's breakfasts, help them finish their homework, field phone threats and solve a murder or two? Well, you need search no farther than Jeffrey Cohen's A Farewell to Legs (Bancroft Press). In this witty sequel to 2002's highly praised For Whom the Minivan Rolls, New Jersey freelance writer and stay-at-home dad Aaron Tucker finds himself balancing his domestic duties with murder, stink bombs, a man stalking his wife and the search for the perfect pet.

"With the exceptions of Jon Katz (Death by Station Wagon, 1993) and Matt Witten (The Killing Bee, 2001), there aren't many authors whose work features detecting dads. That's unfortunate, because Cohen proves how successfully such characters can be used. He deftly balances his story's criminal puzzles with insights into Aaron Tucker's home life, never venturing into 'too cute' territory. Scenes in which Aaron deals with his daughter's tantrums, his wife's subtle manipulations and his son's Asperger Syndrome (an affliction shared by author Cohen's own son) are just as entertaining as the inquiries at the heart of this work. Although Aaron's unrelenting cleverness and quips come close to reducing his adventures to a stand-up routine, Cohen manages to avoid turning A Farewell to Legs into farce, and definitely maintains the tension throughout.

"Aaron is a very likable guy who worships his wife, adores his kids and knows his family's faults sometimes too well. The author's sense of humor is sharp but never bitter, and though the surprising twist at the end of this novel stretches credibility rather severely, Cohen succeeds in living up to the high precedent he set with his first mystery. Whether Legs can inspire a new wave of sleuthing sires is anyone's guess, but it will undoubtedly lead to a third entry in this enjoyable series."
—Cindy Chow, January Magazine

"This is the second entry into the terrific Aaron Tucker/Hemingway series (Tucker is the protagonist, Hemingway supplies the titles.) It's the wonderfully written characters that really makes these books shine, but there are also lots of nice twists and a real surprise ending in this humorous whodunit."
—BookBitch

"Aaron Tucker is back and better than ever... Jeffrey Cohen has written another wonderfully funny, heart warming mystery story that you will want to read in one sitting. Just be sure not to read it in public unless you want people staring at you when you start laughing hysterically over Aaron's wit, humor and antics. There is a scene with Aaron and a stink bomb that is absolutely hysterical and it brought me to tears. The plot moves along at a fast pace, the characters are well developed and fun, and the interaction between Aaron and his family is delightfully heart warming. A terrific second book in a wonderful mystery series."--Andrea Maloney, Spinetingler Magazine

"The sequel to the amusing For Whom the Minivan Rolls, A Farewell to Legs is as humorous as the first tale as the story line never takes itself seriously. The fine investigation is filled with twists and a few sidebar inquiries. Aaron remains a delight and the regulars add depth to his personality, but in this story sexy Stephanie provides the added oomph for a fun time for fans of jocular amateur sleuth tales."
—Harriet Klausner, AllReaders.com

"What do a lizard, a stink bomb and a blonde 'blast from the past' have in common? They're all part of a typical day in the life of freelance writer Aaron Tucker.

"A Farewell to Legs is total entertainment. A fast-paced and forward-moving story with witty dialog and three-dimensional characters, Jeffrey Cohen's Aaron Tucker is a happily married, lovable, family man and concerned citizen trying to deal with the issues that face all parents and wage earners while trying to beat a deadline and face their mid-life crisis head on. Cohen's characters and dialog are so real, you'll feel like you're spending the day with old friends.

"The ending wraps up nice and neat with a twist you won't see coming and I was still laughing, long after Tucker solved the crime."
—Ingrid Taylor, Small Press Review

"Reluctant sleuth and writer Aaron Tucker is back and still trying not to get involved in murder investigations. This time, he goes to his high school reunion only to find the best looking woman from his class determined to get what she wants from him. As Aaron is hopelessly in love with his wife, he is not at all disappointed that Stephanie Jacobs Gibson wants him to find out who murdered her husband.

"His investigation is stonewalled by a police officer who may just be one of the most interesting police characters in mystery fiction. Fax McClosky may or may not exist, but his assistant Mason Abrams is a decent cop, grateful for some leads Aaron throws his way.

"While all this is going on, Aaron is called upon by the local school principal to find out who threw some stink bombs at the school. Aaron finds out where they were purchased, and that scene shows someone doing what most of us only dream of doing to right a wrong.

