Quirky as ever! I do love this series! A mystery with a twist and some unusual characters. A very enjoyable read and highly recommended!

I first stumbled upon The Question of the Missing Head in our local mystery bookshop several years ago. It was the first in a new mystery series where the main character and lead detective was a man with Asperger's Syndrome. This fall saw the publication of the fourth book in the series, The Question of the Absentee Father, and I have to say that this series just keeps getting better. 

Samuel Hoenig runs a small business called Questions Answered, where he does just that--he answers people's questions. Growing up with Asperger's, he learned that a traditional job would be very difficult for him, but his independence and his ability to research a subject thoroughly could be assets in the right small business. So he found an office and hung out a shingle. An early customer, Ms. Washburn, came in to ask a question of him and ended up becoming an associate. Now Samuel and Ms. Washburn help people get their questions answered, their research taken care of, and their strangest mysteries solved. 

This latest question hits close to home though, literally, after Samuel's mother gets a mysterious letter from Samuel's father, a man who had left them 27 years before. Although his mother had heard from the man occasionally through the years, she hadn't kept up with his moves, and she'd never asked for a divorce. So Samuel's next question is from his mother: "Where is your father?" 

Samuel has a difficult time leaving home because of his Asperger's, or changing his routine in any way really, but in order to find the answer that his mother wants, he is willing to go all the way to California to try to find his father. While Samuel seems unaffected by his personal relationship with the father he barely remembers, he still has to face a very difficult journey to get to his mother's answer and to find answers about his own history. 

Samuel is an unusual hero. His Asperger's gives him different skills and challenges than your average neurotypical amateur detective, which accounts for almost all of his charm. He is smart enough to see what he doesn't easily understand and knows how to get help for those areas where his skills are seen as lacking. He lets his colleague Ms. Washburn elicit emotional information from others while observing what he sees in the situation. The combination of the social intelligence and the intellectual information means that the Questions Answered team work well together in getting to the answers. It's a brilliant and winning combination. 

Author E. J. Copperman/Jeff Cohen is a respected author of mysteries and an authority on Asperger's Syndrome, so he knows what he writes about. And like I said, these Asperger's mysteries just keep getting better. While my local mystery bookshop is no longer with us, I'm glad that we still have strong authors who are willing to share some of their personal journeys with us through entertaining stories. I very much recommend this series to anyone who is personally touched by the Autism Spectrum, to those who want to know more about Asperger's or other atypical neurological syndromes, and to everyone who just loves a good mystery novel. 



Galleys for The Question of the Absentee Father were provided by Midnight Ink through NetGalley, with many thanks.

The Asperger’s Mystery series by E.J. Copperman and Jeff Cohen continues in fine form with its fourth volume. Samuel, a young man on the autism spectrum who runs an investigative business called “Questions Answered”, finds the case in The Question of the Absentee Father more personal than usual. His mother has hired him to find out where his father, long gone from his life, currently lives. The case takes him, and his assistant Ms. Washburn, to Los Angeles.

Samuel, as one might expect, doesn’t like to travel, so in addition to a challenging multi-level mystery — what happened to his father? why did someone in LA give them $40,000 with little explanation? — the reader gets a good deal of valuable information on dealing with the non-neuro-typical in that kind of situation. Plus, Samuel has to cope with other people’s expectations about how he should be feeling about his missing parent.

There’s a lot of interesting insight on family relations with an autistic member as well as good indications as to how someone else’s brain might work, presented with both clarity and humor. Samuel is firmly in the great tradition of observant detectives with severe personal impediments when it comes to dealing with people, but in his case, there’s a sensible underlying reason. There are also a number of solid research procedures used by the team, another welcome practical detail, particularly for the mystery reader who’s tired of investigators who merely guess.

Most welcome to me, though, was the sprinkle of comedy, with some goofy things that happen to lighten the mood. Most obvious is how frustrating a wannabe tough-guy gangster finds Samuel’s straightforward approach to life and answering questions. Too bad he doesn’t realize that Samuel is usually right!

This is an amazing story. So different from other mysteries I have read. There is no body, no killing, just a mystery to be solved.

