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Ashes to Ashes #2
Dust to Dust
The photo on the cover of Dust to Dust is Melrose Abbey, not only very similar to the story's Rudesburn Priory, but just up the road from it.
The sequel to Ashes to Ashes. After months of long-distance phone calls, Rebecca Reid is thrilled to be working with Michael Campbell again, this time on a dig at Rudesburn Priory in the Scottish Borders. It’s rumored that Robert the Bruce's heart was buried there, and that the abbey's last prioress, Anne Douglas, still haunts its ruins. Michael and Rebecca have to work with a self-important archaeologist, Jeremy Kleinfelter, whose reputation is on the line after he was accused of salting his previous dig.
They also have to deal with the townspeople, who want the dig to be successful--and who don't know about Jeremy's shady past--and four volunteers working on the dig, loose cannons, every one, each with a secret in his or her past. Then Sheila Fitzgerald, Michael's ex-girlfriend, appears, intent on filming a documentary about the dig. Uncovering a medieval murder mystery makes the tense situation at the dig even tenser. It's the very fresh body in a very old grave that blows it wide open--and tests their relationship for once and for all. For despite ghosts, music, and mayhem, the dig must go on.
The sequel to Ashes to Ashes. After months of long-distance phone calls, Rebecca Reid is thrilled to be working with Michael Campbell again, this time on a dig at Rudesburn Priory in the Scottish Borders. It’s rumored that Robert the Bruce's heart was buried there, and that the abbey's last prioress, Anne Douglas, still haunts its ruins. Michael and Rebecca have to work with a self-important archaeologist, Jeremy Kleinfelter, whose reputation is on the line after he was accused of salting his previous dig.
They also have to deal with the townspeople, who want the dig to be successful--and who don't know about Jeremy's shady past--and four volunteers working on the dig, loose cannons, every one, each with a secret in his or her past. Then Sheila Fitzgerald, Michael's ex-girlfriend, appears, intent on filming a documentary about the dig. Uncovering a medieval murder mystery makes the tense situation at the dig even tenser. It's the very fresh body in a very old grave that blows it wide open--and tests their relationship for once and for all. For despite ghosts, music, and mayhem, the dig must go on.
360 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1991
6 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Lillian Stewart Carl
64 books58 followersAuthor 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 16, 2023
"A GHOSTLY FOOTSTEP STILL WALKS THIS HALLOWED GROUND . . .
"In the shadows of Eildon Hills, a powerful abbey once held sway over an idyllic Scottish village. Now the ruined convent, empty and crumbling, stands guard over the secrets of the past . . .
"Leading a group of archeology students, historian Rebecca Reid came to Rudesburn Priory, eager to uncover clues to yesterday that lay buried in the earth -- and to work side by side with the enigmatic and attractive Dr. Michael Campbell. But her plans are shattered by dark hints of ancient evil. Of gleaming treasure. Of a tormented spirit. And a blood-chilling murder.
"Rebecca's future -- and Michael's life -- are now at stake in a maelstrom of intrigue and terror."
~~back cover
A Scottish historical mystery, a modern day murder mystery, and archaeology. And for lagniappe: several budding romances that gang aft agley -- will they come round right in the end? What's not to like?
"In the shadows of Eildon Hills, a powerful abbey once held sway over an idyllic Scottish village. Now the ruined convent, empty and crumbling, stands guard over the secrets of the past . . .
"Leading a group of archeology students, historian Rebecca Reid came to Rudesburn Priory, eager to uncover clues to yesterday that lay buried in the earth -- and to work side by side with the enigmatic and attractive Dr. Michael Campbell. But her plans are shattered by dark hints of ancient evil. Of gleaming treasure. Of a tormented spirit. And a blood-chilling murder.
"Rebecca's future -- and Michael's life -- are now at stake in a maelstrom of intrigue and terror."
~~back cover
A Scottish historical mystery, a modern day murder mystery, and archaeology. And for lagniappe: several budding romances that gang aft agley -- will they come round right in the end? What's not to like?
May 16, 2018
If you'd like to join an archaeological dig in Scotland, and maybe see a few ghosts, this would be an ideal book for you. Rebecca Reid, waiting to hear if her PhD dissertation has been approved, heads to Scotland with a group of students, knowing she will be reunited with her Scottish fiancé on a dig. Unfortunately, tensions around the dig--and the presence of Michael's old girlfriend--lead to a quarrel. When a murdered body is found, everyone is a suspect. And everyone has secrets, and a possible motive, especially as Rebecca realizes that there may well be valuable treasure buried on the priory grounds.
January 24, 2024
good mix
You need to read ashes to ashes first, but these are great romantic suspense novels, which is my favorite genre.
You need to read ashes to ashes first, but these are great romantic suspense novels, which is my favorite genre.
October 2, 2011
Dust to Dust by Lillian Stewart Carl is the second novel in the Ashes to Ashes gothic mystery series featuring Rebecca Reid. Set in modern-day Scotland, the story reunites historical researchers Rebecca Reid and Michael Campbell.
Rebecca has submitted her dissertation and is anxiously waiting to learn if her doctoral degree will be granted. She is ecstatic to return to Scotland and be with her beloved Michael again, after half a year of transatlantic phone calls. She has a few qualms about their upcoming assignment to excavate a Scottish ruin, however.
Dr. Jerry Kleinfelter has a big reputation, but rumor is he "salted" a dig to get sensational results, and then blamed an assistant. Not only is Jerry in charge of the Rudesburn Priory dig, he has contracted with a film company for publicity, not behavior the scholarly historians prefer.
Rebecca and her student assistants fly from the US to Scotland and meet the rest of the team. Little by little, each person's character develops, relationships and links form on the team. The personalities of the team members, how they complement and clash with one another, are the "meat" of the book.
