Ashes to Ashes

Ashes to Ashes #1

by Lillian Stewart Carl

Historian Rebecca Reid comes to a replica of a Scottish castle in Ohio to catalog a collection of historical artifacts. James Forbes, the castle's owner---who was recently found dead at the foot of a stairway---owned the Erskine letter, a letter which might prove that Mary, Queen of Scots' son died at birth and was secretly replaced by another woman's. It’s just what Rebecca needs for her Ph.D. dissertation. At Dun Iain Rebecca finds herself saddled with a co-worker, Michael Campbell, a Scottish academic sent from the Museum of Scotland to choose which among the Forbes' family treasures should go home to Scotland. He has a tartan chip on his shoulder and, Rebecca suspects, a hidden agenda. Sparks fly.

Sparks of a different kind fly between Rebecca and Eric Adler, the charming, handsome executor of the Forbes estate. Then there’s Dorothy, the eavesdropping busybody of a housekeeper, and other locals, all of whom always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Ghostly presences stalk the halls, throw dishes in the kitchen, turn lights on and off, and move objects around. When valuables start vanishing and accidents start happening, Rebecca suspects more than just ghosts are at work. Someone wants her and Michael out of Dun Iain. And amid all the precious artifacts, she can’t find the Erskine letter. Introducing Rebecca Reid and Michael Campbell, who also appear in the Jean Fairbairn/Alasdair Cameron series.

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller, Ghosts, Gothic

292 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1990

About the author

Author bio:

Lillian Stewart Carl's work often features paranormal/fantasy themes and always features plots based on mythology, history, and archaeology. Most of her novels take place squarely in the twenty-first century, where the past lingers on into the present, especially in the British Isles, Lillian's home away from home.

She is the author of nineteen novels so far, including the Jean Fairbairn/Alasdair Cameron mystery series---America's exile and Scotland's finest on the trail of all-too-living legends.

Her newest novel is Fairbairn/Cameron number six, THE MORTSAFE.

Of her mystery, fantasy, and sf short stories, twelve are available in a collection titled ALONG THE RIM OF TIME, and thirteen, including three from "Best Of the Year" anthologies, are collected in THE MUSE AND OTHER STORIES OF HISTORY, MYSTERY, and MYTH.

All of Carl's work is available in electronic as well as paper form.

She has also co-edited (with John Helfers) a retrospective of Lois McMaster's Bujold's science fiction work, titled THE VORKOSIGAN COMPANION, which was nominated for a Hugo award.

Reviews

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ASHES TO ASHES – VG
Lillian Stewart Carl – 1st mystery
Historian Rebecca Reid comes from Missouri to a replica of a Scottish castle located outside a small town in Ohio. She's cataloging a collection of historical artifacts, among them, supposedly, a scandalous letter written by Mary, Queen of Scots. But her co-worker, Scottish historian Michael Campbell, has his own plans. And the ghosts of the past, not to mention a very contemporary antagonist, want them both gone.

It is with thanks to the members of DorothyL I have been introduced to this wonderful author of gothics—a strong heroine, two attractive men; but which do you trust; ghosts, history and a mystery—all the elements which make these books so wonderful. My only complaint was the small size of the type font! I now have all the rest of her books on my shelf waiting to be read and will be first in line for her newest, “Lucifer’s Crown,” due in October.

[Shala Howell · Rating 2 out of 5]

A romance with mysterious overtones, or a romance trying to be mysterious? This book was not clearly either in the end. It was obvious to me as soon as the characters were introduced who would turn out to be the bad guy and who would be the true love. It was an enjoyable enough read (since why the bad guy would be so bad wasn't clear until later), and I don't regret reading it, but don't pick this book up expecting either a compelling mystery or a truly gothic romance. Just set your feet up and put your expectations down and prepare for a reasonably enjoyable read. Or move along to the next book on your shelf, as your life will proceed along swimmingly, even if you never read Ashes to Ashes.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca Reid, working on her doctorate, has taken a job helping archive the contents of Dun Iain, a "Scottish" castle build in central Ohio by rich eccentric. With the death of his son, the castle is more or less up for grabs, but the contents have been willed to the National Museums of Scotland, represented in Ohio by visiting scholar and piper Michael Campbell. But Rebecca realizes that the castle is haunted, and also that some of the people she meets have their own interest in the valuable contents that Michael is packing up to ship back home.