Samuel Hoenig is a different sort of protagonist. He runs a business called Questions Answered and has one employee named Janet Washburn. He also has Asperger's Syndrome. The novel is written in the first person and everything is from Samuel's point of view. This means it is VERY detailed and at times amusing. Samuel struggles to make sense of things we find common place.

The book is both a puzzle to be solved (what happened to his father who abandoned the family when he was a small child) and an education in Asperger's Syndrome. Samuel often explains his thought processes or reactions in light his diagnosis. I thought one of the best lines in the book was:

"The uninformed believe we do not have feelings at all. These beliefs are incorrect. I have the same types of emotions as almost everyone else, but my responses to them do not fit into the norm as dictated by society. I tend to internalize because when I do act on my strongest feelings my reactions are seen as inappropriate."

I feel that as well as enjoying a great story, I have learned something. I had heard of Asperger's but was unfamiliar with how it is manifested in people. I feel that in reading this book and becoming acquainted with Samuel, I will be more patient with people who are acting in ways I don't understand. It might make perfect sense to them.

E. J. Copperman is the pen name for Jeff Cohen who has written non-fiction books on Asperger's Syndrome as well as the Asperger's Mystery Series. He is familiar with Asperger's because he has a child who was diagnosed at age 5.

The Question of the Absentee Father continues one of my favorite mystery series. Not only is this book (and the series) a sensitive treatment of Asperger's, it actually allows me to see the world through Samuel's eyes and to have my brain become attuned to the way he thinks. Samuel is a nuanced character; readers learn his many abilities as well as his weaknesses, and in this latest book, we see how well he copes with being taken out of his comfort zone. His investigations also teach him things from book to book-- so he's doing better than many of the rest of us.

The cast of characters around Samuel is a wonderful support group for him. (We should all be so lucky.) His mother takes a backseat in this book, but her presence is still felt. Mike the taxi cab driver not only helps Samuel get from Point A to Point B, he can also be relied upon to help when needed. And what can I say about Miss Washburn? Two things, actually. One, it's a pleasure to watch the working and personal relationships between Samuel and his associate grow, and two, whatever you do--be careful with this woman's phone!

This entire series delivers strong characters, humor, enlightenment, and a fine mystery, and I recommend it highly. If the series is new to you, you can basically jump in anywhere, but for the sake of character development, I suggest you begin at the beginning with The Question of the Missing Head.

The Question of the Absentee Father: An Asperger’s Mystery
By E.J Copperman/Jeff Cohen
Midnight Ink
October 8, 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

It was Samuel Hoenig’s mother who encouraged him to open Questions Answered, an investigation business that helped him to focus his unique observational and detailed-obsessed intelligence. It is also she who asks the one question he never expected; “Where is your father living now?” Twenty-seven years ago Reuben Hoenig left his wife and four-year-old son, and Samuel has always believed that his being on the autism spectrum was the cause. So it’s a shock to discover not only that his mother never divorced his father, but that he continued to make contact and send money. Although it has been years since she last heard from her husband, the ominous words in a new one spurs Samuel’s mother to ask her question, forcing Samuel on a mission away from comfortable home in Piscataway, New Jersey and onto the distinctly foreign city of Los Angeles.

As someone uncomfortable with anything that disrupts his normal rigid schedule, this is the first time Samuel must travel outside of the tri-state area. He never would have committed to flying to California if not for a disturbing call and the prodding of mother and his assistant, Ms. Janet Washburn. Samuel’s dedication to his mother, promise to answer her question, and the exhaustion of his local resources have him researching airlines, hotels, and restaurant menus in order to follow the investigation to Hollywood. There, Samuel and Ms. Washburn discover a confounding clue from the film North by Northwest, are protected by an armed Elmo, and become the unintended recipients of an enormous amount of cash.

