What people are saying about
Jeffrey Cohen's For Whom the Minivan Roll

Jeff Cohen's Minivan rolls merrily along -- accent on the merrily. Mr. Cohen's ideas on marriage and murder (often cut from two ends of the same bolt) are wise, wicked, and witty. Surprisingly tender, too, regarding the responsibilities and trials of being a parent -- fathering a delightful book in the process."
-- LARRY GELBART, WRITER (M*A*S*H, TOOTSIE, OH, GOD!, BEDAZZLED, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, BARBARIANS AT THE GATE, ETC.)

Jeffrey Cohen's For Whom The Minivan Rolls is a zany mix of Donald Westlake's humor with the insights of Jon Katz's suburban detective. Fans will find sly bits to cackle over as they zip through the pages -- they will appreciate the way the writing entertains without pulling them out of the story. The first person narration draws the reader in, and the quirky characters add just the right touch of levity to this convoluted plot. Cohen's reluctant detective may be short and slight and middle-aged, but he's a winner. Author Jeffrey Cohen has produced a seamless, original debut.
-- COZIES, CAPERS & CRIMES, GERALDINE GALENTREE (LEAD REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 2002 ISSUE)

"Jeffrey Cohen's For Whom The Minivan Rolls is hot. An authentically fun switch on the oft-used amateur sleuth theme, it debuts Aaron Tucker, a suburban stay-at-home dad who never asked to become a detective. Witty, with great characters and nifty twists, it should delight mystery fans, and, above all, anyone who enjoys a good puzzle and big laughs. His wife and kids may not realize it, but Aaron Tucker (and his creator) have glistening new careers ahead of them."
-- TOM SAWYER, NOVELIST & FORMER HEAD WRITER, "MURDER, SHE WROTE"

"Aaron Tucker stays at home as a father for his two children. He works as a freelance reporter but wants to be a scriptwriter. His wife is an attorney in a prestigious firm, which is all the more puzzling when wealthy and powerful Gary Beckworth wants Aaron to find his missing wife Madlyn. He doesn't want the police, a good private eye, Aaron's lawyer wife, or even a lawyer --just Aaron, and the freelance reporter is at a loss to explain why. Gary's action's are strange too since he doesn't want his son questioned or Aaron nosing around the neighborhood. Aaron investigates every link he can find until the day Madlyn calls him up from an Atlantic City hotel to tell him she's fine and coming home in a few days. Unable to let matters rest there, Aaron traces Madlyn to her motel room, where he finds her on the bed with two bullets in her body. Jeffrey Cohen's debut novel is a smashing success. It boasts a riveting story line, a fast-paced plot, and a hero who is a combination of James Bond and Bart Simpson. He's a lovable family man who puts his wife and children first, but when he has some free time, look out, because anything can and usually does happen."
-- HARRIET KLAUSNER, ALLREADERS.COM

If Stephanie Plum and Myron Bolitar had a child, it would be Aaron Tucker. Tucker has a smart mouth and bumbles along until he uncovers the roots of the crime without the attendant machismo of most male detectives. He's the family care giver. His wife is the family bread winner. And he isn't disturbed by the reversal of roles. If you are a fan of the cozy, then this is for you. For Whom the Minivan Rolls is a good first novel.
-- BARBARA FRANCHI, EDITOR, REVIEWINGTHEEVIDENCE.COM

Jeffrey Cohen has written a good mystery heavily laced with humor and entertaining characters.
-- I LOVE A MYSTERY NEWSLETTER (SALLY POWERS)

In my long and semi-illustrious career, I have been beaten to various literary punches by lots of dead white guys and by lots of others who, pending test results, are still alive. Among them is Jeffrey Cohen, who has written a comic mystery novel that is (a) comic, (b) mysterious, and (c) a novel. For Whom the Minivan Rolls had me rolling, which is no mean feat considering I don't drive a minivan. At least now I won't have to bother writing a comic mystery novel because I couldn't do it nearly as well as Mr. Cohen. His book is great. I could put it down, and sometimes did, but I didn't want to.
-- JERRY ZEZIMA, HUMORIST, JOURNALIST, & PUBLIC NUISANCE

Author Jeffrey Cohen has written a sly, entertaining mystery whose twist-laden plot will truly puzzle and entertain. The voice of his protagonist, Aaron Tucker, is unique and delightful. And above all, his Minivan is immensely funny.
-- MICHAEL LEVINE, HOLLYWOOD PUBLICIST AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF 12 BOOKS

For Whom the Minivan Rolls is not just a humorous look into American suburbia and what happens when a freelance reporter is asked to solve a local murder. It is a fresh, modern-day murder mystery with real-life, quirky characters that range from eccentric, obscure, and spirited to witty, guilty, and just plain nosy. Liberally infused with humor, it all beautifully blends together into great entertainment. You'll enjoy it so much you may even want to try visiting the story's fictional setting -- Midland Heights, New Jersey.
-- CHRISSY BLUMENTHAL, VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION, ESCAPE ARTISTS (SONY PICTURES)

Aaron Tucker – aspiring screenwriter, loving house-hubby, and doting father – protests that he could never become a detective. Yet, he's wrong. He's nothing less than the consummate snoop, and makes up for his lack of investigative experience with canine-like persistence and a bloodhound's instinct for following a crime trail. Jeffrey Cohen has managed to write a mystery that is not only full of engaging characters, but features the likeable and witty voice of Aaron Tucker, who is (doggone it) naturally humorous. His For Whom The Minivan Rolls is thus an engrossing, entertaining read. That it's a first novel makes me think and hope that we'll soon be hearing a lot more from Jeffrey Cohen, and Aaron Tucker as well!
-- ELLIOTT LIGHT, AUTHOR OF LONESOME SONG AND CHAIN THINKING, THE FIRST TWO BOOK-LENGTH INSTALLMENTS IN HIS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SHEP HARRINGTON SMALLTOWN MYSTERY SERIES

