Stonedust: A Ben Abbott Mystery [Paperback]

Justin Scott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1996 | Series: Ben Abbott Mystery

Hardscape, in Susan Isaacs' words, had "enough suspense to make the reader hyperventilate". Now witty, literate Ben Abbott--who served time for a Wall Street indiscretion and is struggling to revive his family's real estate firm--returns in a mystery even more complex, richly plotted, and enthralling.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

On target again, Edgar-nominee Scott (Many Happy Returns; HardScape) delivers another literate, witty and absorbing mystery starring Ben Abbott, the former Wall Street high-roller who, having done time for financial misdealing, now sells real estate in his hometown of Newbury, Conn. Here Abbott calls on his self-described "half-assed" investigative skills to prove that a childhood friend did not die from a "hotload," a heroin overdose. When the coroner reports that heroin did indeed cause the death of Reg Hopkins, whose body was discovered on a covered bridge, Abbott focuses more on the why than the how of the man's demise. A lot of their old friends aren't talking. Among these are the couple who had a Jacuzzi party for a select group of Newbury's nouveaux riches the night Hopkins died. Hopkins was not invited-but was he the mystery party crasher? Setting this simmering tale of money, sex and drugs in picturesque Newbury, with its colonial homes, fine lawns and blooming azaleas, Scott creates a mixture guaranteed to hook new readers and bring old ones back for more.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Ben Abbott, Connecticut real estate agent and sometime sleuth (HardScape, LJ 1/94), solves the murder of a man whose body is discovered in a remote covered bridge. As previously, Abbott butts heads with local enemies, emotes occasionally with girlfriend/politician Vicky, and accommodates feisty old Aunt Connie.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014023456X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140234565
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,410,788 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Justin Scott has written twenty-four thrillers, historicals, and mystery novels, including The Shipkiller and Normandie Triangle. With many books set at sea, he has been called "the Dick Francis of yachting."

He created the Ben Abbott detective series (HardScape, StoneDust, FrostLine, McMansion and Mausoleum), and was twice nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award by the Mystery Writers of America.

His main pen name is Paul Garrison under which he has written five modern sea thrillers including Red Sky At Morning, Sea Hunter, and The Ripple Effect.

The Wrecker, a collaboration with Clive Cussler is being published Fall of 2009. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, filmmaker Amber Edwards.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Second book as good as the first, June 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Stonedust: A Ben Abbott Mystery (Paperback)

I liked the second book in this series as much as the first. Justin Scott is a very accomplished writer and puts together a terrific story. Unlike some amateur sleuth mysteries, Scott is able to give depth of character while weaving in humor.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Stone Dust is a good mystery, April 4, 2000

By 

Chad Roller - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stonedust: A Ben Abbott Mystery (Paperback)

A good mystery of homeland. Ben Abbott takes on a moonlighting role into solving the murder of Reg Hopkins and is faced with questioning everyone in his hometown friends, family, and foes.

A good mystery that keeps you guessing but does not hold up to the first in the series Hardscape. However, it is a good mystery and I recomend it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth starting the series., October 31, 2011

By 

C. W. James "Jim" (NE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: StoneDust (Ben Abbott Novels) (Kindle Edition)

The first Ben Abbott book of the series. Worth reading as Scott introduces us to Ben Abbott and his trials and tribulations as he stumbles his way from realator to part time PI. Read them all...you'll like them. Plus...very reasonable on the ebook price! Ain't that nice for a change!