Fans of this stellar mystery series are again shown the strong, devoted bond between Samuel and his mother. It was she who struggled to raise Samuel alone, and without her he would never have discovered the coping skills that make him such an effective investigator. Yet Samuel is unable to comprehend his mother’s attachment to the man who left them, a man whom the verbally precise Samuel refuses to acknowledge as his “father.” Samuel’s seemingly distant attitude isn’t caused by his personality traits, as he feels normal human emotions; the challenge has always been for him to express them in a “neurotypical” manner. The author continues his trademark humor and sardonic dialogue, with a chase on the 101 that is hilarious even as it satires expected CHP behavior. It is the exploration of Samuel’s emotional development that becomes the true highlight though, delving into moments of his past that have made him vulnerable today. Even in the time since this series began, the classification and awareness of Asperger’s has changed, and with these novels the author educates as much as he entertains. Events of the last book ended with a stunning occurrence, and yet another one here ensures that the wait for Samuel’s next adventure will be unbearable.

Poor Samuel Hoenig! What to do when his own mother asks him to answer a question that ends up involving making phone calls, airflight, staying in a hotel, and even driving on a freeway in California! But this isn't the worst part! The question needing answering is: where is your father? Samuel is forced to track down his father who left them when he, Samuel, was 4 years old. As is typical with someone on the spectrum, Samuel's feeling regarding his father are not what most people would expect and he spends a lot of time telling people that he has no attachment to this man he doesn't even remember. But that doesn't stop him from following his mother's directive. While the book has a lot of repetition that I don't remember being present in the previous books and Samuel's interactions with the California Highway Patrol were completely unbelievable, it was a very clever story and I like where it might lead to in the future.

Fun characters, fun story, great cozy mystery. You will turn pages quickly to find out about Sam's dad and to get to know the characters.

The idiom, "walk a mile in his shoes" to understand another person's experiences, challenges and thought processes, comes to life in E. J. Copperman's "The Question of" series as his first person character has Asperger's Syndrome.

Samuel Hoenig's business, Questions Answered, is actually Samuel agreeing to answer a question for a fee. And the question must be explicitly stated because, due to his Asperger's, he takes an assignment to answer a specifically stated question quite literally.

Being very intelligent with the ability for incredible focus, Samuel is quite good at answering questions. However, when it comes to interacting socially with individuals, Samuel is challenged and often awkward at obtaining the information he seeks. Good thing he found an assistant, Mrs. Washburn, who understands his behavioral challenges and who he met during his journey to find the answer to his first question. (In the first book, "The Question of the Missing Head")

The reader experiences these mysteries through the eyes of an individual with Asperger's Syndrome. The author does a remarkable job of helping the reader experience Samuel's thoughts about and reactions to encounters with others throughout the novel. And it's fascinating to read how Samuel mentally reacts to the situations in which he finds himself relating to others and then processing his experiences later when he is alone to ponder outcomes.

The unique approach by the author combines a good mystery with shaping the reader's understanding of Asperger's. Given the unusual perspective of the protagonist the author has carved out a very special niche. The characters and relationships are well developed. The story's pace is good. The dialogue is extremely well done and realistic since the reader is witness to each scene but has access to how the protagonist is literally processing the exchange. Copperman has demonstrated the fact that Samuel has Asperger's is a definable asset to both Samuel's business success as well as the novel's distinctiveness.

I love the quality of the mysteries and the author's prowess as a writer. And I appreciate the opportunity to learn about the challenges an individual with Asperger's faces.

I thought I'd review this novel around the time when it comes out (october 8th) but oh well, others have published their reviews, so here's mine !
When I first met Samuel, I had never heard of this author before, but after reading the Millenium saga, I was curious to explore the Asperger syndrome and these cozy mysteries were a very good opportunity. E.J. Copperman obviously knows what he's talking about and he made Samuel an endearing character with a unique voice, I always return to this series with pleasure.
And more and more things happen to poor (?) Samuel to disturb him and his beloved routine : after having been kissed by a woman he cares very much about, his mother sends him on a faraway trip to find no other person but his missing father ! And while everyone is crowding him and waiting for him to show his feelings toward his long gone, I could perfectly relate to Samuel who keeps calling him by his name - after all, he hardly remembers him and he left him and his mother without bringing them much help along the years.
There was one point in the story when Samuel and his friends were making a very big mistake, I really couldn't understand their decision. At another time, I was surprised by the policemen's reaction, it was a little unbelievable, yet funny. But apart from that, the plot went well, with original elements I'd never read about before, good characters, some humor thrown here and there, so I was happy to be once more on the ride with this team and I can't wait to see what's happening next !
PS : I bought this series for the library I work in, my readers love it :)

My thanks to Netgalley and the editor for the early copy.