"I thought I'd sit down one night and read Jeffrey Cohen's Minivan for just an hour or so, but then I couldn't stop myself, and went on reading until the finish. It's a remarkably funny, twisted tale of murder and mayhem. Aaron Tucker is you, me, and everyman. And I can't wait to read his next adventure!"
-- LOU GRANTT, EDITOR, HOLLYWOOD SCRIPTWRITER, THE TRADE PAPER FOR SCREENWRITERS

What fun! Minivan is a crackerjack mystery with a prize inside: it's laugh-out-loud funny to boot! How can you not like a detective who has to carpool? Or worry with equal effort about dinner, murder, and checking his kids' homework? It's a great setting and a great crew of characters, and I hope Aaron Tucker's lack of success with screenplays translates into a long and full career solving crime with wit and whine.
-- DAN FIORELLA, ROVING EDITOR, CRACKED MAGAZINE, AND CONTRIBUTING WRITER, PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION

Pick up Jeffrey Cohen's For Whom the Minivan Rolls and you get a funny, quirky, insightful look into human nature wrapped around that rarest of all things: a good story, well told.
-- CARY SOLOMON AND CHUCK KONZELMAN, PRINCIPALS, NUMENOREAN FILMS

As the mother of a teenage son with Asperger Syndrome and President of ASPEN®, I am especially sensitive to any portrayal of the disorder. In ForWhom the Minivan Rolls, Jeff Cohen has done a wonderful job of conveying the lovable quirkiness that's so often a part of these children and the day-to-day living that goes with it. It's the laughter that gets you through the day, and Jeff has certainly shown us how interesting life can be for the family of a child with Asperger Syndrome! Aside from all that, though, Minivan was the first book I had read in a very long time that I absolutely could not put down and that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was hooked into the story line right from the beginning and looked forward to turning each page to find out what next plot twist was in store. The only thing better would be a movie based on the book, or the next installment in the series, which I'm anxiously awaiting.
-- LORI SHERY, CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, ASPERGER SYNDROME EDUCATION NETWORK, INC. (ASPEN®)

I greatly enjoyed For Whom The Minivan Rolls. The mystery is replete with LOLLs (Laugh Out Loud Lines). Some of my favorites: a) When receiving a threatening phone call, Aaron Tucker answers, ‘Who is this?', as if the caller would actually identify himself.. b) ‘It would never occur to a New Jersey driver to park his car, even when trailing a pedestrian.' c) ‘It's hard to be macho when avoiding unnecessary carbohydrates'; d) ‘It's better to get killed than sued.' So as not to overindulge myself as a blurber, and to avoid author complaints, I'll stop there. Suffice it to say, Jeffrey Cohen has written a very funny story and infused it with an awful lot of laugh-out-loud material!
-- JOHN HOMANS,
A/K/A WILBER WINKLE, AUTHOR OF "WILBER WINKLE HAS A COMPLAINT"

I loved For Whom The Minivan Rolls! The characters were quirky and endearing, the plot kept me guessing, and the jokes were funny. I hope Aaron Tucker has a good, long career of not being a private investigator, so he can come back in more books like this one.
-- MARCY GROSS, GROSS-WESTON PRODUCTIONS, INC.

"Bringing a new and upbeat voice to the much-populated mystery scene, author Jeff Cohen has succeeded in doing what many another writer knows not even to attempt -- tell an engaging mystery in a humorous way. Minivan is thus not only an easy read, but a breath of fresh air for all of us desperate to briefly escape the real world. It thoroughly entertained me for the few hours it took to read it."
-- SHAUNA KELLEY, STUDENT, GOUCHER COLLEGE

This book is a hoot. I laughed. I didn't know who dunnit. It made me want to tell other people to read it. Here's a hero who shows his mettle by moving away from the buffet table, and by making those little extra efforts to be a good dad and husband that most men don't bother with any more. When he puts himself on the line, it isn't just another day at the office. And you talk about sexy -- give me a man who fills up the dishwasher and I'm there. I not only like that, I want to know more! I hardly ever read fiction any more because it's just no fun… I prefer true crime personally. But this Jeff Cohen is a different sort of egg who might turn me into a ‘mystery junkie' even though I swore no one ever would. Please consider this my highest endorsement for a fine read and good story, with plenty of mirth on the side.
-- PHYLLIS MURPHY, STORY EDITOR, NBC'S "PROFILER"

With Minivan, Jeff Cohen takes the mystery genre and stirs in a generous helping of laughs. He's created a character whose voice is as much fun as the story he's telling. After only a couple hundred pages, Aaron Tucker already feels like an old friend. I'm looking forward to spending a lot more time with him.
-- IAN ABRAMS, CREATOR OF THE TV SERIES "EARLY EDITION," AND HEAD OF THE DREXEL UNIVERSITY DRAMATIC WRITING PROGRAM

Minivan is a delightful and diverting read. Its chief character, Aaron Tucker, amusingly reminds me of John Corey, Nelson Demille's smart-alecky NYPD homicide cop. I find Demille's stuff to be great and irresistible fun. Likewise Minivan!
-- DR. ELLEN TAYLOR, PIKESVILLE, MD

"Against his better judgment, a short, middle-aged, Jewish family man and freelance writer gets tossed into his first detective work, whereupon he must tap into every resource he knows to keep his head above water. It's so hard to write funny. For me, a true mysteryholic, finding a really funny mystery writer is something to tell the world about. Jeff Cohen, where have you been all these years?
-- GINNY LEVIN, PRESIDENT, OHEB SHALOM SISTERHOOD, BALTIMORE, MD