Customer Reviews

McMansion

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Ben Abbot is a realtor and private investigator in Newbury, Connecticut, a town whose history dates back to the Colonies. Billy Tiller was a developer and the nightmare of every preservationist. His only concern was making as much money as possible in any way he could and the number of those who hated him is impressive. Billy's body was found crushed under a D4 Bulldozer and although Jeff Kimball, a 20-year-old kid and member of ELF (Earth Liberation Front) opposed to development, he says he stumbled on the scene and was trying to get the D4 off the body when the police arrived. Now Jeff's lawyer has hired Ben to find a defense for his client.

It has been nine years since the last Ben Abbott book, and I'm delighted he's back. Ben is a great character--he comes from an old, New England family, has his Aunt Connie who is showing early stages of dementia, loves his town, became involved with the wrong people that landed him in prison for 3 years, is clueless about relationships with women but has befriended a young girl being raised by a single mother and is a somewhat unwilling PI. The story is a well-plotted traditional mystery with plenty of suspects and motives through which to be sorted. The issue of preservation versus development is certainly timely but doesn't overwhelm the mystery. I found "McMansions" to be a very good read, with a very bad title, and sincerely hope the next book will be soon than nine year's away.

McMansion is a very good book. I enjoy all Justin Scott's books. I only have one comment to make that isn't really positive and that is that he seems to just leave his stories "hanging" without actually coming to a conclusion. It's like he gets tired of them and just quits.

Domestic mystery, murder, and terrorism meld in a new Ben Abbott mystery revolving around one Billy Tiller, who is crushed by a massive bulldozer in a seemingly straightforward murder in which an eco-terrorist is found at the scene of the crime. But what seems cut-and-dried turns into a bigger puzzle as Ben Abbott finds too many suspects and plenty of mystery. Libraries strong in mystery collections will want to add this thriller.

He's done it again. "McMansion" is Scott's best mystery to date. The characters and the setting are quintessentially New England. The dialogue is often snappy but, more important, it rings true, as does the strong feeling generated by rampant development and cookie-cutter trophy houses. Residents of the Nutmeg state--especially those west of Waterbury and east of Danbury--will particularly appreciate the landmarks and charm of Newbury.

Long term residents of Newbury, Connecticut hate avariciouse developer Billy Tiller, who has built several vulgar "palaces". Thus, it is not a shocker when Tiller dies in a hit and run accident; though the vehicle of choice was a bulldozer. The local police arrest environmental activist, Jeff Kimball, who was found sitting in the driver's seat while Tiller was crushed under the treads.

Whereas Jeff welcomes martyrdom as he sees imprisonment, his father hires attorney Ira Levy to represent his son. In turn, Ira hires Ben Abbott, to investigate. Ben welcomes the fact that the odious Tiller is dead, but though biased he accepts the case after Ira persuades him to do so. When he concludes that Jeff is innocent, Ben takes a different tactic; instead of finding some doubt, he concentrates on uncovering the identity of the killer, which alienates everyone including the client's dad who wants the case closed and forgotten.

The premise behind MCMANSION is simple; avaricious developers will build disgustingly gauche edifices if the money is there while extreme tree huggers will turn to eco-terrorism including murder to prevent these abominations. Thus the audience and his lawyer believe Jeff is capable of homicide in the name of the environment with only Ben thinking otherwise. Though Ben stays somewhat aloof so the readers never really get to know him, fans will appreciate his inquiry into whether the Lorax could commit murder.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (7/06)

Fans of Ben Abbott have been eagerly awaiting the third book of his adventures as a Real Estate Broker and Private Detective. Finally the wait is over. Justin Scott brought us "McMansion."

The name alone sparks interest. When we think of the word Mc.........., we begin to consider fast food. When you go to certain fast food restaurants they really don't like it if you order things "your way". Their product is mass produced, all alike and all fast. So it is with "McMansion" - Mansions built from the same set of floor plans with a little embellishment here and there.

Newbury, Connecticut is the home of the McMansion. Much to some citizen's chagrin, a greedy developer's plan is to get richer off of poorly constructed 5 bedroom homes that give the appearance of mansions. The Earth Liberation Front (also known as E.L.F.) is determined to discourage the developer and prospective owners.

Ben Abbott is called to the scene when Billy Tiller is found murdered under a bulldozer in the McMansion development project. The primary suspect was a supporter of Earth Liberation Front (E.L.F.) and found sitting on the bulldozer by the resident state trooper. Ben has been asked by the defense attorney to assist in the investigation hopefully to find evidence that will lead to reasonable doubt. Abbott soon discovers that many had reason to hate Billy Tiller.

Abbott is an interesting character - canny and engaging, but I found the other characters less so. The plot is captivating with many twists and turns that will take the reader on quite a ride.

Received book free of charge