All of this is told with a lot of humor, and I pity Aaron as his daughter grows into her teenage years. There are enough zingers and funny lines for my taste, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. 4.0"
—Maggie Mason, Deadly Pleasures

"Only Aaron would find himself looking into the murder of a nationally-known political figure and looking into a school stink bomb problem at the same time and only Aaron would solve both cases against all odds.

"A Farewell to Legs is a worthy successor to For Whom the Minivan Rolls, the first Aaron Tucker mystery. Cohen hasn't lost his magic touch for snappy, believable dialogue and for perfectly capturing all the nuances of family life in suburbia. Aaron and his family could be your neighbors, if you're lucky enough to have particularly delightful neighbors. Once again, there are laughs on almost every page, but the humor is never forced and the characters are never over the top. (A certain best-selling author of humorous mysteries could take lessons from Jeffrey Cohen.) Best of all, the humor doesn't overshadow the mystery; Cohen doesn't sacrifice plot or suspense while making us laugh.

"Those who read For Whom the Minivan Rolls won't need any encouragement to pick up A Farewell to Legs. Those who missed Cohen's inaugural effort are in for a real treat when they meet Aaron Tucker, his friends, and his family in this latest entry in the series. And after reading A Farewell to Legs, everyone will be eager for Aaron's next adventure!"
—Susan Anderson, Reviewing the Evidence

"The sequel to what is one of the best debut mysteries in years (For Whom the Minivan Rolls), A Farewell to Legs is a worthy follow-up that again pits bumbling would-be detective Aaron Tucker against evil forces while he tries to get home in time to greet his kids as they return from school. Doesn't sound like your ordinary mystery, does it? Well, Aaron Tucker isn't your ordinary detective.

"The best thing about Cohen's books is Aaron Tucker himself. A non-stop wisecracker who refuses to take anything seriously, Aaron is the type of everyman whom readers can relate to and commiserate with. He's our best friend, our neighbor or even our husband. Unlike many of the tough-talking, hardheaded detectives that perpetuate fiction today, Aaron is someone we could easily know or be. It's also refreshing to have our hero be a stay-at-home dad whose wife makes more money than he does and who doesn't seem to think that cleaning up after dinner is beneath him.

"The lightheartedness of the book is also a joy. While many mystery books often leave us frightened of the way the world is today, Cohen's books leave us with a smile and a feeling gratitude for what we have. Not only is there a chuckle on every page, but there's a smile or a tongue-in-cheek observation in every paragraph.

"Cohen has definitely created a goldmine with his Aaron Tucker mysteries. With each book, he'll gain more loyal readers like this one. We can only hope that his hero stays around for a long time and that his creator graces us with many more books to come."
—Angela McQuay, The Best Reviews

"A very pleasant surprise. I think the best parts of both books are the pieces dealing with Aaron's home life, dealing with his kids on a daily basis, what middle-class life is really like these days. There is less detail in Farewell about life with a child who has Asperger's Syndrome than there was in Minivan, but still enough so that the reader knows that Ethan is even more of a challenge than a 'normal' early adolescent male child might be. Cohen has these kinds of relationships down pat, and can write the hell out of them.

"If the next book improves as much as this one did, Jeff Cohen is going to be very impressive in the next few books. I look forward to that."
—P.J. Coldren, Reviewing the Evidence

Advance Praise for A Farewell to Legs

"I declare Jeffrey Cohen, 'King of the Zingers'. His Aaron Tucker character doesn't know when to stop...and that's the good news. Legs definitely has legs. And you can quote me."
—Tim Cockey, author of the Hitchcock Sewell novels

"A delightful, breezy mystery, staking a claim just as firmly in the world of realistic, human emotion as it does in the grand tradition of the classic whodunit. A fun ride, indeed."
—Drew Z. Greenberg, writer, "Smallville," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

"I admire the way Jeff is able to incorporate Asperger's into his work in such a natural way while writing a humorous mystery."
—Rochelle Krich, author of Dream House and other Molly Blume mysteries

"Aaron Tucker has Groucho's wit, Harpo's sweetness and Chico's talent for well-meaning screw-ups. A Farewell to Legs is shot through with wit that snaps and sparkles (but never wounds), not only in the dialogue where you expect it, but in the narrative, keeping the pace crackling and lively. I laughed aloud repeatedly and mentally noted lines to steal and drop into my conversation, hoping to pass them off as my own (I should be so lucky). Read this book now while you still can; it's so much fun, it will surely soon be illegal."
—P. Casey Morgan, Development Director, KWGS-FM/NPR, Tulsa, OK

"Where but in an Aaron Tucker mystery would you find a dangerous pet lizard, several potent stink bombs, a guy with a kitchen knife sticking out of his chest, and a primer on how to register your screenplay with the Library of Congress? Jeffrey Cohen's quirky voice happily returns for a second go-around in A Farewell To Legs, with Aaron once again assuming the role of freelance writer/reluctant sleuth."
—Ken Walz, Producer, Ken Walz Productions

"Jeffrey Cohen is the Jerry Seinfeld of mystery writing. Warm, witty and often wise, A Farewell to Legs is great entertainment."
—Meg Chittenden, author of the Charlie Plato series

"It's another very entertaining read from Jeff Cohen, and I want to tell you that you definitely should pick up a copy of it. This man is definitely not suffering from a sophomore slump.

