Abby and the Notorious Neighbor

[aln1982]

This one seemed really implausible - more even than some of the other mysteries that are pretty far-fetched. That the embezzler Abby happens to see on TV happens to be her neighbor??? And again, the BSC solves a big time crime. Still, I guess stranger things have happened. After the experience my family had last year with a naked, escaped mental patient attacking my dad, nothing is too bizarre for me to believe.
Abby's spying in this book was pretty funny in a creepy sort of way. I did really like her interaction with Kristy and thought Mrs. Stevenson was actually pretty nice in this one. I was also happy that Jackie R ended up being successful at something when they let him drive the go cart. I feel for the poor boy - always messing things up.

[Deleted]

Never read this one, but it DOES sound pretty farfetched...the guy's on TV for his crimes, and he thinks he'll hide out in little old Stoneybrook? Hmm...

[jen]

Lots of the mysteries are far-fetched! This one seemed a bit boring and lacking in action - she solveda mystery practically by herself while sitting at home sick. I still liked it, though, and the subplot is one of my favourite subplots in the series.

[maddieruns]

I was actually pretty surprised that Abby's neighbor actually ended up being the guy she saw on TV... I thought it would end with one of those "don't believe everything you see on TV" or "don't spy on your neighbors" type things. So, it was better than I thought this book was going to be. Plus, the subplot was cute.

[starrynight]

I don't really remember much about the subplot in this one....maybe I need to reread!

If I had read this book as a kid, I totally would have started spying on my neighbors an hoping I'd uncover a criminal.

[bscfan24]

I haven't read this one in awhile, but I do remember something I saw on "Forensic Files" once. This woman was watching "America's Most Wanted" and found out the guy who was wanted for murdering his whole family in like 1968 was the next door neighbor, so I guess it's not *too too* far fetched. Of course, that's very unlikely to happen, but that did remind me of that lol.

I did love the whole "Rear Window"-esque kind of plot.

[maddieruns]

I find it funny when Abby is sick, she gets all upset because she won't be able to do her 5-mile run. I guess I shouldn't talk about this too much though, since I like to run. It's just that I don't know many 8th graders that would be willing to run out the door and do a 5 mile run around the block.... Heck, I don't even run 5 miles everyday and I'm in college.

^and I agree with the above, I liked the rear window-esque kind of the plot -I love that movie!

[booboobrewer]

I read this after reading Abby and the Secret Society, and enjoyed it much better than that one. I liked the pacing. There wasn't a whole lot of action from chapter to chapter but when there was - like Kristy checking the guy's mailbox, and getting trapped in his yard - it was pretty suspenseful and well done. I also liked how Kristy was Abby's biggest doubter but came around in the end. Not so crazy about the subplot though...I just couldn't find it very interesting. But this is a book I'll probably enjoy rereading.

[aln1982]

^ Even though I like reading this one, I'm never sure why as it isn't very interesting. There is something I like, though, about Abby being home from school sick and sitting around with nothing to do but spy. I'm jealous ;D (not of being sick, of course, but the having time to be bored)
I like seeing Kristy and Abby doing things together in this book. Always wish they would show more of their relationship in the books.

[aln1982]

Just reread and liked it more than usual. The girls do take some really dangerous risks but these did make my heart speed up this time - especially when Kristy is in the guy's house. Mrs. Stevenson seemed "warmer" in this one than in some of the books, though still not involved. For some reason, I like reading this book when I'm tired or don't feel well - maybe because I can relate to Abby being sick. Anyone else like reading it at times like those?

[Penny Lane]

I've only read this one once, I remember liking it a lot. I loved the reference to "Rear Window", especially considering that this came out way before that crappy movie remake came out last(?) summer. I also liked that Abby's mom seemed pretty normal in this one -- she's a single mom, and I don't think she's particularly cold. (I haven't read all the Abby books though).

I do hate the cover though. Not the picture, but the actual color and weird lines on the cover. It's so shiny, and juvenile looking.

[aln1982]

^ I liked the Rear Window reference also. Was the original with Christopher Reeves?
Abby's mom wasn't cold in this one but she seems like it in some of the others. Realize she's a single mom but still see the girls as fending for themselves even more than some of the kids whose parents just work - probably because of the requirements of her job and the commute add to the burden.

[Penny Lane]

^ No, it was Grace Kelly, Jimmy Stewart, and Raymond Burr (Perry Mason). At least that's the one I remember -- directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

[aln1982]

^ Okay. Thanks. I saw the one with Christopher Reeves (or maybe it was just similar and not called Rear Window???) several years ago. I really liked that one. Maybe I'll have to watch the original.

[Penny Lane]

^ According to IMDB Christopher Reeve was in a 1998 Made for TV remake called Rear Window. I had no idea. (maybe I did and I forgot). Maybe I'll see if I can rent that one. When I was talking about the remake, I was referring to Disturbia, which I haven't seen, and won't because it's such a blatant rip-off of Hitchcock's classic film. (Sometimes, I can be a bit of a movie snob;-))