[M. White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

Ashes to Ashes is a well plotted, well developed mystery/romance set in dark and brooding Scottish castle--in Ohio! The writing is crisp, the characters are well-developed, and the plot twists and turns keep you guessing. I loved it and can highly recommend it.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I couldn't resist a story set in a 17th-century Scottish castle...in modern-day Ohio. Dun Iain is a replica of Craigievar Castle in Aberdeen Scotland. Rebecca has run away from a tepid engagement to assert her independence as an archivist, hired to catalog the historical artifacts collected by the late owner. Rebecca knew in advance she'd be working with an archivist from the UK, but she didn't expect bagpipe-playing, moody Scotsman Michael Campbell. She's immediately attracted to the well-dressed and smooth-talking estate lawyer Eric Adler, and he reciprocates by wining and dining her in style. Rebecca senses unexplained sights, smells and sounds within the castle. When she opens a diary containing a lock of Bonnie Prince Charlie's hair, she experiences the terrifying sensation of battle at Culloden. She becomes accustomed to finding perfume bottles out of place, smelling a strong scent of lavender, and being awakened by loud footsteps on the stairs or the sound of smashing china. She learns there may be a hidden treasure in the castle, and begins to wonder who she can trust. Is the housekeeper or the handyman looting from the castle? Eric thinks Michael may cheat the estate; Michael doesn't trust Eric. Are the supernatural manifestations planned harassment by teenagers? Can she believe a 3-year-old boy saw and spoke to the late owner's ghost? Slowly but surely, the mystery/romance becomes Gothic suspense, complete with fires, daring escapes, secret tunnels, overbearing male/sobbing female. Although the villain and the eventual romance are predictable, the plot has plenty of interesting twists and turns.”

[laninaki · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole time I was reading this I felt like I was dancing just off the beat - almost in sync with the music, but not quite. There were references to things that flew right by me (Ashes to Ashes is set in 1988 and I was a mere 6 year old then), and I will never cease to be astonished that Michael has what can only be described as a mullet - and it's NOT considered nasty. You better believe I imagined that away immediately.

In spite of the mullet and pretty regularly feeling like our rhythm was off ("our" being the book and myself, clearly) and knowing who the "bad guy" was early on, I still really liked Ashes to Ashes. That's really not surprising, given that the protagonists are cataloging Scottish artifacts in a castle that was built in Ohio to mimic Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire. Add a collection of ghosts, fuzzy motivation for the bad guy (why he was doing it was the puzzle), and a cranky-yet-charming Scotsman (never can resist those), and I was hooked. Although I'm hoping that I don't feel out of step with the next book as often as I did with this one.

[rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished reading this a few days ago. Great book - 2nd in the Michael/Rebecca series. I hope there are more to come in this series.

I have also read Lillian's Alisdar/Jean series and it's fantastic too, Michael and Rebeccas pop in to that series - have read the 6 books avail in this series and eagerly await another

These are both fun series that take place in Scotland and pop overs to USA in some of the books.

I hope Lillian continues to add books to both

mar

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Ashes to Ashes, Lillian Stewart Carl combines a creepy ghost story with interesting bits of Scottish history, a good old-fashioned whodunnit and a touch of romance. What's not to like? I especially enjoyed the detail concerning various historical events and artifacts. This is the first of Ms. Carl's books that I've read but it certainly won't be the last!

[Elsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read an electronic version purchased from Fictionwise. This book is the first of three, and I've already purchased Dust to Dust, the second in the series.

[Doranna Durgin]

I really enjoyed this one (it's not 0 stars, it's "I hate making decisions about stars so I usually don't.") The characters grow on you by the moment!

[Marta Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying reading my way through all the Lillian Stewart Carl books I somehow missed the first time around. This was is classic romantic suspense and thoroughly enjoyable!

Marta Perry

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story itself was ok though the important genealogy got too confusing. The main problem was the main female character who seemed too old and stuffy for a 27 year old.