Mausoleum: A Ben Abbott Mystery

Justin Scott
Poisoned Pen Press (2007)
ISBN 9781590584682
Reviewed by Stephanie Rollins for Reader Views (7/07)


Ben Abbott is a real estate agent/private investigator/ex-convict/ex-Wall Street suit.  Ben finds himself unraveling the mystery of Brian Grose’s murder.  Cubrero, an illegal Ecuadoran immigrant, is blamed for the murder.  Ben does not think that he is guilty.

Ben discovers that Grose may have had more than one person who wanted him dead.  With the help of two reluctant police officers, a death videographer, and a priest, maybe this mystery can be solved.  In this small New England town of Newbury, it may seem peaceful on the outside, but rest assured that controversy is brewing beneath the surface.

Dry, understated humor is woven into each page.  The books’ start is “It was too gorgeous a summer day to kill someone.”  In the midst of a physical battle, a bondsman asks Ben, “Who the fuck are you?”  Ben’s answer was, “I’m a real estate agent.”  Anyone who has ever lived in a small town knows that all the townspeople wear many hats.  Ben is not any different.

“Mausoleum” is a funny, who-did-it mystery.  If you like Colombo-type mysteries, this is a great book.  It is a quick read that will have you captivated from the beginning.  I recommend it.

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