Frostline (Poisoned Pen Press Mystery) - Softcover

Scott, Justin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0743487044 ISBN 13: 9780743487047

Publisher: Ibooks, 2004

Synopsis

In quaint Newbury, Conn., real estate broker Ben Abbott gets caught in a nasty land battle between two neighbors: cantankerous Vietnam vet Richard Butler, whose troubled, violent son Dicky, has just been released from jail, and Harry King, a high-powered former diplomat and owner of Fox Trot estate, who wants Abbott to act as mediator in buying a sliver of Butler's property that juts into Fox Trot. King is creating a lake by damming a stream, but an explosion during a fancy lawn party blows up the dam and turns the lake into a mud pond. In the sloppy remains, Abbott steps on parts of Dicky Butler's body. Since the local sheriff is a dolt, Abbott starts detecting.

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: Ibooks
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0743487044
• ISBN 13: 9780743487047
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 328