McMansion: A Ben Abbott Mystery (signed first edition)

Justin Scott

ISBN 10: 159058063X / ISBN 13: 9781590580639

Published by Poisoned Pen Press, 2006

About this Item

First edition, first printing, review copy with publisher's "Complimentary Review Copy" stamp front free endpaper. SIGNED BY JUSTIN SCOTT ON THE TITLE PAGE. A fine, fresh, unused copy in equally fine dust jacket. Hardcover. 254 pp. The cozy New England town of Newbury, Connecticut is not immune to the relentless spread of "McMansions" carpeting the countryside. Ben Abbott, realtor and private detective, is so incensed that he refuses to sell them but obviously he's not the only one. The corpse of Newbury's greediest developer was just discovered under one of his bulldozers.

Seller Inventory # E31688

Bibliographic Details

• Title: McMansion: A Ben Abbott Mystery (signed first edition)
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
• Publication Date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 159058063X
• ISBN 13: 9781590580639
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First edition.
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Mystery

About this title

Synopsis

Incensed by the rapid spread of "McMansions" across the peaceful Connecticut countryside, realtor and private detective Ben Abbott refuses to sell the wasteful, ostentatious houses, but trouble arises when the body of greedy developer Billy Tiller is found under his bulldozer, and eco-activist Jeff Kimball is arrested for the crime.

Review

Scott's satisfying fourth installment of his Ben Abbott series (after 2003's Frostline) hinges on the murder of Billy Tiller, a greedy developer determined to ruin the smalltown charm of Newbury, Conn., with a string of tacky starter palaces. When he's found deadrun over by a bulldozerthe police arrest a young environmental activist, Jeff Kimball. Ira Levy, Kimball's lawyer, asks Abbott, realtor-cum-PI, to dig around. Abbott doesn't want to take the casehe despised everything Tiller stood for and worries that his loathing might hamper his investigationbut Levy twists his arm. Abbott determines pretty speedily that Kimball couldn't have committed the crime, but figuring out who did is a tad trickier. Though the reader never gets to know Abbott very well, this novel will resonate with those in the countless communities that are beset by real estate monstrosities. (Jan.)