For Whom the Minivan Rolls: An Aaron Tucker Mystery

A friend handed me Jeffrey Cohen's "For Whom the Minivan Rolls" and "A Farewell to Legs," telling me they were the sleeper mystery series of the year. I agree! These books are even more of an enjoyable read than Janet Evanovich's series because the humor never lets up! Cohen is a masterful writer. Bob Pailet, Denver

I have fallen hook, line and sinker for Jeffrey Cohen's hilarious new Aaron Tucker series. The inherent wackiness of suburban living is ripe for the parodying. Hypocrisy and pomposity are fair game, and Cohen doesn't disappoint. The thing I like best is that Jeff Cohen, (for all that Tucker is a happily married family man who lives in a ramshackle house in a New Jersey 'burb') doesn't bombard us with sticky sentimentality. Tucker's understandably wary view of life colors everything he thinks, feels and does. I love his brand of humor. Feeling his way, he guides us through a suburban odyssey filled with murder, mayhem and laughs. Aaron Tucker stay-at-home dad, magazine writer and freelancer extraordinnaire is one of those fictional characters that you never tire of hanging out with. Who wouldn't want him for a friend? That is the strength of Cohen's book. Tucker is, in a word, delightful.

Stay at home father and free lance writer Aaron Tucker is surprised when he's asked to find a missing house wife. Surely there's someone better qualified them he is. But when he's offer a thousand dollars, how can he refuse? But when he follows the few leads he has, he keeps hitting dead ends. And the supposedly distraught husband is not co-operating at all. What is really going on?I really enjoyed this debut novel. I did have a couple complaints, however. First, while I mostly enjoyed Aaron's sarcasm, occasionally it was over done. Second, I was getting as frustrated as he was by his lack of progress for a while. But half way through, the plot really picked up and the twists kept coming. At that point, I had a hard time putting it down and stayed up late last night to finish. I liked Aaron and his family, and it was nice to see a basically happy man struggling with the day to day trials of life in addition to the mystery.If you enjoy the lighter side of mystery, this is definitely a book to check out. I'm already looking forward to spending more time with Aaron and his family and friends.

Every child with a disability should have a father like Aaron. Not only is this book a clever mystery story, but it's a sensitive and informative portrait of a loving family dealing with the ups and downs of raising children, including a child with Aspberger's syndrome. As the wise-cracking Aaron pursues the mystery in this book with persistence and the support of his intelligent and logical wife, he is always there for his children. He rises to the challenge of being a stay-at-home dad with good humor and genuine affection for his precocious daughter and his demanding son. Aaron may be an amateur detective, but he's a great father. In a world of dysfunctional families, divorce, and neglected children, Aaron Tucker and his wonderful family are a breath of fresh air.

This book is a fresh approach to the tired detective format. Aaron is funny, witty, and willing to share his quirks and strengths. (A leading man who drinks hot chocolate!) I enjoyed the pace of the story and am looking forward to seeing more of Aaron and his quirky, but real family. Why can't TV be this good?!