Rudesburn Priory is said to be haunted by former prioress Anne Douglas, which appeals to team member Adele's beliefs in the paranormal. A figure in white appears in the evenings, and team members hear singing and chanting.
An all-too-real body is discovered, dressed up to imitate a ghost, and murdered. For the remainder of the book, the police investigate the team members, uncover their secrets, and try to guard the excavation site and nearby town.
Rebecca translates the historical document of Anne's trial at Rudesburn, and realizes the murderer may think her notes reveal the location of hidden treasure. Small violent attacks, clashing personalities and dark secrets ratchet up the tension on the excavation team.
Rebecca quarrels with Michael over historical artifacts, and their relationship becomes strained. Weeks pass without a true reconciliation, and she questions her engagement. This plot device was less credible than the rest; I can only imagine the author wrote it to increase the level of tension Rebecca felt during the murder investigation, but in my opinion it did not benefit the story.
The murderer is eventually caught in another murder attempt, and all the inter-relationships of team members are revealed. The secret treasures of the priory are discovered, and the story's unsurprising happy ending is delightful.
I recommend reading the first book of the series, Ashes to Ashes, prior to this one, to understand how Rebecca and Michael met, and how their professional qualifications make them an ideal team for historical research - or sleuthing. I look forward to the next in the series, Garden of Thorns, which features Priory dig team members Hilary and Mark.
Rebecca has submitted her dissertation and is anxiously waiting to learn if her doctoral degree will be granted. She is ecstatic to return to Scotland and be with her beloved Michael again, after half a year of transatlantic phone calls. She has a few qualms about their upcoming assignment to excavate a Scottish ruin, however.
Dr. Jerry Kleinfelter has a big reputation, but rumor is he "salted" a dig to get sensational results, and then blamed an assistant. Not only is Jerry in charge of the Rudesburn Priory dig, he has contracted with a film company for publicity, not behavior the scholarly historians prefer.
Rebecca and her student assistants fly from the US to Scotland and meet the rest of the team. Little by little, each person's character develops, relationships and links form on the team. The personalities of the team members, how they complement and clash with one another, are the "meat" of the book.
Rudesburn Priory is said to be haunted by former prioress Anne Douglas, which appeals to team member Adele's beliefs in the paranormal. A figure in white appears in the evenings, and team members hear singing and chanting.
An all-too-real body is discovered, dressed up to imitate a ghost, and murdered. For the remainder of the book, the police investigate the team members, uncover their secrets, and try to guard the excavation site and nearby town.
Rebecca translates the historical document of Anne's trial at Rudesburn, and realizes the murderer may think her notes reveal the location of hidden treasure. Small violent attacks, clashing personalities and dark secrets ratchet up the tension on the excavation team.
Rebecca quarrels with Michael over historical artifacts, and their relationship becomes strained. Weeks pass without a true reconciliation, and she questions her engagement. This plot device was less credible than the rest; I can only imagine the author wrote it to increase the level of tension Rebecca felt during the murder investigation, but in my opinion it did not benefit the story.
The murderer is eventually caught in another murder attempt, and all the inter-relationships of team members are revealed. The secret treasures of the priory are discovered, and the story's unsurprising happy ending is delightful.
I recommend reading the first book of the series, Ashes to Ashes, prior to this one, to understand how Rebecca and Michael met, and how their professional qualifications make them an ideal team for historical research - or sleuthing. I look forward to the next in the series, Garden of Thorns, which features Priory dig team members Hilary and Mark.
September 8, 2007
DUST TO DUST – VG
Lillian Stewart Carl – 2nd book
Continuing the relationship of Rebecca Michael, from “Ashes to Ashes”, they meet at the excavation of a medieval priory in Scotland that had been sacked by Henry VIII during his attempts to divorce himself from Catharine of Aragon and the Catholic Church.
There are hints of buried treasure, ghostly manifestations, the pasts of archaeological co-workers with too many secrets, and a murder. If you’re a gothics fan, these are wonderful! History, relationships, ghosts and a murder. I guessed the killer—and was wrong. I love that!
Lillian Stewart Carl – 2nd book
Continuing the relationship of Rebecca Michael, from “Ashes to Ashes”, they meet at the excavation of a medieval priory in Scotland that had been sacked by Henry VIII during his attempts to divorce himself from Catharine of Aragon and the Catholic Church.
There are hints of buried treasure, ghostly manifestations, the pasts of archaeological co-workers with too many secrets, and a murder. If you’re a gothics fan, these are wonderful! History, relationships, ghosts and a murder. I guessed the killer—and was wrong. I love that!
August 28, 2009
Giving Carl another try... I like this one a lot so far. It got slow 20 pages in, but I hung with it and it got interesting again around page 90. I think this author has a LOT of potential, but she definitely needs to work on adding more suspense and movement to the plot. It feels stagnant and then gets dramatic, up and down... rather than a steady dose of intrigue to keep one interested.
Read
January 1, 2009I know I've read this but I don't remember it. I will have to reread it.
August 21, 2010
One of the few writers still doing gothics ala Mary Stewart and Barbara Michaels.
December 10, 2012
2nd in the Michael/Rebecca series. This is a nice cozy and a fast read.
I'm hoping to see more books with Michael and Rebecca in them
I'm hoping to see more books with Michael and Rebecca in them
November 1, 2012
Modern mystery
Archeological dig in Scotland
Some nice 1500 Scot history rolled in
Archeological dig in Scotland
Some nice 1500 Scot history rolled in
December 20, 2013
Not as good as the first book. The relationship angst drove me a little bananas. Not sure I'm going to read the rest of the series any time soon.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews