The Question of the Missing Head

Title: The Question of the Missing Head [Goodreads]

Author: E.J. Copperman [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Jeff Cohen [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Jeffrey Cohen

Publisher: Midnight Ink

Series: Asperger's Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780738741512

Length: 324 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I enjoy cozy mysteries and this sounded especially interesting.

Comments:

I started reading this on January 1st, on a plane to the Dominican Republic.  I sometimes have trouble reading on planes because I can be distracted by motion sickness (nothing horrible, just a little uncomfortable).  So the choice of book was important.  It had to catch my attention and keep it.  I wasn't sure if any cozy was really going to do that for me, but to my pleasure, this one did.  So I read it on the plane, on the beach, and in my air conditioned and fan turned all the way up room (I'm not good with heat).

I found Samuel Hoenig to be a very interesting character.  I understand not everyone with Asperger's is the same. Not only is that addressed in the book, but I also "read" (spoke to) a "Human Book" about Asperger's at a "Human Library" booth at the past Printer's Row Lit Fest.  And I have a cousin with Asperger's (granted, one I don't know well because of an age difference), that is different than both the fellow I met at the Lit Fest and Samuel.  But that did not make Samuel any less interesting as a character.  He has a certain routine he expects to follow even as he runs his own business (of one).

His business is also interesting.  Questions Answered does exactly what it seems.  Questions varying from the answer to a crossword, to if a ball can be hit out of the park in a new stadium, to where a head may have disappeared to.  As a librarian, I'm in the business of answering questions myself (though I don't believe myself to be nearly as intelligent and/or observant as Samuel nor do I have the time for such extensive research).

Samuel has just met a lady, Ms. Washburn, and asked her to assist with his newest question.  Ms. Washburn is interesting in and of herself.  She was a substitute teacher, one with training in instructing children with autism spectrum disorders.  (Though who knew substitute teachers got any real training?  I certainly didn't.  In fact, I'm pretty sure they don't in my hometown.)  But she is able to work with Samuel in a way others do not.  I liked her.

The case itself is strange.  A head has gone missing from a Cryonics Institute.  Samuel plays detective of sorts (though he wouldn't look at it that way himself) in attempt to determine who might have stolen the head, where it might be, and who might have committed murder.

I look forward to reading more of this series, which is supposed to have at least two more.