Frostline - Softcover

Scott, Justin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006510043 ISBN 13: 9780006510048

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1998

Synopsis

Justin Scott is back with a new Ben Abbott mystery in the series that is rapidly gaining a major following. The likable former Wall Street player-turned real estate agent gets involved in another small-town drama of scandal and corruption that could have big-time consequences.

Newbury has a new resident: ex-diplomat Harry King – close confidant of Kissinger, ‘the man who brought Reagan and Deng to the table’, heavily involved in the organization of the Vietnam War – has bought Fox Trot, a beautiful estate at the top of the mountain in Newbury. Unfortunately, King’s idyll is spoilt by his neighbour: ex-Vietnam vet Ronnie Butler. A strip of Butler’s land runs straight into King’s like a knife, and he ain’t budging. Ben Abbott is brought in to mediate, but before he can help resolve the issues, Butler’s ex-con son Dickie turns up dead – blown to pieces by an explosion that also destroys King’s man-made lake. And Butler is arrested as an accessory. Suddenly, Ben is in over his head as he tries to clear Butler’s name – and gets much more than he ever bargained for...

About this title

Review:

Rave reviews for the Ben Abbott novels:

‘HardScape has everything a first-class mystery needs: murder most foul, naturally, plus a tough, smart and compassionate detective with a shady past, a couple of terrific dames, a setting that’s as well drawn as the characters and enough suspense to make the reader hyperventilate.’
Susan Isaacs

‘A totally brilliant display’
Daily Telegraph

‘Among the best of American crime-writing.’
Sunday Telegraph

From the Back Cover:

When Newbury's newest resident, ex-diplomat Harry King, contacts estate agent and part-time PI Ben Abbott, Ben gleefully calculates the commission on selling King's beautiful estate, Fox Trot. But King doesn't want Ben's selling expertise, he wants a mediator between him and his troublesome neighbour, ex-Vietnam vet Ronnie Butler. Before Ben can help resolve the issue, Butler's ex-con son, Dickie, turns up dead – blown to pieces by an explosion on King's land, and Ben finds himself drawn ever deeper into a crime that tests his loyalties to friends, family and lovers, on both sides of the tracks.

"This is a sophisticated, intelligent novel, among the best of American crime-writing."
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

"Smooth, sardonic, impeccably argued, immaculately written."
LITERARY REVIEW

"This novel is a delight! Those of us who've been clamouring for a new Ben Abbott will be ecstatic with his latest adventure among the folk of Newbury."
JEFFERY DEAVER

"'FrostLine' is the best book in a series that started strong and keeps getting better."
LAWRENCE BLOCK

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0006510043
• ISBN 13: 9780006510048
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256