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Ashes to Ashes
Excerpt from Ashes to Ashes
"Well that's the situation." Wendle Foulkes' keen old eyes narrowed as they gazed into the turbulent ones of his client across the wide desk. "This last batch of securities is absolutely all that you have left of your inheritence from your father. Leave them alone where they are and you are sure of three thousand a year for yourself and for Leila after you."
Norman Storm struck the desk impatiently, and his lean, aristocratic face darkened.
"Three thousand a year! It wouldn't cover the running expenses of the car and our country club bills alone!" he exclaimed. "I tell you, Foulkes, this investment is a sure thing; it will pay over thirty per cent in dividends in less than four years. I have straight inside information on it - "
"So you had on all the other impulsive, ill-judged ventures that have wiped out your capital, Norman." The attorney sighed wearily. "I don't want to rub it in, but do you realize that you have squandered nearly four hundred thousand dollars in the past ten years on wildcat schemes and speculations? You've come to the end now; think it over. Your salary with the Mammoth Trust Company is fifteen thousand a year - on eighteen you and your wife ought to be living fairly comfortably.
"Well that's the situation." Wendle Foulkes' keen old eyes narrowed as they gazed into the turbulent ones of his client across the wide desk. "This last batch of securities is absolutely all that you have left of your inheritence from your father. Leave them alone where they are and you are sure of three thousand a year for yourself and for Leila after you."
Norman Storm struck the desk impatiently, and his lean, aristocratic face darkened.
"Three thousand a year! It wouldn't cover the running expenses of the car and our country club bills alone!" he exclaimed. "I tell you, Foulkes, this investment is a sure thing; it will pay over thirty per cent in dividends in less than four years. I have straight inside information on it - "
"So you had on all the other impulsive, ill-judged ventures that have wiped out your capital, Norman." The attorney sighed wearily. "I don't want to rub it in, but do you realize that you have squandered nearly four hundred thousand dollars in the past ten years on wildcat schemes and speculations? You've come to the end now; think it over. Your salary with the Mammoth Trust Company is fifteen thousand a year - on eighteen you and your wife ought to be living fairly comfortably.
341 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1919
About the author
Isabel Ostrander
134 books2 followersIsabel Egenton Ostrander (1883–1924) was a mystery writer of the early twentieth century who used, besides her own name, the pseudonyms Robert Orr Chipperfield, David Fox, and Douglas Grant. Christopher B. Booth is sometimes (falsely) credited as a pseudonym of hers.
She was born in New York City to Thomas E Ostrander and Harriet Elizabeth Bradbrook. Her Ostrander pedigree goes back to seventeenth century Kingston, New York.
(wikipedia)
She was born in New York City to Thomas E Ostrander and Harriet Elizabeth Bradbrook. Her Ostrander pedigree goes back to seventeenth century Kingston, New York.
(wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 13, 2019
http://www.crimesegments.com/2019/02/...
like a 3.5 but not rounded up to 4
Ashes to Ashes is neither your average crime story of the time nor a whodunit. The fact is that we already know who the killer is, an egotistical, "impulsive" and not-so-clever man of the country club set by the name of Norman Storm.
As Norman is leaving his lawyer's office in New York City, he sees his wife Leila coming out of another office building. Later, at home he asks her about it, and she denies having been there, claiming instead to have gone to lunch with a friend. As little things begin to build up (an overheard telephone call, an envelope with the name of the building where he'd seen her in the city), he comes to believe that Leila has been unfaithful, and during a confrontation, picks up a golf club and beats her to death. An ungrieving Norman knows that if caught he'll face the death penalty, but he's more worried about the publicity and disgrace. After ensuring that Leila's death will be ruled accidental (you can actually see the gears grinding in this man's head as he sets up his elaborate plan), he congratulates himself on winning a "supreme battle of wits, his against the rest," including his friends, who, not aware of what he's done and to Norman's dismay, will continue to stand by him. After Norman Storm learns the truth about his wife's supposed infidelity, he finds that he has "descended to the nethermost depths," but trust me, he hasn't even started his descent as events will ultimately prove. Normally I can squeeze out some sympathy for someone like Norman, but not in this case. There is no room for it here, and I don't know about anyone else who's read this novel, but based on his personality alone (never mind his horrific deeds), I couldn't wait for him to get cut down to size.
Ashes to Ashes worked well for me precisely because it wasn't your average murder mystery. In this book the action is focused on the machinations of one man's mind, rather than on the investigation of a crime or the quest for a solution, making it much more personally appealing. Given that it was written in 1919, the writing is pretty reader friendly, although I will say she must have had a thing about exclamation points because they're everywhere. This one I can easily recommend for readers like myself who a) like these old books and b) are more into character than plot.
like a 3.5 but not rounded up to 4
Ashes to Ashes is neither your average crime story of the time nor a whodunit. The fact is that we already know who the killer is, an egotistical, "impulsive" and not-so-clever man of the country club set by the name of Norman Storm.
As Norman is leaving his lawyer's office in New York City, he sees his wife Leila coming out of another office building. Later, at home he asks her about it, and she denies having been there, claiming instead to have gone to lunch with a friend. As little things begin to build up (an overheard telephone call, an envelope with the name of the building where he'd seen her in the city), he comes to believe that Leila has been unfaithful, and during a confrontation, picks up a golf club and beats her to death. An ungrieving Norman knows that if caught he'll face the death penalty, but he's more worried about the publicity and disgrace. After ensuring that Leila's death will be ruled accidental (you can actually see the gears grinding in this man's head as he sets up his elaborate plan), he congratulates himself on winning a "supreme battle of wits, his against the rest," including his friends, who, not aware of what he's done and to Norman's dismay, will continue to stand by him. After Norman Storm learns the truth about his wife's supposed infidelity, he finds that he has "descended to the nethermost depths," but trust me, he hasn't even started his descent as events will ultimately prove. Normally I can squeeze out some sympathy for someone like Norman, but not in this case. There is no room for it here, and I don't know about anyone else who's read this novel, but based on his personality alone (never mind his horrific deeds), I couldn't wait for him to get cut down to size.
Ashes to Ashes worked well for me precisely because it wasn't your average murder mystery. In this book the action is focused on the machinations of one man's mind, rather than on the investigation of a crime or the quest for a solution, making it much more personally appealing. Given that it was written in 1919, the writing is pretty reader friendly, although I will say she must have had a thing about exclamation points because they're everywhere. This one I can easily recommend for readers like myself who a) like these old books and b) are more into character than plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 of 1 review