Samuel Hoenig is on the Asperger's spectrum. He's also a very special kind of detective,using his sharp wits and diligent persistence to find the answers to questions for people. This time, his mother has a question for him: where is his father, who abandoned the family when Samuel was a small boy?

Accompanied by his assistant -- whom Samuel finds erotically disturbing -- he sets off to find his father. This turns out to be more complex, and certainly more dangerous, than he expects.

The novel provides a good puzzle and a collection of intriguing capers, as well as an unusual glimpse into neuroatypical experience. Along the way, we get a chance to meet a host of surprising characters.

This book was not my cup of tea. I do not publicly post negative reviews so I will not share this.

This entry is more a puzzle mystery rather than your average murder mystery and it's wonderful. It can be read as a stand alone if you are new to the series. Samuel has Asperger's syndrome and, after some encouragement from his mother, he opens a business - he answers questions. With the help of his mother, his assistant Ms Washburn and Mike (no last name), the cabby, Samuel has his corner of the world manageable. That is, until his mother, concerned about her long absent husband, asks Samuel the question that pushes him way, way out of his world. The question his mother needs answered is 'where is your father living now?' Road trip! All the way to California. Glad Ms Washburn is at his side as the world has turned upside down for Samuel but her persists because he loves his mother and she asked him a question she needs an answer for and that is his quest. This series has never had a weak entry. The characters are so well drawn, so real and the puzzles are very satisfying.

Each book gets better and watching Samuel grow the way he has is amazing. The mystery never disappoints and neither does this this author writing

This is the fourth book in this series, but the first one I have read. I had no problem following the story and this book could be read as a standalone. There is enough background information given to help you relate to the main characters.

Samuel Hoenig is not really what you would expect in the protaganist in a mystery novel. He runs a business called Questions Answered. When people come to him with a question, he researches and finds the answers for people. In this story he had to do more than just research, he had to go on a roadtrip. This would not normally be a problem, but for Samuel it is. Samuel finds himself on one end of the Autism Spectrum, which helps him focus on his questions, but leads to challenges on the interpersonal level. He does not do well with change, dirt or unsanitary conditions and he certainly does not want to fly. Samuel lives with his mother in his attic apartment, where his mother cooks for him, pushes him to do things (she convinced him to open his business) while providing a safety net for him. Ms. Washburn is his associate. She works with him and seems to understand him quite well. She also provided a buffer in certain situations. The other character that is a part of Samuel's life is the taxi driver, Mike. He is a friend who comes to Samuel's aid when requested, using his military expertise if needed, this time, it is needed.

Samuel was raised by his mother as his father left home when Samuel was a kid. Samuel always assumed it was because of him. He never developed any relationship of feelings for his father. When his mother received a letter from his dad, she interprets the message and believes he is in danger. She asks Samuel a question. "Where is your father living now?" Samuel realizes that even though he doesn't really care where his father is living, his mother is quite concerned and worried. Unfortunately for Samuel, the only way to answer this question is to travel to California and do some legwork. Things get a little sticky with traffic, being unable to contact his mother and the people he meets while tracking down his father.

The story is has no murder to solve, but the mystery is quite intriguing and the story is detailed. There were a couple of slow sections, but overall, I enjoyed the story and the characters. Samuel portrays the characteristics of a person with Asperger's very well. The author does a good job in that area. A fun read and a series I will check out again.

This book is a bit different than your normal cozy mystery.
Reading this story was interesting and I enjoyed reading it, If this series continues to intrigue readers, I feel it can turn into a great series.

I found this book a bit hard to get into. It felt like it was trying to be the curious incident of the dog in the night time, but I didn't feel it worked quite as well. Some of the traits of Asperger's were well described but I felt others were too simplified, suggesting all people on the austistic spectrum have the same characteristics, which is certainly not the case! Was an interesting story that kept me wanting to read though.