"Jeff writes in one of my favorite sub-genres, the realistic suburban mystery with a stay-at-home dad and a family as well as a mystery to solve. Legs deals with a sleazy right-wing politician who is murdered in his mistress' bed. The wife went to HS with Aaron and asks him to investigate as part of a freelance magazine assignment that she arranges. Add to the mix threatening notes, a stink bomb crisis at the school and a new dog in the house, and you have a great mystery and a great time figuring out whodunit.

"Another witty winner from Jeff Cohen. A Farewell to Legs is a wry, yet dead-on, look at suburban life combined with a mystery full of unexpected twists."
—Jeffrey Marks, author of U.S. Grant Mysteries

"One might suspect Cohen is a fan of Hemingway's writing, but let me tell you, Jeff is no Hemingway. For one thing, he's much, much funnier, and that's no bull :-) Aaron is an immensely likable guy, loving husband, devoted father, not a super detective, but hey, he gets the job done. Cohen's portrayal of Aaron's son, a pre-teen with Asperger's Syndrome, is at times hilarious, at others poignant, and in every case accurate. Having some experience with this in my own family, I really appreciate the way Jeff is able to enlighten the public about this subject by weaving it into his story. He knows whereof he speaks—he's also written an excellent non-fiction book for parents of AS kids. I hope that Aaron will have many more adventures—keep it coming, Jeff, we need the laughs."
—Shirley H. Wetzel

"Jeffrey Cohen is a funny man, and behind the wisecracks there's a clever and engaging mystery. The pun also rises."
—Daniel Stashower, author of the Harry Houdini Mysteries and Teller of Tales, a biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

"The mysteries (there are several) range from the outrageous to the, well, the more outrageous. I found the solution to the stink bomb problem especially amusing. The solution to the rock through the window? The solution to the assaulted girlfriend/Abby's lost case? waaahaahhahah! Aaron's declaration to Abby on the subject of Ms. Cleavage should be included in the repertoire of all happily or those who desire to be happily married.

"Read this you'll like it."
—Diane K. Kovacs, Moderator, DorothyL

"A Farewell to Legs is a marvelous ride from a New Jersey high school reunion to the solution of a politician's demise in Washington DC. Cohen writes a funny and touching novel that will keep you guessing to the end. His portrayal of the "normal" American family is one of the best I've ever read in a mystery novel. Give yourself a double treat... read For Whom the Minivan Rolls and A Farewell to Legs!"
—Bonnie Claeson, Co-owner, Black Orchid Bookshop, NYC

"Take equal parts Mel Brooks, Groucho Marx and Woody Allen, sweeten with enlightened sexual politics, mix well with the completely original mind of Jeffrey Cohen, and laugh yourself silly over A Farewell to Legs. Aaron Tucker is a delightful, twenty-first century twist on the usual amateur gumshoe, and the lunatic doings of his friends and foes make for sheer reading pleasure."
—Ellen Pall, author of Corpse de Ballet and Slightly Abridged

"I just finished Jeffrey Cohen's delightful A Farewell to Legs and I still have a big grin on my face. What a super book! Once again, Cohen's wit, pacing, and engaging style have combined to create a winning mystery. Truly, this was the funniest—and most fun—book I've read since, well, since his last one!

"At the heart of the book is the relationship between Aaron and his wife Abby, a realistic and all-too-rare portrayal of a happy marriage. Throw in two interesting kids and an accident-prone dog, and what comes out is a family that the reader wants to spend time with and get to know even better.

"Thanks, Jeff, for another great read. If I could buy stock in a person, I'd pick up a few hundred shares of Jeffrey Cohen. I predict nothing but great things for this series and for this author!"
—Mindy Starns Clark, author of The Million Dollar Mysteries series, including A Penny For Your Thoughts, Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels and A Dime A Dozen

© 2002-07 by Jeffrey Cohen.