★ ★ ★ 1/2
So after reading #3 in this series, <b>The Question of the Felonious Friend</b> last year, I was going to read the first two before the next one came out but you know what they say about the The best-laid schemes o' mice an 'men, right? Gang aft agley . . . So, here it is, a few months later and the next book is out. Picking up soon after the last ended -- this time the case is a bit more personal. Not case, of course, Samuel isn't a detective, he answers questions. To be accurate (as Samuel would want), this time the question is a bit more personal. Not that Samuel cares about it, but people in his life do.

(actually, I technically can still read the first two before the book comes out -- I've got a few months, now that I think about it)

I should back up a bit, for those who didn't <a href="http://wp.me/p3z9AH-2jO1fwn" target="_blank">read what I thought of book 3</a> (I'll get over the slight) -- Samuel Hoenig isn't your typical mystery protagonist. He runs a business called Questions Answered -- basically, he researches things for you. A human Boolean Search. From the looks of it, this occasionally results in him playing amateur detective. As is indicated by the name of the series, Samuel finds himself on one end of the Autism Spectrum, which helps him focus on his questions, but leads to challenges on the interpersonal level.

Which is where is mother and his associate, Ms. Washburn, come in to play -- Ms. Washburn helps him through the challenges presented by the world around him (as well as helping research his answers). His mother is . . . well, his mother -- she still cooks for him, , still cares for him, pushes him to do new things, while providing a safe environment at home. He has a friend, Mike (no known last name), a taxi driver with some military experience that he relies on when things get sticky. And things get pretty sticky this time around.

Samuel's father left home when Samuel was a kid, he always assumed it was because he was such a difficult child. He never let this define him -- or affect him at all (as far as he's aware). But now, his mother receives a letter from him, and it distresses her. So she asks Samuel the question that she's probably been wanting to ask for a while, "Where is your father living now?" The question is not emotionally wrought for Samuel, but he can tell it is for his mother (and Ms. Washburn keeps trying to make it into something that matters to Samuel).

What Samuel does get emotional about is what this question makes him do -- leave home. Get on an airplane, travel to California, sleep on a strangers bed, ride in a car that he is unfamiliar with, eat at restaurants he's never heard of, deal with LA traffic -- and much more. In the midst of all that, Samuel and Ms. Washburn begin to suspect that his father is mixed up in something nefarious, and potentially dangerous.

The story is really strong, and more complex than I'd assumed it would be. In the last book, Samuel was dealing with other people on the Spectrum or their families. This time, there's none of that -- just strangers who are unused to interacting with people like him and who have no patience. Which serves as a good challenge for Samuel to overcome. There is real character growth evident in this book -- it's not the same kind of growth you expect to see in most books -- because Samuel isn't like most protagonists. But it is there -- and really, he makes some pretty big strides here. It's nice to see him not be treated as static, but someone who can make choices, can evolve.

Once again, Samuel isn't treated as a bag of symptoms or tics, he isn't made a paragon of anything. He's an individual who has to do some things the rest of the populace don't consider. There are some lighter moments in the book, but none of them are at Samuel's expense, just human foibles.

<b>The Question of the Absentee Father</b> is another strong outing for Samuel and his team -- as well as for E.J. Copperman. For those who like a mystery on on the cozy side, with some strong characters, this is the one for you.

<i><b>Disclaimer:</b> I received this eARC from Midnight Ink via NetGalley in exchange for this post -- thanks to both for this.</i>

In some cases, the narrator with a distinctive voice grows old after a few outings, but not Samuel Honig. His voice sounds just as fresh as it did the first time I heard him. The case is a clever puzzle, but more interesting is the way in which it illuminates Samuel's relationship with his mother, and with his assistant. A very enjoyable read.

An atypical book combining a bit of mystery, laughs, chuckles and yet tackling the subject of Aspergers. The book was easy to read, fun to follow and left me wanting to read the other titles in the series. Thank you for allowing me to read this title prior to publication!